Abruzzo, a tucked-away gem nestled perfectly between the Adriatic Coast and the Apennine Mountains, this Italian region will sweep you away. If crowds aren’t your thing, and you must prefer a bit of authenticity in your travel experiences, visit the mountain towns of Abruzzo in Southern Italy. Here are five of the best places to visit in Abruzzo.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is a captivating medieval and Renaissance town in the L’Aquila province in northern Abruzzo. Situated in the very heart of the Gran Sasso mountain range – the second highest park in Italy – Castel del Monte is full of awe-inspiring views and old-world stone buildings.
One of the most interesting things about this small Abruzzo town is its Pagan traditions. Every year the comune hosts a festival known as La Notte delle Streghe, or The Night of the Witches, which aims to bring to light and memory an ancient popular belief concerning witches and witchcraft.
Every August, the town comes alive with bewitched faces, entertainment shows, concerts, and food stalls with typical local products. Then, the “Mercatino delle Streghe” is full of artisan goodies and crafts. Easily, this is one of the best times to experience the somewhat eerie town of Castel del Monte. You’ll easily see why it’s one of the best mountain towns in Abruzzo.
As for places to eat, find excellent Italian cuisine at Osteria del Lupo (Tavern of the Wolf). It is beautifully designed into part of a rocky cliff with pizza, pasta, and the region’s famous Arrosticini (lamb fat on a stick) on the menu.
Remember! There’s no convenient public transport in the mountain towns of Abruzzo, especially getting to and from each. So, it’s essential to rent a car to get the most of your Abruzzo travels. Rentals are less-so available in this part of Italy, so it’s best to rent a car from the city you fly into (most likely Rome in this case). DiscoverCars.com is a highly-rated and award-winning car rental service in Italy (and more than 150 other destinations). Definitely check it out when planning a road trip in Italy.
Vila Celiera
A tiny village of some 500 people, Villa Celiera is a charming community with sweeping mountains, nature walks, and even sea views. It’s very picturesque with sun-kissed potted plants and well-kept cobbled streets.
One of the best things to do in Abruzzo is explore its mountains and hiking trails. Villa Celiera is a beautiful gateway for exploring those! You can easily reach the Riserva regionale Voltigno e Valle d’Angri where you’ll quickly forget you’re in Italy altogether. Wild cows, sheep, and boar make their presence known here, and you’ll also encounter some of the most lush landscapes from a massive plain in the middle of the mountains to waterfall streams and rocky cliff-sides with sweeping views that stretch out to the sea.
There is an old tower – one of main attractions in Villa Celiera – called Santa Maria Casanova. It’s not located in the center of the village, but just down the road. You can ask in town for a key to enter, but otherwise you can only admire its remnants from the outside.
The town has a couple of bars serving coffee and drinks, and there is a lovely restaurant called Trattoria Nonno Liborio that has an ever-changing menu and friendly, familiar staff.
For meat eaters, Villa Celiera is also home to the most famous butchery that creates the lamb kebab Arrosticini.
Then, one of the highest-rated restaurants in Abruzzo is located in the mountains of Villa Celiera. It’s called Il Fungarolo, and people travel from around the country to try its renowned mushroom-based dishes. My favorite dish was the truffle and funghi ravioli. Plus, all of the pasta is made from scratch so it has that homey feel.
Easily, Villa Celiera is one of the asbolute best mountain towns in Abruzzo, and it’s simply a must-visit!
Calascio
Home to one of Italy’s oldest standing forts, Calascio will likely be the busiest spot on this list, as it’s popular with Italian tourists. Nonetheless, it’s a gorgeous, medieval village that winds marvelously up the mountainside until it reaches. Rocca Calascio, an old watchtower from at least the 10th century.
From the top, take in 360 degree views of lush Italy countryside and the Gran Sasso mountain range. These are some views you don’t want to miss out on during a trip to Abruzzo.
Plus, Calascio and Castel del Monte are very close to one another, making for an ideal two-in-one Abruzzo day trip!
Penne
Penne is a larger town of Abruzzo, which – surprisingly – is not the birthplace of penne pasta. Nonetheless, it’s one of the oldest towns in Abruzzo, dating back to at least 300 BC when the Vestini tribe named it Pinna.
Nowadays, Penne is celebrated for its beauty. It has even been titleled “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” or one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, thanks to its ancient buildings and historic brick churches.
While in Penne, visit some of its amazing bars for an appertivito (the cocktail americano is my go-to, but Aperol Spritz is an Italian favorite). In the center of the city, the back terrace of Bar Caffe’ Belvedere has excellent views of the countryside.
For Italian breakfast, pop over to Bar Centrale for delicious coffee and croissants (or un caffè e cornetto).However, the absolute best bar to visit in Penne for an aperitivo is this hipster spot called Tibo, which is a bookstore combined with a bar. What more could we ask for! It also has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and is situated on a cozy strip with a gelateria nearby.
Pianella
Another ancient settlement of the Vestini tribe, Pianella has a lovely hilly position surrounded by the mountains of Abruzzo. It’s a small town, but lively with cool bars, historic relics, and picturesque streets with its medieval walls.
Like much of Abruzzo, driving through to Pianella, you will be greeted by endless rows of olive trees, views of Gran Sasso, and fertile rolling hills. Driving around is seriously one of the best things to do in Abruzzo… the scenery NEVER stops.
While visiting Pianella, stop over for an aperitivo at Caffè degli Artisti. Not only do they have excellently crafted coffee, but delicious drinks as well. Gather with your friends, play cards, and enjoy either the outdoor terrace or the eclectic interior.
What do you think of these best mountain towns in Abruzzo? Let me know in the comments which one is calling your name. And if you’re looking for more things to do in Italy, Check out this handy guide to the best pizza and pasta in Rome.
