Tourism
Three national parks (Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, Maiella, Abruzzo Lazio and Molise with the Marsican bear), UNESCO ancient beech forests, villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Rocca Calascio and Scanno, the Costa dei Trabocchi with its cycle path. Two seasons: sea in July–August, skiing December–March. Municipal tourist tax.
Sections: Attractions · Museums · Nature · Itineraries · Excursions · Accessible visits
Parks and UNESCO
Abruzzo has no towns on the UNESCO list, but the ancient beech forests of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Val Cervara, Val Fondillo, Selva Moricento, Coppo del Morto, Coppo del Principe) have been part of the transnational primeval beech forests site since 2017, and the Maiella has been a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2021. The three national parks cover a large share of the territory: Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga (Campo Imperatore, Rocca Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castelli), Maiella (Celestine hermitages, Fara San Martino, Caramanico), Abruzzo Lazio and Molise (Pescasseroli, Civitella Alfedena, the Marsican brown bear). The Sirente-Velino regional park and the Lake Scanno reserve complete the mountain offer.
Coast, snow, towns
The Costa dei Trabocchi between Ortona and Vasto, with its old fishing platforms on stilts and the Via Verde cycle path on the former railway, is the most distinctive beach area; Pescara, Montesilvano, Giulianova and Alba Adriatica have sandy beaches equipped for families. The ski resorts of Roccaraso-Rivisondoli (the largest in the Apennines), Ovindoli, Campo Felice and Campo Imperatore attract Romans and Neapolitans at winter weekends, with traffic and price peaks between Christmas and February. L'Aquila, Sulmona (confetti sweets), Atri, Lanciano and Chieti (archaeological museum with the Capestrano Warrior) are the main art towns.
Practical rules
The tourist tax is applied by Pescara, L'Aquila, Roccaraso, Vasto, Francavilla and most tourist municipalities, with per-night amounts set by each municipality; many small villages do not charge it. Access to the parks is free; some strict reserve areas and trails may be closed because of bear presence or avalanche risk (municipal and park ordinances). Off season, in October–November and April–May, many mountain and coastal establishments are closed.
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-31
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