Portonovo (15km south) — A sheltered cove tucked under the Conero cliffs, accessible by road in summer. The beach is pebble and the water clear; a Romanesque chapel sits right on the shore. Gets very busy in August; arrive early or come in June/September.
Sirolo and Numana (20–25km south) — Sirolo is a well-preserved hilltop village perched above the Conero coast with views down to the beaches below; Numana is a larger resort town at the southern end of the Conero park. Both have good beaches and are quieter than Portonovo out of peak season. Reachable by bus in summer or by car.
Urbino (100km northwest) — One of Italy's great Renaissance cities, built around the Ducal Palace of Federico da Montefeltro. The palace houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, with works by Piero della Francesca, Raphael (born here), and Ucello. A UNESCO World Heritage site and manageable as a long day trip from Ancona by car or bus.
Recanati (30km south) — Birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, the great Italian Romantic poet. The town preserves his family home (Casa Leopardi, with his library intact) and a small but good civic gallery with a Lorenzo Lotto altarpiece. A half-day is enough; combine with lunch on the Conero coast.