Pescara is a city of 120,000 people (2018) in Abruzzo. It is the most populous city of the region, as well as being an active cultural centre (metal and mechanics, conciaria, refining of sulfur, petrochemical), agricultural market and port fishing boat. Located on the sea, it is a popular seaside resort and has one of the most important and major tourist ports of Adriatic Sea. This modern city is the birthplace of Gabriele D'Annunzio, and is rich in culture, art and traditions.

Understand

Port of Pescara and Ponte del Mare, with the Gran Sasso mountain in the background

During the Greek and Roman eras, it was called Aternum. Pescara was used as a maritime emporium to carry out commercial activities with other centres located on the Adriatic or overseas coasts. Destroyed by the Lombards and disputed by the Normans and the Aragonese, it later became an important coastal fortress.

During the Second World War, Pescara suffered violent bombardments which partially destroyed the historic centre; this resulted in a predominantly modern-looking city. However, Pescara Vecchia preserves monuments of great interest and artistic and architectural value, such as the Cathedral of Saint Cetteo, strongly desired by D'Annunzio, and the Bourbonic Bath, which was the ancient prison of Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Taxis are few, it is an easy city to walk around. There are pedestrian areas which are limited to traffic and good sidewalks. Just get in with a good pair of shoes and enjoy. You can get all around with a bike very well.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Abruzzo Airport (PSR  ^IATA) (less than 10 minutes from the city). You can also fly Ryanair from London direct to Pescara Airport.Ryanair also flies from Oslo (Torp) every Saturday and Tuesday. It flies also from Frankfurt (Hahn) in Germany and Brussels South (Charleroi).  

By train

The train from Rome takes about four hours but it is a spectacular route through the mountains, through towns such as Avezzano and Sulmona.

• 2 Pescara Centrale railway station (Stazione ferroviaria di Pescara Centrale), Via Enzo Ferrari. (updated Aug 2024)

By car

You can drive to Pescara from Rome Ciampino Airport in about 1½ hours. The drive is relatively free of traffic through the mountains, the view is excellent and there are lots of tunnels and bridges to cross.

By bus

From Pescara Centre to Pescara Airport: coach n. 38 departing every 15 minutes from Pescara Railway Station. Tickets allow you unlimited travel for 90 minutes: €1.

From Pescara Airport terminal to Pescara Centre: coach n. 38 departing every 15 minutes from the terminal. The first bus transfer from the airport at 06:00, the last bus transfer from the airport at 22:30.

Tickets sold at the automatic machine in the terminal arrivals area.

By boat

There are ferries in the summer connecting Pescara with Split and several islands in central Dalmatia including Hvar. Car ferries are run by Jadrolinija and faster hydrofoils by SNAV . Ferries leave from the ferry terminal. There are daily regular services to Rome which takes around 2 hours to arrive.

Get around

On foot

Much of the city centre can be walked easily.

By bike

There are bike lanes traversing the city, and some bike rental places. See paths here.

See

Small charming characteristic towns, open markets and local festivals in the nearby area are ideal for day trips to explore. And in the evenings, the beach cafes and the old town of Pescara Porto transform themselves into vibrant night spots.

The mountain range also known as "La Bella Dormentata" (The Sleeping Beauty) is 40 mins away and its extensive park system includes natural beauty akin to national parks in the western United States. Within Abruzzo's parks lie some of Italy's most beautiful ancient hill towns rivaling those of Tuscany and Umbria.

• 1 Cattedrale di San Cetteo (San Cetteo Cathedral). Cathedral in the old city area. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 Nave di Cascella (Fountain La Nave). Monument and fountain in the shape of a ship by sculptor Pietro Cascella. (updated Mar 2022)

Do

Beaches

The entire shoreline is dotted with "stabilimenti balneari" and ombrelloni, each with his own name and color scheme. You can dine, enjoy a pizza or caffe' in all of them. Red flags means no swimming; white flags you can enjoy the wonderful Adriatic sea. Free beaches are limited but quite easy to find. Along the coast from Pescara Centre and the stadium you can find about 6 free beaches. Some of them are only 500 m from each other. In Montesilvano (north of Pescara) and Francavilla (south) you can still find free beaches. Mondays are market days in the area of the stadium. There is a classic open air market where everything can be had just walk through and enjoy

Buy

• 1 Mercato Coperto di Piazza Muzii (Covered market at Piazza Muzii). M-Sa 07:30 to 13:30. Covered market for fruits, vegetables, and specialty food. Also has some bars and cafes. (updated Mar 2022)
• 2 Pedestrian shopping area. Main shopping district, with pedestrian areas in all four directions. (updated Mar 2022)

Eat

Budget

Between the train station and the Piazza della Rinascita

• 1 Trattoria Nina, Via Trento, 88. Down home cooking (updated May 2022)
• 2 LOCO-DOG il vero hot dog americano, Viale Regina Elena, 27. (updated May 2022)
• 3 Queen's Chips Amsterdam, Via C. Battisti, 24. (updated May 2022)
• 4 Pizzeria Maruzzella, Viale Regina Elena, 48. (updated May 2022)
• 5 Circolo 3 Fave, Via Napoli, 54/56. (updated May 2022)
• 6 Spizzo Pescara, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 288. A pizza restaurant. (updated May 2022)

