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Discover Abruzzo

Italy
Abruzzo

Abruzzo, located in central Italy, offers striking contrasts: from the highest peaks of the Apennines, such as the Gran Sasso and the Majella massif, to the pristine beaches along the Adriatic coast. Home to the only Apennine glacier and renowned for its lush national parks and medieval hilltop towns, Abruzzo is a paradise for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. The region's rich culinary tradition, featuring hearty mountain dishes and fresh seafood, makes it a delightful destination for foodies.

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Top Highlights of Abruzzo

Hiking Adventures in the Heart of the Apennines
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Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy
The Gran Sasso National Park is one of Europe's largest and most impressive protected areas. Home to over 2,000 plant species and rare animals like the Apennine wolf and the Abruzzo chamois, the park boasts unique biodiversity.
Highest castles & vast panoramas
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Rocca Calascio
Calascio, Abruzzo, Italy
High above the green expanses of Gran Sasso National Park, Rocca Calascio stands at 1,460 meters, making it one of Europe's highest castles. Built in the 10th century to defend the region, this dramatic ruin offers sweeping views of the Apennines and has become a favorite destination for hikers and photographers.
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National Park of Abruzzo
Pescasseroli, Abruzzo, Italy
In the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio e Molise, one of the oldest national parks in Italy, you can expect a unique natural landscape with UNESCO-protected beech forests. Here, you'll find not only rare animal species like the Marsican brown bear, the Abruzzo chamois, and the Apennine wolf, but also an extensive network of hiking and biking trails. The park spans three regions and offers you exciting activities such as trekking, horseback riding, and canoeing, as well as fascinating insights into the local fauna through various themed museums. At the lakes of Barrea, Scanno, and Villalago, you can enjoy relaxing camping or take advantage of the cross-country skiing and ski areas in winter.
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Lago di Scanno
Villalago, Abruzzo, Italy
In the mountains of the Monti Marsicani, at an altitude of 922 meters, you will find Lago di Scanno - the largest natural lake in the Abruzzo region. This heart-shaped mountain lake, formed by a prehistoric landslide from Monte Rava, is fed by the mountain streams Tasso and Giordano, and offers ideal swimming opportunities with its artificially created pebble beaches.
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Trabocchi Coast
San Vito Chietino, Abruzzo, Italy
The Costa dei Trabocchi is a picturesque stretch of coastline in Abruzzo, extending for 70 km from Ortona to San Salvo. It’s famous for its traditional wooden fishing platforms, the trabocchi, many of which have been transformed into charming seaside restaurants. The coastline alternates between rocky cliffs and small beaches, making it especially appealing to nature lovers.
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Maiella National Park
Guardiagrele, Abruzzo, Italy
In the Parco nazionale della Maiella, one of the three national parks in Abruzzo, you can expect to find one of the most biodiverse regions in Italy, with over 2,100 plant species and more than 150 vertebrate species. Officially established in 1995, the park spans 62,838 hectares of mountainous terrain and is home to a significant population of the Abruzzo chamois as well as the rare Marsican brown bear.
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San Giovanni in Venere Abbey
Fossacesia, Abruzzo, Italy
Majestically, the Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere sits on a hill overlooking the Adriatic coast, offering you breathtaking views of the sea and the picturesque Costa dei Trabocchi.
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Castello di Roccascalegna
Roccascalegna, Abruzzo, Italy
High above the Italian village of Roccascalegna stands an impressive medieval fortress, which originated as a modest Lombard watchtower in the 11th century. The now-restored Castello di Roccascalegna flourished under the noble families Carafa and Corvi between the 16th and 18th centuries, who expanded the structure with additional towers, a chapel, and massive walls.
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Stiffe Caves
San Demetrio ne' Vestini, Abruzzo, Italy
The Grotte di Stiffe in the Sirente-Velino Regional Park are an impressive cave system with a unique active water flow found only in Italy. During the approximately one-hour tour, you will explore around 700 meters of the more than 1,000 meters of karst caves, which maintain a constant temperature of 10°C year-round.
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Ponte del Mare
Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy
The Ponte del Mare in Pescara, stretching 466 meters, is Italy’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge and a striking architectural landmark on the Adriatic coast. Since 2009, its sweeping, futuristic design has connected the two banks of the Pescara River, offering visitors stunning views of the sea, city, and surrounding mountains. The bridge is part of the Adriatic Green Corridor and a favorite spot for walkers, cyclists, and photographers alike.
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Travel Information

Best Time to Travel

Thanks to its diverse landscapes the Abruzzo region is a year-round travel destination — from the coastline to the mountains. But a visit is especially ideal in spring and autumn, when you can enjoy nature, culture, and culinary highlights in a relaxed atmosphere.

