Abruzzo: travel guides

The Apennines and Art

Abruzzo is a region of Central Italy not far from Rome and an ideal destination for holidays on the beach, along the Adriatic Coast, or surrounded by nature on the Apennine Mountains, green during the summer and covered with snow in the winter. Abruzzo National Park is one of the region's treasures and one of the most beautiful parks in Italy, with tourist destinations such as Val Fondillo. Other beautiful places worth visiting include Campo Imperatore, Camosciara, Lake Scanno, Lake Barrea and Civitella Alfedena. Additionally, anyone passionate about excursions, should make sure to visit Majella National Park to see the amazing waterfall of Zompo Schioppo Natural Reserve.

In L'Aquila, the region’s capital city, visitors can admire the basilicas of San Bernardino and Santa Maria di Collemaggio, San Massimo cathedral, the Fountain with 99 spouts, Abruzzo National Museum and the churches of Santa Giusta, San Pietro a Coppito and San Silvestro. Other beautiful destinations within L’Aquila’s municipality include: Rocca Calascio, magnificent fortress on the Apennines near the old town of Castel del Monte; the enchanting Medieval town of Santo Stefano di Sessanio; the Gran Sasso National Park; Stiffe caves and the beautiful Medieval town of Bominaco; the Benedictine churches of Santa Maria Assunta and San Pellegrino; Sulmona; Pacentro and the picturesque villages of Bosco Sant'Antonio; the hermitage of Sant’ Onofrio sul Morrone; Celano (Piccolomini castle, convent of Santa Maria di Valleverde, church of San Giovanni Battista), Alba Fucens (archaeological site) and the lovely hermitage of San Venanzio de Raiano.

Beaches and Medieval Towns

The city of Teramo has many monuments of great value and beauty, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, built in Romanesque and Gothic style, and its crypt dedicated to San Berardo, the sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, the church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti, Casa Urbani Camera and the Vescovile, Savini and Melatino palaces. Giulianova – with its promenade, beaches and the mosaics of the sanctuary of Madonna dello Splendore and the church of San Flaviano – is one of the main tourist destinations within the province of Teramo. Other places worth visiting in the provice of Teramo include the imposing fortress of Civitella del Tronto, which offers beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea, the Monti Gemelli (Twin Mountains), San Angelo Cave, the Abbey of Santa Maria di Montesanto, Gran Sasso, the protected marine area of Torre del Cerrano, the medieval church of San Leucio di Pietracamela, the city of Atri, the Calanchi Natural Reserve and the churches of San Francesco, San Domenico and San Nicola.

Pescara is one of the largest cities in Abruzzo and has a beautiful historic centre. Tourist attractions in this coastal city include the cathedral, the Museum of the People of Abruzzo (Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo) and the interesting Ponte del Mar, accessible on foot or by bike, which offers great views of the city. Within the province of Pescara, we must mention the amazing Romanesque abbey of San Clemente (in Castiglione a Casauria).

In the province of Chieti tourists can visit the National Archaeological Museum, with the famous sculpture of the Warrior of Capestrano, cities such as Vasto and the beautiful beaches of the Natural Reserve of Punta Aderci. As well as Loggia Amblingh, Palazzo Avalos, the precious Romanesque abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, in Fossacesia, and the beautiful towns of Guardiagrele, where visitors can try the Tre Monti cake and admire the Majella massif, and the Medieval city of Lanciano, close both to the sea and the mountains.

Camping sites in Abruzzo

Camping sites in Abruzzo are located all across the region, near the mountains, the lakes and along the Adriatic coast. In particular, as Abruzzo is considered mainly an ideal destination for family holidays on the beach, thanks to its shallow waters and sandy beaches, the camping sites and villages located near the coast are the largest and the ones that offer more services.