Montefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara
Behind the Adriatic beaches: a Roman bridge, a fortress on a rock, Renaissance Urbino and the castle of Paolo and Francesca.
- Distance
- 123 km (76 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 15, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 123 km (76 mi) with 6 stops, from Bridge of Tiberius to Pesaro. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy
Route description
Begin at Rimini’s Bridge of Tiberius and the old fishermen’s quarter beyond it, then drive inland to Santarcangelo di Romagna, a hill town riddled with tuff caves and arcaded streets.
The SS258 follows the broad Marecchia valley into the Montefeltro hills, whose rocky outcrops appear in the backgrounds of Piero della Francesca’s paintings. San Leo’s fortress crowns a sheer slab of rock; the town has a single steep road in and a car park at the gate.
Minor roads wind south across the hills to Urbino, a university town of brick lanes around the Ducal Palace and Raphael’s birthplace. Park below the walls, where lifts and ramps lead up into the centre.
Head back towards the coast to Gradara’s double-walled castle, then finish at Pesaro, Rossini’s hometown, with a long beach promenade. Outside July and August the whole area is quiet, and autumn brings truffle fairs to the hill towns.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bridge of Tiberius
HistoryRimini, ItalyA Roman stone bridge finished in AD 21 and still carrying traffic into Rimini’s old town. Walk across it into the Borgo San Giuliano fishermen’s quarter.
- 212 km
Santarcangelo di Romagna
Italy - 325 km
San Leo fortress
HistorySan Leo, ItalyA Renaissance fortress on a sheer rock slab above the Marecchia valley, where the adventurer Cagliostro died in prison. The village below has only one road in; park at the entrance.
- 438 km
Ducal Palace of Urbino
HistoryUrbino, ItalyFederico da Montefeltro’s palace, one of the purest works of the Renaissance, now home to the National Gallery of the Marche. Park below the walls and take the lift up.
- 533 km
Gradara castle
HistoryGradara, ItalyA complete medieval fortress with two circuits of walls, linked to Dante’s tale of Paolo and Francesca. Walk the ramparts for views to the Adriatic.
- 615 km
Pesaro
Italy
FAQs
How long is Montefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara?
3-day road trip of about 123 km (76 mi) with 6 stops, from Bridge of Tiberius to Pesaro. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Montefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Montefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara start and end?
It starts in Bridge of Tiberius and ends in Pesaro.
Which countries does Montefeltro: Rimini to Urbino and Gradara pass through?
Italy.
