- Around a third of Abruzzo is protected parkland, with the highest peaks of the Apennines
- Pescara airport is the gateway, and Rome is roughly two hours away by road
- Combine mountain villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio with beaches on the Trabocchi Coast
- You will need a car to explore properly
- Airports
- Pescara (PSR), Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Rome Ciampino (CIA)
- Best time to go
- June-September for mountains and coast, January-March for skiing
- Type
- Region
Abruzzo sits east of Rome, between the central Apennines and the Adriatic. It is the most mountainous part of mainland Italy south of the Alps, with the Gran Sasso and Majella massifs rising close to 3,000 metres, and a large share of its land is protected in national and regional parks. Wolves, Marsican brown bears and Apennine chamois still live here.
For British travellers it offers outdoor holidays at good value: hiking and skiing, medieval villages, robust mountain food and a long sandy coastline. Read our Italy guide for the bigger picture.
Things to do
- Gran Sasso and Campo Imperatore – a vast high plateau sometimes called Italy's "Little Tibet", below Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines.
- Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park – Italy's oldest national park, centred on Pescasseroli, with marked trails and a chance of spotting chamois or deer.
- Rocca Calascio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio – a ruined hilltop fortress and a stone village restored with care, both in L'Aquila province.
- The Trabocchi Coast – wooden fishing platforms on stilts, coves and a coastal cycle path in Chieti province. Some trabocchi now serve fish lunches.
- Sulmona and Scanno – Sulmona is famous for sugared almonds; Scanno is a mountain village above a heart-shaped lake.
- L'Aquila – the regional capital, still rebuilding after the 2009 earthquake, with the basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.
- Majella National Park – hermitages, gorges and beech woods, reachable from Pescara and Chieti.
- Civitella del Tronto – a huge Bourbon fortress overlooking the hills of Teramo province.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Pescara | City beaches, restaurants and the airport |
| Trabocchi Coast | Quieter beaches and seafood, between Ortona and Vasto |
| Gran Sasso villages | Atmospheric stone villages and high-altitude walks |
| Pescasseroli and the national park | Wildlife, hiking and skiing nearby |
| Sulmona | A well-connected town between the mountains |
Getting there
Abruzzo Airport at Pescara (PSR) has had seasonal flights from the UK, so check seasonal routes. Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino are the main alternatives: the A24 and A25 motorways cross the mountains, and Pescara is roughly two and a half hours by car, L'Aquila under two. Buses link Rome with the main towns. A car is strongly recommended for the parks and villages.
Best time to visit
June to September is best for hiking and the beach, though August is busy on the coast. Spring and autumn are lovely in the mountains, and autumn colours in the beech woods are spectacular. From around January to March there is skiing at Roccaraso and on the Gran Sasso.
Try arrosticini, thin skewers of mutton grilled over a long charcoal brazier, ideally with a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Top attractions in Abruzzo
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Abruzzo on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Abruzzo a good holiday destination?
Yes, particularly if you enjoy walking, nature and simple, hearty food. It is far less touristy than Tuscany and usually cheaper.
Can you see bears in Abruzzo?
Marsican brown bears live in the national park, but they are rare and shy. Guided wildlife walks give you the best chance of seeing wildlife responsibly.
How far is Abruzzo from Rome?
L'Aquila is roughly 1 hour 30 to 2 hours by car from Rome, and Pescara roughly 2 hours 30.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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