Abruzzo is a region in Italy with rolling hills, imposing mountains, picturesque villages and seemingly endless dream beaches. Located east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines, Abruzzo is characterized by its special landscape. Until now, the province is considered an insider tip and is still spared from mass tourism. Here you can enjoy a dream holiday on the Mediterranean that has a certain adventure factor.
Wonderful dream beaches
Abruzzo awaits its visitors with about 135 kilometres of fine sandy Adriatic coast. Kilometres of picture-perfect beaches, golden sand and gentle Mediterranean waves promise rest and relaxation. In addition, the water quality here is particularly high, which is confirmed again and again by the Blue Flag. The small towns along the coast with their palm avenues have a very special charm and invite you to linger. Among the most beautiful beaches in Abruzzo are the beaches of Roseto Pineto, sheltered by rocks. Here, the beach is lined with Mediterranean pine trees. The beach and beach club of Ortana are particularly popular with the locals.
Abruzzo – Breathtaking landscape
The breathtaking landscape of Abruzzo has a lot to offer. Mostly mountainous and hilly, it’s hot and lush green in the summer, while it’s cold and snowy in the winter. So you can enjoy beautiful panoramas here at any time of the year. Abruzzo is home to the southernmost glacier in Europe – the Calderone. In summer, refreshing springs offer cooling and deep blue lakes invite you to swim. The region is home to rare animal species such as wolves, brown bears, chamois and golden eagles.
Fortresses and castles
In Abruzzo, the Middle Ages live on. Away from the tourist towns, you can explore medieval fortresses and castles on your own, which can be found everywhere on the hills of the impressive landscape. Probably the most impressive fortress is the Rocca Calascio. At 1,500 m above sea level, it is the highest fortress in Italy. From the watchtower you can enjoy an impressive view over the wide valley and the mountains. also very impressive is the Castello di Roccascalegna, which was built very close to a cliff.
Historic villages and traditional fishing
Abruzzo is home to 20 of the most beautiful historic villages in Italy. History and architecture fans will get their money’s worth here and can admire the remnants of Roman architecture. Particularly impressive is the ancient city of Alba Fucens, which impresses its visitors with a well-preserved fortress and an amphitheater. In the small historic villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castel del Monte and Scanno you can enjoy a medieval atmosphere. Along a 70-kilometer stretch of coastline between San Salvo and Ortona, there are small, fragile-looking wooden huts and platforms that rise out of the water on stilts. There, fishing nets hang in the sea, so-called trabocchis, which used to be used to fish for perch, sea bream, anchovies and sardines and are now part of the World Heritage Site.
Active in Abruzzo
Abruzzo is “The Green Heart of Italy” and invites you to hike and cycle from April to October. About a third of the region are national parks, which are well equipped with numerous hiking trails and invite you to take long hikes through the unique nature. Winter sports enthusiasts get their money’s worth in Abruzzo in the cold season.
Enjoy the culinary delights of Abruzzo
Of course, culinary enjoyment should not be neglected on holiday. Its location between the Apennine Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea makes Abruzzo the ideal region for fishing and agriculture. On the coast you can enjoy seafood of all kinds, while inland there are typical Abruzzo dishes such as grilled lamb skewers or various pastas. In the oldest pasta factory in the region, visitors can experience how handmade pasta has been made here for 200 years. You can also enjoy good wine in Abruzzo. The famous Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with its harmonious taste is always a delight.
Museums
Abruzzo, a region in central Italy, is known for its rich history, culture, and stunning nature. Here are some of the must-see museums to visit during your stay:
- Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo (L’Aquila): This museum displays an extensive collection of artworks and artifacts from the region, including archaeological finds and medieval art. Address: Borgo Rivera, 67100 L’Aquila.
- Museo Casa Natale di Gabriele d’Annunzio (Pescara): The birthplace of the famous poet Gabriele d’Annunzio is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Address: Corso Manthone 116, 65127 Pescara.
- Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo (Pescara): An ethnographic museum that shows the culture and traditions of Abruzzo. Address: Via delle Caserme 58, 65127 Pescara.
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale d’Abruzzo (Chieti): This museum houses an impressive collection of archaeological finds, including the famous warrior statue “Guerriero di Capestrano”. Address: Via Gabriele D’Annunzio 9, 66100 Chieti.
- Museo Civico di Sulmona: A municipal museum that presents the history and art of Sulmona and the surrounding area. Address: Piazza Garibaldi, 67039 Sulmona.
Restaurants
Abruzzo is known for its excellent cuisine, which uses fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes. Here are some of the best restaurants in the region:
- Ristorante La Bandiera (Civitella Casanova): A Michelin-starred restaurant that offers creative interpretations of traditional Abruzzo dishes. Address: Via Villa Santa Maria 30, 65010 Civitella Casanova.
- Ristorante Taverna 58 (Pescara): An elegant restaurant in the heart of Pescara that serves traditional dishes with a modern twist. Address: Corso Manthone 46, 65127 Pescara.
- Ristorante La Grotta dei Raselli (Guardiagrele): A charming restaurant known for its authentic Abruzzo cuisine and the use of local ingredients. Address: Via Roma 5, 66016 Guardiagrele.
- Ristorante Casa Elodia (Camarda): A family-run restaurant that offers innovative and creative dishes based on traditional recipes. Address: Via Campo Imperatore 1, 67100 Camarda.
- Ristorante Villa Maiella (Guardiagrele): Another Michelin-starred restaurant that stands out for its high-quality cuisine and idyllic location. Address: Via Sette Dolori 30, 66016 Guardiagrele.
Well-known hotels
Abruzzo offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxurious hotels to cozy boutique hotels:
- Hotel Villa Maria (Francavilla al Mare): An elegant hotel on the coast with luxurious rooms, a spa and excellent restaurants. Address: Contrada Pretaro, 66023 Francavilla al Mare.
- Sextantio Albergo Diffuso (Santo Stefano di Sessanio): A unique hotel concept in a restored medieval village that combines traditional charm and modern comforts. Address: Via Principe Umberto 1, 67020 Santo Stefano di Sessanio.
- Hotel Sporting (Teramo): A modern hotel in the heart of Teramo, ideal for business travellers and tourists. Address: Via Alcide De Gasperi 41, 64100 Teramo.
- Palazzo dei Mercanti (Ascoli Piceno): A stylish boutique hotel in a historic building that offers elegant rooms and a central location. Address: Corso Trento e Trieste 35, 63100 Ascoli Piceno.
- Gran Sasso (L’Aquila): A comfortable hotel with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains, ideal for hiking and nature lovers. Address: Via Alcide De Gasperi 2, 67100 L’Aquila.
How to get there
Abruzzo is well connected to the transport network and easily accessible:
- Plane:
- Pescara Airport (Aeroporto d’Abruzzo, PSR): The main airport in the region, about 4 km from Pescara. Regular domestic and international connections.
- Train:
- The main railway stations of the region are located in Pescara, L’Aquila and Chieti. Good connections to Rome, Ancona and other Italian cities.
- Car:
- Good road connections via the A14 (Adriatic motorway) and A24/A25 (Rome-Pescara) motorways.
- Bus:
- Long-distance buses from FlixBus and other providers connect Abruzzo with many cities in Italy and Europe.
