Sarnano – Le Marche

One of most beautiful villages in Italy

Sarnano in Le Marche is a bustling, perfectly preserved jewel of a medieval town and has been, named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Sarnano is only 1km away from our Le Marche Villa, in the Macerata province of Le Marche region of central Italy. It has a wealth of character in the ancient, cobbled streets that wind up through wonderfully restored piazzas, churches, dwellings and the impressive towers that dominate the amazing local landscape.

Sarnano in Le Marche region of Italy has been judged by both I Borghi piu belli in Italia and the Bandiera Arancione (the touring club of Italy and Italy’s equivalent to the AA or Michelin guide), to be one of the best towns in italy.

To be chosen as one of the most beautiful towns you are evaluated on cultural heritage,

environmental protection, culture, hospitality, architecture, harmony between the urban fabric and the quality of the building heritage and the quality of life in the village in terms of activities and services for the people.

Bandiere Arancione rank the best villages to visit in Italy, must have a lively spirit and an “atmosphere, fragrances and flavors that make typical local customs, products and

traditions a way of life that is worth “savoring” with all five senses.”

Why is Sarnano one of the best places in italy to visit?

You are probably reading this and thinking …. hmmm, well they are the owners and they would say that Sarnano is one of the 200 best towns in italy.

It’s probably best to read what our guests say on trip advisor, for example, a Canadian guest in 2o13 wrote:

Sarnano & The Sibillini Mountains National Park

You will find from our many visitor reviews that not only does Sarnano stimulate the senses, but it is also well placed for trips to some of the best cities to visit in Italy, it’s proximity to the Sibillini Mountains makes it a great Italian holiday destination for the great outdoors and it’s also within a short drive of the Adriatic Coast.

The history of Sarnano dates back to pagan and Roman times and it is now home to a theatre, museums, rennaissance art, a spa resort, many restaurants, bars, many summer festas, some great shops, bars and a helpful tourist office.

Sarnano attractions on your holiday in Le Marche

Villa San Raffaello and Sarnano is an ideal base for outdoor activity, like parascending or climbing, for exploring the Sibillini mountains or, the Monti Azzurri, the smaller foothills that surround the villa, on a walking or cycling holiday. Sarnano is ideal for sightseeing and Italian tours of Le Marche medieval towns and for visiting the beaches of the Adriatic Riviera beyond.

Alternatively, simply kick back and enjoy the local art and history, and the fantastic food and wine on offer at the numerous local bars, shops, over 20 ristorante and delicatessens. Sarnano has 8 butchers, 2 artisan pasta shops, an abundance of fresh vegetables, 4 bakers all with different recipes and a great weekly market.

There are fishmonger stalls in town on 3 days of the week. For night owls, young and old alike flock to Sarnano for its late music pubs Sticky Fingers; which does hamburgers and Pizzas and has large screens for Big football matches,  Memphis Belle ; which has a range of new IPAs and artisan beers and Decantautore with its draft and bottled craft beers, draft wines, quirky decor and dart board. All host live concerts, particularly from late Spring to Autumn

Sarnano outdoor life & activity holidays

Like many Italy destinations near to the appenine spine, Sarnano is predominantly a centre for outdoor life, the weather is usually mild and its clear air draws many Italian in from the coast in search of a Summer breeze.

Sarnano plays host to activity breaks throughout the year as it is on the fringe of the National Park, hunters come for the rugged terrain, foragers for its abundance, ornithologists for its wide array of birds, botanists for the incredible variety of wild flowers, artists and photographers for the wonderfully preserved medieval village with its dramatic backdrop of rolling hills and the Sibillini Mountains.

There are also many cyclists who come for the many tracks and trails on both Italian cycling holiday on road bikes and MTB or mountain biking holidays. For walkers, ramblers and trekkers there are plenty of options for that Italian walking holiday, Sarnano has a number of circular walks, or else you can obtain a hiking map at the Tabacchi shop and go hiking in the National Park that, in Winter, is home to some great skiing.

Sarnano the Spa Resort or ‘Centro Terme’

The local thermal waters are claimed to be beneficial for many complaints and the Spa or Sarnano Terme itself offers visitors health and beauty treatments in lovely surroundings at a reasonable cost. There are also other local beauty farms offering Benessere massages and beauty treatments nearby.

Sarnano Family Holidays with Children

If you are on a family holiday in Italy then the children will love the funfair that arrives for 5 or 6 weeks at the height of the Summer, there is also a crazy golf course, a playpark with swings, slides and climbing frames, 3 football pitches a public 5 a side pitch and basketball court and a couple of indoor public swimming pools.

If the kids have done enough running around they may deserve a gelato or ice cream from one of the great gelateria in town.

Spring and Autumn Holidays In Sarnano

These seasons are the best time to immerse yourself in the wonderful colours of the Le Marche landscape that envelope the villa. In Spring look up from Sarnano and see the snow still frosting the Sibillini Mountains, however much of the area is carpeted with flowers and is a wonderful setting for botanists, onithologists, hiking holidays, cycle tours and for photographers and artists alike. In Autumn, the vendemmia or wine harvest takes place against a backdrop of gold and russet trees and an ideal time for that wine tour, walking holiday or Italian touring trip.

Le Marche holidays Summer in Sarnano

Sarnano’s Summer is one of the liveliest in Le Marche and full of long, balmy days, al-fresco eating and back to back festas, medieval fairs, exhibitions, concerts, opera, theatre and banquets. During the weeks leading up to 15 August (Ferragosto) the medieval Centro Storico is home to Castrum Sarnani a historical festa and pageant where fire eaters, jugglers, belly dancers, sword fighters, minstrels and artists roam the cobbled streets and piazzas that host theatrical and musical performances and a number of different bars and tavernas.

Within 15 minutes of Sarnano you can reach the ski resort at 1500m, temperatures are up to 10degrees lower and perfect for hiking up to the peaks at 2000m or more or for swimming in acquamarine lake Fiastra.

Sarnano Le Marche in Winter

Sarnano has year round tourism thanks to its warm climate for most of the year and to its ski resort 15 minutes away at Sassotetto. The skiing and boarding are well organised and all facilities are catered for, there’s even a local ski club.

At Christmas time, the snowy backdrop of the mountains, the illuminations and the tree decorations transform Sarnano into a magical, festive place to spend a memorable Christmas break. There are numerous events including a recreation of Bethlehem and the nativity in the Centro Storico, with many of the locals in medieval costume demonstrating traditional crafts.