Monti Sibillini Agriturismo: Where to Stay on a Farm

Sibillini Mountains agriturismo: the best areas

The right area depends on where you want to hike, ride or simply stop. The park is very large and its access points are in different municipalities, so that is the place to start.

Montemonaco (Ascoli Piceno). There are several agriturismi here, some at the foot of Monte Sibilla, with apartments of different sizes. One property stands on a panoramic knoll, close to the trails to Monte Sibilla and to Lago di Pilato. Lago di Pilato lies at 1,941 m, below the summit of Vettore.

Montefortino and Amandola (Fermo). Amandola is easy to reach from the Marche and gives access to the eastern side of the range and to the Ambro and Tenna valleys. Montefortino stands on the Tenna river, in a village of Roman origin, and has a good number of agriturismi. Some properties provide bikes, others offer walks and mountain bike routes along the park's trails.

Norcia, Castelluccio, Preci and Campi (Perugia). Norcia is the gateway to the Piani di Castelluccio. Agriturismi are found both in the Norcia area and in Castelluccio, and there are also some in Preci and Campi. In this area agriturismi often produce and sell local products such as lentils, cheeses, honey, cured meats and truffles. In Castelluccio reconstruction is still under way and some properties that were open before the earthquake no longer appear to be operating: before booking, it is wise to check availability and the status of the works. Those mainly interested in the plain can also compare the options for where to stay near Castelluccio.

Fiastra and the Macerata area. Fiastra gives access to the northern sector of the park, home to Lago di Fiastra, an artificial lake. There are also agriturismi in San Ginesio, Cessapalombo and Pievebovigliana, the last described as a village at the gates of the park. For other options around the lake there is the page on where to stay near Lago di Fiastra.

Visso, home to the Park Authority, gives access to the Valnerina and to Monte Bove.

Sibillini National Park agriturismo: the map of properties

The map places each agriturismo in relation to the park's access points and nearby villages. The Sibillini span two regions and four provinces, so properties that look close may belong to different provinces.

On the Marche side, agriturismi are in Montemonaco (Ascoli Piceno), in Montefortino and Amandola (Fermo), and in San Ginesio, Cessapalombo, Fiastra and Pievebovigliana (Macerata). On the Umbrian side they are concentrated in the Norcia area, with Castelluccio and Campi, and in Preci, in the province of Perugia.

To make good use of the map, it helps to pick the day's destination first, for example a trail, the Castelluccio plain or Lago di Fiastra, and then choose the properties that are easiest to reach. Driving times should be checked separately, because mountain roads take longer than the distance suggests.

Monti Sibillini agriturismo: how to choose

Location. This is the first criterion: choose the municipality according to the park access point that matters most, as described in the areas above.

Services. The park's agriturismi differ in services such as parking, sun terrace, free Wi-Fi, and free or rental bikes. Some properties accept pets, others do not, so this is something to clarify before setting off with a dog.

Board and restaurant. Arrangements vary: room only, bed and breakfast, half board, full board. Some agriturismi have a restaurant, but in certain cases it is reserved for room guests, and this should be checked with the property.

Pool. Anyone looking for an agriturismo in the Monti Sibillini with a pool will find properties in Montefortino, where one has an indoor heated pool and another a hydromassage pool. Others are in the Norcia area, in Preci, Amandola, Cessapalombo and Sarnano. Since the pool at some properties may be under works, it is worth asking whether it will be usable on the chosen dates.

Quality label. The Park Authority awards accommodation a Quality Label, which lists it among the "Esercizi Consigliati del Parco" (the Park's recommended businesses). Among agriturismi, some have achieved the Gold Class, for example in Montemonaco, Norcia, Castelluccio and Campi.

Rooms or apartments. Some agriturismi offer both rooms and apartments, useful for families and groups. For a different format, there are pages on B&Bs in the Monti Sibillini, on country houses in the Sibillini Mountains and, more generally, on where to stay in the Sibillini Mountains.