How many days do I need to visit Abruzzo?

We recommend a minimum of five to seven days to experience Abruzzo properly. Three days is enough for a quick introduction — the coast, one or two villages and a good meal. But to combine the mountains, the beaches, the borghi and the food and wine experiences, a week is ideal.

Do I need a car to visit Abruzzo?

Yes — a car is essential for exploring Abruzzo beyond the main cities. Trains and buses connect Pescara, Chieti, Teramo and L'Aquila, but most of the region's best experiences — the villages, the national parks, the trabocchi coast and the wineries — are only accessible by car. Car hire is available at Pescara Airport and in all major cities.

Is Abruzzo safe for tourists?

Abruzzo is one of the safest regions in Italy. Crime rates are low, the people are welcoming and the region has no significant safety concerns for tourists. Standard common sense applies as anywhere — keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas and take sensible precautions in the mountains.

What is the best month to visit Abruzzo?

June and September are the sweet spot — warm enough for beaches, comfortable for hiking and less crowded than July and August. Spring is beautiful for the national parks and villages. Winter is ideal for skiing around Passo Lanciano and Campo Imperatore.

Do people speak English in Abruzzo?

English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants, but less so in smaller villages and rural areas. A few words of Italian go a long way and are always warmly appreciated. In our experience, Abruzzese hospitality more than compensates for any language barrier.

Is Abruzzo worth visiting?

Without hesitation. Abruzzo offers everything that makes Italy extraordinary — food, wine, history, nature and genuine warmth — without the crowds, the queues or the prices of more famous destinations. It is one of the most authentic and underrated regions in all of Italy. We keep coming back, and we think you will too.

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.

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.

What is Abruzzo famous for?

Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe, with three national parks covering more than a third of its territory. It is home to some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, the Costa dei Trabocchi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine and arrosticini.

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 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.

Is Abruzzo expensive?

Abruzzo is one of the most affordable regions in Italy. Compared to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, prices for accommodation, food and activities are significantly lower. It delivers exceptional value for money.

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.

TRAVEL GUIDE

Planning a trip to Abruzzo? This is where to start. From the best beaches on the Adriatic to a dinner over the sea on a trabocco, from cycling the Via Verde to sleeping in a vineyard — these are the experiences we recommend most, based on firsthand visits and genuine enthusiasm for a region we know well.

No sponsored content. No guesswork. Just honest recommendations from people who keep coming back.

Planning your trip to Abruzzo?

From beaches to vineyards, trabocchi to mountain trails — everything you need to plan your perfect Abruzzo trip is right here.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ABRUZZO

Honest recommendations. Firsthand experience. No guesswork

PLAN YUOR TRIP TO ABRUZZO

Honest recommendations. Firsthand experience. No guesswork

Travel Guide

Aeroport d'Abruzzo located in Abruzzo - Pescara Italy

About this blog

The City Next Door is written by Armando and Idania, two Venezuelans with roots in Abruzzo living in London. Every post is based on firsthand experience — places we have visited, food we have eaten and people we have met. Our goal is simple: to help you discover a region that deserves far more attention than it gets.

TRAVEL GUIDE

Planning your trip to Abruzzo?

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ABRUZZO

Honest recommendations. Firsthand experience. No guesswork

Travel Guide

Do You Need a Car in Abruzzo? Yes — And Here Is Why

Where to Stay in Abruzzo: Our Honest Guide to the Best Accommodation

Conscious Travel in Abruzzo: 6 Outdoor Activities for a Sustainable Holiday

About this blog

Is Abruzzo expensive?

What does The City Next Door mean?