By car
From the north (Milan, Bologna, Ravenna)
- A14 Adriatic motorway towards Ancona
- Exit at Cattolica-San Giovanni-Gabicce
- SS 16 Adriatica southbound for 4 km to the Gabicce roundabout
- SP 44 Panoramica Adriatica uphill towards Gabicce Monte
- After about 2 km, the Vallugola turn-off on the left
- Surfaced road downhill to the harbour
From the south (Pesaro, Ancona, Rome)
- A14 towards Bologna
- Exit at Pesaro-Urbino
- SS 16 Adriatica northbound for 12 km to Gabicce
Scenic alternative: take the SP 44 from the northern districts of Pesaro (Soria, Cattabrighe) and follow the park ridge to the Vallugola turn-off. Longer (around 40 minutes) but a route of high scenic quality.
Road distances
| From | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cattolica | 4 km | 10 min |
| Gabicce Mare centre | 4 km | 10 min |
| Pesaro | 20 km | 30 min |
| Rimini | 22 km | 25 min |
| Urbino | 50 km | 50 min |
| Ancona | 75 km | 1 h |
| Bologna | 165 km | 1 h 45 |
| Florence | 220 km | 2 h 30 |
| Rome | 305 km | 3 h 30 |
| Milan | 350 km | 3 h 45 |
Parking
On the square in front of the harbour there are a limited number of free spaces and a number of paid spaces with a seasonal tariff, managed by the harbour concessionaire.
In high season (July-August) the car park fills up in the middle of the day. Arrive before 9:30 or after 4:00 pm to be sure of a space.
Alternative: park along the SP 44 Panoramica and walk down via path 151d (900 m, around 20 minutes, surfaced).
By train
The reference station is Cattolica-San Giovanni-Gabicce, on the Adriatic Bologna-Ancona line. It is 5 km from the bay, served by regional trains and some Intercity trains with a seasonal stop.
Approximate train times
| From | To Cattolica-San Giovanni-Gabicce |
|---|---|
| Pesaro | 10 min |
| Rimini | 15 min |
| Ancona | 1 h |
| Bologna Centrale | 1 h 30 |
| Florence SMN | 3 h (via Bologna) |
| Milan Centrale | 4 h 30 |
| Rome Termini | 4 h 30 (via Ancona) |
From the station to Vallugola
The last stretch from Cattolica station to the harbour at Vallugola is not covered by scheduled public transport. The options are:
- Taxi. Available at the station and outside the hotels of Cattolica and Gabicce. The trip takes around 10 minutes.
- Car hire. Desks at the station and in town.
- Bus + walking. The Adriabus 130 line reaches Gabicce Mare, leaving about 3 km on foot (with some climb) or a second transfer.
- Seasonal shuttles. From June to September, some local operators run seasonal tourist shuttles with variable timetables: check according to the period.
By bus
Services to Gabicce are run by Adriabus (province of Pesaro and Urbino) and, from Romagna, by Start Romagna. The Start Romagna 125 line links Rimini to Gradara, with the option of stopping at the medieval village.
Public transport does not reach the harbour of Vallugola directly. The last stretch requires a taxi, car hire or walking.
In low season frequencies are reduced and evening services limited. Check up-to-date timetables on the operators' sites before you travel.
By bicycle
The SP 44 Panoramica Adriatica is one of the benchmark cycling routes of the northern Marche. From the Panoramica you drop down to the harbour via the Strada della Vallugola: 900 metres downhill, 150 metres of climb on the way back.
From June to September, every Sunday from 6 am to 12:30 pm, the Panoramica is closed to motor traffic and reserved for cyclists and walkers. It is the ideal moment to ride the ridge.
For those starting from Pesaro, the Bicipolitana (more than 180 km of urban cycle lanes organised in colour-coded lines) connects with the SP 44 at the park's access points.
See the dedicated page on Vallugola by bicycle for climbs, gradients, rentals and e-bikes.
By boat
The Vallugola marina has visiting moorings for boats up to 14 metres.
Sea distances
| Departure harbour | Distance |
|---|---|
| Cattolica | 4 nautical miles |
| Pesaro | 7 nm |
| Rimini | 12 nm |
| Fano | 14 nm |
| Ancona | 35 nm |
| Ravenna | 50 nm |
| Venice | 110 nm |
The approach from the Adriatic coast is generally flat and free of surface obstacles. The entrance can be identified from the breakwater and the height of the cliff behind.
Take care with north-easterly swell: visibility of the harbour mouth can be reduced.
For those without their own boat, in season tourist motorboats from Cattolica and Gabicce run trips with a stop at Vallugola.
See the dedicated marina page for services, tariffs and mooring bookings.
Accessibility for people with disabilities
The harbour square and the pedestrian routes are largely wheelchair accessible. There are reserved spaces in the car park, level access to the quay and the buildings, and accessible toilets.
Entering the water from the pebble beach requires assistance: there are no permanent ramps along the whole stretch. The beach club can provide dedicated assistance on request.
For walks in the park, the Park Authority periodically organises, together with the CAI Montefeltro, outings using a joëlette trail chair from the bay to the Montagnola. These run by booking.
