Abruzzo Travel Guide - Top 10 Places You Should Visit

Are you planning an Abruzzo road trip and you're looking for info? Or maybe you still haven't considered this gorgeous Central Italy region?
Discover 10 must-see places you have to add to your itinerary with this easy-to-use Abruzzo travel guide!
We'll visit places like Sulmona, Pescocostanzo, Rivisondoli, Pettorano sul Gizio and much more. All the very best, authentic villages you should add to your Abruzzo itinerary.
With lots of info on how to plan this Italian road trip on a budget, from an experienced Italian travel guide!
What about food?
You'll find a great Abruzzo food guide on our blog: www.travellingdany.com/abruzz...
Inner Light di Kevin MacLeod è un brano concesso in uso tramite licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione 4.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Fonte: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artista: incompetech.com/

[@maggieelliott5896]

FINALLY! An Italian touring video that's not all about Rome, Florence, CT and Venice! Now that I've done those cities, I can't wait to go back and spend time in these beautiful villages. Abruzzo is definitely on my bucket list, especially now!

[@TravellingDany]

Abruzzo in Italy is super underrated and we have no idea why! They have sea, gorgeous mountains, things to do all year round, great food. And the people are so genuinely nice that we are also looking to buy a house there! It’s the one place in Italy off the beaten path you should add to your itinerary if you’ve already been here before! You’ll love how authentic it is!

[@angelamorgan1153]

My family is from Monteodorisio,Abruuzo. Did you visit or pass by at all?

[@karenmoretto7070]

I could not believe Abruzzo was real it was just so incredibly beautiful and with such diversity of landscapes.Many thanks Travelling Dany i was so impressed i have found a house and am hoping to live here as my forever home.I speak fluent italian and lived in Venice .I also love art and am very environmentally friendly.Horticulture is a passion of mine and i think i have found my dream place in this region.I was totally fascinated >grazie mille. x

[@TravellingDany]

Ciao Karin! This is amazing! Where are you thinking of moving in Abruzzo? Our favorite places are between Altopiano delle cinque miglia, Parco della Majella, Rivisondoli, Roccaraso and Pescocostanzo. Dany’s parents are also looking for a house in this area, big enough for the whole family and with a small garden to grow some veggies! ❤️

[@elenatedeschi7641]

Il mio Abruzzo e meraviglioso. Io amo la mia terra e un giorno ci tornerò. Abbiamo tutto mare Monti e laghi. E la terra benedetta da Dio siamo gente forte e gentile ❤❤❤

[@TravellingDany]

Assolutamente vero, sottoscrivo! Noi stiamo cercando casa lì, è il paradiso!

[@susandunne2987]

Abruzzo e vero meraviglioso

[@cinziaferracuti2778]

Vero!!!!!!

[@claudiacables945]

wow, thank you for your wonderful video. I am planning to visit Rome during the spring and I would love to drive through those beautiful towns. Great video.

[@TravellingDany]

If you rent a car it’s totally doable! Rome to Sulmona is like a couple of hours drive :)

[@thecitynextdoor1510]

Awesome video Dany! La Costa dei Trabocchi is indeed a Gem. Good thing is, Abruzzo is plenty of options :)

[@TravellingDany]

Absolutely! Abruzzo is one heck of a region, not sure why so few add it to their Italy itinerary!

[@pietro48]

Thanks for visiting our region

[@TravellingDany]

You’re welcome :) actually we visit every year for 3+ months and we’re looking for a house in Abruzzo ;)

[@dickstok14]

We love Abruzzo and specially Roccascalegna

[@TravellingDany]

Yes! We have a Roccascalegna video as well! Visiting was amazing!

[@lillumination5388]

​ @Travelling Dany Interesting info., thanks. I am a seasoned tourist/travel journalist, from California, but have been centered in Paris (FIJET - Intern.Federation of Journalists and Writers of Tourism), for 40 years by now. Heavy travel. Currently in Italy, for pure pleasure - 4 months, before - Dalmatia, 4 months. I am into agro- tourism, am staying at agro- farms in Abruzzo and am travelling around. Fluent in Italian, and that allows me to get deep into their current mental/emotional state, which is rather troubling for me (11 trips so far, from 1964 and on). Adore Abruzzo, for sure. And esp. its people. Keep on reporting, spread the good news about it.

