Stelle sul Mare Holiday Apartments in San Benedetto del Tronto

The city of palms on the Adriatic

With over 7,000 palm trees lining the seafront for almost 8 kilometres, San Benedetto del Tronto is the undisputed capital of the Riviera delle Palme. A city that can be everything: vibrant and relaxed, elegant and authentic, seaside and cultural.

The beaches are awarded the Blue Flag every year for water quality and services. The sea is the Adriatic at its finest: blue, crystal-clear, with shallow seabeds perfect for families with children.

The seafront: a walk among palms, art and sea

Walking along the San Benedetto seafront is one of the simplest and most authentic pleasures of a holiday here. Among the palms, oleanders in bloom and the sea breeze, you stroll or cycle past beach clubs, bars, ice cream shops and fish restaurants. The cycle path connects San Benedetto to Grottammare and runs along the entire coast, offering unique views over the Adriatic.

Heading up towards the hill you discover the medieval heart of San Benedetto: the Paese Alto. Narrow alleyways, stone houses, the Torre dei Gualtieri from the 13th century and a spectacular view over the sea. A peaceful walk far from the summer crowds.

The MAM Museum of Art on the Sea

At the South Pier stands one of the most fascinating open-air museums in Italy: the MAM Museum of Art on the Sea. Over a kilometre of sculptures, 163 works by 143 artists from 35 countries, on a coastal path caressed by the sound of the waves. The most celebrated work is the 8-metre bronze dedicated to Jonathan Livingston Seagull by sculptor Mario Lupo. Free admission, open every day.

The Fish Market at the Port

To experience San Benedetto in its truest form, get up early and head to the Port. The Fish Market is one of the most important fish markets on the Adriatic: the fishing boats return at dawn, and the fish goes from net to counter in minutes, with an air of salt and maritime tradition. Sole, cuttlefish, clams, red mullet, squid: all incredibly fresh, at the most honest prices on the coast.

San Benedetto del Tronto is synonymous with seafood cuisine. The signature dish is brodetto alla sambenedettese: a rich, fragrant stew in which squid plays the starring role, served in a tall aluminium pot. At the Circoli sul Mare you'll find it paired with the legendary sailor's coffee with a dash of rum. Not to be missed: fried mixed fish, marinated anchovies and fresh clams.