5 Things you can do in Abruzzo, Italy that will make your trip special
Abruzzo may not be thought of in the same bracket as Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast when it comes to tourism in Italy, but it definitely should be. It’s wild, untamed, and beautiful. There are breath-taking national parks, a rugged Adriatic coastline, and plenty of historic towns and villages. Although it may not be top of an Italian travel itinerary, that means when you visit Abruzzo, you’ll have a more authentic and traditional Italian experience!
In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 of the best things you can do in Abruzzo recommended by Trip101 Hopefully, it’ll help you plan your itinerary and you’ll be able to make the most of your holiday in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy!
Get to know the historic city of Pescara
Let’s start off with the capital of the Abruzzo region – Pescara. This is the perfect place to base yourself for an Abruzzo holiday, as it offers incredible cuisine, restaurants and places to stay. Also, it’s a stone’s throw away from some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy and you can easily travel to other parts of the region, as well as further afield to cities like Rome and Florence. However, let’s get to know Pescara a little bit first!
There’s plenty to do in this charming town, right on the Adriatic Coast. It’s probably best known for being the home of famous Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, and while you’re in town you may as well visit his childhood home! Other points of interest in Pescara include Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo and Vittoria Colonna Museum of Modern Art, which is home masterpieces by Picasso and Miró!
Pescara also offers the chance to try delicious Abruzzese cooking. If you’re on the lookout for a restaurant, look no further than the Trabocchi restaurants which serve freshly caught seafood. They’re nicknamed the spiders of the sea!
Explore the Museo Nazionale Archeologico d’Abruzzo in Chieti
“Il Guerriero di Capestrano. Museo Archeologico Nazionale Chieti”by Elisa atene is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The Chieti region has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years, and the Museo Nazionale Arcehologico d’Abruzzo does a sterling job of exhibiting that! The museum is one of the best in the whole of Abruzzo full stop, and mostly deals with the tribes who lived in this part of Italy (but further afield too) before the conception of the Roman Empire. The most impressive exhibit here is the ‘Warrior of Capestrano’ which dates all the way back to the 6th century BC. It’s considered by many as the most important pre-Roman find in Italy!
When it comes to historic settlements, there are some incredible medieval examples in Abruzzo too. Don’t miss visiting villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Pescasseroli, and Tagliacozzo! They’re like stepping into the past!
Enjoy a UNESCO listed coastline – the Trabocchi Coast
The 70km of coast spanning between the towns of Ortona and San Salvo in Chieti Province is known as the Trabocchi Coast, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We already mentioned Trabocchi in our section about Pescara, but what exactly are they?
Well, Trabocchi are fishing net structures which were used by fisherman so they could avoid searching for their catch in deep waters! They’d bring up sea bream, bass, and anchovies, just to name a few seafood staples to get your mouth watering. It’s a must to try one of these restaurants along the coast if you haven’t already in Pescara!
“Vasto”by Terre dei Trabocchi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Be astounded by the beauty of Abruzzo’s National Parks
Over a third of Abruzzo’s area is covered by national parks. That makes it the most rural area in Italy. Gran Sasso and the Monti della Laga National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe. It’s also where you’ll find the 2,912 metre Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines and one of the best hikes in the whole of Italy! There are over 150 miles of trails in this park alone, and you can access them on foot, bicycle, or even on horseback! And that’s not all – the national parks are home to a lot of rare wildlife, including wolves, bears, and wildcats. It’s not guaranteed you’ll see them, but imagine what an experience it would be if you did!
The other national parks you should definitely check out in Abruzzo are Maiella National Park and the simply named Abruzzo National Park.
If you’re staying in a villa rental in Pescara, you’ll be pleased to know that you will be conveniently located to explore the region and parking space will be available so your car will be safe and secure after a long day out in the countryside!
Experience Abruzzo’s wine and cuisine
Every Italian region seems to have incredible cuisine, so what exactly makes Abruzzo cuisine so special? Well, here you have a 50 50 when it comes to fishing and farming, so you’ve really got the best of both worlds when it comes to meat and fish! Chitarra pasta is something that will please everyone, a traditional pasta that’s pushed through guitar like stainless steel strings attached to a wooden contraption. If you really enjoy it, you could even go to a pasta making class!
We’ve already alluded a couple of times to the seafood too – always delicious and fresh. Away from the coast, you’re more likely to be looking at mutton, pork, and legumes. Arrosticini are thin mutton skewers grilled and simply topped with salt, one of the most popular dishes around.
And what do you accompany these dishes with? How about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the region’s signature wine. Not to be confused with Montepulciano (that’s from Tuscany), it uses the same Sangiovese grapes grown in a slightly different climate. Wine tourism is becoming more popular as Abruzzo does, and you shouldn’t miss an opportunity to visit a vineyard and do some tastings during your trip!
So, now that you’re set on visiting Abruzzo…
We’re pretty sure that after reading our list of the best things to do in Abruzzo, you’ll be eagerly planning your trip. Chances are, you’ll need somewhere to stay then! How about checking out Rentals in Abruzzo Italy to find the perfect place to stay during your trip. Also, if you have any questions about planning your holiday, they’ll be happy to give you recommendations!
Montepulciano d’abruzzo does not use sangiovese grapes like wine from the town of montepulciano in tuscany does.
Montepulciano d’abruzzo uses montepulciano grapes. Completely different grapes.