Abruzzo Travel Guide: How to Spend a Lovely Week in Chieti
Rana Good is the founder of Naïra NYC. A writer for publications such as Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Coveteur, Mens Journal and others, she created her own platform celebrating women of color.
Abruzzo is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy and surprisingly also one of the least visited. It has rolling hills, historic landmarks, incredible food and a stunning variety of terrain, yet even Italians say Abruzzo is under the radar. If you want to skip the throngs of tourists in Tuscany, Sardinia, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast but still experience the richness of Italy, this is where you’ll want to visit.
If you only have a few days to spend, the Chieti province in Abruzzo is particularly charming with multiple towns worthy of seeing. Here’s our guide to the best things to do and see in Abruzzo.
Where is Abruzzo?
Abruzzo is located east of Rome and if you keep driving further east through the region, you’ll reach the Adriatic sea. Abruzzo has a wealth of landscapes — you can go skiing in the mountains and you can swim in the ocean, all within one day here. There are quaint medieval hill towns, national parks, and historic castles making it an ideal place to visit for nature enthusiasts and history lovers like. The region is relatively large so if you want to have a short yet fulfilling vacation, we recommend visiting Chieti.
Where is Chieti?
Chieti is both an Abruzzian province and the name of the provincial capital city. Stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the majestic Apennine Mountains, the province boasts coastal beauty and mountainous allure. When you drive inland you’ll fall in love with the many vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villages you’ll see. Chieti also has wonderful local festivals and is famous for its unique cuisine.
The other three provinces in Abruzzo are L’Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo.
Where to Stay in Chieti
There’s something really special about staying in a castle and Castello di Semivicolo is a gorgeous property filled with lots of interesting nooks and crannies to surprise you during your trip. There are 11 rooms and they’re all unique; some have fireplaces while other rooms have freestanding bathtubs. When you arrive, go for a leisurely stroll through the hotel checking out antique chandeliers, mirrors and furniture along the way. There’s even a former jail cell here, now just a relic of the castle. Once outside, admire the beautiful grounds and stop in one of the massive wine cellars which still maintain its original structure. Then enjoy the view from one of their outdoor benches or take a dip in their pool. If you’ve dreamed of a fairytale wedding, this place makes a great backdrop for an Italian ceremony.
2. Villa Maria
With 83 rooms and suites, Villa Maria is slightly more spacious with many of the rooms offering balcony views of Abruzzo. There’s much to do on property; wellness lovers will enjoy spending a few hours (or the whole day) at their wellness center. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, whirlpool, steam room and Turkish bath plus an array of facials, massages and even a dry floatation bed to unwind on. The main restaurant sits below the pine trees of Villa Maria’s century-old park, engulfing you in an intoxicating scent while you sip wine at sunset.
Overlooking the Adriatic coast, La Chiave dei Trabocchi is where you’ll want to stay to experience the Abruzzian coastline. The hotel is named after the traditional fishing structures, or “trabocchi,” that dot the coastline which you’ll admire from your window but should also see up close. Spend the day soaking up the sun on the beach (this is a pebble beach so if you have sensitive feet, bring water shoes) then come back to the hotel for delicious dinner of Abruzzian cuisine. Here you’ll enjoy fresh, locally-sourced seafood in a beautiful outdoor setting. After dinner head to your room to relax and rest; the décor is white and minimalist to enhance the beach vibes of the property.
Abruzzo Food
Abruzzo is renowned for its cuisine and you’ll try some new Italian dishes you probably haven’t heard of before when you visit. The most famous pasta types from the region are pasta alla chitarra which are made with a special wooden tool that sounds like, you guessed it, a guitar. See it in action here:
Another famous pasta type is anelleti which are the ring-shaped noodles that inspired spaghetti-os. When it comes to meats, you’ll see arrosticini (skewered mutton or lamb) throughout the region — they’re delicious and who doesn’t love food that comes on a stick? You should also try polpette di cingali which are wild boar meatballs, or if you don’t eat meat, palote are fried cheese balls served with tomato sauce on top. Pecorino and caciocavallo are the most popular cheese from the region and you’ll also find excellent olives, wine, saffron and truffles in Abruzzo. For dessert, you have to try Sise Delle Monache which translates to “nun’s breasts” which is spongecake filed with a cream filling (pictured below)
What to See in Chieti, Abruzzo
1. Roccoscalegna
The focal point of this town is its medieval castle, which dates back to the 11th century. The castle is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in Italy and is a popular tourist attraction. It also has a mysterious and dark past, as it was reportedly ruled by an evil baron. Read the full story here. Aside from the castle you can enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking in Roccoscalegna.
2. Lanciano
Old meets new in Lanciano — it’s the home of historic sites like the Abbey of Santa Maria di Valle Verde, a 12th century Romanesque abbey, as well as the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. You’ll also find more beauty here — large street art pieces dot the streets, bringing in color and vibrancy to the winding roads. This town is also the perfect place to enjoy Abruzzian cuisine; head to Abbruzzo Gourmet, a restaurant that specializes in local cuisine and serves the dishes we highlighted in the previous Abruzzo food section.
3. Casoli
Casoli is known for its picturesque mountain views and its abundance of natural beauty. There are also many things to see here like the Palazzo Ducale, a 15th century palace, and the Convento di San Francesco, a former Franciscan monastery. There’s an open air market in Casoli perfect to buy flowers and try local delicacies. If you’ve fallen hard for Abruzzo you can get some unique real estate here, Palazzo Ricci sells fractional ownership of a real palace here. If you’ve dreamed of feeling like royalty in Italy, this place can make it a reality for you.
There’s something for everyone in Abruzzo whether you’re into history, food, outdoor adventure or relaxing on the beach.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve been to Abruzzo or plan to visit soon!
