Why is Abruzzo called Italy's best kept secret?

Because despite being right next door to Rome — less than two hours away — Abruzzo remains almost invisible on the international tourism map. Less than 3% of foreign visitors to Italy make it here. Those who do rarely leave without wanting to come back.

Is Abruzzo better than Tuscany?

It depends on what you are looking for. For authenticity, value for money and unspoiled nature — Abruzzo wins. For world-famous art cities and rolling vineyard estates — a different experience entirely. For travellers tired of the obvious, Abruzzo is the answer.

How many days do I need to visit Abruzzo?

Seven to ten days to experience it properly — combining the coast, the mountains, the villages and the food. Five days is enough for a first taste but you will almost certainly want to stay longer.

Do I need a car to visit Abruzzo?

Yes — and not just for practicality. Driving through Abruzzo is an experience in itself. The landscapes along the national park roads, the mountain passes and the coastal route of the Via Verde are some of the most extraordinary drives in Italy.

What is The City Next Door?

The City Next Door is the go-to English guide to travel, food and wine in Abruzzo, Italy. Written by Armando and Idania — two Venezuelans with roots in the region, living in London — every post is based on firsthand experience. No sponsored content. No guesswork. Writing about Abruzzo since 2020.

Who writes The City Next Door?

Armando and Idania. Armando grew up spending summers in Abruzzo, lived there at 16, studied in Chieti and Pescara and considers it home. Idania brings the eye for detail and the love for authentic experiences. Together they have been writing about Abruzzo since 2020.

Is the content on The City Next Door sponsored?

Never. Every post on this blog is based on firsthand experience. We have eaten in the restaurants we review, visited the beaches we recommend and stayed in the places we write about. We have never accepted payment for a review and we never will.

What does The City Next Door mean?

Abruzzo sits right next door to Rome — one of the most visited cities in the world — and yet remains completely off the tourist map. The name is an invitation to discover a place that has been hiding in plain sight.

ABRUZZO ESSENTIALS

Q: Is Abruzzo worth visiting?

Without hesitation. Mountains, beaches, medieval villages and extraordinary food and wine — without the crowds or prices of Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. It is one of the most authentic and underrated regions in all of Italy.

Q: What is the best time to visit Abruzzo?

Abruzzo is a year-round destination. In summer you have the beaches and the mountains. In autumn the harvest festivals and the colours. In winter the ski resorts of Campo Imperatore and Passo Lanciano. In spring the blooming national parks. The summer months are the busiest — but every season has something extraordinary to offer.

Abruzzo is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. A region in central Italy that has everything — mountains, beaches, medieval villages, national parks and extraordinary food and wine — without the crowds, the queues or the prices of Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast.

This is your honest guide to the basics. Everything you need to know before you visit.

Where Is Abruzzo?

Abruzzo is a region in central Italy, stretching from the Adriatic Sea on the east to the Apennine Mountains in the west. It borders Lazio, Marche and Molise, making it easily accessible from major cities like Rome and Naples.

The region was officially established on 3 December 1963, when the old region of Abruzzi and Molise was divided into two separate regions. Today, with approximately 1.29 million residents, Abruzzo is one of Italy’s least densely populated areas, offering space, tranquillity and authentic Italian charm.

The four main cities of Abruzzo are Pescara, Chieti, Teramo and L’Aquila, which is also the regional capital.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Abruzzo?

The best time to visit Abruzzo depends on what you are looking for.

Spring (April to June) is ideal for mild weather, blooming landscapes and outdoor activities like hiking in the Apennines. Summer (July and August) offers sunny beaches along the Adriatic coast. Autumn (September to November) brings colourful foliage and harvest festivals, making it perfect for food and wine lovers. Winter (December to February) transforms the mountain areas into a ski destination, particularly around Passo Lanciano and Campo Imperatore.

Whatever the season, Abruzzo has something to offer. It is genuinely a year-round destination.

How Do I Get to Abruzzo?

Getting to Abruzzo is easier than most people expect.

