Things to see and do in Abruzzo

Abruzzo

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Map of Abruzzo. The red pin indicates the center of the region of Abruzzo

The Abruzzo Region

The Abruzzo region of Italy has four administrative Abruzzo divisions: Teramo to the North, Chieti to the South, L’Aquila to the West and Pescara in the middle.

Abruzzo Population: Province of Pescara – 318,700; Province of L’Aquila 308,875; Province of Chieti 396,190; Province of Teramo 308,770

Abruzzo Coat of Arms

The Abruzzo Coat of Arms is white, green and blue which represents sea, forest and sky.

Abruzzo Overview

We have all heard about the typical tourist sites of Italy, however, tourists that choose to explore areas of Italy that are not heavily promoted by the tourism industry are often rewarded especially when visiting Abruzzo. There is just so much to see, do and explore in Abruzzo.

The Abruzzo region is renowned for its Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wine, the Abruzzo Adriatic coastline with its long stretch of beaches along the Abruzzo coast, wonderful fresh Abruzzo cuisine, shopping and elegant caffes in the most popular Abruzzo destination of Pescara, charming Abruzzo medival villages, the Abruzzo mountain ranges and warm friendly Abruzzo people. As Abruzzo is not yet discovered by mass tourists (as is the case in Tuscany, Umbria, Rome, Venice etc.) prices are reasonable and dining out in Abruzzo means that you are always guaranteed fresh wonderful authentic Abruzzo food at lower prices and a much warmer welcome and hospitality – which makes the region of Abruzzo a truly special place and Pescara the ideal base to explore its beauty and charm.

Abruzzo Beaches

The vast Adriatic beach coastline of Abruzzo takes around a 10-minute drive to reach from this Abruzzo villa rental where you can enjoy a swim and unwind in one of the many beach cafés. There are both private and public beaches in Abruzzo – all with their own unique personality and character. Abruzzo is amongst one of the regions that boasts some of the highest number of “Bandiere Blu Spiaggie” (Blue Flag beaches) in all of Italy which mean that the beaches in Abruzzo are competing to maintain a very high standard and an environmentally sound coastline.

Pescara City Center

Around a 10 minute drive from the Abruzzo Villa Rental you will be in the centre of Pescara, with its elegant designer and high street shops, there are also some best kept secrets where you can purchase designer fashion from designer factory outlets at heavily discounted prices.

Pescara is known for the best shopping in the whole Abruzzo region. Small charming characteristic towns, Abruzzo open markets and local Abruzzo festivals in the nearby area are ideal for day to explore. And in the evenings, the beach cafés and the old town of Pescara Porto transform themselves into vibrant night spots. Or if you like you can even catch a bus, train or drive on the “Auto Strada” to Rome for a day trip which takes only around 2 hours to get to. Located between Abruzzo

Abruzzo Medieval Charming Villages

Within Abruzzo lie some of Italy’s most beautiful ancient hill towns rivaling those of Tuscany and Umbria. Montesilvano Colle village is your first stop as it is only a couple minutes drive from the Abruzzo villa rental. It is a small fortified village with excellent views of the Abruzzo Adriatic Coast, Abruzzo Gran Sasso mountain range and Pescara. La Madonna d’ella Neve (Church of Madonna of the Snow) dominates the village and houses frescoes dating back to the 12th Century. And in the afternoons you will hear the bells chime from the villa. What makes Abruzzo of particular importance to Abruzzo Medieval Villages is the fact that it has won 19 “Borghi Piu Belli d’Italia” awards (The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) making Abruzzo own the second most number of these awards in Italy after Umbria which has 22 awards. The awards for these villages are determined by aesthetic beauty but also for historical importance, art and culture and livability.

