The beach is the main draw in Pesaro of course, a pleasant and unpretentious town on Le Marche region's Italian Adriatic coast. Britons, Germans and Italians flock to the town in summer - a typical Italian resort it not only has sun, sea and sand, but great restaurants, bars and cafes too. A good coffee in the morning and decent food and wine at night are an essential ingredient to Italians whether at home or on vacation.
This is an ancient town, the Roman city of Pisaurum and dating from 184BC (and with traces of Iron Age settlement by the Piceni and Gauls). During the Renaissance it was ruled by some of Italy's most powerful families, including the Malatesta, the Sforza and latterly the Della Rovere clans. It became part of the new Italy in 1860.
Sights in the town include the Palazzo Ducale, built by Alessandro Sforza in the latter part of the 15th century. Costanzo Sforza built the massive castle of the Rocca Costanza in the 15th century. There is the Romanesque Basilica (cathedral) built in the 15th century over a Roman temple. The Museo Civio (town museum) is on Piazza Toschi Mosca and has the fine Pesaro Altarpiece by Giambellino. See too the baroque Sanctuary of Beata Vergine del Carmelo (1700s) and the Church of St Augustine, with a marvellous Gothic doorway.
We have the birthplace of one of Italy's greatest composers, Rossini, at 34 Via Rossini, along with a museum dedicated to the maestro. The Rossini opera festival takes place in the town every summer, and the city also hosts the Pesaro film festival (Mostra Internazionale del Nuovo Cinema).
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Pesaro hotels.
