Marche with Kids: Italy’s Most Underrated Family Destination for Beaches, Caves & Crowd-Free Adventures
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Updated 11 February 2026
We live in Italy.
Our home base is Bergamo, in northern Italy. And because we have family in Puglia, we regularly drive the length of the country. Instead of rushing the journey, we’ve turned those long drives into a tradition: each time, we choose a different region to stop, explore, and experience properly.
Over the years, we’ve paused in Umbria, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna — and repeatedly in Marche. And the fact that we keep returning says everything.
Marche isn’t loud. It doesn’t market itself aggressively. It doesn’t compete for attention the way Tuscany does.
But as a family traveling through Italy season after season, we’ve found ourselves choosing Marche again and again.
Here’s why.
The Difference You Feel Immediately
When you arrive in Marche — especially along the Riviera del Conero — you notice something subtle but powerful: There’s space. Not emptiness. Not isolation. Just breathing room.
On our first stop here, we expected a quiet alternative to Tuscany. What we found was a region that offers:
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Dramatic Adriatic coastline
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Accessible beaches
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Wild landscapes
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Authentic towns
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Lower prices
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And far fewer international crowds
As residents of Italy, we can say this confidently: Marche delivers the beauty people search for in Tuscany — without the friction.
Best Destinations to Visit with Kids in Marche: Numana & Sirolo – The Family-Friendly Coastal Heart of Marche
Numana & Sirolo: Practical Beauty That Works for Families
Every time we drive south, the Conero Coast pulls us back.
If you’re visiting Marche with kids, this is where we recommend starting.
Numana strikes a balance that’s rare in Italy.
It’s picturesque without being overwhelming.
One of our favorite stops is Belvedere Piazza Nova. We visited on a clear day, and the cliffside view over the Adriatic is genuinely breathtaking — a sweeping panorama of blue sea framed by white rock and greenery. It’s the kind of view that feels expansive, not crowded.
The space is open and safe enough for children to move around, and because Numana hasn’t been over-commercialized, it still feels like a real Italian town — not a performance for visitors.
Photo by Azat Satlykov on Unsplash
Spiaggia del Frate: Scenic and Intimate
Spiaggia del Frate feels tucked into the coastline. The water is beautifully clear, and the natural setting gives it a slightly wilder atmosphere.
However, if you’re traveling with younger children or carrying multiple beach bags, you may prefer something easier to access.
Numana-Marcelli Beach: Why We Keep Returning
For pure family practicality, Numana-Marcelli Beach wins.
What makes it ideal:
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Flat access (no steep climbs back to town)
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Organized beach clubs
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Gradual water entry
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Wide stretches of sand
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Restaurants within walking distance
Before having children, we prioritised dramatic scenery. After having children, we prioritise simplicity. Marcelli gives you both.
Why We Prefer Marche Over Tuscany When Traveling with Kids
Tuscany is undeniably beautiful. We’ve explored it extensively.
But when driving with children and planning overnight stops, here’s what we’ve learned:
Tuscany often means:
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Higher accommodation prices
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Denser tourism
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Harder restaurant reservations
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More logistical friction
Marche offers:
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Comparable landscapes
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Easier beach access
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Lower seasonal pricing
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A more relaxed pace
As residents traveling regularly within Italy, that difference is tangible. Marche feels less curated — and more livable.
Our Top Favorite Activities We Truly Enjoyed in Marche with Kids
Visit Grotte di Frasassi: A Natural Wonder That Impresses Every Time
We’ve visited several cave systems across Italy.
Frasassi remains one of the most striking.
The sheer scale of the caverns — particularly the vast chambers — creates genuine awe, even for children who are difficult to impress.
The guided structure works well for families:
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Safe pathways
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Clear pacing
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Educational without being overwhelming
Practical note: The temperature inside remains around 14°C year-round. Bring layers, even in summer.
Booking ahead in peak season is strongly recommended.
Tempio del Valadier: The Unexpected Highlight
Not far from Frasassi lies one of the most visually dramatic sites in the region — Tempio del Valadier, a neoclassical temple built directly inside a rock cave.
There is often a combined ticket option with Frasassi, and during busier periods shuttle connections operate between access points (always confirm locally).
The short uphill walk to reach the temple is manageable for children who can walk independently.
What surprised us most wasn’t just the structure — it was the quiet. Even during summer travel periods, it never felt overcrowded. That sense of space defines Marche.
Monte Conero: Manageable Hiking with Adriatic Views
Living in Bergamo means we are accustomed to mountain terrain. We hike regularly in the Alps and Dolomites.
Monte Conero is different.
It offers:
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Forested paths
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Sea-view panoramas
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Moderate elevation
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Walkable distances for families
It’s not dramatic alpine hiking — and that’s precisely why it works so well with children.
Our preferred rhythm:
Morning hike → Afternoon beach → Evening piazza dinner.
It creates a balanced day without exhaustion.
Photo by Alessio Patron on Unsplash
More Family Experiences in Marche Worth Adding to Your Itinerary
Because we’ve passed through Marche multiple times, we’ve had the opportunity to explore beyond the coastline.
Some experiences we genuinely recommend:
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Discover Frasassi Adventure Park for active children
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Explore Museo del Balì for interactive science exploration and Fabriano Paper Museum for hands-on cultural workshops
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Visit Gradara Castle for medieval immersion. You can freely enter the fortress grounds and wander around at your own pace, discovering charming restaurants and small shops within the historic walls — or you can purchase this entrance ticket to the fortress with the audio guide app, which we highly recommend for a more immersive and insightful visit.
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Take a private canoe tour to explore the Marmitte dei Giganti, paddling through the stunning river-carved basins while enjoying a unique and family-friendly perspective of Marche’s dramatic natural scenery.
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Enjoy this Boat tour all along Conero Riviera
Marche offers depth — you just need to look slightly beyond the obvious.
Our Recommended Family-Friendly Stays in Marche (And Why We Chose Them)
Centro Vacanze De Angelis Villaggio Hotel (Marcelli)
When we prioritize ease, this is our practical choice.
Accommodation types include:
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Hotel rooms
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Self-contained apartments
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Bungalows
Facilities that matter with kids:
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Large swimming pools
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Entertainment programs
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On-site restaurants
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Direct beach access
It’s not boutique luxury — it’s functional comfort. And when traveling frequently by car across Italy, that reliability matters.
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La Locanda del Gelso (Cartoceto)
When we want quiet countryside atmosphere, we choose agriturismo-style stays like this.
You get:
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Rural calm
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Authentic meals
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Spacious rooms
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Slower evenings
Perfect when combining inland exploration with coastal stops.
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Who Marche Is Truly Perfect For
Marche is ideal if you:
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Live in Italy or travel often within Italy
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Prefer authenticity over global recognition
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Want beach + culture without overwhelming crowds
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Value logistical ease
It may not offer the iconic branding of Tuscany. But it offers something arguably more valuable for families: Sustainability of experience. You don’t feel drained after three days. You feel rested.
A Personal Perspective After Multiple Visits
Because we regularly drive from Bergamo to Puglia, we have the rare advantage of comparing Italian regions over time — not as a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, but as part of lived routine.
Marche consistently delivers:
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Beauty without pressure
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Infrastructure without overdevelopment
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Nature without spectacle
That combination is rare. And it’s why, when choosing where to stop on our next drive south, we often find ourselves saying: “Let’s stay in Marche again.”