Abruzzo, Italy: Towns to Explore on Foot

Looking for things to do in Abruzzo? This varied region in central Italy brings together the Apennine mountains, protected wilderness, historic towns and the Adriatic coast. It is worth visiting for the way these landscapes meet: long beaches in the east, high peaks in the west and forests and wildlife between them. Neywo offers free audio guides for 3 cities in Abruzzo, with 32 narrated places in total.

What to see and do in Abruzzo

Explore the Apennine landscapes

The mountains are one of Abruzzo’s defining features. In the west, the Apennines rise into the Gran Sasso d’Italia and the Maiella, creating a dramatic contrast with the coast. Altitude also brings a clear change in climate: temperatures fall inland as the terrain rises, while the western slopes receive more rain than the Adriatic side.

The region’s natural character is especially visible in its protected areas. Half of Abruzzo is covered by national parks and nature reserves, leading to its description as “the greenest region in Europe”. These landscapes preserve habitats for the golden eagle, the Abruzzo chamois, the Apennine wolf and the Marsican brown bear.

Abruzzo is also home to Calderone, one of Europe’s southernmost glaciers. Near the coast, Mediterranean shrubland gives way inland to olive trees and oaks, followed by mixed mountain woods. Nature is not simply scenery here: it is central to the identity of the region.

Discover the Adriatic coast

Abruzzo’s eastern side reaches the Adriatic in a series of beaches whose character changes from north to south. The northern coast has long sandy beaches, while farther south the shores become pebbly.

The coastal climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. This makes the seaside a distinct part of an Abruzzo itinerary, very different from the cooler mountain terrain inland. The region’s geography means that a visit can combine coastal landscapes with highland scenery without leaving Abruzzo.

Visit Barrea

Barrea is one of the towns covered by Neywo’s Abruzzo audio guides. Its narrated places include Barrea Castle and Madonna delle Grazie, offering two points from which to explore the town’s heritage.

The Barrea guide is a useful choice for travellers who want to discover a smaller mountain destination through the stories attached to its landmarks.

See Giulianova’s landmarks

Giulianova provides a different perspective on Abruzzo, closer to the Adriatic coast. Neywo’s guide includes 21 narrated places, among them the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, the Splendor Art Museum, Palazzo Bindi and Palazzo Kursaal.

These sites give a sense of the town’s public spaces, cultural life and historic buildings. The Giulianova audio guide helps connect the individual landmarks as you walk through the town.

Explore Pescasseroli

Pescasseroli is another mountain destination on Neywo. Its guide includes 9 narrated places, with the Ruderi Castel Mancino, Pescasseroli, the Town hall and Saint Peter and Paul among the highlights.

The town is a good place to experience the inland side of Abruzzo, where the landscape changes from coastal vegetation to olive groves, oak trees and mountain woodland. Follow the stories in the Pescasseroli guide to discover its narrated sites at your own pace.

Plan your Abruzzo visit with Neywo

Neywo has 3 walking tours in Abruzzo, covering 3 cities and 32 narrated places in total. Narration is available in 11 languages. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule.

Download Neywo to explore Barrea, Giulianova and Pescasseroli while you walk, and let the region’s towns and landscapes unfold through their stories. If you are planning a wider trip through Italy, Abruzzo is a particularly varied stop: mountains, protected nature and the Adriatic coast all belong to the same region.