The Most Beautiful Villages Near Pescara: 4 Borghi You Need to Know
August, 23rd 2021
“The featured image of this post was kindly provided by @dipaolomaurizio“
Some places you drive past without stopping. These four, you should stop for.
Abruzzo has 24 villages certified by the association I Borghi più belli d’Italia — the most beautiful villages in Italy. Four of them fall within the province of Pescara. I haven’t explored all of them properly yet — honestly, they’re still on my list. But I know enough about each one to tell you that they deserve your attention.
Città Sant’Angelo and Penne I know from my years living in Abruzzo — I played football there more than once, and even then, driving through, I could see these were special places. The kind of towns where the streets are quiet and the views stop you in your tracks. I just never had the time to explore them properly. That changes on my next visit.
What Is I Borghi più belli d'Italia?
Before diving into the villages themselves, it’s worth understanding what this certification actually means — because it’s not just a marketing label.
The association I Borghi più belli d’Italia was created in March 2001 with a specific mission: to protect and promote the cultural, artistic, and environmental heritage of Italy’s small villages, which are too often overlooked by mainstream tourism. To join the association, local authorities must apply and meet strict criteria set out in the Carta di Qualità — the quality charter. Requirements include a maximum population of 2,000 inhabitants in the historic centre, high architectural quality, accessibility, and a concrete commitment to preserving and promoting the village’s heritage.
Crucially, membership is not permanent. Villages are regularly evaluated, and those that no longer meet the criteria are removed from the association and can no longer use its brand.
Of the 313 villages currently certified across Italy, 24 are in Abruzzo — making it the third most represented region in the entire country, behind only Marche, Umbria, and Tuscany. Four of those 24 are in the province of Pescara.
The 4 Most Beautiful Villages Near Pescara
1. Abbateggio
Abbateggio sits at the foot of La Maiella — the mother mountain of Abruzzo — and is known locally by two affectionate nicknames: il paese presepe (the nativity village) for its charm, and il paese del farro for the ancient grain that has been cultivated here for centuries.
It’s the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to explore the wilder side of the Maiella National Park. From Abbateggio you can access the Valle dell’Orfento, one of the most dramatic canyons in the park, and the Sentiero dello Spirito — a 70-kilometre path that connects the ancient hermitages carved into the mountainside. Just five kilometres away lies the Valle di Giumentina, a protected archaeological site where traces of Palaeolithic life have been found.
If you go, try the local farro soup. It’s one of those dishes that tastes exactly like the landscape it comes from.
2. Caramanico Terme
Caramanico Terme is considered by many the gem of the Valle dell’Orfento, and it’s one of the very few villages in Italy that sits entirely within a national park — in this case, the Maiella National Park.
Its medieval structure is remarkably intact: ancient walls, old gates, narrow alleys that haven’t changed much in centuries. But what makes Caramanico Terme genuinely special is its thermal waters, known for their therapeutic properties and attracting visitors seeking a slower, more restorative kind of travel.
The village is also home to the Abbey of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Eremo Celestiniano di San Giovanni all’Orfento — one of the hermitages carved directly into the cliff face above the river. And if you visit in late summer, look out for the local honey: Il Millefiori della Maiella, produced by Pietro Amoroso, was declared the best honey in Italy in 2008 and has since won multiple international awards.
Caramanico Terme is also on our full guide to La Maiella — read it here.
Photo: RaBoe / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
3. Città Sant'Angelo
I played football in Città Sant’Angelo more than once during the years I lived in Abruzzo. Even then, arriving for a match and catching a glimpse of the old town on the hill above, I always thought: I need to come back and actually explore this place properly.
I haven’t yet. But the intention is there — and strengthened by the fact that Forbes Magazine named Città Sant’Angelo one of the top ten places to live in the world in 2018, noting that Abruzzo offers everything Tuscany has at a fraction of the cost.
The town sits on a hilltop with panoramic views over the Gran Sasso mountains and the Adriatic Sea. It’s known as the wine and olive oil city — producing Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano, Cerasuolo, and Pecorino — and hosts numerous cultural and food and wine events throughout the year. It’s also classified as a Città Slow, part of the international network of towns committed to a slower, more sustainable pace of life.
Just 20 kilometres from Pescara, it’s one of the easiest of the four to reach.
4. Penne
Penne is the spiritual one. Known as Città del Mattone — the city of brick — for the distinctive terracotta construction of its buildings and streets, it has a quieter, more contemplative energy than the other villages on this list.
Its connection to Saint Francis of Assisi runs deep: at the entrance to the town stands a statue dedicated to the saint, commemorating his passage through Penne in 1216. The Church of San Nicola, the Castiglione Palace, and the Cathedral of San Massimo are all worth visiting.
But the highlight, for me, is the Riserva Naturale del Lago di Penne — a nature reserve built around a lake that is home to a remarkable variety of birds and wildlife. It’s an ideal spot for e-bike or canoe tours, and the starting point for trails that lead all the way to Voltigno and Campo Imperatore.
I drove past Penne many times during my years in Abruzzo — played football there once, caught glimpses of the town from the road. It’s one of those places that keeps pulling you back until you finally give it the time it deserves.
What's Still on My List
All four of these villages deserve more than a passing visit — and all four are still on my list for a proper exploration. When I go, you’ll hear about it here. In the meantime, if you’re planning a trip to Abruzzo and want to discover more of the region, here are some places I do know well:
FAQ
What are the most beautiful villages near Pescara?
The four villages certified by I Borghi più belli d’Italia in the province of Pescara are Abbateggio, Caramanico Terme, Città Sant’Angelo, and Penne. Each offers something different: Abbateggio for hiking and nature, Caramanico Terme for thermal waters and medieval heritage, Città Sant’Angelo for panoramic views and wine, and Penne for spiritual history and lakeside nature.
How far are these villages from Pescara?
All four are within easy reach of Pescara by car. Città Sant’Angelo is the closest at around 20 kilometres. Caramanico Terme is the furthest at approximately 50 kilometres, but the drive through the Maiella foothills is worth it in itself.
What is I Borghi più belli d'Italia?
It’s an Italian association founded in 2001 to protect and promote the country’s most beautiful small villages. To be certified, villages must meet strict criteria including a maximum population of 2,000 in the historic centre, high architectural quality, and a commitment to heritage preservation. There are currently 313 certified villages across Italy, 24 of which are in Abruzzo.
Practical Information
- Getting there: All four villages are best reached by car from Pescara
- Città Sant’Angelo: approx. 20 min from Pescara
- Abbateggio: approx. 40 min from Pescara
- Penne: approx. 35 min from Pescara
- Caramanico Terme: approx. 50 min from Pescara
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for mild weather and fewer visitors
- I Borghi più belli d’Italia: borghipiubelliditalia.it
- Read this post in another language: Leer en español · Leggi in italiano
- More about Abruzzo: Explore Abruzzo