Abruzzo lies in the middle of the peninsula but belongs to the South: its history, its language and even the statistical classifications of Istat and Eurostat say so. It is the region of parks — a third of the territory is protected, and the Marsican brown bear and the Apennine chamois survive here, two hours from Rome. The mountains are the highest of the Apennines: the Gran Sasso d'Italia, the Maiella, the Sirente-Velino, the Monti della Laga, with the Campo Imperatore plateau they call the little Tibet and Rocca Calascio, one of the highest castles in Italy, standing guard.
The capital is L'Aquila, but the most populous city is Pescara, on the coast: this is one of the few Italian regions where the two do not coincide. Among the 305 comuni divided into four provinces you pass from snow to sea in a few dozen kilometres, and the coast of the trabocchi lines up the old fishing machines on stilts, many of them turned into restaurants over the water. At table the rest is done by arrosticini, pecorino and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
The places worth the trip on their own, picked by our editors.
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Our editors' ranking: the area's most important places, drawn from the individual town guides. See the national rankings →
1 🏰 Castles & palaces Rocca Calascio 📍 Calascio The highest fortress in the Apennines is a 10th-century military stronghold overlooking the Gran Sasso National Park. 
2 🌋 Nature & views Campo Imperatore 📍 L'Aquila Known as "Little Tibet," this vast Apennine plateau features Europe's southernmost glacier and a rich cinematic history. 
3 🏖️ Beaches & sea Punta Aderci Reserve 📍 Vasto Established in 1998, this 285-hectare coastal reserve features sandy dunes and the towering Punta Penna lighthouse. Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
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📅 Every year, on 23 October
On 23 October Capestrano celebrates its patron and fellow townsman Saint John of Capistrano; the town preserves the Castello Piccolomini and the site where the Warrior of Capestrano was found.
📅 Every year, on the last Sunday of October, the Feast of the Coming
Miglianico celebrates the Coming of Saint Pantaleon on the last Sunday of October, in memory of the statue's arrival in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in the early sixteenth century.
📅 Every year, on 26 October
On 26 October San Demetrio ne' Vestini celebrates its patron Saint Demetrius; the town hosts Lake Sinizzo and holds the Wheat and Bread Festival in August.
📅 Every year, on 3 November
On 3 November Palombaro celebrates its patron the Madonna della Libera; the town also celebrates the patronal feast of the Assumption on 15 August, with its octave in the Tornelli district.
