# Conero Riviera and the Frasassi caves

> 3-day road trip of about 104 km (64 mi) with 7 stops, from Ancona to Frasassi caves. About 1 h 26 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b1-conero-frasassi/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 104 km (64 mi) with 7 stops, from Ancona to Frasassi caves. About 1 h 26 min of driving in total. White coves under Monte Conero, the pilgrim town of Loreto and Leopardi’s Recanati, then inland to one of Europe’s largest show caves.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 104 km (64 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 26 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Ancona → Frasassi caves |
| Countries | Italy |
| Updated | September 15, 2026 |

## Route description

South of Ancona, Monte Conero rises straight from the sea, the only high cliff coast between Trieste and the Gargano. Portonovo’s bay has a Romanesque church and a Napoleonic fort; in summer, use the park-and-ride shuttle rather than the steep access road.

Sirolo and neighbouring Numana are small resort towns on the cliff edge; the famous Due Sorelle beach below them is reached only by boat. Inland, Loreto’s basilica draws pilgrims from all over the world, and Recanati, a few kilometres on, is the hometown of the poet Giacomo Leopardi.

Cross the hills to Jesi, a walled town among the Verdicchio vineyards, and take the SS76 up the Esino valley. At Genga the Frasassi caves are visited on guided tours from a car park with a shuttle bus; the temperature inside stays around 14 °C all year.

Near the caves, a short walk leads to the Valadier Temple, an octagonal church built into the rock of the gorge. Beaches are crowded in August, so June and September are the best months.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Ancona** (Italy)
2. **Portonovo bay** (Ancona, Italy): A white pebble bay under the wooded cliffs of Monte Conero, with a small Romanesque church by the sea. The access road is steep and parking scarce in summer, when shuttle buses run.
3. **Sirolo** (Italy)
4. **Basilica of the Holy House, Loreto** (Loreto, Italy): A great pilgrimage basilica built around the Holy House, said to be Mary’s home in Nazareth. Large car parks for motorhomes lie below the old town.
5. **Recanati** (Italy)
6. **Jesi** (Italy)
7. **Frasassi caves** (Genga, Italy): One of Europe’s great show caves, with a chamber big enough to hold a cathedral. Tours start from a car park at San Vittore with a shuttle bus; bring a jacket.

## FAQs

**How long is Conero Riviera and the Frasassi caves?**
3-day road trip of about 104 km (64 mi) with 7 stops, from Ancona to Frasassi caves. About 1 h 26 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Conero Riviera and the Frasassi caves?**
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 26 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Conero Riviera and the Frasassi caves start and end?**
It starts in Ancona and ends in Frasassi caves.

**Which countries does Conero Riviera and the Frasassi caves pass through?**
Italy.