Abruzzo Things to Do

Abruzzo is often considered one of Italy’s best kept secrets. The region, sometimes called the heart of Italy, exposes visitors to majestic mountains, sandy beaches, world-renowned wineries, rich culinary delights, and breathtaking architecture. Whether visiting isolated castles and medieval villages tucked into the mountains or immersing in the night life of the coast, to fully experience the treasures of Abruzzo, allow your adventures to lead you through the unique offerings of the L’Aquila, Teramo, Pescara, and Chieti provinces.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

The majority of Abruzzo’s festivals center around religion, tradition, and cinema and are held at various times throughout the year.

The arrival of Easter has the city of Sulmona buzzing with preparations for a multi-day folklore event. As Holy Week unfolds, several traditions are acted out in the town’s public areas beginning on Holy  Monday. The two most iconic rituals are the procession of the “Dead Christ” on Good Friday and the “Madonna Che Scappa in Piazza” on Easter Sunday morning. The latter represents Mary seeing Jesus for the first time after the Resurrection and the scene is acted out by the Confraternity of Santa Maria di Loreto who carry a statue of Mary and run to meet Jesus. The events of Holy Week are precious to the natives of Sulmona and attract hundreds of participants each year.

During the last weekends of May, the region comes together to celebrate the long awaited arrival of spring with daffodil and flower festivals that showcase traditional music, dancing, and a parade of bright flower-based floats that wind cheerily through the streets. Some examples are the Feast of St. Mark in Castel Di Sangro on April 25 or the Festa dei Fuochi (Feast of Flames) in Sulmona in April.

Festa dei Serpari (Festival of the Snakes) is celebrated each year on the first of May in the small village of Cocullo. This unique festival is held in honor of San Domenico di Sora and it features a procession in which a statue of the saint draped in non-venomous snakes is carried through the streets. The procession includes music and dancing, and a lovely sweet bread that resembles a coiled up snake.

Cinema is a fast-growing industry in Abruzzo thanks to the region’s vast and beautiful scenery that is coveted among directors as a backdrop for their stories.  Much of The American, a picture starring George Clooney, was filmed in Castel del Monte, Sulmona, and several other towns in the province of L’Aquila. Additionally, the Sulmona International Film Festival takes place annually in November and is a product of this flourishing industry. The festival features short films and offers film workshops and retrospectives while celebrating the work of up-and-coming directors.

OUTDOORS

Abruzzo offers travelers views of the majestic Apennine Mountains as well as sunbathing on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and wandering with the animals among the many national parks and reserves.

Campo Imperatore (Emperor’s Field) is often referred to as a“Little Tibet” based on its beauty and seclusion. It is an upland of the Abruzzo region that has glacial origins and features one of the oldest ski resorts in Italy. The plateau is beautifully surrounded by various mountains and has served as a set for numerous scenes in films such as The American, The Name of the Rose, and Ladyhawke. The uniqueness and limitless views in Campo Imperatore can easily remind the visitor of the most remote and untouched places in the world.

The mountains are a popular destination during mild weather for hikers and explorers who enjoy the winding roads that lead to centuries-old castles and medieval villages.  After the first big snowfall, skiers and snowboarders alike flock to the area to hit the slopes at economic prices and minus the overwhelming crowds.

Abruzzo is considered the greenest area in Europe, largely due to the fact that more than half of the region is recognized as national parks and reserves.  The area is home to highly protected and varied species of animals and plant life.  In fact, the parks are a sanctuary for almost seventy-five percent of European animal species.  Guided tours are offered amongst some of the more popular parks and reserves including Abruzzo National Park, Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, Majella National Park, and Sirente-Velino Regional Park.

For those who prefer to feel the sand between their toes and the sun on their skin, the Abruzzo Coast is the answer.  It is a beautiful stretch of beach next to the wide blue expanse of the Adriatic Sea where relaxation abounds.  Beach-goers can frolic in the sun and water by day, pausing to dine on some of the most authentic Italian seafare around, before heading to local hot spots that come alive as the sun sets.

INDOORS

As evening sets in along the coast, visitors can exchange their bathing suits for finer attire to enjoy entertainment at various cafes, pubs, and clubs that sprinkle the shoreline with a wide variety of night life. There are also many opportunities for shopping and countless museums to enjoy in Abruzzo.

SHOPPING

Shopping in Abruzzo stretches throughout all of its provinces via open-air, flea, and food markets. The majority of shopping outlets center around locally made wine, extra-virgin olive oil, and traditional cuisine.

One of the more popular shopping venues is an outdoor market held in the Piazza of Santa Maria di Paganica in the city of L’Aquila.  The market takes place on the second weekend of each month and is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

The Pescara province boasts a shopping district filled with chic boutiques home to the most up-and-coming European fashion trends in clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and more.

If visiting in July, the flea markets of Sulmona are held only during that month and are not to be missed.  Amongst traditional antiques and trinkets, beautiful and colorful Italian Confetti dessert arrangements unique to Sulmona are sold in the streets.

ONLY IN ABRUZZO

Although the sights of the region are second to none with rich architectural history and a diverse landscape, perhaps a different way to experience all things uniquely Abruzzo is through the sense of taste.

The region’s culinary delights of homemade pasta and seafood delicacies are simply not complete until paired with another one of Abruzzo’s stars, internationally renowned wine from the Chieti and Teramo provinces.  In particular, the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo red wine is a favorite because of its literal roots, the Montepulciano grape, which is grown locally.  Also not to be missed are Trebbiano, Sangiovese, and Abruzzo Ratafia wines that are favored throughout the region.

The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park covers 778 square miles. Gran Sasso is a beautiful rocky peak that rises above the sprawling plains, offering breathtaking views and plenty of photo opportunities. The park is biologically diverse, featuring various species of wildlife and interesting plant varieties. The park is ideal for numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The Trabocchi Coast is a very unique part of Italy, and Abruzzo. The coast stretches more than 40 miles and features pier-like fishing machines (called Trabocchi) dotting the coastline. This ancient fishing method has been passed down through the generations and uses a large net and winches to haul in the catch. The terrain along the coast varies with natural beauty, including stretches of sandy beaches, shorelines made of pebbles, and large rocky crags jutting into the water along the way.

Castel Del Monte and Rocca Calascio are two particularly incredible villages in Abruzzo. The village of Castel del Monte sits upon a hilltop, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains in all directions. Rocca Calascio is a former military fortress perched at an altitude of nearly five thousand feet, giving it an optimal view of the beautiful sprawling meadowlands below.

The city of Sulmona in L’Aquila offers one of the most original desserts in all of Italy, Italian Confetti.  This sweet treat consists of almonds that are carefully peeled and then coated in sugar. The almonds come in almost every color of the rainbow and are often crafted into edible art that is a delight for taste buds and eyes alike.

Regardless of how you spend your time in Abruzzo, the sights, sounds, and tastes of the region are sure to steal your heart and have you planning your next trip to Italy.

About Abruzzo