Spiaggia dei Frati, Beach at Riviera del Conero, Numana, Italy
Spiaggia dei Frati is a small fine-gravel beach on the Riviera del Conero coast near Numana, tucked between white limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. The cove opens directly onto the Adriatic Sea and is flanked by rock walls that separate it from neighboring beaches.
A Franciscan monastery built near this spot in the 13th century gave the beach its name, which translates as Friars Beach. The monastery shaped how people referred to this stretch of coast for centuries.
Locals often call this beach Sottosanta, after the cemetery sitting on the cliff above, where cholera victims were buried in the 19th century. This informal name is still used in everyday conversation and appears on some local signs.
Part of the beach is managed by a nearby hotel that offers rental services, while the rest remains open to the public. A footpath from Numana center leads down to the shore in about 15 minutes, but the descent involves some steep sections.
A large white rock called Sasso del Bo rises directly from the water just off the shore and has long served local boaters as a natural reference point. It stands out clearly when seen from the sea, making it one of the most recognizable features of this cove.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
