Le Marche has the best Adriatic beaches south of Venice — and nobody outside Italy knows. The Monte Conero promontory (white cliffs, hidden coves) is the Adriatic answer to the Amalfi Coast. Senigallia has the finest sand. Pesaro has the old-money Riviera feel.
Two white sea stacks. Accessible ONLY by boat from Numana (10-15 return). The icon of the Conero Riviera.
Pebble beach under the Monte Conero cliff. Crystal water. The 11th-century church of Santa Maria is 50m from the shore.
The village perched above the Conero. Two beaches below: Spiaggia di San Michele (steps down) and Spiaggia Urbani (the most popular).
Sandy beaches south of the Conero headland. Stabilimenti + free sections. Easier access than Portonovo/Sirolo.
"Velvet Beach" — the finest sand on the Adriatic. 13km. Rotonda sul Mare (the Art Nouveau pier).
Wild beach below a cliff village. 30 min walk. Dante mentioned this wind in the Inferno. Empty. Dramatic.