[@TravellingDany]

California, wow! We haven't been there for a few years but we used to visit every now and then. :) If you like trekking, absolutely hit the Majella. Can't recommend enough places like Gole del Sagittario and Fara di San Martino. They're gorgeous. Absolutely visit Rivisondoli, which is where Dany's parents have a house, one of our favorite little villages in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo. At Aremogna (Roccaraso) we ate a delicious polenta con sugo e salsicce for a few Euros, it was savory and absolutely delicious. Every small town in Abruzzo hides something special, you have 2 more months there so we're hoping you find them all. Buon viaggio!

[@Chap17]

Lovely scenery

[@TravellingDany]

Abruzzo is a gorgeous Italian region!

[@brickman291]

This was a beautiful well researched video I was born in Laquila now live in Michigan and can attest to the beauty of these places and many more from the top of the Gran Sasso to the Maielle . Great stuff

[@TravellingDany]

Majella is one of our favorite parts of Abruzzo! Such a gorgeous place, especially if you’re into hiking! Also food is delicious and people are super welcoming! Are you planning to visit Abruzzo once again or are you staying in Michigan for now?

[@brickman291]

@@TravellingDany oh I’m coming back used to go every year till the pandemic see you next year buddy

[@TravellingDany]

Yes! Late spring or June/July are perfect times to visit Abruzzo!

[@ninablackwell4792]

@@TravellingDany I'll be there end of May!

[@patlsmith404]

This is my next trip. Where I want a place 2-5 months ou5 of the yr. From the the US. Already fell in love with Italy during Christmas and New Year Holidays!❤ Gratzi !💫💥someone send me a nice 2bedroom, 2 bathroom, balconies, mostly finished and under £30,000.

[@TravellingDany]

Oh Abruzzo would be perfect! It’s an authentic place in Italy you can spend some time in while relaxing and eating good food!

[@wesleyborghi5697]

Meu sonho é um dia conhecer Itália 🇮🇹

[@TravellingDany]

We sincerely hope you can soon plan this trip to Italy! ❤️

[@servioster]

Bellissimo

[@TravellingDany]

Assolutamente! Hai in programma le vacanze in Abruzzo?

[@nayabnasir5367]

Agreed with Mr. Karen Marito...

[@TravellingDany]

Awesome! Have you found a house in Abruzzo as well? Where? We’re also looking but no luck so far 😅

[@gabriellaporro6183]

ABRUZZO'S COAST OF TRABOCCHI CROWDED AND EXPENSIVE??? TO MY EXPERIENCE IS BEAUTIFUL AND CHEAP!!

[@TravellingDany]

It can be, in August especially, due to the fact that us Italians love to go to the beach in August! And Abruzzo’s Costa dei Trabocchi is gorgeous! We’ll have at least one dedicated video about this next month, we’re filming new stuff in Abruzzo!

[@mrbushlied7742]

The best way to tour Abruzzo is to hire a car and drive to some of the many hilltop villages in the Apennines. I've done that twice. Nothing beats escaping the crowds of tourists in Rome and driving to the Apennines. My maternal grandfather was from Pettorano sul Gizio. Although his wife's maiden name was "Abruzzese", she was from Casteluccio dei Sauri, a little village in Foggia, Apuglia, and not from Abruzzo. My paternal great-grandfather used to say that he was from Abruzzo. But he was actually from Polizzi, a village in Molise, not Abruzzo. However, when he immigrated to the USA, Molise was part of Abruzzo, hence the confusion.

[@TravellingDany]

We think so, too! Abruzzo has so much to offer, especially if you love those small Italian villages off the beaten path and the great outdoors. We always road trip, it’s the best way to enjoy a trip to Abruzzo!

[@LWms517]

I miei antenati da parte di mio padre erano abruzzesi (Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, Faraone, Navelli, Tossicia, Psddo di Civitella del Tronto e L'Aquila. Sto programmando di visitarla l'anno prossimo. Many of my ancestors (on my father's side) were from Abruzzo (Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, Faraone, Navelli, Tossicia, Psddo di Civitella del Tronto, and L'Aquila. I'm planning to visit next year.

[@TravellingDany]

Abruzzo is such a wonderful, underrated region! It’s amazing you’re planning this trip to Italy to discover where you’re from!! Do you still have relatives in Abruzzo?

[@moriumrupali7662]

😂😂🎉..❤ .. Love it.,💕

[@TravellingDany]

Thank you so much! Stay tuned, we’re filming in Abruzzo for a few weeks so there will be lots of new content coming soon!

[@roxythefoxsayfurismurderan3187]

Planning a trip to Italy and ran across Fara San Martino as well as your videos. Was wondering if you visited there and what you thought of it. Sulmona has been my radar for some time. It was good to learn about other villages in the region. Also, what do you think of Pacentro?

