Camping in the Marche Region

Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, Le Marche is in no way inferior to Tuscany in terms of scenic beauty and is extremely popular with camping holidaymakers. Its simultaneous proximity to the coast and the mountains is what makes this central Italian region so special. It is particularly popular with those looking for a holiday close to nature, unspoilt countryside and a rich cultural offering.

Special features of camping in the Marche region

Suitable campsites with direct access to the sea can be found along the entire Adriatic coast in the Marche region for beach holidays. Whether you are staying in wooded areas or in a slightly elevated position with a panoramic view of the Adriatic, camping in Le Marche is all about enjoying the surrounding nature. In the rolling hills behind, the number of large campsites is more manageable. An alternative to the traditional campsite are privately run mini-campsites, a form of accommodation known in Italy as agriturismo. While most of these farms only accept tents, some also allow motorhomes or caravans to use the outdoor area of the campsite.

How to get there

The quickest route from Stuttgart is via the A8 and A7 motorways to the B179 Fernpass road in Füssen. In Tyrol, holidaymakers take the A12 and then follow the E45 through Austria and the A22 Brenner motorway to Modena. Then continue along the Autostrada Adriatica, the A14 motorway via Bologna, towards San Marino. The individual holiday resorts can be reached via well-developed national roads and provincial roads with slower traffic speeds. The SS16, the SP360, leads along the coast westwards to the province of Ancona. From Munich, campers take the A8 to the A12 Inntal motorway and take the E45 to avoid traffic jams on the A8. Continue on the A14 to the campsites in the Marche region. All motorways in Italy are subject to tolls. At the toll booths, holidaymakers should make sure to choose the right lane for cash or card payment, especially in the high season. The distance from Munich to Le Marche is around 800 kilometres. The motorway service areas in Italy are generally more sparsely equipped. Play facilities for children are therefore more likely to be found on the German or Austrian side.

Destinations for camping in the Marche region

The landscape of the Marche region, rich in twelve nature reserves, is criss-crossed by a dense network of historic villages with a cultural heritage worth seeing. It is therefore worth getting to know the Marche region beyond the Adriatic coast.

Marche

The Marche region is synonymous with unspoilt landscapes and sustainable tourism. Six nature and regional parks and a further six nature reserves invite travellers to visit the region. The largest national park in Le Marche is the Parco nazionale dei Monti Sibillini in the Apennine Mountains.

A natural spectacle of a special kind can be witnessed here in May and June on the Piano Grande plateau in the west. This is when the 40 square kilometres are covered in a sea of wildflowers. But the region around Monte Vettore is also a paradise for hikers in the other months.

Urbino

The fortified city of Urbino is a World Heritage Site due to its artistic and cultural heritage. The Ducal Palace, Palazzo Ducale, is impressive for its size alone. Inside, it houses one of the most important collections of Italian Renaissance art. A remarkable prayer room with very impressive frescoes is housed in the small chapel Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista. It is somewhat hidden in a side street uphill. The intensity of the colours and the technical quality of the frescoes are well worth the climb and will not only impress art enthusiasts.

Activities and excursions

The range of activities on offer in Le Marche is as diverse as the region itself.

A trip to a dwarf state

The oldest republic in Europe, the independent state of San Marino, is located just 15 kilometres from Rimini. The historic city centre of the capital of the same name is a welcome destination all year round, although the winter months are the much more pleasant period due to the number of visitors. A view from the fortress of Monte Titano is worthwhile all year round, as it extends all the way to the Mediterranean. The changing of the guard takes place twice a day in front of the neo-Gothic government palace. Some holidaymakers may also be interested in the fact that you can shop tax-free in San Marino.

The caves of Frasassi

About an hour's drive from Ancona, in a steep gorge in the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi Regional Nature Park, lies the largest stalactite cave complex in Italy. Its interior can be explored on a one-hour guided tour along easily accessible paths.

Nearby, the old town of Fabriano, which is world-famous for its paper production, is also worth a visit. On the way from Ancona to Frasassi, it is also worth making a detour to the medieval town of Jesi and the municipality of Staffolo with its magnificent city walls.

Gastronomy

If you stay in a modest, family-run trattoria in the Marche region, you can enjoy typical regional cuisine. Fresh, local ingredients such as herbs, mushrooms and truffles are used to prepare pasta or meat dishes - and you can taste it! Pasta is not served this finely and deliciously outside the Marche region. Marche cuisine is extremely varied. In rural areas, the grilled dish is very popular, on the Adriatic coast, brodetto, a type of fish soup, is on the menu, and in the Fermo area, egg pasta from campofilone with a traditional meat sauce is the preferred dish. Other regional specialities include lonza, raw salted pork fillet, which is often served as an antipasti. Among the primi, on the other hand, the lasagne-like vincisgrassi is at the top of the list.

Best time to visit

The summer months of June, July and August, when the thermometer rises to over 30 degrees Celsius, are recommended for beach holidays in Le Marche. As the water temperatures are pleasant from May to October and the beaches offer plenty of free spaces outside the holidays, camping on the coast is a good choice. In the winter months, cold temperatures characterise the hinterland in particular, contrary to what you would expect from a Mediterranean climate. For hikers or city travellers, the weather is therefore ideal in May and in the autumn months of September and October. It is not quite as warm and showers or thunderstorms usually pass quickly.