Pescara Vecchia
The old town, across the river. D'Annunzio's birthplace, the Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo and, after dark, the bars of Corso Manthonè.
Trova
Pescara
Sea, piazzas, food and music. A city that lives outdoors, between the Adriatic and the mountains of Abruzzo.
The city
A young city, with the sea in its living room.
Pescara needs no persuading. Step out of the station and the sea waits at the end of the street. Abruzzo's largest city lives on its seafront, in its downtown bars and in the lanes of Pescara Vecchia, where the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio was born.
The river splits the city in two, and Ponte del Mare stitches it back together. Days belong to the beach, evenings to the stroll along the Corso, nights to whoever stays up latest. On clear days, the peaks of Gran Sasso and Maiella rise behind the rooftops.
466m
of Ponte del Mare, the walking and cycling bridge joining both shores since 2009
1863
the year d'Annunzio was born in his family home on Corso Manthonè
1969
the first Pescara Jazz festival, one of Italy's longest running
1hr
or so, from beach towel to mountain trail
See
The places that make Pescara
A city made for walking and cycling. Here is where to start.
The seafront
Miles of sand, straw umbrellas, kiosks and cycle paths. People swim, ride, run and talk here, all day long.
Ponte del Mare
It spans the river mouth and links the north and south shores. At dusk, the sky around it glows pink.
La Nave di Cascella
Pietro Cascella's marble ship fountain, unveiled in 1987. Loved by some, debated by others, it is now a city icon.
Piazza Salotto
Officially Piazza della Rinascita, known to all as "the Living Room". Fountains, concerts, meeting points and the evening stroll.
The marina
Sailboats, walks along the pier and, on winter days, snowy peaks on the horizon.
Corso Umberto
From the piazza to the sea, past shops, gelato bars and the bell tower of Sacro Cuore. The stroll locals have taken for generations.
Pineta Dannunziana
A nature reserve just south of downtown. Pines, trails and shade, a short walk from the beach.
Here, the sun rises from the sea.
Pescara faces east. Early risers watch the Adriatic turn orange while the beach is still empty and the first coffee is waiting.
A day in Pescara
From sunrise to late night
The rhythm of the city, hour by hour. A summer day, though it works all year.
-
6:30 am
Sunrise on the beach
A walk along the waterline as the sky changes color. The umbrellas are still closed.
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8:30 am
Cappuccino at the counter
The neighborhood bar is an institution. A cappuccino, a cornetto and a chat with the barista.
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10 am
Cycling the riviera
The cycle path runs beside the sea for miles, past pines, palms and beach clubs.
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1 pm
Seafood lunch
Brodetto fish stew, fried paranza, spaghetti with clams. The fish comes from the harbor, a few steps from your table.
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6:30 pm
The evening stroll
Time for the passeggiata. Shop windows, a gelato, friends bumping into each other by chance. In Pescara, chance always delivers.
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8 pm
Aperitivo at dusk
From Ponte del Mare the sky turns pink. Time for a spritz and a few photos.
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10 pm
Arrosticini and nightlife
Lamb skewers off the grill and a glass of Montepulciano. Then the old town, until late.
Food
At the table, Pescara is generous
Sea and mountain cooking, often on the same plate. Try each at least once.
Arrosticini
Skewers of mutton grilled over a long, narrow brazier. People order them by the dozen, with bread and olive oil.
Brodetto alla pescarese
The fishermen's seafood stew. Every family has its own version, and defends it.
Parrozzo
Pescara's own cake: almonds, semolina and chocolate. D'Annunzio made it famous with a poem.
Pallotte cacio e ova
Cheese and egg dumplings simmered in tomato sauce. Humble cooking, rich flavor.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
The region's red. Next to it, Cerasuolo, a fresh rosé, and Trebbiano, the white.
Hillside olive oil
The hills around the city produce Aprutino Pescarese DOP, an extra virgin oil with character.
All year
The city's calendar
May to September
Beach season
The beach clubs open. The seafront becomes the city's living room.
July
Pescara Jazz
Since 1969, the big names of jazz have played Pescara on summer nights.
Last Sunday of July
Feast of Sant'Andrea
Fishermen carry the saint's statue out to sea on a fishing boat, followed by a flotilla. Fireworks after dark.
Summer
Premi Flaiano
Awards named after Pescara-born writer Ennio Flaiano, celebrating film, theater and literature.
Winter
The sea in winter
Lights on the Corso, quiet beaches and white peaks on the horizon. Pescara slows down. The charm stays.
Beyond the city
From the sea to the mountains
Pescara makes a great base camp. Half of Abruzzo is within an hour.
about 1 hour
Gran Sasso and Maiella
You can see them from town. Trails and mountain huts in summer, snow and skiing in winter.
about 30 minutes
Trabocchi Coast
Old wooden fishing platforms on stilts, suspended over the sea. They begin to the south, toward Ortona.
20 to 40 minutes
Hill towns
Chieti, Loreto Aprutino, Città Sant'Angelo. Vineyards, olive groves and old towns on the hills.
Rome is about 2.5 hours away
Getting here
Drive from Rome or take the train along the Adriatic. Abruzzo Airport sits a few minutes from downtown.
Find
Find all of Pescara.
The city's businesses, each with its own website. Simple, fast, in Italian and English. Hours, map, phone and WhatsApp, right at hand.
Restaurants and trattorias
Seafood, arrosticini, pizza and home cooking
Coming soonBars, cafes and gelato
Breakfast, aperitivo and artisan gelato
Coming soonBeach clubs
Umbrellas, sun loungers and seaside kitchens
Coming soonHotels and B&Bs
Places to stay, downtown or by the sea
Coming soonShops
Fashion, local products and crafts
Coming soonTrades
Plumbers, electricians and repairs
Coming soonProfessionals
Accountants, lawyers and consultants
Coming soonSport and wellness
Padel, gyms, sailing and surf
Coming soon
The first businesses arrive soon. Follow us on Instagram for news.
For businesses
Run a business in Pescara?
We build you a simple, fast website in Italian and English, with your Google profile, hours and map. Tell us about your business, in person or on WhatsApp. We handle the rest, and we publish only what you approve.
- From 10 euros a month, with your own web address
- Free 90-day trial, no commitment
- A short monthly report on your visits
We reply in Italian and English · trovapescara@gmail.com
About us
A family in love with Pescara
We are two Italians raised in the United States, with family in Italy and a home in Pescara Centrale. Every time we come back, the city surprises us. With TrovaPescara, we want visitors and locals alike to find everything they are looking for.