The Surroundings
Medieval villages, fortresses, sanctuaries and the peaks of the Gran Sasso: from the sea to the mountains in little more than an hour.
From the sea to the mountains in an hour
Abruzzo is known as the green region of Europe: more than a third of its land is protected within national parks, regional parks and nature reserves. Just a few kilometres from the beach at Alba Adriatica you find yourself among rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves, hilltop villages, castles and abbeys.
Further inland rise the Gran Sasso and the Laga Mountains, home to the Abruzzo chamois, the wolf and the golden eagle. Here are the places we recommend to our guests for a day trip, grouped into coast, art towns and nature.
- About 130 km of Adriatic coastline
- More than a third of the region protected
- Medieval villages, castles and art towns
- Genuine cuisine and great wines
The Vibrata Valley in a day
- Alba Adriatica: start by the sea
- Colonnella, among vineyards and orchards
- Controguerra and Corropoli
- Civitella del Tronto and its Bourbon fortress
- Campli, the Holy Stairs and Palazzo Farnese
- Sant'Omero and Torano Nuovo, wine country
- Back to Tortoreto along the Salinello
Along the coast
Towers, seaside towns and sanctuaries just minutes away
Martinsicuro
The northernmost town on the Abruzzo coast, right on the border with the Marche. Its symbol is the Charles V Tower, a 16th-century watchtower that still bears the emperor’s coat of arms, overlooking wide, quiet beaches.
Tortoreto
A town with two souls: the Lido, with long beaches and the cycle path continuing from Alba Adriatica, and Tortoreto Alto, a medieval village on the hill. Don’t miss the frescoed church of Sant’Agostino and the sunset from the viewpoint.
Giulianova
A seaside town with an elegant historic centre on the hill. The Sanctuary of the Madonna dello Splendore commemorates the apparition of 22 April 1557 to a farmer named Bertolino; the spring that welled up at the foot of an olive tree can still be visited.
Villages and art towns
History, art and traditions in the Teramo hinterland
Civitella del Tronto
Crowned by one of the most impressive fortresses in Italy, stretching over 500 metres along a rocky ridge. It was the last Bourbon stronghold to surrender, on 20 March 1861. From the walls the view sweeps from the Laga Mountains to the Gran Sasso.
Campli
An art town on a hill between the Fiumicino and Siccagno streams. It is home to Palazzo Farnese, the 14th-century cathedral of Santa Maria in Platea and the famous Holy Stairs, climbed on one’s knees to obtain an indulgence.
Campovalano
A hamlet of Campli known for the church of San Pietro with its ancient convent and for one of the most important Picene necropolises in Italy: hundreds of tombs whose grave goods are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Campli.
Teramo
The provincial capital, ancient Interamnia, preserves the remains of its Roman theatre and amphitheatre next to the Cathedral, which houses the precious silver altar frontal by Nicola da Guardiagrele.
Atri
Ancient Hatria, which according to tradition gave its name to the Adriatic and minted coins before Rome. Its Cathedral holds splendid frescoes by Andrea Delitio, surrounded by the striking landscapes of the Calanchi nature reserve.
Castelli
A village at the foot of Monte Camicia, world-famous for its majolica, an art handed down since the Middle Ages that once served kings and princes. Visit the church of San Donato with its ceiling of painted tiles and the artisans’ workshops.
Nature and spirituality
Parks, gorges and great sanctuaries
Gran Sasso and Campo Imperatore
The Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe. The Campo Imperatore plateau opens out beneath the Corno Grande (2,912 m), the highest peak in the Apennines.
Salinello Gorge
Between Montagna dei Fiori and Montagna di Campli, the Salinello stream has carved a gorge several kilometres long and about 200 metres deep, with waterfalls, caves and hermitages: a memorable hike near Civitella.
Sanctuary of San Gabriele
At the foot of the Gran Sasso, in Isola del Gran Sasso, stands one of the most visited sanctuaries in Italy, dedicated to San Gabriele dell’Addolorata, the young Passionist saint proclaimed patron of Abruzzo in 1959.
Flavours and traditions
The authentic taste of the area
Seafood
Anchovies, sardines and brodetto fish stew made with the Adriatic catch, the stars of coastal restaurants and summer food festivals.
Wine routes
Around Colonnella, Controguerra and Torano Nuovo they produce Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane and Trebbiano: plenty of wineries to visit.
Craftsmanship
Castelli majolica, copper, wrought iron, wood and leather: age-old crafts still alive in the village workshops.
Inland flavours
Arrosticini skewers, cured meats, sheep's cheese, extra-virgin olive oil and traditional sweets, best enjoyed at a farm restaurant.
Your base for exploring Abruzzo
A home in Alba Adriatica is the ideal starting point: the sea on your doorstep and villages, parks and mountains a short drive away. Discover our properties.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Campo Imperatore and Corno Grande, Gran Sasso – Bouke ten Cate, CC BY 4.0 · Charles V Tower in Martinsicuro – Stefania Di Tomasso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tortoreto Alto at sunset – Stefano Uberti, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sanctuary of the Madonna dello Splendore, Giulianova – Syrio, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fortress of Civitella del Tronto – Riccardodd, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Holy Stairs of Campli – Infinitispazi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Church of San Pietro in Campovalano – Pietro, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Teramo Cathedral – Franco TamTam, Public domain · Atri Cathedral – Guido Castelli, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Castelli below Monte Camicia – Gaetanogambilonghi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Horses grazing at Campo Imperatore – A Passerini, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Salinello Gorge – Bouke ten Cate, CC BY 4.0 · Sanctuary of San Gabriele dell’Addolorata – freegiampi, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Sunrise over the Adriatic Sea – simone pietro pagnon… (Panoramio), CC BY 3.0