Marche Breaks

San Benedetto del Tronto is a seaside resort of mid-Adriatic sea. Covering its 5-km waterfront, one of Italy’s most charming waterfronts, one can understand why this place has been defined “the palm trees Riviera”. The Riviera boasts 7,000 palm trees in over 20 varieties, the most renowned being the “Phoenix Canariensis”, the “Phoenix Sylvestris”, which have fruits of different colors, and the “Eritrea Edulis”, with small palmate leaves, the “Chamaerops Humilis”, quite widespread and with excellent adjustment capabilities, the “Eritrea armata” that can be recognized by the delicate nuance of its leaves, the “Jubaea Spectabilis”, of which a single example exists in San Benedetto. The latter has a 4.74 m circumference at its base and is mentioned in the Guinness book as the biggest palm tree in the world.

San Benedetto dates back to the pre-Roman Truentum, founded by Liburni in the 9th century B.C. The structure of “the high village” is medieval, and is symbolized by the great Tower with an asymmetrical pentagonal plant. Many notable finds are kept in the Museum of Amphorae, in the Antique shop Trentino, in the Museum of sea Civilization. San Benedetto also hosts a Fish and Paleontologic museum.

The town is rich in sporting facilities, and visitors may engage in many sports; it has a tourist harbor, a nautical club, a facility for hockey and skating, a tennis club, a sports palace, swimming-pools, bowling greens, facilities for athletics, soccer and rugby.

Tourism has remote origins. In 1881 one of the biggest seaside establishments was built. It was used for over 50 years. In 1928 the Care and Stay facility was established, 4 years later Viale Buozzi was inaugurated, with a round terrace facing the sea. In 1935 the Palazzina Azzurra was built as a meeting place for journalists, writers, artists and show-business people.

In the 17th century the town was still a small fishermen-hamlet and was inhabited only by 600 people. The boldness and courage of seamen made the town one of the most important fish ports in Italy and one of Italy’s most thriving fish markets. Sailors ventured towards unknown shores, from Africa’s coasts to the far-away Greenland. The old hamlet is the core of the historic center, San Benedetto remains closely linked to its fishing tradition, and still lives on sea-related activities.

The gastronomic expression of ancient sailors is the famous “brodetto alla sambenedettese” (a local fish soup), which has to be booked in advance, due to its complex preparation, must be made with 13 species of fish, no more, no less. There are plenty of moderately priced restaurants to satisfy the demanding tastes.

This is one of the main holiday resorts of the southern Marche and, with over on its wide promenade, it has a touch of tropical charm. But it's also a thriving town that doubles as one of the most important fishing ports on Italy's Adriatic coast.

In summer this is a popular resort, but with 8km of wide sandy beach there is plenty of space for everyone. And although it has a great deal of old-world elegance, it's also a lively place with a fun nightlife.

The most pleasant stretch of beach - and the highest concentration of good hotels - runs from the centre of town southwards.

The older part of the town sits above the main resort, on the far side of Corso Mazzini, with its castle and narrow streets of brick houses.