Spiaggia di Velluto, meaning 'Velvet Beach,' earned its name in 1853 when journalist and photographer Mario Carafoli described the exceptionally fine golden sand along Senigallia's 13-kilometer Adriatic coastline in the Marche region. The beach and town trace their history to the 3rd century BC when Romans founded the colony of Sena Gallica at the mouth of the Misa River, establishing a strategic coastal settlement that evolved over two millennia. The velvet-soft sand quality and shallow, calm waters transformed Senigallia into a premier Italian seaside resort, earning the prestigious European Blue Flag certification continuously since 1997 for excellent water quality and environmentally responsible beach management.
Swimming in the particularly shallow, clear waters makes the beach ideal for families with children, while organized water sports include windsurfing, water skiing, beach volleyball, and various activities at equipped bathing establishments. Tennis, horse riding, bowling, bocce, table tennis, football, basketball, and skating facilities dot the coastline, and beach clubs offer water aerobics, children's games, and activities under gazebos. The wide golden beach stretches for several kilometers, providing ample space for sunbathing, beach walks, and relaxation on sand so fine it feels like velvet beneath bare feet. Annual fish festivals in early September feature bustling markets, culinary competitions, and celebrations of Adriatic fishing traditions.
Ristorante Uliassi, awarded three Michelin stars, presents creative interpretations of brodetto fish stew, mantis shrimp, and seasonal Adriatic catches with innovative techniques. Ristorante Il Pescatore serves traditional brodetto alla senigalliese with 13 types of fish, spaghetti alle vongole, risotto ai frutti di mare, and fritto misto dell'Adriatico by the sea. L'Angolino sul Mare offers family-run beachside dining with grilled mixed seafood, fresh anchovies, and local wine near la Rotonda. The promenade features numerous fish restaurants serving brodetto, seafood grigliata, sole, and regional specialties. Traditional establishments serve marchigiana cuisine with locally caught anchovies, sardines, mackerel, octopus, squid, clams, and mussels prepared according to Senigallia's centuries-old recipes.
