Ancona
A modern trade center and the charm of the ancient city
Ancona hits you with a tangle of commercial buildings only two steps away from the Mediterranean Sea. Nonetheless, a city centre excursion reserves some historical appeal, and the authorities are making a concerted effort to improve the cruiser and tourist experience.
A stiff climb from the port area, where your MSC cruise ship awaits your return, passing Ancona’s well-signposted Roman remains along the way, will take you to the pink-and-white Duomo. Mostly built in a restrained Romanesque style, this is contrasted by an outburst of Gothic exuberance in the doorway’s cluster of slender columns, some plain, others twisted and carved.
The most memorable feature is a screen along the edge of the raised right transept. However, it may be the views from here, the cruise ships and the ferries lined up in the port and the coast fading into the haze, that remain longest in the memory.
Ancona’s large, three-storey Museo Archeologico in the old quarter is a fair place to while away an hour or two, its wacky moulded ceilings vaulting over a collection of finds ranging from red- and black-figure Greek craters to a stunning Celtic gold crown.
Tucked away at the foot of the flight of steps leading up to Ancona’s austere Dominican church, this worthwhile museum displays models, paintings, sculptures and original documents showing key events in Ancona from 2000 BC to 2000 AD. To the south of Ancona, some 32 km up the Esino valley from Jesi, with its white cliffs, blanched pebble beaches, thick protected forests and easy-going resorts, the Conero Riviera is the northern Adriatic’s most spectacular and enjoyable stretch of Mediterranean Sea coastline.
cruises from / to ancona
Excursions & Activities Ancona (Urbino)
TRAVEL TO THE Ancona (Urbino) CRUISE TERMINAL
Follow the signs marked “To car ferries/Traghetti”.
Only passengers with cruise tickets are allowed entry to Gate 2A for the Cruise Terminal.
Individual Guests with private cars shall be dropped off at Biglietteria Marittima in Via Einaudi SNC, where they will be able to take the MSC Shuttle bus to the Cruise Terminal.
MSC Shuttle is a free of charge service running from 12.40 hours to 20.00 hrs (last departure 19.40 hrs), from Biglietteria Marittima to the Cruise Terminal with one departure every 20 minutes approx., in both ways.
Disembarking Guests will be able to take the same shuttle bus and reach their car/driver at the Biglietteria Marittima.
Individual Guests who booked the MSC Car Valet Parking (provided by Frittelli Marittime ) will be able to reach Gate 2A within the port. Parking staff will collect the car dockside, safely store the keys and transfer it to a dedicated area. Cars will then be returned dockside at the Cruise Terminal at disembarkation. The rate includes insurance coverage.
If an individual Guest wishes to book the parking on site, they shall reach the Biglietteria Marittima, in Via Einaudi snc, and contact Box Frittelli (Box no.5 MINOAN LINES Grimaldi Lines).
- MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents
Ancona Centrale station is within walking distance (15 minutes) of the port. You can also travel to the port by bus or taxi (2 minutes, depending on traffic).
A number of trains go to Ancona Marittima port station.
The Raffaelo Sanzio airport (www.aeroportodiancona.net) is about 15 kilometers from the port. It is served by taxi and by bus .
The bus takes you straight to Ancona Centrale railway station.
