← ColleMar-athon·1 night

Pesaro: Rossini's Seaside City

A flat seaside city a short train ride up the coast, with a composer's birthplace, an easy central square and a long promenade for a gentle walk.

Duration1 night
TransitRegional train, about 15 min from Fano
DepartsFano

After the ColleMar-athon: Pesaro

The Route: Fano → Pesaro Logistics: Regional train from Fano to Pesaro, about 15 minutes. Pesaro's station is about 1 km from the old town and the sea, on level streets. Marathon Month: May Duration: 1 night

Fano ──(15 mins regional train)──> Pesaro station ──(walk 10-15 mins)──> Piazza del Popolo ──> Seafront

Pesaro is the larger neighbour of Fano and the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini, and it spends a good deal of energy on the fact. It also happens to be one of the flattest cities in the Marche, which is a real virtue the day after a marathon.

May in Pesaro: mild and bright, with daytime temperatures in the high teens, a sea breeze and beach clubs opening for the summer season. Evenings can be cool.

Trains between Fano and Pesaro are frequent and take about 15 minutes. Buy a ticket at the station or on the Trenitalia app and validate it if it is paper. Check trenitalia.com for the Monday timetable.

Night one: Pesaro

Piazza del Popolo is the main square, with the fifteenth-century Palazzo Ducale on one side and a fountain in the middle. It is flat, paved and lined with cafes. Check whether the palace has any interior opening on your day.

Rossini's birthplace, the Casa Rossini, is on Via Rossini. It is a small museum, so check the opening days and ticket prices before you go.

The seafront is Pesaro's real asset. A promenade runs for kilometres along the coast, and the city is known for its bicycle lanes, which are flat and wide. A walk of a kilometre or two along the sand-side path suits tired legs. In early May, some beach clubs may still be setting up.

Look for a hotel in the centre or near the seafront, and confirm it is open in May. A room within a short walk of Piazza del Popolo makes for easy evenings.

For dinner, Pesaro serves the Adriatic fish of the coast. Brodetto is the local stew in many towns along this coast, and grilled fish is on most menus. Book ahead, since several restaurants close on Mondays.

Getting back

The next morning, walk to the station and take the train back to Fano, or south to Ancona if you are continuing. Check trenitalia.com for the timetable and, if you are flying, allow extra time for the route to Ancona-Falconara airport.