Abruzzo Italy Travel Guide: What to See, Do and Eat in This Hidden Region

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Abruzzo sits just two hours east of Rome. Yet most visitors to Italy never come here. That is their loss. This region has three national parks, a wild Adriatic coast, mountain villages off the tourist trail, and food so good it makes you question every other Italian meal you have had.

This Abruzzo Italy travel guide covers everything you need to plan a visit: where to go, how to get there, what to eat, and when to come. Abruzzo is real Italy. Come and see it.

Where Is Abruzzo?

Abruzzo is a region in central Italy. It sits on the eastern side of the Apennine mountains. It borders Lazio to the west, Molise to the south, Marche to the north, and the Adriatic Sea to the east. The capital is L’Aquila, a mountain city at over 700 metres above sea level.

The region covers about 10,800 square kilometres. Around two-thirds of it is protected as national park or nature reserve. No other region in western Europe has that level of protection.

How to Get to Abruzzo

The easiest way from Rome is by train. Fast trains run from Roma Termini to Pescara Centrale in under two hours. Trains to L’Aquila depart from Roma Tiburtina and take about two hours. By car, the A24 motorway runs east from Rome straight into Abruzzo.

Pescara Airport has flights from London, Brussels, and other European cities. It is a small airport, but it is useful if you want to base yourself on the coast. For full details on rail travel, read our complete guide to getting around Italy by train.

The National Parks of Abruzzo

Three national parks cover a large part of the region. Each one is different. Each one is worth a visit.

Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise

This is Italy’s oldest national park. It was established in 1923. It sits in the southern part of the region. It is home to three animals that are almost unique to central Italy: the Marsican brown bear, the Apennine wolf, and the Abruzzo chamois.

The main village inside the park is Pescasseroli. It has walking trails and a good visitor centre. Bears are wild here. Sightings happen, especially at dusk near Lake Barrea. The forest turns gold in autumn, and the scenery is stunning.

Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga

Gran Sasso is the highest peak in the Apennines. It rises to 2,912 metres. Below the peak lies Campo Imperatore — a high plateau about 27 kilometres wide. It looks like another world. Some call it “the little Tibet of Italy.” In winter, it becomes a ski area.

Inside this park you will find Santo Stefano di Sessanio. It is one of the most striking villages in Italy. Pale stone houses cluster on a hilltop and have barely changed in centuries. The views across the plateau from here are extraordinary.

Parco Nazionale della Majella

Majella is a quiet park of deep gorges and ancient rock-face monasteries. Early Christian monks carved their cells directly into the cliff walls here. The park has remote walking routes and dense forest. It rewards people who like silence and open space.

The higher trails have views all the way to the Adriatic on clear days. Go in autumn when the beech trees turn red and orange.

The Best Places to Visit in Abruzzo

L’Aquila

L’Aquila is the regional capital. A large earthquake damaged much of the historic centre in 2009. The city has been rebuilding since then. The pace has been slow, but several key sights are open again. The Fontana delle 99 Cannelle — a medieval fountain with 99 spouts — is one of the most unusual landmarks in Italy. The Basilica of San Bernardino is also well worth a visit.

L’Aquila is a university town with good restaurants. The market in Piazza del Duomo runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is the place to buy local saffron, cheese, and cured meats.

Lake Scanno

Lake Scanno sits at nearly 1,000 metres in the Sagittario valley. When seen from the hills above, the lake forms the shape of a heart. It is one of the most photographed spots in Abruzzo. The mountain slopes around it are thick with pine and beech. The morning light here is unlike anywhere else in Italy.

The village of Scanno is one of Abruzzo’s most charming. Its narrow alleys and dark stone buildings are well preserved. Women here traditionally wore a distinctive local costume, and some still do on feast days.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio

This hilltop village sits at about 1,250 metres in the Gran Sasso park. The Sextantio hotel group restored stone buildings here into a hotel while keeping the village’s character intact. You do not need to be a guest to visit. The village itself is open and free to walk around.

Drive up in the late afternoon and watch the sun go down over Campo Imperatore. Few views in Italy match it.

