Villa Maria Hotel & SPA
Francavilla al Mare - Via S.Paolo (Contrada Pretaro)
This property offers a Special Protection Program, a strict program of precise safeguards dedicated to our guests and our staff.
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Located along the Abruzzese coast just south of Pescara, Francavilla al Mare is a charming seaside town renowned for its stunning beaches and is regarded as the last town on the Pescarese coast before entering the magnificent Costa dei Trabocchi.
The city’s development accelerated following the opening of the Ancona-Pescara-Bari railway line in 1865, which spurred growth in the Marina district. During this period, Italian architect Antonino Liberi built the Palazzo della Sirena in this area, a gathering place and leisure destination for the local bourgeoisie.
By the late nineteenth century, the town gained further prominence thanks to painter and patron Francesco Paolo Michetti, who converted a former convent into a meeting place for literary and artistic figures, including Gabriele D’Annunzio and Francesco Paolo Tosti, transforming Francavilla into a genuine cultural hub.
During the Second World War, the city was almost entirely reduced to rubble, but reconstruction began immediately after the conflict ended, leading to rapid demographic and economic growth, largely due to its proximity to Pescara and internal regional migration.
Francavilla al Mare boasts over 8 km of coastline and is a highly sought-after tourist destination thanks to its crystal-clear, clean waters and excellent facilities.
The shoreline features golden, fine and soft sand, whilst the waters are pristine with shallow depths. Free beaches alternate with fully equipped lidos offering comprehensive amenities and various entertainment options.
This destination is particularly suitable for both families with children and groups of young people looking for a holiday filled with fun, given the numerous activities available both in the water and on the beach.
Finally, Francavilla’s seafront is equipped with a beautiful cycle path running the entire length of the town from north to south, with several green spaces where you can relax or shelter from the summer heat.
Francavilla al Mare boasts a wealth of modern, state-of-the-art accommodation. As the town is very close to Pescara, many visitors choose to stay in Francavilla as it’s a smaller, more relaxed location with often more affordable prices than the provincial capital. For these reasons, we recommend booking your accommodation well in advance to find the best option for your needs.
Choosing one of Francavilla’s hotels allows you to enjoy a stay focused on relaxation and comfort without worrying about the details. The numerous hotels in town offer excellent hospitality and high-quality service.
Francavilla also offers numerous apartments and holiday homes just a short walk from the sea, allowing you to reach the beach quickly.
Popular with families and groups of friends on holiday, these accommodations provide more spacious quarters than a hotel room and feature fully equipped kitchens so you can prepare meals to enjoy at home or on the beach.
In the evening, Francavilla’s seafront becomes an ideal place for strolls, where most of the town’s restaurants and activities are concentrated. You’ll also find many venues suited to those who enjoy nightlife, though proximity to Pescara means many choose to head to the provincial capital to experience the city’s bustling nightlife scene.
During summer, the town hosts numerous events, including “Cena con gli Artisti” (Dinner with Artists), a festival held towards the end of August. On this occasion, the narrow streets of the historic centre are brought to life with costumes, music and scenes recreating life in Francavilla during the late nineteenth century, when the town was an important cultural centre.
Another celebrated event is the traditional “Fuochi a Mare” (Fireworks at Sea), which takes place on the evening of Ferragosto and is repeated on 18 August to honour and celebrate the town’s patron saint.
Francavilla al Mare successfully combines seaside and cultural tourism, and serves as an excellent base for exploring the region’s diverse attractions. Positioned near both the Maiella National Park and the peaks of the Gran Sasso, Francavilla truly has much to offer.
The city’s heart, the Civitella district, is characterised by ancient churches, defensive towers and aristocratic buildings. This medieval area sits on the highest part of Francavilla and is home to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, originally built in the fifteenth century but rebuilt after the Second World War. Inside, you can admire a Gothic monstrance from 1413 and other ancient sacred objects.
Also worth visiting is the Church of San Francesco, most likely the first religious building constructed in the town, to which a Franciscan convent was added in the fourteenth century. Largely destroyed during the war, only the sacristy and a small section of the transept remain from the original church.
You cannot miss a visit to the famous Michetti Convent, considered Francavilla al Mare’s symbol and emblem of the town’s important artistic and cultural past. This building, also known as the “Cenacolo dannunziano”, was a meeting place and centre for cultural exchanges between artists and writers of the late nineteenth century, including Gabriele D’Annunzio, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Edoardo Scarfoglio and Matilde Serao.
Three ancient defensive towers miraculously survived the war’s bombardment: Torre d’Argento, Torre dei Masci and Torre Ciarrapico. From the top of Torre Ciarrapico, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the coast and surrounding hills.
The town is easily accessible by car from both north and south via the A14 Adriatic Motorway (from the north heading towards Ancona, from the south towards Pescara), exiting at the Pescara Sud – Francavilla al Mare junction and continuing along the SP23 towards Francavilla. From Rome, take the A24 first, then the A25 towards Chieti-Pescara, and finally join the A14 until the Pescara Sud – Francavilla al Mare exit.
The town also has a railway station connecting Francavilla to various locations in the area, including Lanciano, Ortona, Pescara, Vasto and Termoli. Alternatively, you can reach Pescara railway station, about 9 km from Francavilla, and then take one of the local buses operated by TUA, Trasporto Unico Abruzzese, which serves the entire Chieti-Pescara metropolitan area.
The nearest airport is Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, approximately 10 km from Francavilla; the two towns are connected by train, bus or taxi.
What's the weather at Francavilla al Mare? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Francavilla al Mare for the next few days.
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