Teramo between Gran Sasso and the Adriatic Coast

According to tourism information, the Province of Teramo combines the Teramo side of Gran Sasso and the Monti della Laga with fertile, scenic hills and long sandy beaches on the Adriatic; these landscapes are located within a maximum distance of approximately 60 to 70 kilometres. Travel routes lead through landscapes and to historical, artistic, cultural and gastronomic destinations.

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

Landscape and nature

The Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is a protected landscape where nature and significant cultural heritage are interconnected. Monte Bilanciere is considered a viewpoint offering panoramic views across the entire valley. The Parco fluviale del Tordino e del Vezzola extends along both banks of the Tordino and Vezzola rivers and is suitable for walking and outdoor sports. A cycle path leads to the necropolis and temple of Ponte Messato.

The Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga offers hikes of varying difficulty levels. These include high-alpine routes to Corno Grande and Monte Gorzano, which are only safe to walk in summer.

Trails and mountain sports

The Ippovia del Gran Sasso is a 470-kilometre riding route through old mule tracks, carriage roads and trails, as well as villages, pastures and beech and Turkey oak forests. The Sentiero del Tordino connects small settlements with trails to Monte Bilanciere; these routes can be traversed on foot, partly on horseback and by mountain bike.

In the Province of Teramo, the national park includes the Distretto Tra i Due Regni, comprising 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. Guided tours are offered at the fortress of Civitella del Tronto. For longer cycling tours, 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.

Mountains and winter sports

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 lift facilities 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 routes for off-piste skiing.

The main access road to Prati di Tivo is the SS 80. It connects Teramo and Montorio al Vomano with the turn-off to Pietracamela–Prati di Tivo.

Culture

The Scala Santa in Campli dates from 1772 and is one of the three holy sites named worldwide where a plenary indulgence is granted, alongside Rome and Jerusalem. 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 year-round.

The Museo delle Ceramiche in Castelli was founded in 1984 to preserve and exhibit the culture and art of maiolica, as well as local ceramic production. It is housed in a Franciscan monastery dating from the mid-16th century. The museum reconstructs an old pottery workshop and displays the preparation of the clay, shaping, glazing and decorating, as well as a traditional kiln of the “Forno a respiro” type.

Archaeology and urban history

The Madonna della Cona archaeological site comprises an Italic necropolis from the 7th to 6th century BC and a Roman cremation necropolis from the Republican period, which was used until the first decades of the 2nd century AD. The site is accessible without architectural barriers and admission is generally free; however, fees may apply when making a reservation.

The 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. Teramo’s historic centre can be explored on foot through four historic neighbourhoods 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 of Teramo was built during the Augustan period. Part of the surrounding brick wall of the Roman amphitheatre has been preserved. The Torre Bruciata in Teramo is a Roman bastion made of opus quadratum dating from the 2nd century BC. The Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti preserves the surviving part of Teramo’s former Cathedral of Santa Maria Aprutiensis. It also preserves a 12th-century fresco depicting two angels with a clipeus and the blessing hand of God.

The archaeological site of Colle del Vento comprises a significant Italic sanctuary from the 6th to 5th century BC. Walls made of polygonal masonry dating from the 3rd century BC protected the sanctuary.

Cuisine

Recommended dishes in Teramo include maccheroni alla chitarra with pallottine. Scrippelle ‘mbusse are crêpes served in broth and are recommended as a special dish in Teramo. Sassi d’Abruzzo are sweets made from almonds, sugar and cocoa that are recommended in Teramo. Pepatelli, dry biscuits made from honey, almonds, orange peel and pepper, are also recommended in Teramo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Abruzzo.