10 Beautiful Villages in Abruzzo: From Civitella del Tronto to Scanno, Experience Authentic Italian Heritage
Abruzzo is one of the regions with the most extensive and best-preserved historic villages. Nestled between the shores of the Adriatic and the towering peaks of the Gran Sasso and the Maiella, the Abruzzo region is perfectly suited to host medieval villages and towns, thanks to the deep valleys and the ridges that rise swiftly from the sunken paths of the watercourses.
One of the most beautiful villages in Abruzzo is Civitella del Tronto, located in the valley of the river that marks the border with Le Marche. Perched on top of a hill with a magnificent view of the Teramo province and the Gran Sasso massif behind it, it was damaged by the earthquake that shook central Italy in 2016, but its charm remains unchanged, as does the imposing Bourbon fortress that symbolizes it.
Further south, at the foot of the Gran Sasso, the highest mountain in the Apennines, lies the small but charming village of Pietracamela, with its beautiful churches. It’s conveniently located for a visit after a day skiing in the nearby ski resort of Prati di Tivo. On the opposite side of the valley is the village of Castelli, famous for its ceramics, where the Church of San Donato stands out, with its seventeenth-century ceiling made entirely of tiles decorated with majolica.
On the southern slope of Gran Sasso, at over 1300 meters above sea level, Castel del Monte, in the province of L’Aquila, is one of the highest villages in central Italy. Not far away, in the direction of the capital, Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a small village of stone-built houses. It has just 117 inhabitants and is a member of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy club; its symbol is the Torre Medicea that dominates the center.
Moving towards Popoli, you can stop in Navelli, famous for its saffron.
The Marsica area, located between the Apennine chain and the Maiella massif, is known for hosting many ancient villages scattered among the mountains: in a few square kilometers, it is possible to visit medieval towns such as Pacentro, Pettorano sul Gizio—with its five ancient gates and the remains of Cantelmo Castle—Introdacqua, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Villalago, Bugnara, and the splendid Scanno, the most photographed village in Italy, also immortalized by a shot by the great Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Further afield, towards the Molise border and the Alto Sangro valley, Pescocostanzo is a village rich in history and art. On the Adriatic side of the Maiella, in the province of Chieti, do not miss a visit to Guardiagrele, with its ancient gates and towers, palaces, and churches that constitute an immense historical and architectural heritage. Guardiagrele is also part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy club.
In the province of Pescara, Caramanico Terme is famous for its sulphurous and oligomineral waters. It is surrounded by the nature of the Maiella National Park and overlooks the valley from the hilltop at 650 meters above sea level. The town of Rocca San Giovanni, situated on a rocky spur overlooking the Costa dei Trabocchi, is immersed in a charming rural setting where the most famous wine of Abruzzo, Montepulciano DOC, is produced.
Not far from Pescara, in the hinterland 20 km from the coast, the beautiful town of Collecorvino is also worth mentioning.
The 10 Most Beautiful Villages in Abruzzo
- Pacentro (L’Aquila)
- Anversa degli Abruzzi (L’Aquila)
- Santo Stefano di Sessanio (L’Aquila)
- Civitella del Tronto (Teramo)
- Castel del Monte (L’Aquila)
- Castelli (Teramo)
- Scanno (L’Aquila)
- Pietracamela (Teramo)
- Caramanico Terme (Pescara)
- Opi (L’Aquila)