Abruzzo awarded villages and approximate driving time from the villa:

Città Sant’Angelo – 20 minutes (and can also be seen from the Villa)
Manoppello – 3o minutes
Abbateggio – 40 minutes
Rocca San Giovanni – 45 minutes
Pacentro - 50 minutes (Where Madonna’s Grand Parents are from and where her relatives still live)
Scanno – 1 hour
Anversa degli Abruzzi – 1hour
Introdacqua – 1 hour
Navelli – 1 hour
Bugnara – 1 hour
Villalago – 1 hour
Pettorano sul Gizio – 1 hour
Tagliacozzo – 1 hour 15 minutes
Castel del Monte 1 hour 15 minutes
Castelli – 1 hour 15 minutes
Civitella del Tronto – 1 hour 15 minutues
S. Stefano di Sessanio – 1 hour 15 minutes
Pietracamela – 1 hour 20 minutes
Tagliacozzo- 1 hour 25 minutes
Pescocostanzo – 1 hour 30 minutes
Opi – 1 hour 50 minutes

Other very popular and beautiful Abruzzo medieval towns and villages to explore close by:

Montesilvano Colle – 2 minutes (and can also be seen from the villa)
Spoltore – 10 Minutes
Loreto Aprutino – 15 minutes
Pianella – 25 minutes
Penne – 25 minutes
Civitella Del Tronto – 30 minutes
Atri – 20 minutes
Chieti -40 minutes (Easter Holiday in Italy is important to Italians and in Chieti there is a famous procession earmarked on the UNESCO calendar that takes place every Easter)
Ascoli Piceno – 40 minutes (belongs to the Marche Region)
San Valentino – 45 minutes
Rocca San Giovanni – 45 minutes
Salle Vecchia – 50 minutes
Cocullo – 50 minutes
Guardiagrele – 50 minutes
Sulmona – 1 hour
Faraone Antico – 1 hour
Campli – 1 hour
Colledimezzo – 1 hour 15 minutes
Castelli – 1 hour 15 minutes
Pietracamella – 1 hour 15 minutes
Carunchio – 1 hour 30 minutes

Abruzzo Nature

Abruzzo is known as the “Green Region of Europe” and also referred to as “Italy’s Garden”. The Abruzzo mountain range also known as “La Bella Addormentata” (The Sleeping Beauty) is 40 minutes away and can be seen from the Abruzzo villa rental and the Abruzzo extensive park system, Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, includes natural beauty akin to national parks in western United States. Among them are the Parco Nazionale della Majella d’ Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale d’ Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Pietracamela, Italia and Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino. In the Abruzzo Gran Sasso the Corno Grande, is the highest peak of the Abruzzo Apennines which majestically rises 2912 meters above sea level. The reserves of Abruzzo are famous in Italy, and worldwide, as a model for nature conservation and environmental safeguard. Abruzzo has so much to offer all year round – summer beaches, winter skiing in Abruzzo ski pistes, Horse riding, Trekking, Cycling, Canoeing, Paragliding, Bird watching and long warm days in the spring and the autumn to walk around Abruzzo’s hills and lakes.

There are few places that can offer both mountains and sea within a short drive and Abruzzo has just that:

Parco Nazionale della Majella – 1 hour 20 minutes
Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo – 1 hour 30 minutes
Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Pietracamela, Italia – 1 hour 30 minutes
Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino – 1 hour 30 minutes

Abruzzo Winter Sports

Abruzzo Skiing is a fantastic destination for skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiing. Abruzzo has several ski resorts with 368 km of runs in 172 different ski tracks, all within a drive away. Located on the highest altitudes of Abruzzo Apennines, these ski areas are at heights nearly comparable to many resorts in the Alps. Because of their proximity to the Adriatic Sea and winter precipitation patterns, they often have more snow than the Alps. The slopes are open from December to April. Approximate driving time from the Abruzzo Villa Rental:

Passo Lanciano – 50 minutes
La Majelletta – 50 minutes
Campo di Giove – 50 minutes
Prati di Tivo – 1 hour 30 minutes
Ovindoli & Monte Magnola 1 hour 30 minutes
Campo Imperatore – 1 hour 30 minutes
Roccaraso – 1 hour 30 minutes
Scanno & Monte Rotondo
Pescocostanzo 1 hour 30 minutes
Rivisondoli 1 hour 30 minutes
Pescasseroli 1 hour 40 minutes
Opi 1 hour 50 minutes
Campo Felice – 1 hour 30 minutes

Still need more information on Abruzzo? Then please feel free to read and post questions on my Abruzzo Blog as I also update it with information on Abruzzo and Italy in general. Alternatively you can contact me directly and I will be more than happy to help you make your stay a memorable one in this beautiful Abruzzo region of Italy.