Do you want to visit Abruzzo, Italy?
The Central Italian region of Abruzzo is perched in the Apennines and the Adriatic coast, just a couple of hours away from Rome.
Abruzzo’s capital, L’Aquila (“The Eagle”), is a lively college town with numerous cultural institutions.
Food and wine tourism makes Abruzzo a destination of choice. It is home to the world-renowned Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine, one of the best Italian red wines. The region is also where you can find the capitals of confetti, ceramics, and Italian pasta.
Abruzzo also boasts fabulous lakes, breathtaking mountain ranges, fantastic medieval hamlets and villages, and the Adriatic coastline.
The Best Reasons To Visit Abruzzo, Italy
Let’s dive into the must-see attractions in Abruzzo, Italy.
1. The Trabocchi Coast
Truly one of the best reasons to visit Abruzzo, the trabocchi have always been associated with the region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Trabocchi Coast is named for its collection of trabocchi, old fishing platforms that have been in use here since the 15th century.
Dotting the 70-km coast from Ortona to San Salvo, these trabocchi are surely the star attraction of the place.The coast also houses one of Europe’s longest cycling lanes so if you’re an enthusiast, this makes it even more enticing.
The Trabocchi Coast is a lovely place for relaxation away from the crowds. It has plenty of public beaches from the Ortono area to San Vito Chietino and Fossacesia to Vasto, so there’s no running out of emerald waters and pebbles to enjoy.
Wear the right shoes for walking and swimming when you go to the Trabocchi Coast – one of the best places to visit in Abruzzo!
2. Abruzzo’s Three National Parks
With Abruzzo’s 38 protected nature reserves, three national parks, and one regional park, Abruzzo is dubbed “the lung of Europe.” The three national parks cover over half of the entire region. Their dramatic hiking trails are a joy to discover and truly among the best things to do in Abruzzo.
• Gran Sasso National Park
Locals call it “little Tibet” – and for good reason. The terrain is mountainous with alpine plains and marvelous rock mountains with tons of trails to hike as you enjoy the breathtaking views.
During World War II, Mussolini was detained in Gran Sasso for a short time. You can still see the room he stayed in before the Germans came and rescued him.
• National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise
One of Italy’s most important national parks, the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise, is also the oldest. It was established in the early 1920s to protect nature and to save the Marsican brown bears and Apennine chamois from extinction. Here’s your chance to see these beautiful native Italian animals.
• Majella National Park
Majella National Park was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2021. It is a paradise for climbers and hikers. Its upland meadows and the Orfento Valley are among the most beautiful and biodiverse spots you’ll ever see in Europe.
3. The Beautiful Lakes
The region is also never short of bodies of water as points of interest. These are among the must-see attractions in Abruzzo.
Here are three of the best lakes you can visit in the region.
• Lake Scanno
A beautiful mountain lake with a lovely shade of bright blue-green that shimmers in the sunlight, Lake Scanno in the province of L’Aquila is the region’s largest natural lake.
it is noted for its shape that resembles a heart and is deemed one of the best lakes in Italy. It is a great place for walks and picnics.
To see Lake Scanno’s beauty from the top, head to the trail leading to a quaint little church that overlooks the lake. This church is built right into the rockface and a must-visit when in Lake Scanno. After descending, you can rent a nice paddle boat right on the lake to enjoy the most of Lake Scanno.
There are amenities on both sides of the lake. You can go grab some snack or a meal at the bar. There’s also lots of nice spots for a picnic.
• Lake Barrea
This one is an artificial lake located within the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise. It’s small but offers spectacular views of the mountains and the town of Barrea.
With its emerald green waters and the Apennines, Lake Barrea is the stuff postcards are made of.
Here you can also enjoy plenty of activities from swimming to paddle boats and sunbathing – even horseback-riding!
The added bonus is a marvelous snack or meal at the restaurant that offers the most authentic mouth-watering Italian meals you’ll ever have.
• Lake Campotosto
Lake Campotosto is a man-made artificial lake in the Gran Sasso National Park.
On a good weather, you’ll be lucky to see the sky mirrored in the blue-green water of the lake.
The landscape is fantastic in every season, with the surrounding mountains adding to the already overwhelming beauty of Lake Campotosto.
Lake Campotosto offers an excellent opportunity for pet walks, trails, or baths in the lake. This is also a perfect place for camping and barbecues.
A lake so vast it looks like a sea with the spectacular views of the Gran Sasso reflected in the water, if this one’s not a gem then I don’t know what is. One of the absolute must-see attractions in Abruzzo!
