Pescara
Abruzzo's vibrant Adriatic capital, where long sandy beaches meet lively seafood culture.
About Pescara
Pescara is Abruzzo's largest city and its energetic coastal heart. A 16-kilometre stretch of sandy beach lines the Adriatic, backed by a buzzing lungomare of restaurants, bars, and gelaterias. The birthplace of poet Gabriele D'Annunzio has a surprisingly dynamic food scene—the trabocchi (ancient fishing platforms on stilts) along the coast south of the city serve some of the freshest seafood in Italy. The city is also a perfect base: the mountains of the Majella national park are just 40 minutes away, making it one of the rare places where you can ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon.
Best Time to Visit
June to September for beach life and trabocchi dining. May and October are pleasant for cycling the coastal path. The city's jazz festival in July draws excellent acts.
Local Tips
- Eat on a trabocco.
These ancient wooden fishing platforms jutting into the sea have been converted into extraordinary restaurants. A local knows which ones serve the best catch-of-the-day and which require booking weeks ahead.
- Cycle the Costa dei Trabocchi.
A new cycling path follows the old railway line along the dramatic coast south of Pescara. A local can plan the best stops for swimming coves and seaside lunches along the way.
- Mountains and sea in one day.
Pescara is uniquely positioned between beach and peak. A local can plan a morning hike in the Majella national park followed by an afternoon on the beach and a sunset seafood dinner.