The first time I drove through Abruzzo, I nearly crashed my rental car because I couldn’t stop staring at the mountains. I mean, imagine the Italian Alps and the Mediterranean had a baby…that’s Abruzzo. When I stood in front of Rocca Calascio castle, perched on its lonely mountain peak like something out of a medieval fairytale, I actually forgot to take photos because I was too busy picking my jaw up off the ground.
From the wild wolves and bears of the Majella National Park to the turquoise beaches of Costa dei Trabocchi, these are the most beautiful places in Abruzzo that deserve way more attention than they get. Let me show you my 12 favorite spots in this incredible region that completely changed how I see Italy.
Best Places to Visit in Abruzzo, Italy
Looking for the coolest things to do in Abruzzo, Italy? Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Abruzzo National Park, relax in the thermal waters of Caramanico Terme, and explore the historic charm of Casoli. Visit the impressive fortress of Civitella del Tronto and immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture and nature. Whether you’re into adventure, history, or relaxation, here are the top attractions to visit in Abruzzo.
1. Abruzzo National Park
- 📍 Location: Central Abruzzo region, 2 hours east of Rome
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife enthusiasts 🐻, hikers 🥾, nature photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Spotting wolves and bears, hiking through beech forests, exploring ancient villages
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for wildflowers, September-October for fall colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Duca degli Abruzzi in Pescasseroli – Traditional mountain lodge near park headquarters
Forget African safaris; Abruzzo National Park offers Europe’s best chance to spot large predators. Italy’s oldest national park protects the elusive Marsican brown bear and wolves that roam its ancient beech forests.
The S1 Trail winds through enchanted woodlands where chamois leap across rocky outcrops. Close by, the Camosciara Nature Reserve reveals dramatic waterfalls, while the Val di Rose Trail carves through breathtaking canyons.
Traditional mountain villages like Pescasseroli preserve centuries-old Abruzzese culture. I recommend joining a guided night safari for the ultimate wildlife experience. Stay at least three days to explore both the raw wilderness and charming towns that make this park truly special.
2. Caramanico Terme
- 📍 Location: Northern Majella, 40 minutes inland from Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: Wellness seekers ♨️, hikers 🥾, history buffs 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing in thermal baths, gorge walking, visiting medieval caves
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round for thermal waters, April-June for hiking 🌸
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel La Reserve – Modern spa hotel with thermal facilities
Picture soaking in therapeutic waters that Romans once praised while mountain peaks tower overhead. This healing spa town perfectly blends luxury wellness with raw adventure. The therapeutic sulfur springs at Terme di Caramanico work miracles on tired muscles after days exploring mountain trails.
Just beyond town, the La Valle dell’Orfento canyon mesmerizes with crystal-clear streams and ancient hermitages. The Sentiero S26 trail follows the rushing river through this spectacular gorge. Medieval streets lead to San Tommaso Church, while the nearby Cave of Sant’Angelo displays remarkable frescoes painted by hermits centuries ago.
3. Casoli
- 📍 Location: Eastern Abruzzo, 30 minutes west of Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: History lovers 🏰, wine enthusiasts 🍷, culture seekers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring medieval castles, hiking Aventino River valley, sampling local wines
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: September for wine harvest, June for Medieval Festival 🎪
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Ristorante Le Ginestre – Cozy accommodations with mountain views, a family-friendly atmosphere, and authentic regional cuisine
Rising dramatically above the Aventino River valley, Casoli has defended Abruzzo for a thousand years. Casoli Castle commands views stretching from the Majella peaks to the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Inside, fascinating medieval artifacts share space with WWII resistance stories.
Wander below to discover Santa Reparata Church with its precious 11th-century artwork. The Aventino River Trail meanders past ancient stone bridges and traditional mills into surrounding vineyards. Local wineries pour generous tastings of renowned Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
4. Civitella del Tronto
- 📍 Location: Northern Abruzzo, near the Marche border, 20 minutes from Teramo
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏛️, fortress explorers 🏰, panoramic photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Europe’s largest fortress, walking medieval streets, admiring views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March-May for mild weather, October for autumn colors 🍁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Ristorante Il Pescatore – Cozy accommodations with scenic views, located near the town’s historical center and offering traditional Italian hospitality
Standing atop Civitella del Tronto, Europe’s most impressive mountain fortress, feels like stepping into a military history textbook. This 500-meter-long giant stretches across rugged ridges at dizzying heights, telling tales of epic sieges and strategic brilliance. The Fortress of Civitella del Tronto protected two kingdoms for centuries with its massive walls and underground tunnels.
