10 things to do in Le Marche for the slow traveler

An insider's guide for the slow traveler

You want an Italian escape without feeling that you’re rushing through the landmarks? You long for connection, slowness and meaning? In this article, I’ll share with you 10 things that makes Le Marche exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Picture it.

Slowly wandering the cobbled streets of a medieval town with nothing planned on your agenda. Nothing to do but to be here. Allowing yourself to linger over another cup of Italian coffee, letting the Italian parole flood you with their subtle caresses.

Nestled between the Apennines and the Adriatic sea, Le Marche has this exceptional feel. A rhythm of life that naturally invites you to slow down, stay longer and experience Italy in its purest, most unfiltered form.

Spending time here isn’t about crossing museums and restaurants off your checklist. It’s about telling each place reveal itself to you. To help you make the most of your next visit, here are 10 experiences in Le Marche that capture that essence. Gentle invitations to explore.

1 - Merletto and Pecorino in Offida

Offida is your first stop.

Wander through this small hilltop town in the province of Ascoli Piceno, and you might pause in wonder: what are these women doing, gathered by their doors with wooden bobbins and delicate white thread?

Ask them, and they’ll gladly share the story of merletto (lace-making), a centuries-old tradition passed from mother to daughter like a whispered poem.

Step into the Museo del Merletto a Tombolo to learn more about this intricate craft, then slow down in the sunlit piazza with a glass of crisp Pecorino wine.

2 - Visit family-run wineries in Cupramontana

Cupramontana is the spot to taste the famous Verdicchio. The capital of the Verdicchio wine is in the province of Ancona. Here you’ll find many wineries run by local families, such as L’Azienda Quaresima or Brunori.

Take a walk through the vineyards, listen to the stories of owners and if you’re lucky, you might be offered to stay for a homemade lunch.

Come for the wine, stay for the ambiance: Cupramontana is a heaven of beauty and calm where you’ll enjoy the folklore and authentic local markets. In fact, why not spend the night in a local bed & breakfast?

3 - Swim and Read at Portonovo’s Beach

In the Conero Regional Park in Ancona, Portonovo (also known as Baia Verde - Green Bay) feels like a secret you don’t want to share.

Bring a book, pack a picnic and spend a full day where the forest meets the sea.

Ditch the crowds and the beach clubs, Portonovo is all about swimming, relaxing and enjoying the rhythm of the waves.

4 - Craft Handmade Paper in Fabriano

Are you ready for a tactile experience that connects you to Italian history through your fingertips?

Fabriano, located in Ancona province, is a charming historic town most famous for its paper.

Visit the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana to learn about centuries-old techniques, then join a hands-on workshop where you can craft your own sheet of artisan paper.

Finally, wander through the city letting your steps guide you through its colorful alleyways.

5 - Savour a long lunch in the Metauro Valley Drive

La Valle del Metauro is located at the heart of the Marche rolling hills.

Stop at a family-run agriturismo like La Grotta dei Folletti and enjoy an unforgettable lunch.

Here, meals are slow rituals, often lasting hours. Try homemade and traditional lumache in porchetta, coratella d’agnello or the trippa di vitello.

The views are endless, and so is the hospitality.

6 - Join a Truffle Hunt in Acqualagna

Close to the Furlo Gorge Natural Reserve, Acqualagna is located in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, and it’s specifically known as Italy’s truffle capital. If you’re into it, I’d definitely recommend planning a trip into the woods with a truffle hunter and their dog to learn how to spot the truffles! Enjoy a rustic lunch afterward and once replenished, don’t forget to explore Acqualagna’s splendid museums, archeological and religious sites.

7 - Walk the Via Lauretana Pilgrimage Trail

If you’re into hiking, you don’t want to miss the ancient Via Lauretana Pilgrimage Trail. A pilgrimage experience that takes you from Assisi to Loreto, winding through some of the most untouched parts of central Italy.

Religious or not, it’s impossible not to feel its sacred energy. You can make the whole hike or walk just through a portion of the trail, pass through small villages, and reconnect with yourself, one quiet step at a time.

8 - Reflect at the Abbey of Fiastra

Between Macerata and the Sibillini Mountains, this 12th-century Cistercian abbey is a sanctuary of silence. Wander the grounds, sit in the shade of the cloisters, or walk through the adjacent nature reserve. Let stillness be the destination.

9 - Discover San Vittore alle Chiuse

Near the Frasassi Caves, you’ll find the Abbey of San Vittore: the perfect example of Romanesque architecture in perfect harmony with nature. It’s a place to marvel and to pause.

Explore slowly, visit the small natural history museum, then walk along the river trail nearby.

10 - Embrace 'Dolce Far Niente' in Sarnano

In the heart of the Sibillin mountains in the province of Macerata, Sarnano is the kind of town that invites you to sit down and stay awhile.

Order a coffee in the main piazza and just watch life unfold: old men chatting, children playing, swallows looping through the sky.

Let go of the need to do, and rediscover the joy of simply being here.

Any of these 10 experiences will make your trip worthwhile, like little doorways inviting you to travel differently.

So come.

Stay longer than you planned.

Let this land change your pace of life, and maybe even your heart.

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Want to uncover even more hidden gems in Le Marche? I’ve put together a special guide featuring my favourite off-the-beaten-path locations. Download it for free and start planning your next adventure!

Ci sentiamo presto!

Barbara