Abruzzo is a region that allows you to combine various travel interests: from sport to history, culture to relaxation. The Abruzzo territory is home to expansive sandy beaches and numerous activities designed to entertain children and young people. The region’s major parks also offer routes and experiences suited to those travelling with children. Completing the region’s offering is the presence of family-friendly hotels and excellent services designed for families seeking a holiday filled with fun and entertainment.
Here, then, is an article suggesting ten destinations and activities you can enjoy in Abruzzo with children for wonderful family days out!
Nestled between the Monti Marsicani mountains lies Lago di Scanno, one of Abruzzo’s most beautiful bodies of water, having repeatedly earned the Blue Flag award. The clean, swimmable waters, sandy beach and excellent accommodation facilities make Lago di Scanno an ideal spot for families with children looking for a relaxing day out. Along its shores you’ll find numerous rest areas where you can picnic or barbecue, and children’s play areas.
Also known as the “heart-shaped lake” because from above it appears to have the profile of a heart, Lago di Scanno is famous for the numerous trails that wind through the surrounding greenery. Here, routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels can be explored by both adults and children, either by bicycle or on foot.
Within the Parco Nazionale della Majella you’ll find the beautiful Bosco di Sant’Antonio, a thousand-year-old green space that strongly evokes a fairy-tale landscape. Located about 4 km from the town of Pescocostanzo, Bosco di Sant’Antonio spans 550 hectares and is characterised by the presence of centuries-old beech trees, alongside maples and oaks.
Wildlife-wise, you’ll find rare animal species here including the white-backed woodpecker, Dalmatian woodpecker, collared flycatcher, wolves and wildcats. In summer this spot serves as a departure point for excursions and walks, on foot or horseback, suitable for children who can spend time immersed in nature. In winter, this is the perfect place for cross-country skiing enthusiasts.
The Abruzzo coastline is an ideal destination for families with children, not only for its beautiful, well-serviced beaches but also for the activities on offer. Here you can follow the Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi even with little ones, a cycle and walking trail perfect for leisurely exploration of the surrounding landscape. The route runs from Francavilla to San Salvo and stretches for approximately 42 km. However, you can decide your own starting and finishing points based on how many kilometres you want to cover with your children.
Following dirt tracks that overlook crystalline sea waters, passing through vineyards, olive groves, grass fields and natural cliffs, you can reach the promontory of Punta Aderci. Here you can spot countless bird species in the nature reserve, including plovers. From the Punta Aderci promontory, or Punta d’Erce, you can also enjoy magnificent views across the coastline, and then descend to the beach where you’ll find a beautiful trabocco (traditional fishing platform).
The small village of Villavallelonga, in L’Aquila province, lies within the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise. Here you’ll find the Bear Visitor Centre and Fauna Area, two facilities dedicated to raising awareness and informing visitors about the park’s natural beauty and the Marsican Brown Bear, considered one of its symbols.
In particular, within the Visitor Centre is the Museo dell’Orso (Bear Museum) which provides information about this fascinating animal, with routes and sections specifically designed for children. A 3D interactive station also allows you to learn about and explore all the flora that inhabits the park.
From the Visitor Centre begins the Sentiero Natura (Nature Trail), a straightforward route through greenery that leads to an area where a Marsican Brown Bear specimen roams in semi-freedom. The area also features numerous trails of varying lengths and difficulty, many of which can be tackled on foot with children. Near the Visitor Centre there are also picnic areas where you can eat outdoors.
Within the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga you can organise wonderful trekking excursions for children with little donkeys. In particular, donkey trekking can be arranged in the areas around Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Rocca Calascio and in the Terre della Baronia.
This is an experience that allows you to explore the natural and cultural heritage of these areas in a slow and relaxing manner while keeping children entertained. In this way you can discover small villages or easy mountain trails in a truly original way. During the itinerary you can also organise themed excursions and visits to farms, livestock breeders or artisan workshops.
For a pleasant day immersed in nature’s greenery where both young and old can have fun, you can visit Lago di Sinizzo, just a stone’s throw from L’Aquila. An ideal destination in any season, Lago di Sinizzo is particularly popular in summer when its clean, cool, clear waters are perfect for swimming.
It’s possible to make an easy walk all the way around the lake, suitable for everyone and even manageable with pushchairs. Near the lake there are picnic areas, children’s play areas and plenty of shaded spots to relax. Not far from here you’ll also find the beautiful Grotte di Stiffe.
The Wolf Visitor Centre near Popoli is one of the essential stops during a trip to Abruzzo with children. Located in the heart of the Parco Nazionale della Majella, the centre promotes knowledge of the wolf and informs visitors about the importance this fascinating animal has in nature, conducting research to continuously improve understanding of this predator.
A stop that allows even the youngest to discover this animal species and its behaviour more closely – something that has always intrigued humans. The centre currently cares for and hosts wild animals found injured, and through a guided tour along an easy route you can see and learn more about not only the wolf but also other animals in the fauna area such as deer, fallow deer, wild boar, mouflons and roe deer.
Near the beautiful village of Anversa degli Abruzzi you’ll find the Riserva Naturale WWF Gole del Sagittario (Sagittario Gorges WWF Nature Reserve) which spans 450 hectares. This spectacular canyon was carved thousands of years ago by the Sagittario river and today various trails wind through it. The area ranges from altitudes of 500 to 1,500 metres and features trails of varying lengths and difficulty, as well as equipped rest areas and picnic zones.
One of the easiest is the Sentiero del Fiume (River Trail), a circular route starting from Anversa that follows the river course to the hamlet of Castrovalva. This simple excursion passes panoramic viewpoints offering magnificent views across the entire gorge.
Another easy route is the Sentiero Geologico n.18 (Geological Trail n.18) which takes less than two hours and crosses small wooden bridges through woods and waterfalls. The route follows the river between towering rock walls and reaches the village of Castrovalva, from where you continue on to Anversa.
In the locality of Capodacqua di Capestrano, on the waters of the Tirino River, you can enjoy canoeing activities surrounded by nature. The Tirino is considered one of Europe’s clearest and cleanest rivers and lies within the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. Instructors can guide adults and children on outings on crystal-clear waters that offer truly breathtaking views.
Canoeing is a fun, adventurous activity suitable for all ages that allows you to explore an area renowned not only for its natural heritage but also its archaeological significance – the Guerriero di Capestrano (Capestrano Warrior) statue, a true symbol of Abruzzo, was discovered here.
One of the most beautiful green areas of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise is certainly Val Fondillo, an ideal destination in every season. The valley features trails and excursions of varying lengths, many of which can be tackled with children.
Here you’ll find green spaces perfect for families with spots for organising picnics and areas for play. There are also numerous amenities including restaurants, bars and facilities that hire out bicycles or offer horseback riding experiences.
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