- Pescara is Abruzzo's biggest city, with kilometres of sandy beach
- The airport is close to the centre, making it an easy base
- Inland are San Clemente a Casauria, Penne and Loreto Aprutino
- The Majella and the Gran Sasso are within an hour's drive
- Airports
- Pescara (PSR)
- Best time to go
- June-September
- Type
- Province
Pescara is a modern, easy-going city on the Adriatic, largely rebuilt after the Second World War. It is not a place for grand monuments, but it has a long sandy beach lined with lidos, a pleasant pedestrian centre, a seafront cycle path and plenty of good fish restaurants. It is also the birthplace of the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.
With an airport close to the centre, Pescara is the natural gateway to Abruzzo. Its province climbs inland through olive-growing hill towns to the Majella and Gran Sasso national parks. See our Italy guide for more.
Things to do
- The beach – sandy shores stretching for kilometres north and south of the river, with lidos and free sections.
- Ponte del Mare – a cable-stayed bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, with views along the coast.
- D'Annunzio's birthplace – the poet's family home in the old town, now a museum.
- Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo – a museum of traditional life in Abruzzo.
- San Clemente a Casauria – a Romanesque abbey with a carved portico in the Pescara valley.
- Città Sant'Angelo and Penne – hill towns with brick churches and views of the sea and mountains.
- Loreto Aprutino – a hill town known for olive oil.
- Caramanico Terme and the Orfento valley – a spa village and gorge walks on the Majella.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Pescara seafront | Beach, restaurants and nightlife |
| Montesilvano | Big beach resort just north of the city |
| Hill towns such as Città Sant'Angelo | Quieter stays with views |
| Caramanico Terme | Spa and mountain walks |
Getting there
Abruzzo Airport (PSR) is roughly 10 minutes from the centre. It has had UK flights, mainly from London, so check seasonal routes. Otherwise fly to Rome; Pescara is roughly 2 hours 30 minutes by car or around 2 hours 30 to 3 hours by bus. Trains run along the Adriatic coast to Ancona and Bari.
Best time to visit
June to September for beach holidays; August is the busiest month. The Pescara Jazz festival is usually held in July. Spring and autumn are best for exploring inland.
Try arrosticini, Abruzzo's mutton skewers, and brodetto alla pescarese, the local fish stew.
Top attractions in Pescara
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ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Pescara on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Pescara a good beach destination?
Yes, for a city break with a beach. The sand is long and wide, with plenty of facilities, though it is busy in August.
How far is Pescara from Rome?
Roughly 210 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes by car.
What is there to do near Pescara?
The Trabocchi Coast, the Majella and Gran Sasso parks, Chieti and the hill towns of the province are all within an hour.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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