Abruzzo

Abruzzi/Abruzzo

Geography and Climate

The region of Abruzzo is located in central Italy between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine mountains. It is divided in four provinces, the inland province of L’Aquila (AQ), and at the seaside Teramo (TE), Pescara (PE) and Chieti (CH). The territory of Abruzzo occupies 10.830 km² and there are little more than 1.3 million inhabitants (122/km²).

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

The landscape is characterized by stunning forests, steep mountains and beautiful scenery, not to be eclipsed by the beaches. Abruzzo is ideal for skiing, cycling, sunbathing and walking or trekking. The local cuisine is characterized by strong flavours due to the frequent use of dried red chillies. The wines from this region are very popular for their quality and favourable price.

The airport of Abruzzo, Pasquale Liberi, is situated in Pescara (PSR). From the airport you can take the bus to Pescara Central Station in about 15 minutes. In Pescara you can take the train along the Adriatic coast towards Foggia and Bari in Apulia or to Civitanova Marche and Ancona in the Marches. Inland, you can go to Chieti, Sulmona, Avezzano and Tagliacozzo, and further on to Rome.

Scanno (AQ)

The influence of the sea along the Abruzzo coastline makes the climate mild and Mediterranean. The inner part of the region has a more continental climate, with cold winters and very hot summers. Rain and snowfall in abundance from winter to spring. The summers are warm and dry, allowing for a myriad of outdoor activities during the day and wonderful outdoor dining in the warm evenings. In most of the region there is a high risk for strong earthquakes, especially the province of Aquila and all the mountain areas. The coastal area of Pescara and a broader strip of Chieti are classified as areas with low seismic risk. 

Chieti

Economy and Health care

As there is little industry, tourism is important for the economy of Abruzzo, as well as agriculture. A variety of products are being grown in this region, to include figs, carrots, grapes, wheat, potatoes, beets, tobacco, and besides that, a variety of fruit and vegetables. Typical products are licorice in the Atri area and saffron in the basin of Aquila. There are also many sheep farms. Although Abruzzo is located at the Adriatic Sea, fishing is not important.

Abruzzo ranks 12th in the crime index, with only 2,935 reports of crime per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, well below the national average of 3,816. With regard to the number of thefts and thefts in houses, the number of reports in Abruzzo last year was 1,360 per 100,000 inhabitants, while the figure for the whole of Italy is 2,051.

There are 17 public hospitals in Abruzzo. Four in the province of L'Aquila (5.000 km² population 300.000), four in Teramo (2.000 km² population 300.000), three in Pescara (1.200 km² population 300.000) and six in Chieti (2.600 km² population nearly 400.000). This is the link to the website of Abruzzo Sanità, the regional Health Assistance of Abruzzo.

Second homes

Torricella Peligna (CH)

The towns with the highest numbers of foreigners who own a second home are Palombaro (CH), Penne (PE), Pescara, Casoli (CH), Castiglione Messer Raimondo (TE), Torricella Peligna (CH), Vasto (CH), Civitella Messer Raimondo (CH), Città Sant’Angelo (PE), Civitella Casanova (PE) and Francavilla al Mare (CH). In the beach resorts of the province of Teramo (Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto Lido, Giulianova, ...) the prices of the apartments are relatively low.

The most beautiful towns

Italy has hundreds of beautiful villages both inland and on the coast. Many of them are included in the guide “I Borghi più belli d’Italia”. There are 26 towns of Abruzzo mentioned in this guide.

Tagliacozzo (AQ)

In the province of L'Aquila (AQ) there are none less 13 beautiful towns: Anversa degli Abruzzi, Bugnara, Castel del Monte,  Navelli, Opi, Pacentro, Pescocostanzo, Pettorano sul Gizio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Scanno, Tagliacozzo en Villalago.
In Chieti (CH) you find Casoli, Crecchio, Guardiagrele, Palena,  Rocca San Giovanni en Pretoro.
In Pescara (PE): Abbateggio, Caramanico Terme, Città Sant’Angelo en Penne.
In Teramo (TE): Campli, Castelli, Civitella del Tronto en Pietracamela.

Roccascalegna (CH)

The guide "Bandieri Arancioni" published by Touring Club Italiano also lists these towns: Civitella Alfedena (AQ), Fara San Martino (CH),  Lama dei Peligni (CH),  Roccascalagna (CH).