There are regions in Italy easy to explore by choosing a single city as a base and taking a few day trips. And then there is Abruzzo. Here, in my opinion, the fun really begins when you turn on the engine and hit the road.

During my trip at the end of August 2026, I once again realised that answering the question of what to See in Abruzzo cannot be reduced to a simple list of monuments. This region is a journey within the journey: in just a few hours you can go from the sea to the mountains, drive through medieval villages, follow scenic roads, stop beside a lake and then find yourself more than a thousand metres above sea level.

And it is precisely this variety that makes it perfect for a Road Trip in Abruzzo.

I found it particularly beautiful from behind the windscreen: winding roads climbing into the mountains, immense valleys, little stone villages appearing suddenly and views that make you want to pull the car over every five minutes.

This post contains affiliate links. Abruzzo on the road

That is why, if you are planning a trip to this region, my first piece of advice is not to limit yourself to just one area.

Having a car allows you to create a much freer itinerary, deciding where to stop and, above all, making it much easier to reach places that would require more organisation by public transport. For me, this was essential to really experience Abruzzo by Road, alternating famous destinations with small villages I came across along the way.

In this article, I am taking you with me on an ideal journey from north to south, crossing Abruzzo at different altitudes: from the sea in the province of Teramo to the high peaks of Gran Sasso, from the inland villages to Lake Scanno, from the Maiella to the spectacular Costa dei Trabocchi.

Get ready: this will be an itinerary full of bends, but also plenty of “wow” moments.

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park

Starting from the north, Teramo can be a good gateway for a trip through Abruzzo. The city is worth a walk through its historic centre to see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Berardo, Piazza Martiri della Libertà and the remains of Roman Teramo. But personally, I would not spend too long here if the goal is a true journey through the region.

Why? The mountains begin almost immediately.

From Teramo you can head towards Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, one of the most spectacular natural areas in Abruzzo. The park covers an enormous territory and offers very different landscapes, with peaks exceeding 2,000 metres, historic villages and numerous hiking trails.

If you have time, you can also add Pietracamela to your itinerary, one of the most characteristic villages in the area, or continue towards Prati di Tivo.

This is where you already begin to understand something important: Abruzzo is not a region to experience only through its final destinations. The road connecting them is part of the journey. And this is one of the reasons why travelling Abruzzo by car is so enjoyable.

Campo Imperatore

Continuing south and gaining altitude, you reach one of the landscapes that impressed me the most during the trip: Campo Imperatore. We are in the heart of the Gran Sasso massif, and an immense plateau opens up in front of you, surrounded by mountains and crossed by roads that seem to have been designed specifically for a scenic Road Trip in Abruzzo.

Here the car really becomes the perfect travel companion. There is no need to rush. In fact, the beauty lies in stopping at viewpoints, taking photographs, looking at the mountains and perhaps coming across horses or flocks of sheep along the way. The landscape is completely different from the coast: this is a wild, open, almost cinematic side of Abruzzo.

If you love mountains and photography, this is one of the areas I would definitely include in your itinerary.

And be careful with temperatures: even in summer, especially in the evening or on more changeable days, the high altitude can be considerably cooler than the coast.

Rocca Calascio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Going down and back up through the mountains, you reach one of the areas that, for me, best represents the soul of the region. I am talking about Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a small medieval village perched at around 1,250 metres above sea level, famous for its stone houses, narrow streets and incredibly atmospheric setting.

This is one of those places where it is worth parking and simply walking without a precise destination.

From here you can continue towards Calascio and Rocca Calascio, one of the unmissable stops if you are wondering What to Visit in Abruzzo. I visited Rocca Calascio at the end of August 2026 and I can assure you that it is even more beautiful in person than it looks in photographs.

The fortress stands at around 1,460 metres above sea level and overlooks an incredible landscape. Its origins date back to the Norman period and its position served a strategic function for controlling the territory.

And what a view! From up there, you can look across the Gran Sasso landscape and the Tirino Valley. The Rocca and nearby Church of Santa Maria della Pietà are among the most iconic images of Abruzzo, and the fortress is also known for having been used as a film location, including for Ladyhawke.

If you are planning Abruzzo by Rental Car, this is one of the areas where you will especially appreciate the freedom of moving independently between villages.

L’Aquila

From Rocca Calascio I would continue towards L’Aquila, the regional capital. The city deserves at least a day, especially for its historic centre and some of its most important monuments. The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio is certainly one of the symbols of the city, together with the Basilica of San Bernardino, the Fountain of the 99 Spouts and the beautiful Piazza del Duomo.

L’Aquila is also a city that tells an important recent story, that of the 2009 earthquake and the subsequent partial reconstruction. Walking through the city centre, you can still perceive the contrast between what has been restored, what has been rebuilt and what continues to bear the scars of the earthquake.

I would include it in the itinerary precisely for this reason: it is not simply a monumental stop, but a city to get to know. And after spending a few hours wandering through its streets, you can get back in the car and head towards the mountains.

