Beach Holidays in Abruzzo: Best Coastal Resorts
From the Seven Sisters of Abruzzo to the Coast of the Trabocchi, organising a seaside holiday in Abruzzo means choosing between stunning coastal towns characterised by paradisiacal beaches.
Read more
Ancient medieval villages, beaches with crystal-clear sea and the presence of three national parks – this is Abruzzo, a wonderful region that attracts visitors throughout the year thanks to its rich heritage. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo boasts 133 km of coastline characterised by magnificent beaches lapped by crystal waters. Several stretches along the region’s coast have been awarded the Blue Flag title on multiple occasions, while other beaches have received the Green Flag, a recognition given to the best beaches for children.
From expansive beaches equipped with every facility to wild and isolated coves, from waterfront restaurants to traditional fishing structures, Abruzzo’s beautiful beaches are sure to captivate every visitor. The Abruzzo coastline is ideally divided into two sections: the area north of Pescara features long sandy shores with shallow waters, whilst the area south of Pescara is characterised by transparent seas, cliffs, pebble beaches and small coves set within still-wild landscapes.
Also known as the little Normandy for its rocky coastline plunging into the sea, Punta Aderci is a place to immerse yourself in the wildest of nature. This location is not only a sought-after destination for those who love the sea but also for trekking and hiking enthusiasts, whether on foot or by bike.
Thanks to the water quality, Punta Aderci is extremely popular with snorkelling fans but especially with divers. Within the Reserve there are several beaches including Punta Penna, a bay formed by golden sand and surrounded by wild nature, Spiaggia di Punta d’Erce and Mottagrossa, another location distinguished by a wild and unspoilt beach.
Also known as Calata Turchino, Spiaggia del Turchino is one of the region’s most beautiful beaches as it sits nestled between the azure sea and the green of olive groves and orange orchards. Situated at the foot of a rocky spur dominated by the splendid village of San Vito Chietino, this stretch of coast comprises pebble and shingle beaches alternating with sandy shores.
Along this coastline you’ll also find the Trabocco Turchino, one of the region’s oldest and most famous traditional fishing structures, which even captured the heart of Gabriele D’Annunzio. This beach is an ideal spot not only for those seeking a place to relax in the sun but also for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.
Pineto is a beach in the province of Teramo surrounded by lush pine forest planted in the early 20th century by a wealthy family of the time. This expanse of golden sand is surrounded by green nature on one side and azure sea on the other. Awarded multiple times by Legambiente and also with the European Blue Flag, this beach is ideal both for families with children, as the shoreline is equipped with all facilities, and for couples seeking romance and relaxation.
Stretching for roughly seven kilometres along the coast between the municipalities of Pineto and Silvi lies the Cerrano Marine Protected Area, which is also home to the famous Torre del Cerrano, one of the ancient coastal towers of the Kingdom of Naples built to counter Saracen invasions. The Cerrano Marine Park is an ideal destination for snorkelling, sailing and diving enthusiasts as well as birdwatchers. Nearby you’ll also find the Silvi beach, a seaside location said to boast the finest sand in the entire region. The beach features fine, soft and white sand whilst the sea waters are crystal clear with a gently sloping seabed.
The splendid port city of Ortona boasts not only a beautiful historic centre but also marvellous beaches frequented mainly by families. The coastline stretching for approximately 20 kilometres is characterised by several beaches, such as Lido Riccio and Punta Ferruccio, which host equipped beaches with all facilities.
One of the most beautiful beaches, however, is Acquabella, which can only be reached on foot via a small path. This is a place to sunbathe in complete relaxation and is frequented mainly by couples or holidaymakers seeking tranquillity. The name of this location is itself evocative of the beauty of its waters, which are truly crystalline and feature shallow and mostly rocky seabeds. For those wishing to swim at this beach, it’s advisable to wear water shoes due to the rocks.
Along the Trabocchi Coast we find the small town of Rocca San Giovanni, which is home to small beaches, coves and inlets nestled between tall cliffs, perfect for relaxing in the sun. One of the most famous beaches is Cavalluccio, a narrow strip of sand bathed by cobalt blue waters that have been repeatedly awarded the Blue Flag title over the years.
Just behind the beach here, you’ll also find a stunning rock formation called “lo Scoglione”. To experience something truly new and extraordinary, you can book dinner at the famous Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio, where you can enjoy excellent fish dishes or typical local cuisine.
At Torino di Sangro along the Trabocchi Coast lies the evocative Le Morge beach, which also hosts the traditional fishing structure of the same name and is surrounded by luxuriant nature. The beach is characterised by the presence of a large rock, known as “lo Scoglione”, which over the years and through the relentless work of water, has become connected to the mainland.
The beach’s name, Morge, is a word from the Abruzzo dialect derived from the Latin term murex, meaning murex shell, which later extended in meaning to “stone, rock”. From this it’s easy to deduce that this shoreline is largely composed of small pebbles and stones, whilst the sea waters are emerald-coloured and extremely clean. Moving towards the southern part of lo Scoglione, however, the beach changes: the shoreline becomes sandier and is characterised by small bays and coves. One part of the beach is also considered one of the few beaches in Italy where nudism is permitted.
The beach of Fossacesia Marina is located in the province of Chieti and sits nestled in the Gulf of Venere along the splendid Trabocchi Coast. The oldest part of the town sits atop a hill, whilst the coastline, known as Fossacesia Marina, is surrounded by ancient olive trees and broom plants that characterise this entire stretch of coast. Here, pebble beaches alternate with bays of fine sand.
This area is characterised by equipped beaches that alternate with areas of free and wild beach, and fine sandy beaches are interspersed with those made of white stones mixed with sand. Thanks to recent development work, Fossacesia Marina has become an international tourist destination of significance, earning it the title of “Queen of the Trabocchi Coast”.
Nestled in the namesake gulf, Marina di Vasto is the main beach of the town of Vasto and is characterised by a long, well-equipped shoreline with all the necessary amenities and services. Frequented by families with children and young people, Marina di Vasto beach comprises fine golden sand whilst the seabed is sandy and slopes gradually.
The shoreline is bordered to the north by the famous monument “La bagnante” and to the south by the Buonanotte stream. The area is well organised and hosts several hotels, beach clubs, restaurants, volleyball courts as well as places where you can hire pedal boats or arrange various water activities.
The Cologna beach is located at Cologna Marina, a district of Roseto degli Abruzzi, and is a place immersed in unspoilt and sometimes wild nature. This shoreline seems the right place for those seeking peace, privacy and relaxation as it lies within the Borsacchio Nature Reserve.
The beach of white sand and small pebbles is surrounded by ancient pines and holm oaks, though there are no facilities here. The best time to visit Cologna beach is certainly at sunset when both the sky and sea are painted in countless hues, creating truly romantic moments.
Stretching for 10 km along the Abruzzo coast, the Lido delle Rose is considered one of the region’s most developed beaches. It’s the name given to the town of Roseto degli Abruzzi, which has become an important seaside resort over the years, attracting tourists from across Italy.
The beach is made of fine golden sand, whilst the sea waters are azure blue and have repeatedly received the Blue Flag title. The beach is equipped with all necessary facilities and you’ll find several establishments, restaurants and bars here that make this an ideal area for young people looking for fun.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts