Why Pesaro should be your next Italian city break

Looking for a taste of la dolce vita beyond Rome? It’s time you said ciao to Pesaro. Crowned Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2024, this endearing city on the Adriatic coast is the new go-to for an Italian culture hit.

While we’d argue Pesaro doesn’t need the title to convince us of its charms (its reputation for music and beautiful buildings speaks for itself), it certainly has refreshed its stake on the tourist map and rightly so – its expert blend of city and seaside is worthy of our attention.

Whether you go for the pretty piazzas or bountiful beaches, here’s why Pesaro should be your next Italian city break.

Its music is a claim to fame

Birthplace of composer, Gioacchino Rossini, and a UNESCO Creative City of Music, Pesaro and music have gone hand and hand since the 19th century. You can delve into Rossini’s incredible career at the Rossini National Museum – his opera masterpieces include The Barber of Seville and William Tell, but to really hear the city, a visit to Rossini Theatre is a must.

It’s one of Italy’s best preserved theatres with a horseshoe-shaped hall and four tiers of boxes, hosting a varied programme of musical shows and concerts. The annual highlight is the Rossini Opera Festival, held each August in celebration of the composer’s opera heritage.

If classical isn’t your thing, listen out for contemporary and experimental music festivals that bring a modern beat to the city.

The old town is full of Italian soul

It’s hard to resist the charm of Pesaro’s historic centre. A labyrinth of narrow paved streets weaves between medieval buildings and past sprawling piazzas, guiding you to the open doors of cafes and boutique shops, of which you’ll be all too happy to enter and sip on another espresso or peruse local handicrafts.

Piazza del Popolo (People’s Square) is the heart of the action. Boasting builds including the Ducal Palace, a central water fountain with eye-catching water nymph statues, and a hub of high-end restaurants dishing up international cuisine, its appeal is immediately obvious.

Its as much sand as it is city

Less than a ten-minute walk will get you from Pesaro’s centre to the coast, where a busy promenade of hotels, restaurants and shops is the city’s last frontier before it gives way to long stretches of soft, golden sand in each direction.

With a shallow and sheltered sea, Pesaro has long been a beach hotspot in the Marche region for holidaying Italians. Most of the sunbeds and facilities along the main beach are privately owned by resorts, but there are some free sandy spots to catch some rays if you’re not staying at one – Spiaggia Libera is a good shout.

Tucked around the corner of the harbour and bookended by lush mountainside, Baia Flaminia takes the beach scenery up a notch. The vibe feels slightly more secluded, although it still has its fair share of loungers and watersports.

The art and architecture are astounding

Churches, palaces, grand villas and boulevards… think of an impressive building and chances are Pesaro has it. The cathedral (Duomo di Pesaro) is the most significant in the city centre, dating back to the 5th century. Its romanesque facade is only a taster for the ancient mosaics and intricate works by Italian painter, Rafaello Sanzio that await within.

While you can only admire Ruggeri House from the outside, admire you should. This Liberty-style villa has flamboyance written all over it, with an extravagant flower facade and ornate iron balconies. Find it just off Piazzale della Libertà where you can also tick off the modernist fountain sculpture, ‘La Sfera Grande’.

For more art, Ducal Palace (an architectural showpiece in itself) is home to the National Gallery of the Marche, where you can see paintings by Piero della Francesca, Giovanni Bellini and Raphael.

Its cuisine gives Naples a run for its money

Naples may be the homeland of pizza, but Pesaro has its own version – and it's a speciality that locals are particularly fond of. Named after the musical maestro, Rossini Pizza has two additional ingredients that make it unique: hard-boiled egg and mayonnaise. While not everyone’s topping of choice, this tasty snack has become a symbol of the city and should be tried at least once.

Veal is another specialty. Tuck into hearty portions of pasticciata alla pesarese – succulent slices of meat cooked in a sauce seasoned with tomatoes, bacon, celery, carrots and white wine – or order olivette di vitello to try veal stuffed with capers and anchovies.

Of course, this is Italy, so pasta is always a menu staple, as is fresh seafood. Keep your eyes peeled for prosciutto di Carpegna too, a delicately flavoured salami traditional to the Marche region.

The activity list doesn’t stop at sightseeing

Beaches and buildings are only the start of your holiday itinerary in Pesaro. Nicknamed ‘the city of the bicycle’, navigating the city on two wheels is all part of the fun here. A network of almost 100km (and still growing) connects the city and coastline with different routes indicated by coloured signs.

Use that pedal power to explore the surrounding natural parks. To the city’s north, Monte San Bartolo Park is a protected area spanning all the way to Gabicce Mare, combining mountain valleys, vineyards, medieval villages and wild beaches. It's noted for its diversity of birdlife as well as being home to the Villa Imperiale – a stunning palatial house with elaborate gardens.

There’s oodles of day trip potential too: visit the Renaissance city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Urbino; explore Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region with a trip to Rimini; or tick off another country entirely by spending the day in San Marino.