4. The Caves and Caverns of Abruzzo
Photo by Andrea Pilotti via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most exciting things to do in Abruzzo is exploring its caves and caverns. The region is rich in well-maintained river caves. Here are some of them:
• Grotti dei Stiffe
You will absolutely love this karst cave system’s colorful rock formations and waterfalls. These caves are set on a mountain in Stiffe so you can also enjoy spectacular views of Abruzzo on your way up.
It can get really cold inside the caves so bring a light jacket.
• Grotta del Cervo
Grotta del Cervo in Carsoli is a natural coastal cave housing the most impressive Neolithic painting complex in Europe. This is a must-explore!
• Grotte di Beatrice Cenci
The western Marsica area offers a good number of caves to choose from.
The Caves of Beatrice Cenci in Cappadocia are some of them. This complex of karst caves and sinkhole will leave you breathless.
5. The Beautiful Medieval Towns and Villages of Abruzzo
Some of Italy’s most fantastic medieval villages are found in Abruzzo – villages which, if in Tuscany, would be crowded with tourists.
These Abruzzese borghi are all situated on the top of a hill (or hills) with a church and a piazza town square – and those enchanting houses and all with sweeping views. Here are some of the prettiest villages and best places to visit in Abruzzo.
- Also read: 13 Prettiest Towns in the Apennines
• Sulmona
The medieval town of Sulmona is not only famous for being the birthplace of Ovid but for confetti as well.
However, the confetti in Italy is not the confetti that non-Italians know. The confetti which Sulmona is known for are glazed almond candies given away on baptisms, weddings, and other important family occasions.
The charming town is surrounded by mountains and offers tons of attractive sights such as Baroque monuments and Roman remains, grandiose churches, and a museum dedicated to confetti.
• Pietracamela
A stunning medieval village in the province of Teramo, Pietracamela – La Pròtë to locals – boasts equally stunning views of the mountains around it.
This village is nestled smugly at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif, allowing for great summer walks and fabulous winter skiing, so it’s a perfect borgo to visit anytime of the year.
• Rocca San Giovanni
Medieval walls and ancient buildings and churches make up the Rocca San Giovanni village in Chieti. It is perched on top of a rocky hill overlooking the coast of Trabocchi, so imagine the spectacular scenery!
Lovely olive groves and panoramic vineyards also surround the village.
• Penne
Once selected as one of the “Most Beautiful Towns of Italy,” Penne in the province of Pescara sits on top of four large hills between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea.
The rustic town offers that authentic Italian feel we crave when visiting Italy.
Must-do when in Penne is strolling the cobbled streets that will take you to its gorgeous piazzas and splendid churches and palaces.
• Castelli
The medieval hill town of Castelli in Abruzzo’s Teramo province is one of Italy’s best. It offers spectacular views of the Gran Sasso and is best known for the decorative ceramic called maiolicas.
Castelli is a favorite destinations among tourists and art lovers. The town hosts an art institute and ceramics museum if you want to learn about this Italian tradition.
Don’t forget to visit any of the many ceramics shops for maiolica souvenirs.
6. Abruzzo’s Amazing Churches and Sanctuaries
A visit to any city of Italy is not complete without seeing one or more of its incredible churches and cathedrals.
Abruzzo is home to a good number of amazing churches and sanctuaries, being so near the Holy See in Rome. L’Aquila alone has about 60 churches, reduced from at least 80 (although legends say it was 99) by a succession of earthquakes in the past.
Let’s take a look at some of Abruzzo’s amazing churches and sanctuaries.
• Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Lightning – Massa d’Albe, Italy
Located in a hamlet of Massa d’Albe in the L’Aquila Province, right on the slopes of Abruzzo’s Apennines, a small but miraculous sanctuary is flocked by pilgrims every 29th of April.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Lightning (Madonna del Fulmine) is well worth a stop, with the Roman town of Alba Fucens close by for the Roman ruins and the glorious Monte Velino in the background.
• Santuario del Volto Santo – Manoppello, Italy
Photo by ElfQrin via Wikimedia Commons
This Capuchin church in the province of Pescara is popular among pilgrims as it houses the Holy Face of Manoppello. Here you can spend the whole day just looking at the Jesus Christ’s face at the moment of His resurrection.
• The Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Oratory of San Pellegrino – Bominaco, Italy
Definitely one of Abruzzo’s best hidden gems, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta actually comprises of two very different churches – plus, the remains of a castle.
All these were part of a powerful monastery from the 8th century, which was destroyed in the 15th century.
The Romanesque church with its frescoes is perched on the hill above the small hamlet of Bominaco. The smaller chapel called the Sistine Chapel of Abruzzo also boasts equally important frescoes.
8. Abruzzo’s Vineyards and Signature Wines
Abruzzo produces over 22 million cases of wine annually. It takes pride in its three signature wines made from grapes cultivated in some 30,000 hectares of the region’s vineyards.
• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The iconic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a red wine made from the Montepulciano grape grown in the region. It has pepper and spice notes and is described by some connoisseurs as “rustic.”
• Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is the region’s dry white wine made from Trebbiano Abruzzese grapes.
Abruzzo makes some 14 million liters of this wine each year. Along with Abruzzo’s red Montepulciano, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is one of Italy’s most widely-exported DOC wine.
• Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
An Italian rosato (rosé) made from Montepulciano grapes, characterized by its bright flavor and cherry-red color which is behind the name Cerasuolo (“cherry”).
Vineyards To Visit:
Antica Casa Vitivinicola Italo Pietrantonj in Sulmona is a must-see wine making estate in the province of L’Aquila.
In Chieti, Sambuceto’s small winery and organic farm called Teatina is highly rated by visitors for their hospitality and wide array of wine options – whites, red, and rosés.
8. Abruzzese Traditional Dishes
Abruzzo’s traditional cuisine is a trove of gastronomic treasure. Partaking in the regional dishes is definitely one of the best things to do in Abruzzo. However, picking just a few for this list is a hard feat, but let’s get to it.
• Maccheroni alla Chitarra
Fara San Martino, the capital of Italian pasta, is at the foot of Majella in the province of Chieti. It is home to the world-famous pasta brands like De Cecco and Delverde.
Pasta dishes in Abruzzo are aplenty, but the most popular is arguably the “guitar pasta,” locally known as maccheroni alla chitarra. The pasta used is made with egg and semolina flour, with the dough cut into large square-shaped strands using a guitar-shaped tool.
Maccheroni alla chitarra or spaghetti alla chitarra is served in the traditional sauce made with tiny meatballs of mixed meat. It’s an absolute must-eat!
- ALSO READ: 13 Famous Pasta Brands in Italy
• Brodetto
This one’s a bouillabaisse-type fish soup, seasoned with fresh tomato, herbs, and various spices.
• Arrosticini
In Abruzzo, arrosticini or lamb skewers are called arrustelle or rustelle and spiducci or spiedini. They are cooked on a special barbecue grill called furnacella and often served with bread slices soaked in extra-virgin olive oil.
Arrosticini are one of the best street foods you should sample when in Italy.
• Pizza Scima
“Pizza scima” literally means “stupid pizza.” The sole reason for the curious name is the lack of yeast. So pizza scima is basically an unleavened bread which goes best with salami and cheese shavings.
9. The Festivals and Events in Abruzzo
I love how Italians celebrate just about everything. This is evident in the numerous festivals found in many towns and cities all over Italy.
You will sure be delighted to join any of these and if you’re a bit more into the aventurous side, Il Bel Paese sure has some of the world’s craziest festivals you might be interested in. Abruzzo boasts some of them. Read on.
• La Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona – Sulmona, Italy
Sulmona’s La Giostra Cavalleresca is a five-day knightly jousting contest that starts on the last Saturday of July each year. This is an ancient celebration the people of Sulmona revived in the early 1990s. Witnessing it is absolutely one of the best activities in Abruzzo!
As per Italian festival, this one is also filled food. It’s your chance to sample some of Abruzzo’s street foods as you party with the locals in the city’s most popular event.
• The Festival of the Snake Catchers – Cocullo, Italy
If you have a penchant for snakes or are simply looking for something exciting to partake in on the first of May in Abruzzo, well, this one’s for you.
The Festival of the Snake Catchers (Festa dei Serpari di Cocullo) takes place in the mountainous village of Cocullo in the province of La’Aquila. It’s one of Italy’s most unique festivals ever and truly one of the very interesting reasons to visit Abruzzo.
This celebration is held among the Majella Mountains, where snake handlers or serperi carry hundreds of non-venomous snakes caught in the wild and parade them through the medieval streets of Cocullo.
Some of these snuggly worms are wrapped around a statue of the town’s patron saint – San Domenico di Sora, who is also the patron saint against snakebite and toothache.
The Festival of the Snake Catchers is an annual celebration in honor of San Domenico, to thank him for ridding the local fields of snakes in the 1200s.
The snakes are released back into the wild after the parade.
• Altino Sweet Pepper Festival – Altino, Italy
Festival del Peperone Dolce di Altino is celebrated in late summer, the last week of September.
It’s the time of year when this small town in the Chieti Province comes alive with festivities involving street performances and locals dishes strictly based on Altino’s sweet peppers.
This fun food festival features a culinary contest between the districts of Altino, each of which should come up with original yummy recipes using sweet peppers. Winning recipes are revealed at the end of the festival.
In the meantime, before winners are announced, people can buy these foods using the €peperone or pepper Euro.
The Altino Sweet Pepper Festival lasts for two days and is concluded with fireworks and more music.