Pescara packs more into its 20km of coastline than most Adriatic resorts. The city is Abruzzo’s largest urban center and its beach culture, museums, cycling infrastructure, and food scene make it a destination in its own right, not just a gateway to the mountains. From the iconic Ponte del Mare footbridge to the pine-scented paths of the Pineta Dannunziana, here are the essential things to do in Pescara. See our weather by month data for more. See our best time to visit guide for more.
Things to Do in Pescara: Outdoor Activities and Beach Life
Relax on the Pescara Beachfront (Lungomare)
Pescara’s main beach stretches for nearly 20km along the Adriatic, divided into stabilimenti (private beach clubs) and spiagge libere (free public beaches). The stabilimenti rent two sun loungers and an umbrella for 15-25 euro per day in high season, and most have bars, showers, and changing rooms. The free beach sections fill up early in August. The sand is fine and golden, and the water shelves gently, making it family-friendly. The cleanest stretches are south of the city center toward Francavilla al Mare. See our events and festivals calendar for more. See our neighborhoods guide for more.
Walk or Cycle Across the Ponte del Mare
The Ponte del Mare is Pescara’s most distinctive landmark: a 466-metre pedestrian and cycle bridge that arches across the Pescara River, connecting the northern and southern seafront promenades. Opened in 2009, its curved white structure is lit up at night and offers panoramic views of the Adriatic, the marina, and the Gran Sasso mountains on clear days. It is free to cross 24/7 and is the most popular spot in the city for sunset photos. Bike rental shops near the bridge charge about 5 euro per hour. See our where to stay recommendations for more.
Explore the Pineta Dannunziana Nature Reserve
This 53-hectare pine forest in the southern part of the city is a protected nature reserve named after the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. Trails wind through Aleppo pines, holm oaks, and Mediterranean scrub. It is a popular spot for jogging, dog walking, and escaping the midday heat. The reserve also contains the Aurum, a restored 1930s liqueur factory now used as an exhibition and event space (free entry, check opening times at the gate). The Pineta has free access from dawn to dusk.
Things to Do in Pescara: Culture and Museums
Visit the Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo
Pescara’s premier museum traces the history of human settlement in Abruzzo from the Palaeolithic era to the 20th century. Displays cover shepherding traditions, rural crafts, and the region’s distinctive culinary heritage. It is housed in the former Bourbon barracks on Via delle Caserme. Entry costs 6 euro (reduced 4 euro). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-13:30, closed Monday. Allow 90 minutes for a thorough visit. The museum is a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
Tour the Gabriele D’Annunzio Birthplace Museum
The poet, soldier, and nationalist Gabriele D’Annunzio was born in this 18th-century townhouse on Corso Manthoné in 1863. The museum preserves nine rooms of original furniture, photographs, letters, and personal belongings that trace his flamboyant life. Entry is 5 euro. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00 (winter hours may vary). The museum sits at the heart of Pescara Vecchia, the old town, on a street now lined with bars and restaurants.
See the Nave di Cascella Fountain
The Nave di Cascella is a large travertine marble sculpture-fountain on the lungomare, shaped like a ship and created by the local artist Pietro Cascella in 1987. It sits at the northern end of the seafront promenade and serves as an unofficial symbol of Pescara. Free to visit, best photographed at sunset when the marble glows pink against the sea.
Cathedral of San Cetteo
Pescara’s cathedral, dedicated to Saint Cetteus (the city’s patron saint), was built in the 1930s in a neo-Romanesque style after the original medieval church was demolished. The interior features frescoes by local artists and the tomb of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s mother. It sits on Piazza San Cetteo off Corso Umberto. Free entry, open daily 7:30-12:00 and 16:00-19:00. Mass on Sunday at 11:00.
Things to Do in Pescara: Food, Shopping and Nightlife
Eat Arrosticini on Corso Manthoné
Arrosticini (skewers of grilled mutton) are Abruzzo’s signature street food, and Pescara’s old town on Corso Manthoné is the best place to eat them. The narrow cobbled street fills with the smell of grilled meat from early evening, with dozens of rustic osterie and wine bars serving arrosticini alongside Montepulciano d’Abruzzo red wine. A plate of 10 skewers costs 5-8 euro. The street gets busy after 20:00, especially on Friday and Saturday.
Shop Along Corso Umberto I
Corso Umberto I is Pescara’s main shopping street, a pedestrianised stretch running from Piazza della Rinascita toward the sea. It is lined with Italian and international clothing brands, shoe shops, gelaterie, and cafes. The corso is at its liveliest during the evening passeggiata (roughly 17:00-20:00) when locals stroll, shop, and stop for aperitivo. The parallel Via Nicola Fabrizi has more independent boutiques and bookshops.
Aperitivo on the Lungomare
The seafront promenade, Lungomare Matteotti, has a string of bars and gelaterie with outdoor terraces facing the Adriatic. The ritual of aperitivo (a pre-dinner drink with snacks, typically from 18:00-20:00) is taken seriously here. An Aperol spritz costs 5-7 euro and usually comes with a plate of olives, chips, or small sandwiches. Popular spots include Chalet dei Tigli and Lido GQ near the central beach area.
Things to Do in Pescara: Day Trips
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (1 hour 20 min drive)
This perfectly preserved medieval hill town in the Gran Sasso National Park sits at 1,250m altitude. Its stone alleyways, fortified tower, and surrounding mountain scenery make it one of Abruzzo’s most photogenic villages. Drive via the A25 and SS17, or take a bus from Pescara’s main station to L’Aquila then a local connection. The town has several good trattorias serving lentil soup and pecorino cheese. Best visited May through October; winter snow can make the mountain roads tricky.
Trabocchi Coast (30-50 min drive south)
The Costa dei Trabocchi stretches south from Ortona to Vasto, named for the wooden fishing platforms (trabocchi) that perch over the sea on stilts. Several have been converted into seafood restaurants where you eat the day’s catch suspended over the water. Book a table at least a day ahead in summer. The coast road (SS16) is scenic, and there is a dedicated cycle path (Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi) running 42km along the old railway line. Bike rentals are available in Ortona.
Majella National Park (50 min drive)
The Majella massif rises to 2,793m and offers hiking trails ranging from easy valley walks to multi-day ridge routes. The park is less crowded than Gran Sasso and has several hermitage caves carved into the rock. The visitor centre in Caramanico Terme provides maps and trail conditions. Drive via the A25 toward Sulmona. Summer trailheads can be reached with a normal car; winter requires snow chains or a 4×4 for higher elevations.
For more practical advice on getting around, see our Pescara travel tips and FAQ.