The ideal city
Urbino, first of all
From Ca' Virginia the first outing is almost always Urbino: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Raphael and Federico da Montefeltro, the “ideal city” of the Renaissance. From our hollow you are inside its brick walls in no time.
At its heart is the Palazzo Ducale, home to the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche with Piero della Francesca, Raphael and Titian. Close by, Raphael's birthplace, the cathedral with its underground crypts, and the Oratorio di San Giovanni frescoed by the Salimbeni brothers.
The destinations
One destination for every day
The distances from the house at a glance: that way the days plan themselves.
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Urbino
15 minA day of art a step from the house, and the finish of one of the best-loved cycling loops in the Montefeltro.
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Gradara
25 minThe Malatesta castle tied to Paolo and Francesca: half a day among the walls and the lanes of the village.
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Pesaro and the coast
30 minItalian Capital of Culture 2024 and Rossini's city; behind it the San Bartolo Park, a stretch of high, wild coastline rare on the Adriatic.
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San Leo
35 minThe fortress that imprisoned Cagliostro, perched on a rock spur visible from far away: the most striking village in the Montefeltro.
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San Marino
35 minThe Republic of Monte Titano with its three towers, its medieval ramparts and a view that reaches the sea.
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The Furlo Gorge
30 minThe reserve carved out by the river Candigliano, one of the few places in Italy where the golden eagle nests; just beyond it, Acqualagna, the truffle capital.
Sea, nature and flavours
Everything else around us
Between one destination and the next, the Montefeltro is one fortified village after another: Sassocorvaro holds the turtle-shaped Rocca Ubaldinesca, where thousands of works of art were hidden during the war; Urbania, second residence of the Montefeltro family, has its own Palazzo Ducale and hunting park.
The journey also runs through the food shops: Casciotta d'Urbino PDO, Prosciutto di Carpegna, pit-aged pecorino and crescia flatbread — the same raw materials of the land that you find again in the kitchen of our Locanda.
Further out, but within reach of a day trip, the Frasassi Caves and the Conero Riviera with Sirolo and Numana; for the nearest sea, the beaches running from Pesaro down towards Fano. From the Montefeltro you reach anywhere in the Marche quickly.
Frequently asked questions about the surroundings
How far is Urbino from Ca' Virginia?
Urbino is a quarter of an hour away by car. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Raphael and Federico da Montefeltro: see the Palazzo Ducale with the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Raphael's birthplace and the Oratorio di San Giovanni.
How far are San Marino and San Leo?
San Leo and San Marino are both 35 minutes away by car, San Leo the closer of the two. San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world, with the three towers of Monte Titano and a view that reaches the sea; San Leo keeps its fortress on the rock spur.
How far is the sea?
Pesaro and the coast are half an hour away by car. Pesaro was Italian Capital of Culture 2024 and is Rossini's city; behind it the San Bartolo Nature Park protects a stretch of high, wild coastline, towards the beaches of Fano.
What is the Furlo Gorge?
It is a nature reserve carved out by the river Candigliano, one of the few places in Italy where the golden eagle nests. Just beyond it lies Acqualagna, the truffle capital: an excellent destination for anyone who loves nature and local flavours.
Which villages of the Montefeltro are worth visiting?
San Leo with its fortress, Gradara (25 minutes) with the Malatesta castle of Paolo and Francesca, Sassocorvaro with the turtle-shaped Rocca Ubaldinesca, and Urbania, second residence of the Montefeltro family, with its own Palazzo Ducale.
Are there other destinations within a day?
Yes: the Frasassi Caves and the Conero Riviera, with Sirolo and Numana, are within reach of a day trip. From the Montefeltro you can reach much of the Marche quickly, between art cities, nature and the sea.
Keep exploring Ca' Virginia
- The bike hotel The same places, experienced in the saddle: Urbino, the Furlo and the land of the Cippo di Carpegna.
- The experiences Fresh pasta classes, show cooking, yoga and outings to discover the flavours of the Montefeltro.
- The rooms Twenty-four rooms in a fifteenth-century farmhouse, the ideal base for exploring the area.
- Back to the home page Rooms, zero-km restaurant, wellness and bike hotel: all of Ca' Virginia on one page.
