Ancona rewards curious walkers with a Roman arch at the waterfront, a Romanesque cathedral crowning the hilltop, and one of Italy's most underrated Adriatic Old Towns — all a short stroll from the pier.
Ancona is a docked port — no tendering. The historic centre is reachable on foot or by taxi in minutes.
💡 Pro move: The Arch of Trajan is visible and walkable within the first 5 minutes of leaving the dock — worth a stop before heading into town.
All cruise ships dock at the dedicated Molo Clementino passenger terminal or the adjacent XXIX Settembre pier — no tender required.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| MSC, Costa, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, Azamara, and most large lines | Molo Clementino, Porto di Ancona📍 | Docked |
| Smaller/expedition ships | XXIX Settembre Pier (Molo Santa Maria)📍 | Docked |
From Ancona you can walk a Roman arch and a medieval cathedral in an afternoon, or reach a UNESCO hilltop city and dramatic coastal cliffs with a short drive.
The 115 AD triumphal arch marking ancient Ancona's harbour entrance stands metres from the dock. Combine it with a visit to the pentagonal 18th-century Lazzaretto island (Mole Vanvitelliana) just offshore in the port basin.
Find Ancona history tours →Ancona's cathedral crowns Guasco Hill in a blend of Romanesque, Byzantine, and Gothic styles. The climb (on foot or by steps) rewards visitors with sweeping Adriatic panoramas.
Find Ancona city walking tours →UNESCO-listed Urbino is a perfectly preserved Renaissance hilltop city about 90 minutes inland — birthplace of Raphael, home to the magnificent Palazzo Ducale and Galleria Nazionale delle Marche.
Find Urbino day trip tours →Dramatic limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise Adriatic waters just 15 km south of Ancona. Boat excursions cruise past hidden coves near Sirolo and Numana with stops for swimming.
Find Conero Riviera tours →One of Europe's largest cave systems, about an hour inland from Ancona. Vast chambers studded with stalactites and stalagmites make this one of Italy's most spectacular natural attractions.
Find Frasassi cave tours →The Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto, 25 km south, enshrines one of Catholicism's most venerated shrines. The hilltop town itself is architecturally striking and uncrowded by tourists.
Find Loreto tours →Ancona's compact old town is genuinely walkable — the Roman ruins, medieval squares, and hilltop Duomo can all be linked in a single half-day loop.
Start at the Arch of Trajan by the port, walk along Via XXIX Settembre to Piazza della Repubblica, continue into the Old Town via Corso Mazzini to Piazza del Plebiscito (Piazza del Papa), then climb the hill to the Cathedral of San Ciriaco for panoramic Adriatic views. Descend via Via Pizzecolli passing the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche.
From the old town, walk north along the seafront to the Passetto area — a scenic clifftop promenade with views of the Adriatic and the famous fishermen's caves (Grotte del Passetto) carved into the rock face below. A lift and stairs descend to the small beach.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Ancona, Marche, Italy (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F / 11°C | 40°F / 4°C | 10 | 7:36 AM | 4:54 PM |
| Feb | 54°F / 12°C | 42°F / 6°C | 9 | 7:04 AM | 5:36 PM |
| Mar | 56°F / 13°C | 44°F / 7°C | 10 | 6:18 AM | 6:12 PM |
| Apr | 62°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 10 | 6:23 AM | 7:49 PM |
| May | 69°F / 21°C | 57°F / 14°C | 11 | 5:41 AM | 8:24 PM |
| Jun | 79°F / 26°C | 66°F / 19°C | 6 | 5:24 AM | 8:48 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 5 | 5:38 AM | 8:44 PM |
| Aug | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 5 | 6:10 AM | 8:09 PM |
| Sep | 76°F / 24°C | 64°F / 18°C | 8 | 6:45 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Oct | 68°F / 20°C | 57°F / 14°C | 8 | 7:20 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Nov | 60°F / 16°C | 50°F / 10°C | 11 | 7:00 AM | 4:40 PM |
| Dec | 54°F / 12°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 | 7:32 AM | 4:29 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise terminal is steps from the old city center. Most major sights — Piazza del Plebiscito, the Cathedral, and Arco di Traiano — are within a 5–15 minute walk.
Metered taxis are available at the port. The short ride to the city center typically costs €8–€12; the port and downtown are very close.
ATMA/Conerobus operates local city buses. Line 94 runs seasonally to Portonovo Bay on the Conero Riviera — a great option for beach day-trippers.
On Sundays a shuttle runs from the cruise terminal every 45 minutes (9:30 AM – 1:10 PM), stopping at the Cathedral and Passetto viewpoint.
Several agencies operate near the port and train station. A car is ideal for exploring the Conero Riviera or inland Marche hill towns on your own schedule.
Upcoming cruises that call at Ancona, Marche, Italy. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.