Lake Scanno

One of the stops that cannot be missing from an itinerary in Abruzzo is definitely Scanno. The village is surrounded by the landscape of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and is famous for its historic centre, made up of stairways, arches, narrow streets and stone houses. It has also been photographed by great artists such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Mario Giacomelli.

But the real star of the area is Lake Scanno. Its very distinctive shape, especially visible from above, resembles a heart and has become one of the most famous images of Abruzzo. The lake is the largest natural lake in the region and offers several ways to spend a few hours in nature, including walks, water activities and excursions.

I recommend not limiting yourself to taking the classic panoramic photograph of the lake: go down to its shores, breathe in the fresh air and, if the weather allows, spend a few hours exploring the area. This is also one of the stops that shows just how incredible the variety of Abruzzo is: after the high mountains of Gran Sasso, here you are in front of a lake surrounded by the Marsican Mountains.

Sulmona

From Scanno you can continue towards Sulmona, one of the towns that I would personally always include in a regional itinerary. It is famous throughout Italy mainly for its sugared almonds, but it would be a shame to reduce it to just that.

The historic centre is elegant and full of palaces, churches and squares. Places to see include Piazza XX Settembre, the Medieval Aqueduct, the Basilica of Santa Maria Annunziata and Piazza Garibaldi. Sulmona is also surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in Abruzzo and is an excellent base for exploring the Maiella area.

And of course, you have to try the sugared almonds here. Preferably more than one. No judgement.

Costa dei Trabocchi

And after all that mountain scenery, it is time to head down towards the sea. This is where Abruzzo by Rental Car gives you another of its most beautiful changes of scenery.

The Costa dei Trabocchi stretches for around 60 kilometres along the southern Abruzzo coastline and is characterised by the ancient wooden fishing structures known as trabocchi, many of which have now been transformed into restaurants. Among the places I recommend are Ortona, San Vito Chietino, Rocca San Giovanni, Fossacesia and Vasto.

Here the pace changes completely. After days spent among mountains and villages, suddenly you have the blue Adriatic Sea in front of you. One of the most beautiful experiences is to cycle or walk along a section of the Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi, created along the old railway line and now used to explore the coast.

And then there is the moment that, in my opinion, simply cannot be missed: eating on a trabocco. Booking a lunch or dinner with the sea directly beneath your feet is one of those memories that stay with you.

Punta Aderci

Before ending the trip, I would make a detour to Punta Aderci, one of the most scenic coastal areas in Abruzzo. Punta Aderci Nature Reserve offers sea views, beaches and trails with spectacular viewpoints.

From here you can continue towards Vasto, explore its historic centre and end your journey looking out over the sea. And this is exactly what I love about Abruzzo: you can start the day more than a thousand metres above sea level and finish it with your feet almost in the Adriatic.

How much time do you need for a Road Trip in Abruzzo?

If you want to follow an itinerary similar to mine, I recommend allowing at least 7–10 days.
In one week you can create a fairly intense route, choosing a few main stops. With ten days, however, you will have the chance to slow down, go hiking, spend more time in the villages and enjoy some time by the sea. I would not try to see everything.

Abruzzo is a region where it is worth leaving room for the unexpected: that scenic road that makes you want to stop, that village you had not included in the itinerary, that restaurant you discover almost by chance.

This is also why a list of What to Visit in Abruzzo should be considered more of a starting point than a checklist.​

Why choose a car to visit Abruzzo?

After travelling through the region, I believe the best way to enjoy this territory is to have the freedom to move around independently. A car makes it easy to combine the sea and mountains, villages and parks, cities and hiking trails.

Above all, it allows you to create a flexible journey: you can leave early, change your plans if the weather gets worse, stop for a photograph or decide to spend more time somewhere that has captured your attention.

For this reason, if you are planning Abruzzo by Rental Car, I recommend booking your vehicle in advance, especially if you are travelling in summer.

I always prefer to compare the different options beforehand, carefully check the excess, insurance, fuel policy and rental conditions, and arrive at the start of the trip with everything organised. Personally, I always use Discover Cars to rent a car, a very reliable website that allows you to compare different filters and rates.

That way, once you have collected the keys, there is only one thing left to do: hit the road!

After my trip at the end of August 2026, my answer is: much more than I expected before leaving. If you are wondering What to See in Abruzzo on a Road Trip in Abruzzo, do not think only about Rocca Calascio or Lake Scanno, as unmissable as these two stops are.

Think of it as a region to travel through. And perhaps this is the real beauty of Abruzzo by Road: never quite having the feeling that the journey is over.

Every bend can lead to a new landscape, every detour to a small village and every climb to a viewpoint from which you can look out over the region.

So, if you are thinking about planning a trip to this region, my advice is simple: choose your stops, leave some free space in your itinerary and, above all, give yourself the freedom to explore.

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