5 things to do in Pescara
I’ve been critical of Pescara in the past, but my recent visit changed my mind completely. This vibrant city, often overshadowed by others, revealed five wonderful experiences that I thoroughly enjoyed.
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On previous visits to Pescara, I found the most populous city in Abruzzo a lot less attractive than other Italian cities with a population of 120.000 people. My impression was mainly due to its crude, rational architecture and lack of history, but this year we decided to give the city another chance. This led to the discovery of five highly enjoyable things to do in Pescara, and I’m sure there are more.

View from Ponte del Mare towards the mountains
1. Walk Across Ponte del Mare
We arrived in Pescara in the afternoon, eager to explore, and asked the hotel receptionist for must-see sights. Her pride in the city was infectious. She insisted we visit Ponte del Mare, particularly at sunset. “It’s magical,” she said, gesturing enthusiastically. With beaches stretching endlessly on one side and mountains framing the horizon, her description felt almost poetic.
Ponte del Mare, completed in 2009, stands as one of Europe’s longest pedestrian and cycle bridges. Its sleek, sail-like design and 466-meter span connect the city’s northern and southern beaches. Though a cold spring wind swept across the bridge, the clear skies offered breathtaking views. Separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists ensured a safe and tranquil walk, allowing us to fully savor the scenery. The bridge’s modern aesthetic perfectly complements its surroundings, making it an essential part of Pescara’s identity.

A Ferris wheel marks the entrance to the port of Pescara
2. Explore the Port
The port of Pescara is fouled by the presence of a dual carriage way running along the south bank of the river. But if you disregard the concrete, a string of vibrant fishing boats and commercial vessels dot the docks, filling the air with the rich scents of tar and sea. Their colorful presence reflects a working harbor deeply rooted in tradition.
Modern trabucchi fishing huts perch on concrete breakwaters, blending functionality with a touch of nostalgia. These huts, while not particularly ornate, hint at the region’s longstanding fishing culture.
On the opposite side, the Routa Panoramica ferris wheel stands tall, its brightly colored gondolas drawing families and children alike. The surrounding area often hosts dynamic events in a seamless combination of industry, leisure, and community spirit. During our visit, a motorcycle fair organized by a club called Wild Willy had attracted every pair of pointed boots in Central Italy, and I suspect this would be the place to look for travelling fun fairs and circus performances.

A long promenade follows the shoreline which is filled with beach clubs and restaurants.
3. Dig the Beaches
Pescara boasts an impressive 20-kilometer coastline, offering sandy beaches that seem to stretch forever. Few Italian cities merge urban convenience with seaside relaxation so effortlessly. In the summer, beach clubs teem with life, and the aroma of freshly prepared seafood wafts through the air. Out of season, the quiet promenade of Viale della Riviera becomes an idyllic escape for a leisurely stroll.
As we wandered, we found ourselves entertained by the whimsical and creative names of beach establishments. In Italy, the proprietors are generally not satisfied with naming their pizza joint or beach club ‘Da Mauro’ or ‘Bellavista’. We walked past several planets, sun, moon and stellar constellations like the Great Bear and the Southern Cross. The references to Neptune, sirens, mermaids and other mythological beings added a playful touch to our walk. Along with the arbitrary Trieste, Hawaii and Tahiti.
Our study of inventive naming trends ended at Pietro Cascella’s striking boat sculpture, which in my personal opinion looks like a depressing waste of Carrara marble. Cascella, however, was a popular local sculptor and his legacy is an enduring part of Pescara’s cultural landscape.

Pescara shopping district is exclusively pedestrian.
4. Relaxed Shopping
One of the really attractive features about Pescara is the well regulated traffic. There are big roads and tunnels leading motorized vehicles right into the centre of town, while many of the smaller streets are reserved for pedestrians only. This is a wonder in a country, where you normally have to jump for your life, when you hear the sound of a scooter or a car approaching.
Pescara’s pedestrian-friendly streets make shopping an enjoyable and stress-free activity. The pedestrian area—framed by Corso Umberto I, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and Via Nicola Fabrizi—is a shopper’s paradise. High-end fashion boutiques, gourmet food shops, and inviting cafes create an atmosphere of effortless sophistication. We spent the afternoon browsing stylish displays and indulging in local treats like coffee and parrozzo. A cozy café offered us a refreshing Spritz alongside a selection of stuzzichini, blending Italian flavors with a touch of Danish hygge.

