Fermo remains one of my favourite places in Italy. Crowning a hillside in Marche with views to the Adriatic coast, it is an elegant, cultural treasure trove. This guide will help you explore the best sights, food and experiences in Fermo — with a few personal tips from my years in the region.

Highlights You Can’t Miss

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo, Fermo

Start in the heart of the city. Lined with 16th-century arcades and historic buildings, this piazza is elegant and relaxed, perfect for a morning espresso as the town comes to life.

The square was first reshaped during the rule of Alessandro Sforza, prompted by the arrival in Fermo of Bianca Maria Visconti, wife of his brother Francesco. Their marriage produced Galeazzo Maria Sforza, born in 1444, who would later become Duke of Milan.

Before acquiring its current name, Piazza del Popolo was known as Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and, earlier still, as Piazza San Martino. It was enlarged on 8 November 1463 and later restored in 1659, when it assumed the form that continues to define it today. The square now measures 135 metres in length and 34 metres in width.

Palazzo dei Priori & Civic Art Gallery

Step inside this medieval palace to see Renaissance art, including the famous Adoration of the Shepherds by Peter Paul Rubens.

The palace also houses the incredible Globe Room and the ancient Romolo Spezioli Library, a treasure trove of historic manuscripts. Oh, the wondrous aroma of ageing paper and parchment – my first visit to the Globe Room and library was out of hours, so it was simply me, old written works and a bewildered receptionist who had opened the doors for me and clearly hadn’t seen such a rapturous wonder before!

Roman Cisterns

Roman cisterns, Fermo

Beneath the city lie vast Augustan-era cisterns — some of the largest ever built.

The first cistern lies entirely underground. Excavations in 1927 revealed four separate brick chambers with barrel vaults, similar to the larger cisterns.

The second, known as the Small Cisterns, has a lower capacity than the tank in Via degli Aceti, though structurally they are almost identical.

The Large Cisterns cover a wide area including Via Paccarone, Vicolo Chiuso, Via degli Aceti and Largo Maranesi, with a capacity of around 15,000 cubic metres. Inside, thirty rooms are arranged in three rows, lined with opus signinum, a waterproof Roman mortar used for tanks and aqueducts.

The Roman cisterns of Fermo are exceptionally well preserved. Their scale and efficiency are striking, and some chambers remained in use until the 1980s

This remarkable feat of engineering gives a fascinating glimpse into ancient life in Fermo.

Teatro dell’Aquila

A personal favourite: this 18th-century opera house is glorious inside, however it is easy to walk past as its façade is not eye-catching.  

Once inside, marvel at frescoed ceilings, a gilded iron chandelier and the ornamental finishing of the 124 boxes, all accompanied by a rich cultural programme. If you can catch an opera or concert here, don’t miss it.

Fermo Cathedral

Fermo Cathedral

The Cathedral stands at the top of the town on the remains of the original Fermo Cathedral, a sixth-century Paleochristian basilica built over a pagan temple. Traces of the latter can still be seen in the hypogeum. The early church was destroyed in 1176 by the troops of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.

It is the cathedral which you can see from all sides as you approach Fermo.

Eat & Drink

Cremini

It was in Fermo that I first tasted Cremini at a San Martin market, accompanied by Olive Ascolane (which comes from nearby Ascoli Piceno). here are some things to try in and around Fermo.

City centre:

• Crescia – a local flatbread (best from artisan bakeries).
• Seafood pasta – fresh catch from nearby shores.
• Olive all’ascolana – fried stuffed olives, perfect with a glass of Verdicchio.
• Cremini – fried cream, or custard, these are dangerously moreish!

Nearby favourites:

• Porto San Giorgio and Marina Palmense for seafood right by the sea.
• Torre di Palme, a charming hill village where tiny trattorie serve regional wines and simple, delicious meals — ask for local Rosso Piceno.

Tip: Marche’s wines are fantastic but under-celebrated. Verdicchio and Rosso Conero are two classics that pair beautifully with local plates.

Nature & Beach

Girfalco Park, where the cathedral sits, offers panoramic views over the hills and sea — a lovely place for a sunset stroll.

If you have a car, the hills around Fermo are dotted with agriturismi (country stays) where you can walk, bike and taste farm produce. The Sibillini Mountains rise in the distance, inviting day trips for hiking and nature lovers.

Near the coast, Lido di Fermo and Marina Palmense are clean, well-equipped beaches perfect for summer swims.

Markets & Local Life

A side street in Fermo

Fermo’s historic centre has lovely artisan shops and weekly markets. Look for ceramics, local honey or seasonal truffles at markets and smaller craft boutiques.

Fermo is alive with events all year:

• Opera and theatre at Teatro dell’Aquila
• Medieval festivals and historical reenactments
• Art exhibitions and jazz evenings

Check the event calendar when you visit — there’s almost always something happening.

Fermo often surprises visitors with its mix of grand history and relaxed Italian life. It’s a town that rewards quiet exploration and curious travellers, and it remains one of my favourite places in Marche.