Our Favorite Abruzzo Beaches
Abruzzo offers some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches along the Adriatic Sea, providing a wonderful mix of natural beauty, clean waters, and fewer crowds. If you are new to this central region, be sure to read The Ultimate Guide to Visit the Abruzzo/Abruzzi Region in Italy from Experience Bella Vita. Get ready to fall in love!
Need help planning the Italian tour of your dreams? Our Italy Custom Tours can show you the best of Abruzzo and other lesser-known areas with an experienced guide. Let us dot the ‘i’s’ and cross the ‘t’s’ on your vacation itinerary, so you can sit back and enjoy your well-earned time off!
Here, we look at our favorite Abruzzo beaches, each beautiful and inviting in its own way.
Pineto Beach
Known for its golden sands and clear waters, Pineto Beach has a beautiful backdrop of pine forests. Unsurprisingly, the name Pineto translates to ‘pine forest’. This location, close to the town of Pineto, has a pristine beach and sea that has been classified among the cleanest in Italy.
If you’re looking for a quiet beach in a beautiful setting, with shallow waters and a family-friendly atmosphere, Pineto Beach is a winner. It is also a haven for those who love camping, with many mobile homes and pitches for tents, campers, and caravans.
Silvi Marina
In the province of Teramo, the Silvi Marina is an ideal destination for families, sun worshipers, and water sports enthusiasts. It is best known for its long, sandy beaches and clean, shallow waters, and has earned the prestigious Blue Flag award for its environmental sustainability.
The beach promenade is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, giving plenty of dining/shopping options while enjoying sea views. Take a trip to the old town (Silvi Alta) to see historic buildings and remnants of ancient settlements and ruins from Roman times.
Vasto Marina
Near the town of Vasto is the Vasto Marina, with a long beach that mixes sandy and pebbly areas. The Blue Flag beaches here offer crystal-clear waters that are very inviting! Rough Guides has even included this beach in its 20 best beaches in Italy guide!
Vasto Marina has a relaxed atmosphere with great local food (specifically seafood), and you may get to see Trabocco — wooden fishing platforms used to fish in the Adriatic Sea, most of which are now converted into unique seafood restaurant experiences. Note that most of them are touristic, and do not necessarily provide the best food, but if you come in one of our tours we will bring you to one that has the best seafood in the region.
Roseto degli Abruzzo
North of Pescara is Roseto degli Abruzzi, a popular vacation resort with serene sandy beaches and the promise of delicious cuisine. The roses that flourish in the sun here inspired the name ‘the beach of roses’, which was changed from Rosburgo in 1927.
While enjoying the sun, sea, and sand at Roseto degli Abruzzi, you can also visit the hilly and coastal landscape of the Borsacchio Reserve. It extends over 1,100 hectares between Roseto and the hamlets of Cologna Spiaggia and Montepagano. It is home to around 120 plant species, many of which are rare in Abruzzo and listed as critically endangered or vulnerable.
Visiting Abruzzo in the summer months is a popular choice but there’s still so much to see and do over the winter period. Check out our Abruzzo in January travel guide for all the amazing experiences to be had in colder temperatures!
Montesilvano Beach
Montesilvano is a lively beach resort situated to the north of popular Pescara. It is a bay of about 8km, stretching from the River Saline in Montesilvano to the port of Pescara. The area is divided into two main areas, the beach and the modern town along the seafront. You can also visit the old town (Montesilvano Colle) to soak up the history of this part of Abruzzo, including its medieval remains.
Wide, sandy shores and calm waters draw in many visitors to Montesilvano Beach. Head there early morning or evening for a quieter beach experience, before the hustle and bustle of beach life kicks in. For those not wanting to spend a fortune, there are a few free beaches here, however, some are just narrow strips of sand between one lido and another.
Giulianova Beach
Giulianova, in the province of Teramo, is divided into Giulianova Alta and Giulianova Lido. Alta refers to its historic center built in the 15th century, founded as a Roman colony. Giulianova Lido (by the sea) has developed since the 20th century, thanks to its fishing port. The fishing tradition is very strong and the catch is exported to various regions.
Giulianova Beach has calm, shallow waters, and great facilities. The beach is nice and wide, ideal for families to explore. Be sure to have lunch or dinner in one of Giulianova’s seafood restaurants to sample the catch of the day! Some of the eating venues in this area are a few of our favourites.
Tortoreto Lido
Clean, fine sand and shallow waters make the Tortoreto Lido a great choice for families with young children. It has a laid-back vibe and offers a great selection of beach bars and restaurants.
South of Pescara, close to the town of Tortoreto, the Tortoreto Lido is another Blue Flag beach. Abruzzo has worked hard to keep its beaches welcoming for the many guests that visit every year. Take a stroll down the pleasant promenade or head to the Fortellezza, a natural terrace where a great panorama of the coast awaits.
Le Morge Beach
For a more secluded beach, Le Morge is a great place to escape. Located near Vasto, south of Pescara, it is appreciated for its clear, unpolluted waters and peaceful feeling. It is a perfect example of the ‘sneaky Europe trip’ trend, explained in our blog, of visiting lesser-known destinations to avoid the crowds.
You will find a traditional Trabocco at La Morge Beach, so explore the local cafes and restaurants to sample the delicious fresh seafood available. For those who are all about basking in the sunshine, La Morge Beach is also the first nudist beach in Abruzzo!
We hope this selection of our favorite Abruzzo beaches has given you a good taste of beach life in this part of Italy. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions about Abruzzo. As part of our Custom Tours in Italy, we can take you to your favorite beaches during your vacation to Abruzzo!