Below, narrow Via della Rua winds through the medieval town past noble palaces. The baroque beauty of San Lorenzo Church contrasts with the austere military architecture above. For adventure seekers, the Sentiero delle Fortezze trail connects this stronghold to other defensive positions along ancient battle lines.
5. Gran Sasso National Park
- 📍 Location: Central Abruzzo, 2 hours northeast of Rome
- 🏆 Best For: Mountain climbers ⛰️, hikers 🥾, scientific enthusiasts 🔬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Summiting Corno Grande, riding the cable car, exploring Campo Imperatore
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June-September for hiking, December-March for skiing ⛷️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Ostello Campo Imperatore – Historic hotel at 2,000m altitude
Italy’s highest peak south of the Alps challenges climbers while hiding one of the world’s most unusual laboratories beneath its rocks. Corno Grande stands proud at 2,912 meters, its summit offering views that sweep across central Italy. The thrilling Funivia del Gran Sasso cable car whisks adventurers to Campo Imperatore, a vast plateau where wild horses roam amid endless wildflower meadows.
Science meets nature at the mysterious Gran Sasso Laboratory, conducting physics experiments deep underground. Nearby, Lake Campotosto draws fishermen and bird watchers to its peaceful shores. The timeless village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio preserves medieval charm with cobblestone streets and ancient stone houses.
6. Majella National Park
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Abruzzo, 1.5 hours south of Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: Botanists 🌿, hermitage seekers 🙏, cave explorers 🕳️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking limestone peaks, visiting ancient monasteries, wildflower spotting
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for orchids and wildlife, September for golden valleys 🌾
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Maielletta – Mountain refuge-style lodge at 1,600m
Mystic limestone peaks shelter Europe’s largest concentration of wild orchids and hermitages where seekers have meditated for centuries. The spiritual Monte Amaro trail ascends to 2,793 meters, while Sentiero dello Spirito connects five sacred monasteries, including the breathtaking Monastery of San Bartolomeo, carved impossibly into a rocky crevasse.
Botanical wonders bloom everywhere, from the rare Majella poppy found nowhere else to 600 plant species that carpet the mountain slopes. Adventure continues underground at Grotta del Cavallone, where cathedral-sized chambers reveal magnificent stalactites. I particularly love watching sunrise paint the limestone cliffs golden while staying overnight in a mountain refuge.
7. Marina di Montenero
- 📍 Location: Adriatic Coast of Abruzzo, 30 minutes north of Termoli and 1 hour south of Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: Beachgoers 🏖️, seafood lovers 🍤, water sports enthusiasts 🏄♂️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Swimming in crystal-clear waters, dining at seaside restaurants, trying windsurfing lessons
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-August for peak summer beaches, June and September for fewer crowds and pleasant weather 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Villa Montenero – A coastal retreat offering sea views, comfortable rooms, and easy access to the beach and local attractions
Imagine stepping onto golden sand where fishing boats share the harbor with luxury yachts. Marina di Montenero has Abruzzo’s most pristine coastline without the tourist chaos. The shallow waters and gentle waves make this spot perfect for families.
After swimming, head to the harbor restaurants where fishermen bring the day’s catch directly to your table. I recommend trying the local specialty “brodetto,” a rich fish stew that captures all the flavors of the Adriatic. For adventure seekers, morning fishing trips with local captains offer unforgettable experiences.
Beyond the beach, the nearby Punta Aderci Nature Reserve provides spectacular coastal hiking trails.
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8. Riserva Regionale Majella Orientale
- 📍 Location: Central Abruzzo, within Majella National Park, 40 minutes south of Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife watchers 🦅, hikers 🥾, nature photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Spotting Marsican brown bears, hiking to mountain lakes, photographing wildflowers
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for blooming orchids and edelweiss, September-October for golden autumn colors 🍁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Locanda della Majella – Cozy mountain lodge offering rustic charm and access to hiking trails with views of the Majella mountain range
Listen carefully as you hike through ancient beech forests, and you might hear the haunting call of Apennine wolves. The Riserva Regionale Majella Orientale protects Italy’s most biodiverse mountain ecosystem. Rare orchids carpet the meadows in spring.
Trail markers lead to breathtaking destinations like the Hermitage of Sant’Antonio, a monastery built directly into a cliff face. Over 100 miles of paths connect pristine mountain lakes with limestone peaks. Wildlife photographers come here hoping to glimpse the endangered Marsican brown bear.
For the full mountain experience, I suggest staying overnight at a traditional rifugio to catch the sunrise over the peaks.