Around the Cattedrale di San Cetteo

• 7 Tavernetta le Stagioni Pescara, Via dei Bastioni, 10/12. (updated May 2022)
• 8 Mixer, Via Conte di Ruvo, 90. (updated May 2022)
• 9 Pizzeria Gli Amici della Pizza, Corso Gabriele Manthone, 88. (updated May 2022)
• 10 Le Scoglio, L.go dei Frentani. (updated May 2022)
• 11 Officina della Pizza, Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 38. (updated May 2022)

Around the Porto turistico Marina

• 12 Filippo Cucina di Mare, Viale Amerigo Vespucci, 136, ☏ 39 085 2193571. (updated May 2022)
• 13 Trattoria Ponte Del Mare, Via Paolo Thaon de Revel. (updated May 2022)
• 14 Dious, Via Andrea Doria, 27. A pizza restaurant (updated May 2022)

Mid-range

• 15 La Figlia di Attilio, Viale V. Pepe, 177, ☏ 39 085 4511500. (updated May 2022)
• 16 Pizzeria Caracciolo, Via Cesare Battisti, 121, ☏ 39 085 385220. (updated May 2022)
• 17 Ristorante Da Attilio, Lungomare Papa Giovanni XXIII, 75, ☏ 39 085 4514920. (updated May 2022)
• 18 Ristorante Franco, Lungomare Papa Giovanni XXIII (Porto turistico), ☏ 39 085 66390. (updated May 2022)
• 19 Ristorante Grotta del Marinaio, Via Bardet, 6, ☏ 39 085 690454. (updated May 2022)
• 20 Trieste Pizza, Lungomare Giacomo Matteotti, 102, ☏ 39 085 4214038. (updated May 2022)
• 21 Alcyone Beach Club, Viale della Riviera, 24, ☏ 39 085 34297. (updated Jun 2018)

Splurge

• 22 Ristorante Ferraioli, Via R. Paolucci, 79, ☏ 39 085 4210295. (updated May 2022)

Drink

Pescara is a non-stop party beach city. In summer days the core of the city is the coast. You can easily find clubs and discos just walking along the coast crowded with people. In winter days all nightlife moves from the coast to Corso Manthonè, the course of the old Pescara and now become the center of the nightlife of the city.

With the exception of Corso Manthonè there are also discos in the hinterland. La Fabbrica (The Factory), one of the most fashionable place in Pescara, is situated next to the university (southeast of the stadium). In the same street there is also Cantina Accademia a dance & dinner club. Megà, placed in the characteristic building "Palazzo Quadrifoglio", is situated on the north bank of the river Pescara. Opposite to Megà, on south bank of the river, you can find Wake Up! another famous disco.

In late night you can find locals which remain open until the morning to take some food (pizza, croissants, flat unleavened bread) in stadium area.

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Bella Pescara B&B, via Ortona, 9 (city centre), ☏ 39 3385847910. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. A boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of Pescara’s city’s commercial and tourist centre, the rooms offer modern facilities & comforts combined with a homely feel and a personal touch. Rates from €59. 
• 2 Centoquindici Rooms & Suite, Corso Umberto I, 115, ☏ 39 3386109157, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2018)
• 3 Hotel Esplanade, Piazza I Maggio, 46, ☏ 39 085 292141. (updated Jun 2018)
• 4 Ambra Palace, Via Quarto dei Mille, 28, ☏ 39 085 378247. (updated Jun 2018)
• 5 Hotel Alba, Via Michelangelo Forti, 14, ☏ 39 085 389145. (updated Jun 2018)
• 6 Borgomarino Bed & Breakfast, Via Venezia, 28, ☏ 39 333 4447770. (updated Jun 2018)
• 7 B&B Pescara Centro, Via Lombardia, ☏ 39 393 0479937. (updated Jun 2018)
• 8 Hotel Salus, Lungomare Giacomo Matteotti, 13/1, ☏ 39 085 374196. (updated Jun 2018)
• 9 Hotel Carlton, Viale della Riviera, 36, ☏ 39 085 373125. (updated Jun 2018)
• 10 Best Western Hotel Plaza, Piazza del Sacro Cuore, 55, ☏ 39 085 421 4625. (updated Jun 2018)
• Abruzzo Villa Rental (In the town of Montesilvano Colle, 10 minutes' drive to the Pescara city centre). On the Adriatic Coast with wonderful views, fresh air and close proximity to vast stretches of glorious beaches. Villa has been designed to accommodate either a couple or a large group. Rates start at €175 per night or €2,036.67 per week for the entire 4-bedroom villa. 
• Agriturismo Le Cicale, via Vallemonte 12 (Spoltore), ☏ 39 3392757650. Check-in: 15,00, check-out: 10,00. Agriturismo 7 km from the sea and Pescara centre and 5 km from the airport. 25.00. 
• Pescara Accommodation, via Firenze 225, ☏ 39 340 2881451, [email protected]. 3 beautiful B&B and suites in the centre of the city. The contact information is for the office, which is open 09:00 – 19:00 every day. €25. (updated Nov 2015)
• Villa Immacolata, ada Comunale San Silvestro 340, ☏ 39 085 4980031, [email protected]. This hotel is on top of the hill of San Silvestro in Pescara, in a beautiful park. €55-200. 

Go next

Go inland and explore the mountains and national parks, visit beautiful cities such as L'Aquila, Sulmona and Scanno that are a beautiful train or bus ride away.

Routes through Pescara

Rome ← Bugnara ←

W  E

→ Adriatic Sea → Dubrovnik