Teramo between Gran Sasso, the Old Town and the Adriatic

Teramo combines the Teramo side of Gran Sasso and the Monti della Laga with fertile, scenic hills and long sandy beaches on the Adriatic. In the province, travel routes lead through landscapes and to historical, artistic, cultural and gastronomic destinations.

Outdoors: trails in Gran Sasso

The Ippovia del Gran Sasso is a 470-kilometre horse-riding route. It runs along old mule tracks, carriage roads and paths, as well as through villages, pastures and beech and Turkey oak forests. The Sentiero del Tordino offers a different landscape experience: it connects small settlements with paths to Monte Bilanciere. These routes can be travelled on foot, partly on horseback and by mountain bike.

River landscapes and long cycle routes

The Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is a protected landscape where nature and a significant cultural heritage are interconnected. The national park offers hikes of varying difficulty levels. These include high-alpine trails to Corno Grande and Monte Gorzano, which can only be safely walked in summer. Monte Bilanciere is considered a viewpoint offering panoramic views over the entire valley. In the province of Teramo, the Distretto Tra i Due Regni encompasses the municipalities of Campli, Civitella del Tronto, Torricella Sicura and Valle Castellana. The starting point is San Giacomo, and the route can be travelled by bicycle.

The Parco fluviale del Tordino e del Vezzola extends along both banks of the Tordino and the Vezzola. The area is suitable for walking and outdoor sports. A cycle path there leads to the necropolis and the temple of Ponte Messato. The 131-kilometre Bike To Coast Abruzzo cycle path runs from Martinsicuro in the province of Teramo, at the border with the province of Ascoli Piceno, to San Salvo on the border with Molise.

Teramo: Roman traces and historic districts

Teramo’s historic centre can be explored on foot through four historic districts with churches, monuments and Roman remains. The façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta combines a Gothic upper section with a Romanesque lower section. The Roman theatre was built during the Augustan period; part of the surrounding brick wall of the Roman amphitheatre has survived. The Torre Bruciata is a Roman bastion made of opus quadratum dating from the 2nd century BC.

The Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti also leads back to the city’s earlier history. It preserves the surviving part of Teramo’s former cathedral, Santa Maria Aprutiensis. Inside is a 12th-century fresco depicting two angels with a clipeus and the blessing hand of God. Castello Della Monica was opened to the public or the community for the first time in 2022 after work on the garden, ground floor and first floor.

Archaeology and regional culture

The Madonna della Cona archaeological site includes an Italic necropolis from the 7th to 6th century BC and a Roman cremation necropolis from the Republican period, used until the first decades of the 2nd century BC. The site is accessible without architectural barriers. Admission is generally free; however, fees may apply when making a reservation. Guided tours are offered at the fortress of Civitella del Tronto.

In Castelli, the Museo delle Ceramiche has preserved and displayed the culture and art of majolica, as well as local ceramic production, since its foundation in 1984. The museum is housed in a Franciscan monastery dating from the mid-16th century. The museum includes a traditional kiln of the “Forno a respiro” type.

The Colle del Vento site includes a significant Italic sanctuary from the 6th to 5th century BC, protected by walls made of polygonal masonry dating from the 3rd century BC. The Scala Santa of Campli dates from 1772 and, alongside Rome and Jerusalem, is one of the three holy sites worldwide where a plenary indulgence is granted. It consists of 28 wooden steps leading to the chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum. Inside are 18th-century frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ. The Santuario della Scala Santa is open all year round.

Prati di Tivo mountain resort

Prati di Tivo is a mountain resort at an altitude of 1,450 metres at the foot of Corno Piccolo in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park and belongs to the municipality of Pietracamela. The lifts provide access to 20 kilometres of downhill ski runs and a cross-country skiing trail. In summer, Prati di Tivo offers opportunities for hiking and mountaineering, as well as ski-touring routes and off-piste skiing. The main access road is the SS 80. It connects Teramo or Montorio al Vomano with the turn-off to Pietracamela–Prati di Tivo.

Dishes and sweets from Teramo

Maccheroni alla chitarra with pallottine are among the dishes from Teramo. Scrippelle ‘mbusse are crêpes served in broth. Sassi d’Abruzzo are sweets made from almonds, sugar and cocoa. Pepatelli are dry biscuits made from honey, almonds, orange peel and pepper.

Other places in the region: Cerchiara, Castilenti, Silvi Marina, Tortoreto, Morro D'oro, Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Silvi Paese, Villa Rosa, Cellino Attanasio, Martinsicuro, Giulianova, Civitella Del Tronto, Colleluccio, Cesi, Canzano, Cermignano, Controguerra, Atri, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Rocca Santa Maria, Mutignano, Bisenti, Bellante, Teramo, Corropoli, Ancarano, Notaresco, Cologna Spiaggia, Santa Maria, Nereto, Ripattoni, Colledara, Intermesoli, Ornano Grande, Campli, Montefino, Poggio Morello, Valle San Giovanni, Valle Castellana, Pietracamela, Silvi, Torano Nuovo, Montorio Al Vomano, Fano Adriano, Sant'egidio Alla Vibrata, Scerne, Case Alte, Colleranesco, Penna Alta, Montone, Sant'omero, Mosciano Sant'angelo, Miano, Cologna Paese, Villa Lempa, Mazzocco, Penna Sant'Andrea, Floriano, Guardia Vomano, Castelnuovo Vomano, Basciano, Nerito, Isola del Gran Sasso D'italia, Alba Adriatica, Arsita, Castelli, Colonnella, Pineto, Villa Vomano, Tossicia, Castagneto, Ripoli.

To the main travel overview: Abruzzo.