The region has its own international airport in Pescara (Abruzzo Airport), located just 4 km from Pescara city centre. From the UK, there are direct flights from London Stansted operated by Ryanair. From the rest of Europe, Ryanair and other low-cost airlines connect Pescara with major cities including Barcelona, Paris, Frankfurt and Brussels.

Alternatively, you can fly into Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino and reach Abruzzo by car or train in approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Once in Abruzzo, the best way to explore the region is by car. The motorways A24 and A25 connect the region well, and car hire is available at Pescara Airport and in major cities. Trains and buses exist but do not reach many rural areas, so a car is essential for a truly authentic experience.

What Is Abruzzo Famous For?

Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe, with three national parks and numerous nature reserves covering more than a third of its territory. It is a paradise for hikers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.

The region is also famous for its 27 borghi certified among Italy’s most beautiful villages, its extraordinary food and wine tradition — including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the iconic arrosticini — and its Adriatic coastline, one of the cleanest in Italy.

Add to this the Costa dei Trabocchi, the ancient wooden fishing platforms converted into restaurants over the sea, and you begin to understand why Abruzzo is increasingly being discovered by travellers who are tired of the obvious.

What Are the Top Things to Do in Abruzzo?

Abruzzo rewards every type of traveller. These are the experiences we recommend most:

Explore the most beautiful villages — Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno, Civitella del Tronto and Rocca Calascio are among the most extraordinary in all of Italy.

Hike in the national parks — the Gran Sasso and La Maiella offer trails for all levels, from gentle walks to demanding high-altitude routes.

Dine on a trabocco — a seafood dinner over the Adriatic Sea at sunset is one of the most unforgettable dining experiences in Italy.

Cycle the Via Verde — the former coastal railway line from Ortona to Torino di Sangro, with the sea beside you the entire way.

Canoe the Tirino River — considered the cleanest river in Italy, surrounded by extraordinary nature.

Taste the wine — visit Feudo Antico in Tollo or La Vineria di Salnitro near Guardiagrele for world-class Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Swim at hidden beaches — Ripari di Giobbe, Calata Turchino and Punta Aderci are among the most beautiful on the Adriatic.

Glamp in the vineyards — Cirelli Farm in Teramo offers wooden cabins built directly in front of the vines.

Is Abruzzo Expensive for Tourists?

Abruzzo is one of the most affordable regions in Italy. Compared to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, prices for accommodation, dining and activities are significantly lower.

Charming agriturismi, B&Bs and boutique hotels are available at very reasonable rates. Traditional trattorias serve authentic dishes at prices far below those in major tourist destinations. Hiking, beach days and exploring medieval villages are often free or low-cost. Unique experiences like dining on a trabocco or canoeing on the Tirino River are affordable compared to similar attractions elsewhere in Italy.

Overall, Abruzzo delivers exceptional value for money — which is one of the main reasons we keep coming back.

What Is the Weather Like in Abruzzo?

Abruzzo’s weather varies significantly by season and altitude.

Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures between 10 and 20°C and blooming landscapes, ideal for hiking and exploring villages. Summer (June to August) is warm and sunny along the Adriatic coast, reaching 25 to 30°C, while mountain areas remain cooler. Autumn (September to November) offers pleasant weather between 15 and 25°C with vibrant foliage. Winter (December to February) is cold in the mountains with snow, perfect for skiing, while coastal areas remain milder at 5 to 10°C.

What Are Abruzzo's Culinary Specialities?

Abruzzo’s cuisine is one of the most authentic in Italy, rooted in centuries of tradition and extraordinary local ingredients.

Arrosticini — skewers of grilled lamb, the true symbol of Abruzzo’s culinary heritage.

Spaghetti alla chitarra — square spaghetti made with a traditional wooden tool, served with rich meat sauces.

Fresh seafood — Adriatic fish and shellfish, best enjoyed on a trabocco along the coast.

Pecorino and ventricina — regional cheese and salami that define the mountain food tradition.

Confetti di Sulmona — the famous sugar-coated almonds, produced in Sulmona since the Middle Ages.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo — one of Italy’s great red wines, produced across all four provinces of the region.

