What to do in Termoli?
Termoli is the holiday spot on the Adriatic Coast in Molise. A place with wide, sandy beaches, a still active fishing harbour and an old fortified town to explore. Here are our suggestions on what to do in Termoli.
In summer the number of inhabitants in Termoli triples. Tens of thousands of primarily Italian tourists occupy hotels and holiday flats along the beaches that stretch out for miles north and south of town. But the annual invasion does not spoil the atmosphere. Termoli has an authentic nucleus with historic buildings, an active harbour and lots of quaint structures and traditions like the trabucchi fishing vessels and the annual pirate attacts. Even the new part of town is fairly charming with streets lined with pink flowering nerium trees. Here’s a few suggestions on how to have a good time in Termoli.
Huge beach establishments line the shores north of Termoli. There’s a free beach whenever the umbrellas change colour.
Days by the sea
Buy a magnum bottle of sun lotion and go to one of the huge beach establishments to spend the day. Beaches north of town are ideal for families with children, while the beaches south of town are great for water sports. You have to rent a ‘sdraio’ beach chair and an ‘umbrellone’ parasol, but once settled you can stay all day. And beaches are fabulous for people watching.
End the day with a shower, a drink and a visit to one of the local fish restaurants.
Modern fishing vessels have taken over the harbour of Termoli, but you still come across traditional fishermen mending their nets.
Walk along the harbour
Walk into the Adriatic along the pier and see how the trabucchi work. There’s usually one that is manned, and it is fun to see, if they catch anything.
At the end of the pier you’ll see the harbour with a fleet of modern fishing boats and weather worn fishermen mending their nets. You can also take a day trip with the ferry to Isole Tremiti. The boat ride takes about an hour both ways.
The ancient village of Termoli is located on a fortified promontory with narrow alleys, colorful fisherman houses, a Romanesque cathedral and a medieval castle.
Explore the historic centre
Stroll around the old town and explore the narrow alleyways, the Swabian castle and the Romanesque cathedral with relics of no less than two saints and interesting figures and inscriptions decorating the façade. Find a café with a table in the shadow and sit down with a glass of ACE juice and breathe the sunny laid-back atmosphere of the only coastal town in Molise.
Where to eat?
Termoli has a number of good fish and seafood restaurants. My favourites are Federico II on Via Pustierla in the historic centre, where the absence of cars makes it a pleasure to eat outside under the stars, and Ristorante da Nicolino, where the locals crowd to celebrate a night out with friends and family.
Where to stay?
If you plan to spend your holidays at the beach there are several large hotels offering accommodation by the seafront. We normally stay at the unfortunately named Hotel Corona by the railway station, where it is possible to find parking spaces and all the attractions of Termoli are within walking distance.
This post was last updated with new photos and text in December 2021
Other suggestions of what to do in Termoli and nearby places
What to see in Molise
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I could do a day in Termoli. Definitely.
Yes, it’s a great place to unwind.
Thanks so much for this. I checked out the area south of this and was overwhelmed by its beauty. Tremoli is now on my list when I return.
I’m sure you’ll like it the.
People watching all day by the sea, then heading to a fish restaurant at night. Sounds nice an interesting spot for some time out.
Yes, it’s amazing how little entertainment is required to pass the time.
Beautiful…
Thank you.
What a beautiful and charming town. I love that there are so many things to do in Termoli. I can spend days here too.
Not world sights maybe, but absolutely charming.
It shows the beauty of the place perfectly. :)
Thank you.