The picturesque and historic town of Ascoli Piceno is located on the southern edge of the region known as Marche. Nestles between the Apennine mountains and the sea, the area has everything you could possibly need for the perfect diverse holiday; beaches, culture and even the opportunity to hike up a few mountains, if you're feeling energetic. The old part of the town is small, but there is still plenty of tourist accommodation and some excellent local restaurants, many serving freshly caught fish. Tucked away from the major tourist sites and attractions, you can be sure a holiday in Ascoli Piceno will be quiet and relaxing.
There are two main squares in Ascoli Piceno, unusually, although this does reflect how the town has grown and changed over time. The architectural styles in each are different, with the Piazza del Popolo the location of the town's commercial centre and the Piazza Aringo home to governmental buildings. These days, the Piazza del Popolo is a perfect place to relax with a glass of the local wine, while Piazza Aringo is known as the “Museum Square”. As well as an interesting archaeological museum and one dedicated to the history of the region, there is an excellent art museum, which has an impressive collection of masterpieces, including works by Titian. Ascoli Piceno is dominated by two types of buildings; churches and theatres. Most historic Italian towns have a fine collection of chapels and religious buildings and Ascoli Piceno is no exception, but the theatres are a little more unexpected. There are several in the town, however, many of which are still in use today.
There are two national parks within a short drive of Ascoli Piceno, the Gran Sasso-Laga, which is home to forests, rivers and gentle hiking and cycling paths and the Sibilla Peak, which, as the name suggests, is more mountainous. Here you can find the Sibilla Cave, apparently named after a prophetess who lived in it, as well as Lake Pilato, where Pontius Pilate was drowned, according to another local legend. The region is dominated by the peak of Mont Ascencione, a popular destination for pilgrims in times past that is still the setting for religious festivals today. If you are in the area in May, it is worth heading to Ascoli Piceno on Ascension Day to see the whole village turn out to carry their religious icon to the top of the mountain.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Ascoli Piceno? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Ascoli Piceno and villas in Ascoli Piceno that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