[@TravellingDany]

Sulmona is gorgeous! We have a video only on Sulmona in Abruzzo if you want to have a look! We haven’t been in Pacentro (yet) but Dany’s parents live in the area so we’re always filming and will publish more stuff. Fara San Martino is a lovely hike through the woods. It can be a bit tricky in the summertime when it’s hot but doable in late spring or early fall. The view is worth the trip. Our tip is to start the hike early in the morning because you’ll have more chances to see the local wilderness. Please beware of bears! In the area there are Orsi Marsicani (endangered species). They never “bother” humans, just do not get too close, especially if they have cubs.

[@JohnPaul-pb4eu]

go take tour of the De Cecco pasta factory!! enjoy it

[@jpsmemail]

Capestrano is a most, the earth there gives pre-Roman kings, literally

[@TravellingDany]

Good to know! We spend several months in Abruzzo every year so we’ll definitely visit on our next trip, thanks for the tip!

[@antonuccicorse5497]

Ho visto che questi posti si ripetono, in provincia di Teramo esistono Atri, Penne, Campli e non solo

[@TravellingDany]

Che intendi con “si ripetono”? Sappiamo bene che l’Abruzzo è tutto magnifico, la famiglia di Dany sta acquistando casa lì e medita di trasferirsi in pianta stabile :) noi siamo attualmente in Abruzzo per girare altri video quindi dal prossimo mese arriveranno novità a mostrare posti nuovi. Resta aggiornato!

[@bruceallen3052]

Thank you for the informative video. The spots you show all have their distances from Aquila. Is that the best home base for a week in Abruzzo?

[@TravellingDany]

You will definitely need a car, and then you can choose your home base. All these places can be day trips, some longer, some shorter. If you like it better you can also choose to sleep in Sulmona! We love the nature in Abruzzo so we stayed between Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo e Molise and Parco della Majella: it’s amazing!

[@gabriellaporro6183]

PLEASE PROVIDE DRIVING TIMES FROM PESCARA TOO...

[@TravellingDany]

Hi Gabriella! We can help if you let us know where you want to go from Pescara?

[@collectiblecards13]

bellissimo video.. anch'io ho pubblicato un video girato con il drone riguardante l' Abbruzzo.. bellissimi paesaggi

[@TravellingDany]

Assolutamente si, per noi ormai è una seconda casa, siamo innamorati :)

[@collectiblecards13]

@@TravellingDany gia. Spero di poter tornare l anno Prossimo.. ti seguo

[@TravellingDany]

Hai già in mente una meta? (Scusa, yt non ci aveva notificato la risposta -.-)

[@ninablackwell4792]

Hello. We are planning to stay in Sulmona for 3 nights. One full day is to be spent driving to Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso. Can you recommend a loop route, with a stop in Santo Stefano di Sassanio, specifically whether the SS17 is the way to go (what about SS17bis - it doesn't look that great on Google Maps). Also, in terms of daylight (this will be May), do you recommend heading to Gran Sasso as early as possible and then heading back via S.S. di Sessanio in the late afternoon? The other full day we thought we would head to Scanno and maybe incorporate some of the villages mentioned in this video. We would be coming from Vasto, so a recommended route from there would be awesome. Thank you!

[@TravellingDany]

Hi Nina! I (Aldo) have been driving a lot in the area and I absolutely suggest the SS17 over the SS17bis. Also do not pack too many things to see each day because there might be traffic, especially due to the narrow lanes. By all means, visit Gran Sasso in the morning because it tends to get crowded. We found Santo Stefano di Sessanio very quiet in the early afternoon. Maybe you could have lunch there? There’s a tiny restaurant in the middle of the village which also makes delicious arrosticini. The way to Scanno is absolutely always slow due to traffic. Sadly there’s not enough time to see much because if you wanted to see Roccaraso, Pescocostanzo and Rivisonoli (all 3 pretty close to one another) you’d need to follow SS17. Yet the fastest way to Scanno is our highway (you need to pay toll) and then SR479. I’d probably just stop in Sulmona on the way back.

[@ninablackwell4792]

@@TravellingDany Thank you. So which route would you take to get to Sulmona (where we are staying) from Vasto - via Isernia? If I don't have time to see the other villages, would you recommend driving from Vasto to Scanno and then Sulmona. The road via Roccascalegna seems like a dirt road. PS it seems to me that to go to via Assergi to Campo Imperatore, it makes sense to take ss17 but to do a loop back through SS di Sessanio, you would have to take SS17bis, no? Someone Fodor Forum used that road and said it was fine. But I'm more concerned with how to get to Sulmona if I decide to go via Scanno. Thanks.