9. Roccaraso Ski Area
- 📍 Location: High Sangro Valley, 1.5 hours from Pescara in the heart of Abruzzo’s Apennines
- 🏆 Best For: Ski and snowboard enthusiasts ⛷️, winter sports families, off-season mountain bikers 🚵♀️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Skiing across three interconnected resorts, après-ski in mountain bars, summer mountain biking
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-March for skiing, July-August for mountain biking and hiking ⛰️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Iris – Centrally located near ski lifts with excellent spa facilities
Carve through fresh powder at elevations reaching 7,200 feet, where reliable snow coverage greets skiers from December through March. Roccaraso Ski Area spans 115 miles of slopes across three interconnected resorts. The Magic 120 Circuit takes a full day to complete.
Modern high-speed lifts connect Roccaraso-Rivisondoli, Pescocostanzo, and Passo Lanciano-Majelletta, ensuring minimal wait times. When summer arrives, these same slopes transform into mountain biking trails. The town buzzes with energy year-round.
Between runs, I always stop at cozy mountain restaurants serving hearty regional dishes and warm hospitality.
10. Roccascalegna
- 📍 Location: Teatino Hills, 45 minutes southwest of Lanciano and 1 hour from Chieti
- 🏆 Best For: Castle enthusiasts 🏰, photographers 📸, medieval history buffs 📚
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring the dramatic clifftop castle, capturing sunset views, walking the medieval village
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring and early autumn for castle tours without summer crowds, winter for dramatic misty landscapes ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Castello di Semivicoli – Historic castle hotel nearby with vineyard views
Rising from the Sangro Valley like a fairy tale fortress, Castello di Roccascalegna perches impossibly on a narrow rocky outcrop 460 feet above the valley floor. First built in the 11th century, this medieval stronghold commands sweeping views of the approaching Majella Mountains.
The remarkably preserved interior includes the “Sala delle Udienze” with original frescoes and the mysterious “blood stone” floor marking. Stone stairs lead to phenomenal viewpoints where the sunset turns the castle golden. Below, in the medieval village, cobblestone streets wind past the unique Church of San Pietro with its circular bell tower.
For the most dramatic photos, I recommend visiting on misty mornings when the fortress appears to float above the clouds.
11. Trabocchi Coast
- 📍 Location: Adriatic coastline of Chieti province, stretching from Ortona to Vasto along Highway SS16
- 🏆 Best For: Seafood enthusiasts 🍤, cyclists 🚴♀️, photography lovers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Dining on trabocchi restaurants, cycling the Via Verde coastal path, watching sunset over wooden piers
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for mild weather and quiet beaches, September for sea bathing and trabocchi dining 🌅
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Locanda della Corte – Cozy mountain lodge offering rustic charm and access to hiking trails with views of the Majella mountain range
Ancient wooden fishing platforms stretch from rocky cliffs into the Adriatic, creating one of Italy’s most unique coastlines. These “trabocchi” now serve as atmospheric seafood restaurants where diners enjoy fresh catches suspended over the waves. Cycling the 42-mile Via Verde Coastal Path connects these fascinating structures with pristine pebble beaches.
Notable stops include Trabocco Turchino near Ortona and Trabocco di Punta Cavalluccio for their dramatic settings. Protected nature reserves like Punta dell’Acquabella alternate with charming beach towns along this remarkable shoreline. Clear waters perfect for snorkeling surround the rocky promontories.
For the ultimate experience, I always book dinner at a trabocco in advance, as these unique venues fill quickly, especially on weekends.
12. Vasto
- 📍 Location: Southern Abruzzo coast, at the terminus of the Trabocchi Coast and 1 hour south of Pescara
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, cultural explorers 🏛️, wine enthusiasts 🍷
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Palazzo d’Avalos, relaxing on sandy Spiaggia di Vasto Marina, tasting Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June for beach season start with fewer crowds, September-October for wine harvest and festivals 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Villa Vignola – Elegant retreat with sea views and garden terraces
Perched on dramatic cliffs above the Adriatic, Vasto combines everything that makes Abruzzo special. The historic center showcases the magnificent Palazzo d’Avalos with its stunning gardens and the 13th-century Cathedral of San Giuseppe with its remarkable rose window. Below, the sandy Punta Penna beach stretches for miles with some of Italy’s cleanest Adriatic waters.
The modern marina buzzes with seafood restaurants and gelaterias during evening strolls. Surrounding hills produce exceptional Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines, and local wineries offer tours with coastal views. Cultural events light up summer nights, including the Vasto Film Festival.
I never leave without trying the famous “ventricina vastese,” a spicy sausage unique to this region.
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