Spring (March to May)

Nature comes to life, and the mild temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. The coastal areas are pleasantly warm, though the sea remains relatively cool (around 15°C). In the mountains, it can still be chilly and occasionally snowy — great for spring hikes.

  • Temperatures: 10–20°C
  • Top activities: Hiking, exploring historic towns, visiting nature parks like Gran Sasso National Park.

Summer (June to August)

Expect hot summer temperatures along the coast. The Adriatic Sea is ideal for beach holidays. In the mountains, it's cooler — perfect for hiking and climbing. While the region is less crowded than other Italian tourist hotspots, beaches can still get busy during peak summer.

  • Temperatures: 25–35°C (coast), 20–30°C (mountains)
  • Activities: Beach days, water sports, hiking in the cooler mountain areas, local festivals.

Autumn (September to November)

Temperatures are milder, especially in September, making it a great season for outdoor adventures. The grape harvest and food festivals attract visitors eager to taste local wines and specialties like truffles. The coast stays pleasantly warm through September and October (sea temperatures around 20°C). In the higher elevations, temperatures begin to drop from October onward.

  • Temperatures: 10–25°C
  • Activities: Hiking, wine and food tours, visiting historic villages and cultural sites.

Winter (December to February)

  • Temperatures: 0–10°C (mountains), 5–15°C (coast)
  • Highlights: - Abruzzo boasts some of Italy’s best ski resorts. Mountain regions often see heavy snowfall, especially in Gran Sasso National Park. - The coast stays milder, and the beaches are deserted — ideal for peaceful seaside walks. - Great for winter sports enthusiasts, but also for travelers looking to experience the region without the summer crowds.
  • Activities: Skiing, snow hiking, mountaineering, quiet beach strolls.

How to get there?

By Plane

  • Pescara Airport (Aeroporto d'Abruzzo) is the main airport in the region and offers connections to several European cities. There are some direct flights from Germany (mainly with low-cost carriers like Ryanair), but often a connection via Rome or Milan is required.
  • Rome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci) and Rome Ciampino: Both Rome airports are about a 2–3 hour drive from Abruzzo. From there, you can continue your journey by train, bus, or rental car.
  • Ancona Airport: Located on the Adriatic coast about two hours north of Pescara, this airport also offers some international connections.

By Train

Abruzzo's coastal areas and larger cities are well connected to Italy’s rail network.

Connections from Rome

There are direct trains from Rome (Roma Termini station) to Pescara and other cities in Abruzzo. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the train. Regional trains (Regionale Veloce) are slower, while Intercity trains are faster but a bit more expensive.

Connections along the Adriatic Coast

The train line along the Adriatic coast (Pescara – Ancona – Bologna) is well developed and offers regular service. Towns like Pescara, Chieti, and Teramo are easily accessible.

Connections to Smaller Towns

Many smaller inland towns are connected to the rail network by regional trains or buses. In some cases, you’ll need to switch to a bus, as not all mountain areas are directly accessible by train.

By Car

Driving is one of the most convenient ways to explore Abruzzo, especially if you plan to visit mountain areas and remote villages.

  • From Rome: The A24 motorway connects Rome with L'Aquila and continues into Abruzzo. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • From Northern Italy (Bologna, Ancona): The A14 motorway runs along the Adriatic coast and links northern Italy with cities like Pescara, Teramo, and Vasto. Various roads branch off from the A14 into the inland areas of Abruzzo.
  • From Southern Italy (Naples, Bari): Abruzzo is also easily accessible from the south via the A25 motorway, which connects Pescara with the A1 heading toward Naples and other cities in southern Italy.
  • Toll Roads: Most motorways in Italy are toll roads. Tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card, or with a Telepass device.

By Bus

Several long-distance bus companies connect Abruzzo with other Italian cities, especially from Rome:

  • Direct routes from Rome: Multiple bus operators, such as FlixBus and TUA (Trasporto Unico Abruzzese), offer regular services from Rome to major cities in Abruzzo (Pescara, L'Aquila, Chieti, Teramo). The ride takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the destination.
  • Coastal connections: Buses also run along the Adriatic coast, providing a convenient way to travel between cities like Pescara, Vasto, and Ortona.

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