Ancona
Ancona is the capital of Italy's Marche region, a port on the Adriatic with a hillside cathedral, a Roman arch and sea cliffs at Conero nearby. Go for the old town and the cliffs, or use the city as a night between ferries and trains.
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Ancona is the capital of the Marche region on Italy's Adriatic coast. Its harbor handles ferries to Greece and Croatia, so many people arrive here by boat or leave by one. Above the port, the old quarter on Colle Guasco climbs to the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, and its terraces look down over the harbor and the curve of the coast. Below it stands the Arch of Trajan, a Roman gateway from the early second century, and the 18th-century Mole Vanvitelliana juts out on the waterfront.
South of the city, Conero Regional Park has white and red limestone cliffs above the sea, with small beaches reached by steep paths or stairs. Plan one night for the old town and the cliffs, or use the city as a stop on a rail or ferry route along the Adriatic.
Ancona in five
- Check ferry check-in rules for Greece and CroatiaFerries leave from the port, not the center, and check-in closes well before sailing. Read the operator's page for your date and keep passports within reach, since you cross an external Schengen border on these routes.
- Take the Adriatic line from BolognaFast and regional trains run down the coast from Bologna to Ancona in roughly 2 hours. Check whether your ticket is for a specific train before you board.Italy by train off-peak
- Spend a morning at the cathedral hillSan Ciriaco crowns the old hill, with views over the harbor. Combine it with the archaeological museum and a walk down through the old quarter before lunch.
- Save the beach for ConeroThe Conero Riviera, with Sirolo and Numana, is a short drive or bus ride south. Visit on a weekday, since summer weekends are the busiest and some coves limit access.
Things to do in Ancona
See all attractions in Ancona
Need to know
- Airport
- Ancona-Falconara (AOI), small; Bologna and Rome are bigger
- Getting there
- Train on the Adriatic line; ferry from Greece, Croatia or Albania
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; bus or car to Conero
- Best base
- The old town or near the station
- Time needed
- 1 night in transit; 3 days with Conero
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Early springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early spring
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, clearAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, quietMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low21°Peak crowds, hotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak crowds, hot
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, quietOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Rain, coolerNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cooler
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cold, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Ancona, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ancona
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Ancona
11:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°14°45%Monday: Rain. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Tue17°12°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed16°10°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu16°11°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri15°11°18%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat14°12°11%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun15°12°17%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 17%.
Updated 07:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Conero Riviera (Sirolo and Numana)about 20 to 30 min by car or busWhite cliffs above clear water, with coves reached by path or boat.
- Loretoabout 30 min by trainA hill town with a major pilgrimage basilica.
- Le Marche hill townsabout 1 to 2 hours by carUrbino, Macerata and small walled towns inland.Read the guide
Before you go to Ancona
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Rules for Ancona, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check your eligibility on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter churches, including the cathedral on Colle Guasco.
- Driving into a ZTL (limited traffic zone) without a permit brings a camera fine. Read the signs at the entrance before you drive in.
Plan around Ancona
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideLe MarcheHill towns, beaches and the wider region
Read the guideAbruzzoGran Sasso and a quiet coast to the south
Read the guideBolognaRail hub to the northwest, about 2 hours
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakPlanning legs along the Adriatic line
Read the guideEES, explainedWhat to expect at external borders and ports
Read the guideAncona FAQ
Is Ancona worth visiting?
As a stop, yes. It has a working harbor, a cathedral hill and good seafood, and it is the best base for the Conero coast. Its sights fit in a day, so most people use it as a gateway.
How do you get from Ancona to Greece by ferry?
Ferries run from the port to Greek ports such as Igoumenitsa and Patras. Book on the operator's site, arrive within the stated check-in time and confirm the schedule, since sailing days vary by season.
How far is Ancona from Bologna by train?
About 2 hours on the Adriatic line, with fast and regional trains. Check which train type your ticket covers before you board.
Is Ancona good for beaches?
The city has a pebble beach at the Passetto, but the better swimming is at Conero, a short ride south. Go midweek in July and August to avoid crowds.
How many days do you need in Ancona?
One night is enough for the cathedral hill and the port. Add two days if you want the Conero coast and Loreto.