What People Say About Living in Pesaro

For our “What People Think About Living In“ series, this time we’re focusing on Le Marche, a region that, like Abruzzo, remains one of Italy’s lesser-known areas abroad. In fact, when considering a move to a coastal city, most people tend to think of the (undeniably beautiful) southern regions like Sardinia, Sicily, Puglia, or Calabria.

But if you’re looking for a balanced option – where the sea may be a little less stunning, but the city offers a high quality of life, excellent services and infrastructure, and strong transport connections – then living in Pesaro might just be the right choice.

So, what’s everyday life like here? We’ve gathered insights from locals and data to give you a realistic picture.

Life in Pesaro: What People Say

Locals describe Pesaro as a peaceful, family-friendly seaside city with a high quality of life. It’s easy to get around on foot or by bike, and everything feels close and accessible.

“A quiet seaside city with the right balance between work, family, and the coast.” – Silvio M.

While the sea may not rival Sardinia’s, the coast between Pesaro and Fano is still scenic, especially near Monte San Bartolo.

“It’s a human-sized city – neither too big nor too small. You can get around entirely by bike, and it has all necessary services, even top-tier ones. We have a beautiful, long sandy beach, bordered by our two hills, Ardizio and San Bartolo. Inland, there’s a crown of charming hills, each with a castle, and meadows, fields, and woods that invite you to discover natural beauty all the way to magnificent Urbino.” – Manuela F.

Pesaro is calmer than tourist hotspots like Rimini and Riccione, yet just a short drive away from both. However, housing can be hard to find, and newcomers may find locals a bit reserved at first.

“It’s a human-scale city, great for kids and cycling, but rents are high and it’s not always easy to make friends.”

Transport and Connectivity in Pesaro

Let’s start with what’s often the top priority for expats: how well-connected is the city? Is there an airport nearby? Will I need a car?

When it comes to airports, Pesaro is well served. The closest are Federico Fellini Airport (Rimini) and Raffaello Sanzio Airport (Ancona), both about a 30-minute drive away. For a wider range of international flights, the best option is Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport, a well-organized and modern hub with efficient services.

While there’s no direct shuttle to the airport, getting there is straightforward: take a train to Bologna (approx. 1h 20min), then the Marconi Express (8 min) from the train station to the terminal.

In terms of train connections, Pesaro is on the main rail line, served by both high-speed and regional trains. Travel times are convenient: you can reach Ancona in about 30 minutes, Rimini and Riccione in 20-30 minutes and Modena in 2h30 – another interesting city we’ve covered in a dedicated article.

Local public transport is basic, mainly consisting of buses. However, for daily life, most residents get by easily with a bicycle or on foot, as the city is 100% bike-friendly. In fact, it has bike lanes connecting nearly all zones, making it super convenient to get around without a car:

“A peaceful city, perfectly suited for people of all ages including children, easily accessible by bike. In fact, it has bike lanes connecting nearly all zones, making it super convenient to get around without a car.”

Where to Live in Pesaro: Housing & Cost of Living

Pesaro offers a balanced lifestyle with housing prices that are medium-high compared to the national average, but this is well justified by its unique advantages. It’s a small town by the sea, perfectly scaled for both adults and children, and highly bike-friendly. The average cost to buy a 70m² home is around €130,000–€140,000, which is considerably more affordable than nearby popular seaside cities like Rimini and Riccione, where similar properties can cost up to twice as much.

Here’s a breakdown of average prices for renting and buying a 70 m² apartment:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

Many residents says that finding a home can be a bit challenging, so it’s best to give yourself plenty of time to do your research. If you’re into quiet, green spots, areas like Ledimar and Trebbiantico up in the hills are nice, but you’ll probably need a car since biking up there can be tough.

“Ledimar and especially Trebbiantico up in the hills are great options. They’re close to the sea (about a 10-minute drive to the beach near Fosso Sejore). Ledimar is mainly a residential area, but getting there involves a pretty steep climb, so you’ll likely need a car or motorized transport since biking can be quite challenging. Trebbiantico feels more like a small countryside village, if you’re looking for peace, open spaces, and a slower pace of life, it could be the right fit.”

The town itself isn’t large, and biking is definitely the easiest way to get around. So if you have kids and want neighborhoods close to the center, there are several options at different price points:

“The best areas for reaching most places by bike include the seaside, the port, and the city center, but neighborhoods like Soria, Pantano, Loreto, and Tombaccia are also perfect.”

Challenges of Living in Pesaro

We’ve touched on this a bit already, but one downside is that beyond the property prices, finding a home at first can be quite challenging.

“As for finding a place in Pesaro, I can categorically say it’s not easy. There are few properties available, rents are high, and landlords often prefer seasonal leases (September to May) so they can charge tourists higher rates in the summer months instead of offering the usual longer-term contracts.” – Michele T.

Also, keep in mind that Pesaro is still very much a summer destination. So, expect tourist crowds during the peak months, especially along Viale Trieste, and a much quieter winter – which can be a plus for some, but a downside for those used to the buzz of city life:

“I’ve been living in Pesaro since the end of 1987. I came from Genoa, and at first, being used to the big city, it was hard to adjust. But now, after all these years, I can honestly say: come live here!”
– Roberto D.

Pesaro by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Very good (90/100)
• Air Quality: Good
• Safety: Moderate Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: San Salvatore-Pronto Soccorso (7 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 158 Mbps)
• Rent: ~ €680 (70 m²)
• Transport: Basic, but in everyday life, you can get almost anywhere just by using a bike
  • Airport: Federico Fellini, Rimini (26 min.), Raffaello Sanzio, Ancona (35 min.), Guglielmo Marconi, Bologna (72 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Pesaro (8 min), Stazione di Fano (23 min), Stazione di Cattolica-San Giovanni-Gabicce (23 min.)

For more detailed information about Pesaro and its services and infrastructure, visit the Magic Towns city profile.

Is Pesaro Right for You?

✅ Choose Pesaro if you want:

• High-quality healthcare services available in the region
• Excellent air quality for outdoor living and activities
• Decent internet for working from home
• A healthy job market with low unemployment

❌ Think twice if :

• You’re used to big city vibes – Pesaro is a medium-small town, so it might feel a bit quiet during the off-season
• You want a city where property prices are low and it’s easy to find a place to live
• You depend on public transport a lot, buses aren’t always frequent outside peak hours
• You want a busy nightlife, especially when it’s not tourist season

Final Thoughts

If you want a small, easygoing city by the sea with good infrastructure, Pesaro could be a great choice. Job opportunities, especially nearby, are plenty, and the city is very walkable and bike-friendly with lots of green spaces. Finding housing might take some patience, and nightlife is pretty quiet outside the summer months, but the overall quality of life is really high.

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