Notes on Abruzzo

An authentic and charming region way off the beaten track. Here’s our collection of notes on what to see and do in Abruzzo Italy.

Primo Levi used the words “forte e gentile” to describe the Abruzzo region, and in many ways strong and gentle sum up the characteristics of a landscape that ranges from rough mountains to golden beaches along the Adriatic Sea.

One third of the territory in Abruzzo is national parks and protected nature reserves that according to Wikipedia ensure the survival of 75% of all of Europe’s living species including some rare species, such as the golden eagle, the Apennine wolf and the Marsican brown bear. This is great country for all sorts of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, river rafting, fishing and mountain bike riding.

Though sparsely populated, ancient villages in the mountainous areas remain rich on culture and tradition. Authentic folklore and religious festivals thrive. And there are lots of undiscovered places and sights to explore.

Most tourists prefer to stay along the coast where a number of seaside resorts offer wide sandy beaches, a gently sloping seabed and other family-friendly facilities.

The main cities in Abruzzo are L’Aquila, Teramo, Chieti and Pescara. The regional capital L’Aquila with its rich architectural heritage was sadly damaged by the earthquake in 2009, but there are still cultural treasures to be found on the mountain side of the Grand Sasso.

For more inspiration on where to go and what to do please see our collection of Notes on Abruzzo.