Pescara

Pescara is the largest city in Abruzzo and the main gateway from the coast. It is a working city rather than a pretty one. The long sandy beach draws Italians in summer. The fish market near the port is excellent. Pescara has good restaurants and is a practical base for day trips into the mountains.

What to Eat in Abruzzo

Abruzzo has its own food traditions. They are worth knowing before you arrive.

Pasta alla Chitarra

This is Abruzzo’s most famous pasta. It gets its name from the wooden frame used to make it. The frame is strung with metal wires, like a guitar — chitarra means guitar. You press a sheet of egg pasta through the wires to create firm, square-sided strands. They are slightly thicker than spaghetti. The texture is unique. Look for pasta alla chitarra with ragù or with a simple lamb sauce. For more on Italy’s pasta traditions, read our Italian pasta shapes guide.

Arrosticini

Arrosticini are small lamb skewers. The meat is cut into cubes and threaded onto thin wooden sticks. They cook fast over charcoal and are eaten straight from the grill. You order them in groups of ten or twenty at a time. They are the defining street food of Abruzzo. Ask a local where to find the best ones and expect a strong opinion.

Saffron from Navelli

The Navelli plateau near L’Aquila grows some of the finest saffron in the world. The crocus flowers bloom for a short time in October. They must be picked by hand at dawn, before the petals open. Production is small. Prices are high. But the quality is remarkable. You can buy Navelli saffron at L’Aquila market. It makes an excellent gift.

Abruzzo’s Adriatic Coast

The Abruzzo coast runs for about 130 kilometres along the Adriatic. It is quieter and cheaper than Italy’s more famous coastlines.

Vasto sits in the south. It has a medieval hilltop town above the sea. The old town has Roman ruins, medieval towers, and a good archaeological museum. The beach below — Vasto Marina — is one of the better stretches on the coast.

Ortona is a historic port town. It has a Gothic cathedral, an Aragonese castle from the 15th century, and war cemeteries from the fierce fighting here in 1943. It is a quieter, more reflective place than the beach towns nearby.

Lanciano is slightly inland. It has a well-preserved medieval centre and a remarkable Franciscan church. Most visitors to the coast miss it entirely. Do not make that mistake.

When to Visit Abruzzo

Spring (April to June) is the best time for the national parks. Wildflowers cover the Gran Sasso plateau. Walking trails are fully open. The weather is clear and cool.

Summer (July and August) brings crowds to the coast and hikers to the mountains. Village festivals happen in this period and arrosticini are everywhere. The heat at lower altitudes is intense, but the mountain parks stay cool.

Autumn (September to October) is ideal for foliage in the beech forests and for saffron season on the Navelli plateau.

Winter brings skiing on the Gran Sasso and at Roccaraso. L’Aquila and the mountain towns are cold but quiet and atmospheric.

If you are planning a trip to Italy from the US, add a few days in Abruzzo. It may turn out to be the part you remember most. For something equally surprising in the south, read our guide to Matera, Italy’s ancient cave city.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Rome to Abruzzo?

The fastest route is by train from Roma Termini to Pescara Centrale, which takes under two hours. For L’Aquila, trains run from Roma Tiburtina and take about two hours. By car, the A24 motorway links Rome directly to L’Aquila and continues east to Pescara.

What is Abruzzo Italy known for?

Abruzzo is known for its three national parks, its wildlife (including brown bears and wolves), its traditional food (pasta alla chitarra, arrosticini, and Navelli saffron), and for being one of Italy’s least-visited regions despite being only two hours from Rome.

Is Abruzzo worth visiting?

Yes. Abruzzo offers national parks with real wildlife, medieval villages in excellent condition, a long Adriatic coast, and honest, traditional food at much lower prices than Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. It is one of Italy’s best regions for travellers who want to go beyond the usual circuit.

Is Abruzzo good for a road trip?

Abruzzo is ideal for a road trip. The mountain roads are well-maintained and the views are spectacular. You can drive from Pescara on the coast up into the Gran Sasso mountains, through Campo Imperatore, and back via L’Aquila in a single day. The distances are short and there is a great deal to see.

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Plan Your Italy Trip

For a full overview of planning your Italy visit — including when to go, how to get around, and which regions to choose — read the ultimate Italy travel guide.

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