Ancona City Guide

Italy

Ancona City Guide

Marche

Ancona is a port city on Italy's Adriatic coast, known for its hills and maritime vibe. It's quieter than big tourist cities, offering access to beaches and nearby mountains. The pace is relaxed, making it suitable for those wanting an authentic Italian experience.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Fresh seafood is common. Try stoccafisso all'anconetana and brodetto. International food is limited. Vegan and vegetarian options exist but aren't widespread. Late-night food options are few.

Local Dishes:
Stoccafisso all'anconetana, Brodetto
International Cuisine:
Pizza, Pasta, Seafood
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is calm with bars and aperitivo spots mainly around the center and waterfront.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong espresso culture with some specialty cafes emerging. Coffee is mainly quick and strong at bars.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not mandatory. Restaurants may add service charge. Small tips or rounding up are appreciated.

Top Attractions
Ancona Cathedral
Sightseeing
Historic cathedral overlooking the city.
Arch of Trajan
Sightseeing
Ancient Roman monument in city center.
Lazzaretto (Mole Vanvitelliana)
Historical
Historic fortress on a small peninsula.
Passetto Beach and Monument
Outdoor
City beach and WWII memorial.
National Archaeological Museum of the Marche
Museum
Museum with regional artifacts.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at TIM, Vodafone, or WindTre stores for better deals. ID needed for activation. eSIM depends on provider and device.

Available at:
TIM
Vodafone
WindTre
Recommended Apps
Moovit(Transport)
Trenitalia(Transport)
Google Maps(Navigation)
TheFork(Food & Drink)
Glovo or Deliveroo(Food & Drink)
MyCicero(Transport)
WhatsApp(Communication)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Clean city center with good waste management. Some areas less maintained.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Limited 24/7 services. Some late pharmacies rotate. Late-night food is mostly pizza or kebabs.

Groceries
Conad
Coop
Eurospin

Supermarkets like Conad, Coop, and Eurospin offer basic and some international products. Local markets sell fresh produce. Smaller shops may close midday or Sunday.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are accepted in most places, but cash is handy for markets and small shops.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find near banks and commercial areas. Watch for fees from your bank or ATM operator.

Schools
Local only

Most schools teach in Italian. Few international options nearby. English instruction is limited locally.

Available Schools:
Liceo Scientifico "E. Medi"

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
6
Available Spaces:
Ancona Coworking
Flexible desks and meeting rooms.
Coworking Ancona - Centro Direzionale "Il Faro"
Various workspace options.
The Hive Ancona
Shared office spaces.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Limited
Caffè Giuliani
Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere, not always many outlets.
Caffè del Corso
Popular spot with Wi-Fi near the center.
Alternatives:
Biblioteca Comunale "Benincasa"
Quiet library space with Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable seating with Wi-Fi; buy a drink if possible.
University buildings
Quiet spots during off-peak hours.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Digital nomads are rare here. Few meetups, mostly small local groups. Co-working spots exist but limited.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Parks like Parco del Cardeto provide green relief for walking and running.

Running
Good
7

Safe running spots include the waterfront promenade and city parks.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and fitness centers offer various workout options.

Available Gyms:
Palestra New Life
Palestra Body Planet
Virgin Active
Tennis
Good
6

Several tennis clubs have courts and coaching. Some padel courts are available too.

Padel
Limited
5

Padel is growing, with courts present at some sports clubs.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios offer classes; drop-ins possible. Some instructors speak English.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Gyms offer judo, karate, taekwondo, and boxing. BJJ and Muay Thai are less common.

Skiing
Limited
4

Nearest ski resorts are 1.5-2 hours away in the Apennines, with rental gear and varied terrain.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are offered in summer around the Conero coast.

Surfing
Poor
3

Surfing spots near Ancona are few and mainly for experienced surfers during specific conditions.

Diving
Good
7

Diving along Conero Riviera features good visibility, caves, and reefs. Rentals and centers available in coastal towns.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Public hospital Torrette is major. Staff may have some English. Pharmacies are common but may close midday. Private clinics offer faster service.

Hospitals:
Ospedale Regionale di Torrette
Pharmacies:
Farmacia Centrale
Farmacia Cardeto
Farmacia del Corso
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is generally safe to drink.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in tourist areas, Overcharging by unofficial taxis, Overpriced goods from street vendors

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Parks and playgrounds are available. Beaches nearby are good for families. Kid-friendly cafés exist but are few.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Generally accepting with some safe spaces and inclusive venues. Dedicated scene is small.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pet-friendly city with parks and vet services. Some accommodations and restaurants allow pets but check ahead.

Communities
Expats in Ancona (Social)
Ancona Community (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
98,356
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power is mostly reliable with rare short outages.

Beach Access
Available

Passetto is the city beach; Conero Riviera beaches are nearby with clear water and good quality.

Mountains
Available

The Apennines are accessible within 1-1.5 hours drive, offering hiking and nature.

Languages
Italian(95%)
English(40%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
112
Police (Carabinieri)
118
Ambulance
115
Fire Department

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
2
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
High heat and humidity can be uncomfortable.
Storms
Late Summer, Early Autumn
Occasional thunderstorms occur.

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