Where Should I Stay in Abruzzo?

We will be honest with you — every time we visit, we stay at our family house in Giuliano Teatino, near Francavilla al Mare and not far from La Maiella. So we are not the most objective judges here.

What we can recommend with confidence:

Cirelli Farm Glamping in Treciminieri, Teramo — two wooden cabins built directly in front of the vineyards of the Francesco Cirelli farm. Wine from terracotta amphoras, breakfast delivered to your cabin and extraordinary green countryside in every direction. One of the most authentic stays in Abruzzo.

Panfilo Farmhouse in Cellino Attanasio, Teramo — a beautifully restored Italian stone farmhouse between the sea and the mountains, with a saltwater infinity pool, hot tub under the stars, farm-fresh breakfast and cooking classes. The kind of place that makes you want to extend your stay.

Feudo Antico in Tollo, Chieti — on-site accommodation at one of Abruzzo’s most extraordinary wineries. Waking up surrounded by the vines that produced the wine you tasted the night before is an experience in itself.

For everything else, Booking.com and Airbnb have good coverage of the region, from agriturismi in the hills to hotels along the coast.

How Does Abruzzo Compare to Other Italian Regions?

Abruzzo stands out as one of Italy’s most authentic and diverse regions. Unlike tourist-heavy destinations such as Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, Abruzzo offers unspoiled landscapes, fewer crowds and exceptional value for money.

It is the greenest region in Europe, home to three national parks, pristine beaches along the Adriatic and the majestic Apennine Mountains. Its food tradition is as rich as Emilia-Romagna or Sicily, with unique dishes and world-class wines. Its medieval villages are as beautiful as anything in Umbria or Tuscany, without the tour buses.

For travellers seeking authenticity, nature and affordability, Abruzzo is the answer.

FAQ

Where is Abruzzo in Italy?

Abruzzo is a region in central Italy, bordering the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennine Mountains to the west. It borders Lazio, Marche and Molise and is easily accessible from Rome in approximately 2 hours by car or train.

What is Abruzzo known for?

Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe, with three national parks covering more than a third of its territory. It is famous for its 27 certified beautiful villages, its extraordinary food and wine including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and arrosticini, its Adriatic coastline and the Costa dei Trabocchi, the ancient wooden fishing platforms converted into restaurants over the sea.

Is Abruzzo worth visiting?

Yes, without hesitation. Abruzzo offers everything that makes Italy special — extraordinary food and wine, medieval villages, mountains, beaches and genuine hospitality — without the crowds and prices of more famous regions. It is one of the most authentic and underrated destinations in all of Italy.

How do I get to Abruzzo from the UK?

The most direct option is a flight from London Stansted to Pescara Airport, operated by Ryanair. The flight takes approximately 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly into Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino and reach Abruzzo by car or train in approximately 2 to 3 hours.

What is the best area to stay in Abruzzo?

It depends on what you are looking for. For beaches and coastal access, Pescara and Francavilla al Mare are ideal bases. For mountains and national parks, the areas around Chieti and the Maiella are perfect. For wine and countryside, the hills of Teramo province offer extraordinary options including Cirelli Farm Glamping and Panfilo Farmhouse.

What language do they speak in Abruzzo?

Italian is the official language of Abruzzo. In rural areas and among older generations, local dialects are still spoken. English is understood in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants, but less so in smaller villages — a few words of Italian go a long way and are always appreciated.

What is the best time to visit Abruzzo?

The best time to visit Abruzzo depends on what you are looking for. Spring (April to June) is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Summer (July and August) is perfect for beaches. Autumn (September to November) is best for food and wine festivals. Winter (December to February) is ideal for skiing around Passo Lanciano and Campo Imperatore.

Is Abruzzo expensive for tourists?

Abruzzo is one of the most affordable regions in Italy. Compared to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, prices for accommodation, dining and activities are significantly lower. It delivers exceptional value for money while offering an entirely authentic Italian experience.