Senigallia, besides being a tourist city famous for its velvet beach, is known as a food destination. Within a few kilometers we find two restaurants with a total of 5 Michelin stars: Uliassi with 3 stars and La Madonnina del Pescatore with 2 stars. This has given a great boost to the city's entire restaurant industry, bringing it to the top of food quality.
The velvet beach takes its name from the very fine golden sand that stretches for 13 kilometers along the Adriatic coast. Since 1853 it has been one of the most elegant seaside resorts on the Adriatic and since 1997 it has continuously received the Blue Flag for the quality of its waters and services. The sea is shallow and calm, perfect for families with children.
The historic center tells centuries of history: from the Romans who founded the city as Sena Gallica, to the Malatesta, to the Della Rovere who left extraordinary monuments as a legacy. It is a city that combines sea and culture, relaxation and good food.
What to see and do
In addition to my gastronomic walk, you can see the famous Rotonda a Mare, historic palaces such as Palazzo Baviera and Palazzo Mastai Ferretti with the museum of Pope Pius IX, the Rocca Roveresca, the Museo della Mezzadria, the Chiesa della Croce, the Duomo and the Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Rotonda a Mare
Symbol of Senigallia, this circular structure on the sea was inaugurated in 1933 and immediately became the heart of the city's social life. Today it hosts exhibitions, events and weddings with a spectacular view of the coast.
Rocca Roveresca
An imposing 15th-century fortress with four cylindrical towers and a moat. It was built for Giovanni della Rovere by architects Luciano Laurana and Baccio Pontelli. In 1503 it was the scene of the famous "Senigallia massacre" described by Niccolò Machiavelli. Today it hosts exhibitions and cultural events.
Palazzo Baviera
Overlooking Piazza del Duca, this Renaissance palace houses one of Senigallia's treasures: the stucco-decorated ceilings by Federico Brandani, featuring battle scenes, biblical stories and heroic adventures.
Palazzo Mastai Ferretti
Birthplace of Pope Pius IX, now a museum that collects historical, artistic and religious memories related to the figure of the pontiff.
Foro Annonario
A neoclassical circular square surrounded by a portico with 24 Doric columns. Designed for the city market, during the summer it hosts shows and concerts.
Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie
Located on a hill just outside the center, it was built by the Della Rovere family. The cloister is open to the public and offers a moment of peace.
Chiesa della Croce
An important religious building in the historic center, part of the city's artistic heritage.
Museo della Mezzadria
It tells the story of rural life in the Marche region through tools, documents and testimonies of the sharecropping system (mezzadria) that characterized the region's agriculture for centuries.
Where to eat and drink
A tough choice. Uliassi, Madonnina del Pescatore, Bruna Bistro, Terrazza Marconi – all of these serve fish. Trattoria Cibo e Vino in the city offers fresh fish. Or Trattoria Pop Mercato for revisited traditional cuisine, Piadineria Magnon for all kinds of piadinas, Garage Pizzeria for gourmet pizza, Porta Braschi and Scalo Zero.
A special mention to the gelato shop of Paolo Brunelli, one of the most famous Italian master gelato makers. He has received the "Tre Coni" from the Gambero Rosso guide and the award for the best chocolate gelato in Italy. His gelato shop in via Carducci, in the historic center, is a must-stop.
The starred restaurants
Uliassi – 3 Michelin stars. Managed by siblings Mauro and Catia Uliassi, it is in second place in the 50 Top Italy ranking of great Italian restaurants. A temple of seafood cuisine with a view of the sea.
La Madonnina del Pescatore – 2 Michelin stars. Chef Moreno Cedroni has been offering innovative seafood cuisine for 40 years in Marzocca, a hamlet of Senigallia. In twelfth place in the 50 Top Italy ranking.
Where to stay
In addition to the hotels – there are about a hundred – located along the seafront, there are excellent facilities such as B&Bs and holiday homes even just a few kilometers outside the town, in the countryside on the first hills.
The best areas to stay are the seafront, convenient for the beach, or the historic center for those who want to experience the city's atmosphere. For those seeking tranquility, the hills just outside Senigallia offer farmhouses and facilities surrounded by greenery with a view of the sea.
Good to know before you go
Senigallia is easily reachable by car (A14 motorway, Senigallia exit). The train station is served by direct connections from Rome and Milan. The Ancona-Falconara international airport is 20 km away.