Grottammare: Culture and Coast

Discover Grottammare from two perspectives: its coastline and the places where history and local traditions come to life. Here you’ll find both as you plan your stay—from a walk through the Vecchio Incasato to a bike ride along the Lungomare and insights into the city’s culture.

History, Theatre, and Museums

The Abbey of San Martino was founded between the 8th and 9th centuries by Benedictine monks from Farfa on the remains of an ancient pagan temple. The Sacra Giubilare is also tied to a specific date: it is celebrated when July 1 falls on a Sunday. On the evening of July 1, it concludes with a historical procession of performers and a torchlight procession. The banner and sacred images are returned to the Church of San Giovanni. The exact program may vary from one edition to another; if you’d like to experience the celebration, check the dates and program for the edition in question.

The Teatro dell’Arancio is a historic theatre dating from the late 18th century. After a complete restoration, it reopened in 2003 and resumed its original function. The museums offer further ways to explore art and local history: the Museo Sistino di Arte Sacra displays paintings from the 15th to the 20th century. Its collection also includes a 16th-century chalice gifted to Grottammare by Pope Sisto V.

The Museo Torrione della Battaglia displays around 230 works by Pericle Fazzini, including sculptures, preparatory studies, drawings, and prints. The Museo Il Tarpato explores Grottammare’s history and customs through paintings by Pomili. Alongside works of art, anyone interested in life on the Adriatic can visit the Villaggio dei Pescatori, with its small fishermen’s houses, nets laid out to dry, and moored boats. These scenes illustrate the simple, hard-working lives of people who have sailed the Adriatic for generations.

Lanes, Panoramic Views, and Coastline

The walk through the Vecchio Incasato takes you along cobbled lanes, past centuries-old architecture, and to panoramic viewpoints. It ends at the so-called Viale degli Allori, a symbolic place that illustrates Grottammare’s connection to laurel cultivation and this deeply rooted tradition of production. The walk brings together the townscape and a traditional agricultural specialty.

The seafront promenade stretches for about five kilometres. A 5,500-metre-long cycle path also runs along the Lungomare, connecting Grottammare in the north with Cupra Marittima and San Benedetto del Tronto in the south. The route is recognised as part of the Ciclovia Adriatica Trieste–Leuca B16. For 2026, Spiaggia Sud was included in the list of beaches awarded the Bandiera Blu.

Protecting dune vegetation is also part of the coastal landscape. NATURAMMARE protects sections of the beach from foot traffic using simple posts and ropes, allowing dune vegetation to grow. A section of beach at NATURAMMARE created by volunteers in 2025 became a nesting site for the Little Ringed Plover; the first chicks were recorded there in 2026.

Local Traditions and Seasonal Planning

The Fiera di San Martino is traditionally held on November 11. The fair offers local specialities and a wide range of sweets, as well as tastings of new wine and roasted chestnuts. If you’re planning your trip around the fair, check the dates and program for the edition in question.

An agricultural tour invites visitors to taste jam made from Arancio Biondo del Piceno oranges. For those interested in laurel, it also recommends visiting the nurseries of the Associazione Vivaisti di Grottammare, where you can learn more about the plant and, if you wish, buy one.

Getting There and Getting Around

Grottammare can be reached via the state road and the A14 motorway. The town also has a railway station served by Trenitalia, as well as local and intercity bus routes. Routes and transport services may change, so check current connections before travelling. A transport service runs to and from the Vecchio Incasato (Paese alto). Operating hours and timetables may vary, so check the current times in advance for this service too.

Discover more destinations: Montecchio, Spinetoli, Rotella, Monteprandone, Uscerno, Il Palazzo, Cupra Marittima, Porchia.

View the main travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.