Things to Do in Ancona: Historic Attractions & Beaches
Ancona is a port city in Italy with many things to do, including beaches, Roman sites, and historic buildings. It is a compact city, and many of the key landmarks are centrally located. The coast is a big draw for walking or for the beach at Passetto.
We stayed in Ancona for 5 nights, and the city kept us busy with a combination of seaside activities, historic sites, and food. I really enjoyed my sunrise walks, seeing the attractions in the city centre and the seafront in the cruise port. One of my favourite walks was up Via Ciriaco towards the cathedral because of the historic buildings along the way.
Disclosure! Keep in mind that some links in these posts are affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m extremely grateful) at no extra cost to you. Thanks for visiting!
Things To Do in Ancona
The city has a selection of historic sights to explore during our 5-night stay. The coastal areas also add an extra fun element. To break up the days and escape the heat, there were some great cafes and restaurants.
Ancona Cathedral
Ancona Duomo, also known as Cattedrale di San Ciriaco, is a distinctive hilltop church. The current cathedral dates mainly from the 11th to 13th centuries and is on the site of Ancona’s ancient Greek acropolis.
Its Romanesque design has Byzantine influences, while the position on Guasco Hill gives wide views over the port and Adriatic. I enjoyed walking around the outside early in the morning, and the views from the top were special. The walk to the cathedral takes about 15 minutes from the centre, including lots of steps towards the end.
The main building also has a campanile and a statue of Pope John Paul II next to it. At the top are two viewpoints: one towards the east for sunrise and the other overlooking the port. Next to the cathedral is the Diocesan Museum, which covers the area’s Christian art and history.
Monumento ai Caduti
The Monumento ai Caduti is one of Ancona’s most recognisable landmarks. It is near Passetto beach and the stairway. It was built in the 1930s as a memorial to those who died in World War I.
I visited a few times, including early in the morning and before and after our beach sessions. It is a big monument that you can climb for a vantage point.
Passetto Stairway
The Passetto Stairway starts near the Monumento ai Caduti, and the steps take you down to the beach and caves below. The long marble staircase is one of the most distinctive features of this part of Ancona. It was completed in the 1950s after construction paused during World War 2.
It has views of the sea and nearby white cliffs. I visited to watch the sunrise, and it seemed others had the same idea.
Visit Passetto Beach
Passetto Beach is about a 25-minute walk from our hotel near the port, or it’s a quick bus ride. You can reach the beach via the Stairway or a lift under Ristorante L’Ascensore, which you pay for at the machine near the entrance.
The beach is rocky, with some pebbled areas, and perfect for a swim. During the afternoon, the beach is in the shade, so it is a great way to avoid the heat. You can rent sunbeds here, which seemed good value, and there were a few shacks for drinks too.
Grotte del Passetto
We enjoyed looking around the Grotte del Passetto after swimming at the beach, then walked along the coast towards the Seggiola del Papa, or Pope’s Seat. Local fishermen originally dug over 500 man-made caves here between the mid-19th century and the 1960s to store boats and fishing equipment. Their colourful doors and seaside location make this one of Ancona’s most distinctive features.
Mole Vanvitelliana
The Mole Vanvitelliana, also known as the Lazzaretto of Ancona, is a pentagonal building on an artificial island in the harbour. Luigi Vanvitelli designed it in the 18th century, and it was originally used as a quarantine station for people and goods arriving by sea.
This became one of our regular morning dog walks, as it was quiet and had some details to see. I liked the views from the bridges, the details around the edge and the inner courtyard.
The inner courtyard contains the Tempietto di San Rocco, a small neoclassical shrine, and Sbarco, a silver-coloured boat sculpture. They also host events here during the summer; we listened to a gig from our hotel balcony above. The island also has 2 bars, including one, The Mole, ideal for early-morning coffee.
Arch of Trajan
Arch of Trajan is at the entrance to Ancona’s ancient harbour, a pleasant walk from the centre. The arch was built in the early 2nd century AD in honour of Emperor Trajan.
Made of white marble, it commemorates his role in improving the port and remains one of the city’s most important Roman landmarks. From Trajan’s Arch, you can see the harbour walls, the cathedral and the Arch of Clement XII.
