Best Places to Visit in Abruzzo: Towns, Villages, Parks and Coast (2026)

The best places to visit in Abruzzo range from high stone villages to a coast lined with fishing platforms. Abruzzo lies east of Rome, between the highest peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. Yet it still sees few foreign visitors. This guide picks places across the region’s four landscapes: historic towns, mountain villages, national parks and the coast.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

The best places to visit in Abruzzo at a glance

L’Aquila and Sulmona: the historic towns

L’Aquila, the regional capital, is still rebuilding after the 2009 earthquake, but many of its monuments have reopened. See the pink-and-white facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio and the Fountain of the 99 Spouts. Every August, the city holds the Perdonanza Celestiniana, a religious celebration founded by Pope Celestine V in 1294. It joined UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2019, according to UNESCO (checked September 2026). The celebration ends in L’Aquila on August 23.

Sulmona, to the south, is the birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid. Its medieval aqueduct runs along Piazza Garibaldi. Meanwhile, its shops sell confetti, sugared almonds shaped into flowers. In addition, Sulmona is a good base for the Majella and the villages of the south.

Mountain villages of the Gran Sasso

North of L’Aquila, the plateau of Campo Imperatore opens below the Gran Sasso, the highest massif of the Apennines. On its edge, Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a stone village of towers and arches. The regional tourism site (checked September 2026) places it at 1,250 meters. It also notes the village’s albergo diffuso, a hotel spread across restored houses.

Nearby, Rocca Calascio is a ruined fortress on a ridge, which the regional tourism site calls one of Abruzzo’s highest. The walk up from the village of Calascio is short but steep. Then, at sunset, the light over the plateau and the mountains is spectacular. Similarly, the tiny village of Castel del Monte sits on the same road.

Scanno, Pescocostanzo and the south

Scanno is a village of steep lanes above a small lake, famous for photographs of women in traditional dress. It belongs to the Borghi più belli d’Italia, the club of Italy’s most beautiful villages. It also holds the Touring Club’s Orange Flag, as the regional tourism site notes. The road there runs through the Sagittario gorges, so drive it slowly.

Pescocostanzo, on a high plateau near Roccaraso, is also in the same club. Its stone mansions, carved doorways and bobbin lace tradition make it feel more like a small city than a village. Also, in winter, the nearby ski areas bring a different crowd.

Civitella del Tronto and the north

In the province of Teramo, Civitella del Tronto sits below one of Italy’s largest fortresses. It was the last stronghold of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to surrender in 1861. Meanwhile, the hill town of Atri has a Romanesque cathedral with fine frescoes. It also looks over eroded clay hills, the calanchi.

The national parks

Many of the best places to visit in Abruzzo lie inside protected areas. The region has three national parks and a regional park, the Sirente-Velino. The Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga park covers the north. In the center lies the Majella park, a UNESCO Global Geopark according to its official site. Then, to the south, the Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise park is home to the Marsican brown bear. For trails and seasons, read our guide to hiking in Abruzzo.

The Costa dei Trabocchi

South of Pescara, the Costa dei Trabocchi takes its name from the trabocchi, wooden fishing platforms on stilts. Some of them now serve fish dinners. A cycle and walking path, the Via Verde, follows an old railway line along the sea. It runs about 42 km from Ortona station to Vasto Marina, according to the Costa dei Trabocchi tourism site (checked September 2026). You can also rent bikes along the way. As a result, it is the easiest way to see the coast in a day.

How to plan your trip and what to book

To reach the best places to visit in Abruzzo, a car is almost essential, since buses between villages are infrequent. You can drive from Rome or fly into Pescara. Fall is a great time to go. The beech forests turn gold, and October brings the saffron harvest on the Navelli plateau. For regional dishes, read our guide to Abruzzo food. For more villages, see the hidden gems of Abruzzo and our hidden villages hub.

Bookable tours are still rare in Abruzzo. However, if you start in Rome, the Tivoli day trip from Rome shows the hills to the east. For the wider region, see our Abruzzo travel guide and, across the border, our Molise travel guide.

Staying overnight in Abruzzo? Compare places to stay below, and see our guide to hidden villages in Italy to plan the rest of the trip.

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Best places to visit in Abruzzo: frequently asked questions

What is the most beautiful village in Abruzzo?

There is no single answer, but Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno and Pescocostanzo are the villages visitors mention most. Scanno and Pescocostanzo belong to the Borghi più belli d’Italia club.

How many days do you need in Abruzzo?

Plan five to seven days with a car. That covers a historic town, the Gran Sasso villages, the southern mountains and the coast.

Can you visit Abruzzo without a car?

Partly. Trains and buses reach L’Aquila, Sulmona and Pescara, but most mountain villages need a car.

What is the Perdonanza Celestiniana?

A religious celebration in L’Aquila that dates back to 1294. It has been on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list since 2019 and ends on August 23.

When is the best time to visit Abruzzo?

Late spring and fall suit touring and hiking; summer suits the coast and high trails; winter suits skiing.