The old centre of Pescara is mostly famous for its nightlife.
5. Experience Nightlife in the Old Town
We ended our tour of Pescara in Corso Manthonè south of the river. Corso Manthoné is the heart of Pescara’s historic center, which had topped our list of places to visit upon arrival, but the friendly receptionist advised us to wait until evening, and her advice was spot on. By night, the narrow streets of the old town come alive, buzzing with energy as restaurants and bars open their doors to locals and visitors alike
The old part of Pescara is basically two short parallel streets of typical south Italian houses. Among its attractions is the birthplace of Gabriele d’Annunzio, now a museum honoring the famous poet and writer. Apart from that, there is nothing much to see of do in this part of Pescara in the daytime, but in the evening the old streets come alive with restaurants and bars.
We headed straight for Taverna 58, famous for its intimate atmosphere and local dishes, and had an unforgettable meal that ended with hand whisked zabaione by the table. An culinary experience that tops my list of things to do in Pescara.
This is where you find the birthplace of Gabriele d’Annunzio, which has been turned into a museum. Apart from that, there is nothing much to see of do in this part of Pescara in the daytime, but in the evening the old streets come alive with loads of restaurants and bars. We headed straight for Taverna 58, famous for its intimate atmosphere and local dishes, and had an unforgettable meal of arrosticini lamb skewers that ended with hand-whisked zabaione, prepared by the tableside with care and skill. I guess, this culinary experience tops my list of things to do in Pescara.
Pescara may not flaunt the grandeur of Italy’s more famous cities, but it offers a wealth of unique experiences. These five highlights revealed the city’s charm, vibrancy, and potential, leaving me eager to return and discover even more of what Pescara has to offer.
This blog post was last updated in December 2024.
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Definitive Guide to the 20 Regions of Italy - I Love Italiano says:
[…] visit the nearby ports, and enjoy a variety of water activities. Spend a day in the ancient city of Pescara, which offers a lively view of the vibrant coastal life with its beachfront promenade and high […]
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I would love to explore the stunning port! This place is so picturesque!
Yes, and interestingly enough it’s quite diverse from other Italian ports.
Thanks for sharing! Will come helpful when I visit Italy :-). Any tips for first time visitors (family with teen) to Italy?
Bringing teens to Italy for the first time, I’d go for the grand World Heritage sites, sprinkled with beach stops, pizza and ice cream. That combo is sure to make an everlasting impression.
Thanks for the advice :-)
Dear writer, thanks a lot for the lovely review of my hometown. I just wanted to add that you are right, some buildings are not nice as in other Italian cities but please consider that during Second World War Pescara was heavily bombed, more that 3 thousand buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged, in fact Pescara was crossed by an important line – called line Gustav – which was a defensive line for the Germans and the Americans decided to bomb it in August, around 6 thousand people died, so lots of modern history in the area too but going back to the building Pescara and it’s costline is famous for liberty style villa, they are spread along the riviera, more around south but few also north the river; another nice walk is in the pineta dannunziana park, which is the largest park in town close to Aurum building usually used for events during summer. Pescara is also famous for guesting the Pescara Jazz and Premio Flaiano which attracts lots of writers and famous Italian actors to join the evening, as you said is much more vibrant in summertime but in winter time don’t forget that it’s one of the few regions having sandy beaches, beautiful countryside with plenty of wine yards to visit and the highest pick mountain in all central Italy plus national parks including brown bear (which I find pretty special thing) all in one region, reachable in just one hour!
Thank you so much for this passionate defense of Pescara. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and it reflects the local patriotism we encountered during our last visit in town. Now I can’t wait to go back and see more:)
Are all the beaches privately owned? Are there any public beaches you don’t have to pay to use?
There are always stretches of public beaches in-between the privately owned ones. Usually within a few hundred metres. You can easily spot them on the motley assembly of umbrellas.
Thank you for the information. We are from Miami, passing for Pescara and went to Taverna 58. Amazing!
Thank you again,
Tari
So glad you liked it:)
Although Covid restrictions restrict travel at this time, I hope to visit Pescara in the future. I follow the biancazzura when I can but can anybody tell me what the phrase nu’ sem nu’ translates to in english?
Great to have something to look forward to. The phrase ‘nu sem nu’ is dialect, and I think it means “We are us”. It may refer to a poem by Modesto Della Porta though I haven’t been able to find the source. Perhaps someone else can help?
Hi Mette,you being english do you know alot of angling speaking folks,we are moving to Spoltore in may,so we would meet some
Try to join the group called Brits and other English Mother Tongue Expats in Italy on Facebook. They are a friendly and helpful bunch.