Arco Clementino – Arch of Clement XII
The Arco Clementino, or Arch of Clement XII, was built in the 18th century and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli as part of improvements to Ancona’s harbour.
It was dedicated to Pope Clement XII, who supported the port’s expansion. The arch has a different style on each side, and nearby are some old cannons and stone details.
Ancona’s Roman Amphitheatre
Ancona has a Roman-era history and a few sites to visit, including the amphitheatre. On my visit, I saw the exterior of the site, which was nice, including the exterior walls and some mosaics.
The Roman Amphitheatre dates from the Augustan age, between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. In its heyday, it could host 8-10 thousand people. You can arrange a guided tour of the main site; you can find their prices and opening times on their website.
Piazza del Plebiscito
My favourite town square in Ancona was Piazza del Plebiscito, which dates from the 15th century and has lots of detail. It is home to many of the city’s restaurants.
In Piazza del Plebiscito, you can see Chiesa di San Domenico, Palazzo del Governo and the civic tower. You’ll also find a statue of Pope Clement XII and historic fountains, including the Hemicycle Fountain.
One evening, dancers performed on the slope leading to the church, which was entertaining.
Mercato delle Erbe
Mercato delle Erbe is Ancona’s covered market, with stalls selling fresh produce and local food. It was good for a browse around, and the seafood and baked goods caught my eye. There were also fruit and butcher stalls. The building is Art Nouveau and dates from 1926; thus, it has some nice details.
Ancona’s Historic Port
Ancona’s historic port has been used for trade since ancient times, with the Romans later developing it into an important Adriatic harbour.
Surviving features include sections of the 2nd-century BC city walls and remains of the Roman port. The arches of Trajan and Clement are also here, making it an interesting place to walk, especially with the activity of the current port.
Porta Pia
Near the waterfront and Mole Vanvitelliana is Porta Pia, a monument we saw often from our hotel room. Pope Pius VI ordered Porta Pia built between 1787 and 1789 as a new monumental entrance to Ancona. The sea-facing side is made of Istrian stone with Baroque decoration, while the city-facing side is much plainer and built from sandstone.
Fontana del Calamo
Fontana del Calamo near Piazza Roma is also known as the Fountain of the Thirteen Spouts and is one of the city’s oldest fountains, its current form dating to 1560. It is unique, with thirteen water spouts decorated with masks, and the stone feature bears Ancona’s emblem of the charging knight.
Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi
Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi is Ancona’s main shopping street and was created after Italian unification. The street has lots of colourful buildings and a wide selection of shops. At the bottom end is Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento.
Walks in Ancona’s Old Town
Ancona’s old town was pleasant to explore, especially early in the morning. It has steep streets, historic buildings and plenty of smaller details to notice along the way.
One of my favourite walks was up Via Ciriaco towards the cathedral, passing old palaces, churches, and narrow side streets. From several points higher up the hill, you get views back towards the port.
Piazza Roma
Piazza Roma has some nice, colourful buildings and hosts a street market during the day. The square is home to Fontana dei Cavalli, which I found eye-catching.
Viale della Vittoria
This tree-lined boulevard leads from Passetto to the city centre and is a pleasant walk.
Other Beaches Near Ancona
We spent our beach time at Passetto, but several other options are around Ancona. Portonovo and Mezzavalle are popular beaches south of the city towards Monte Conero, while Palombina and Torrette have sandy beaches to the north. Torrette has the Spiaggia per Cani di Torrette, a dog-friendly section of beach. If we stayed longer, we’d have visited those, but we focused on the city on this visit.
Enjoy the Waterfront and Port Views
The waterfront by the port is ideal for a walk with lots going on. We enjoyed the walks along the water between the railway station and the lighthouse during our stay. Along the way, you can see many of the arches, the Mole, and various statues.
Watch the Sunrise in Ancona
Ancona has a unique geography, meaning that you can watch both sunrise and sunset over the sea. During my visit, I enjoyed the sunrise in a variety of spots.
