On the Adriatic coastline, the Monte Conero is a towering mountain that guards the eastern coast of Italy. Just south of the town of Ancona, it creates an ideal environment for the most beautiful beaches that Le Marche has to offer, known as the Conero Riviera. Along with popular beaches come many restaurants and hotels and other shore locations that cater to beachgoers.
The most populated beach resorts lie in Portonovo, Sirolo, and Numana, and cater to Italian tourists of Italian and European descent alike. Blocked by the mountain, these towns are largely unlike most 21st century beach resorts. Sirolo and Numana offer small beaches, essentially coves, some reachable only by boat. Sirolo boasts the Conero Golf Club, one of the finest courses in La Marche, and some of the most beautiful beaches on the Conero peninsula. Along the road in Portonovo, there is a lively town to be found with many restaurants and shops, including, of course, many seafood restaurants with beautiful views. Don’t leave without trying the “mosciolo di Portonovo,” or the Portonovo Mussels and the Rosso Conero, the region’s much-touted wine, which can be found at the restaurant Giacchetti (Via Portonovo, 171). For a more intimate experience characteristic of Sirolo, try Sara (Via Italia, 9), a small trattoria serving traditional food, or try La Torre (Via della Torre,1) for another great restaurant serving fresh fish from the coast.
Aside from the attractions in the resort towns, Monte Conero can be quite an attraction itself. Go hiking on the mountain in Conero National Park and discover some of the most breathtaking views Italy’s coast has to offer, or take a boat out on the Adriatic Sea for a panoramic view of the Monte Conero and its surrounding landscape. Go camping in the smaller town of Sirolo near the mountain. Whether on, under, or around the mountain, the Conero Riviera has lots to offer on the coast of La Marche.
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