[@TravellingDany]

The road to Scanno is a pretty scenic byway that crosses the Gole del Sagittario. It’s gorgeous but there might be quite a lot of traffic. It’s hit or miss I guess. Sometimes it was crowded, other times we were on our own. I’d say go for Scanno, visit the town and Lago di Scanno. Then when you’re done, you can decide if you still have time to see Sulmona.

[@johngayley9373]

@@TravellingDany Thanks for this video, which I just ran across today. We'll be near Gran Sasso the last week of September, staying just north of Barisciano. What's the best way to drive into Campo Imperatore? Via Assergi, or up to ss17bis through S. Stefano di Sessano and castel del monte? Also you mentioned 17 over 17bis...can you expand on that and why you prefer one over the other? is it the relative congestion, the comparative scenery, or something else? Thanks!

[@TravellingDany]

@@johngayley9373 The scenery is beautiful in both cases! Maybe a little less traffic, but it's really just personal preference!

[@cinziaferracuti2778]

Manca TAGLIACOZZO!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TravellingDany]

Mancano tanti posti bellissimi in realtà, perchè l’Abruzzo è tutto meraviglioso! 😂 Faremo una parte seconda con tutti i posti suggeriti nei prossimi mesi, se ne hai altri facci sapere, ci andiamo volentieri!

[@cinziaferracuti2778]

@@TravellingDany Grazie!!! Tutta la Marsica è bellissima!!!

[@TravellingDany]

Benissimo, non vediamo l’ora di tornarci, stiamo cercando una casetta in Abruzzo da anni 😍

[@nicola8231]

Se non andate a Vasto non siete andati in Abruzzo Noi siamo il paradiso

[@TravellingDany]

Se avessi visto il video avresti letto che in questo video ci concentriamo su tutt'altra zona :)

[@lillumination5388]

This is my second month in Abruzzo, 2 more to go. After a while, all hilltop villages look alike, becomes boring. Food offered in cafes mostly overpriced pizza (In Sulmona - 3 euros/piece). It gets unbearably hot in July-August for the mostly centuries old stone houses suck in and hold the heat. I do my travel starting at 5 am, till 11, and then early in the evening till midnight. Very little local produce is sold, most veggies and fruits come from commercial production in the south (Puglia). Beaches are great, but stay away from river deltas, for rivers that join the sea are very polluted and dirty the beaches around.

[@TravellingDany]

We spend the whole summer in Abruzzo usually so please let us offer a piece of advice. Sulmona is pretty touristy. Like every other touristy place, it can be “expensive” (pizza in Milan can be much more expensive just so you know). If you hit the touristy spots, you should expect stuff to be pricey. And there will be crowds. Many videos in our channel detail what to do and eat in the smaller villages in Abruzzo. Have you had the chance to watch them? The villages are most definitely not the same! There is little produce because of the altitude. Same in every other high mountain in Italy: ever visited places like Trentino? Oh and most produce comes from Campania, not Puglia, by the way. As for the beaches, we mentioned our ideas in the video. I suggest you try to be less of a “tourist” and interact more with the locals (including the places where they eat) to enjoy the trip. If not, maybe another Italian region is better for you. Still, denigrating a beautiful place just because it doesn’t fit our idea of “cheap-rural-super fun” vacation is a bit rude to all the people who live there and those who love Abruzzo. Just our two cents.

[@lillumination5388]

@@TravellingDany ​ @Travelling Dany Interesting info., thanks. I am a seasoned tourist/travel journalist, from California, but have been centered in Paris (FIJET - Intern.Federation of Journalists and Writers of Tourism), for 40 years by now. Heavy travel. Currently in Italy, for pure pleasure - 4 months, before - Dalmatia, 4 months. I am into agro- tourism, am staying at agro- farms in Abruzzo and am travelling around. Fluent in Italian, and that allows me to get deep into their current mental/emotional state, which is rather troubling for me (11 trips so far, from 1964 and on). Adore Abruzzo, for sure. And esp. its people. Keep on reporting, spread the good news about it.

[@brickman291]

Go to Tocco Casauria and try their figs my cousins are picking them this week. Any more questions let me know

[@TravellingDany]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@giovannidepetris6335]

not true the rock built homes in th emountains are the coolest places you can be,

[@lokibau]

navelli and many others are missing, but it would have become a 30+ places to see video

[@TravellingDany]

We’ll get to that as well :D Abruzzo has SO many gorgeous places to visit so we’ll definitely publish more videos. We spend there almost every summer :)