The hill by the cathedral was a great vantage point to see the red skies after an early sightseeing walk through the old town. It is a perfect spot to watch the sunset across the harbour. The port was good too, especially from the walls and Trajan’s Arch; from farther away, Guasco Hill was nicely lit up.
Slightly out of the centre is Passetto beach; the steps and Monumento ai Caduti are a top spot for the early sun. I got the bus and found many people were on the steps watching the sun rise.
Museums
We didn’t visit any museums, but a few options are worth knowing about. The National Archaeological Museum of the Marche in Palazzo Ferretti covers the region’s archaeology, while the Museo Omero at Mole Vanvitelliana is a tactile museum designed around touch. There is also the Pinacoteca Civica Francesco Podesti for art, as well as a Diocesan Museum near the cathedral.
Parco del Cardeto
For those who like a coastal walk, Parco del Cardeto stretches from the cathedral towards Passetto. I saw both ends of the park, but the heatwave meant I didn’t do the full walk through to see the views, Jewish Cemetery, old and new lighthouses and Polveriera Castelfidard.
Churches in Ancona
In addition to the cathedral on the hill, there was a good selection of church buildings to see throughout the centre of Ancona.
Santa Maria della Piazza
Santa Maria della Piazza is a Romanesque church near the port, and its decorative facade caught my attention. The current building dates mainly from the 11th and 12th centuries, with remains of earlier churches below.
Chiesa di San Francesco alle Scale
San Francesco alle Scale is in the old town at the top of a long staircase. The church dates from the 14th century and has an impressive stone facade.
Chiesa del Gesù
Chiesa del Gesù overlooks the port near Palazzo degli Anziani. The church was redesigned in the 18th century, including its curved front.
Chiesa di San Domenico
Chiesa di San Domenico is at the top of Piazza del Plebiscito and is one of many historic buildings in the square. Most of the current church dates from the 18th century.
Chiesa di San Biagio
Chiesa di San Biagio is a small 18th-century church in the old town, which was often busy on my visit. The inside has a single nave with lots of decorative detail.
Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento
Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento is near the bottom of Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi. Its unique bell tower impressed me; it was closed for renovations during our visit.
Chiesa di San Gregorio Illuminatore
San Gregorio Illuminatore has medieval origins, although much of the current building dates from later renovations. I passed it on my walks near the cathedral, and it looked great from above at sunset.
Chiesa dei Santi Pellegrino e Teresa
Santi Pellegrino e Teresa is a Baroque church dating from the early 18th century. The large green dome makes it easy to spot while walking around this part of Ancona.
Palaces and Historic Architecture in Ancona
My sightseeing walks through the city led me to many historic buildings, including a selection of palaces.
Palazzo Ferretti (National Archaeological Museum of the Marche)
Palazzo Ferretti is a Renaissance palace in the historic centre. Today, it houses the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche.
Palazzo degli Anziani
Palazzo degli Anziani is one of the more imposing buildings near the cathedral.
Around the lower part are some interesting historic details, including old cannonballs and stone features built into the walls, which are worth looking out for as you walk past.
Loggia dei Mercanti
Loggia dei Mercanti is a 15th-century building near the port. Its decorative Gothic facade made it one of the more eye-catching buildings on my walks.
Palazzo del Senato
Palazzo del Senato is a medieval building overlooking Piazza del Senato. It dates from the 13th century and was once used by Ancona’s governing council. Inside the archway beside the palace are some old stone relics.
Palazzo Benincasa
Palazzo Benincasa is a 15th-century palace near the port. The Benincasa family, prominent merchants in Ancona, built it.
Palazzo Arcivescovile
Palazzo Arcivescovile is the Archbishop’s Palace near the cathedral. The building has been altered over the centuries, so it blends architectural styles.
Palazzo del Governo
Palazzo del Governo overlooks Piazza del Plebiscito and is one of the square’s main buildings. The civic tower, archway and clock are its most noticeable features.
Palazzo Jona-Millo
Palazzo Jona-Millo is an 18th-century palace in Ancona’s historic centre. Its colourful stone facade, balcony and window details stand out.
Map of Attractions in Ancona
A map to find the key places of interest in the city.