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Hotel Europa › Surroundings › Things to see

Things to see in the Val Vibrata and Abruzzo

Art towns, villages, parks and the sea, all within a day trip of Hotel Europa in Nereto, with distances from the hotel. Tap a destination to read more and see the photos.

Art towns

Provincial capitals, historic squares and museums: all within a day trip of the hotel, with no need to change hotels.

The façade of Teramo Cathedral

Teramo

about 29 km · 35 min

Ancient Interamnia of the Praetutii preserves the remains of its Roman theatre and amphitheatre right in the centre, alongside medieval palaces. The heart of the city is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, home to the precious silver altar frontal by Nicola da Guardiagrele, a masterpiece of 15th-century Abruzzo goldsmithing. Corso San Giorgio and the surrounding streets are perfect for a stroll with a stop at one of the historic pastry shops; if you are here on 1 May, try the local "virtù" soup.

Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno

about 30 km · 35 min

Just across the border in the Marche, Ascoli is the "city of a hundred towers", built almost entirely of travertine. Piazza del Popolo, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, is home to the historic Caffè Meletti, where you can taste the local anisette. Don't miss olive all'ascolana, fried olives stuffed with meat, and, in summer, the Quintana, the costumed jousting tournament that brings the city to life.

View of Atri

Atri

about 40 km · 40 min

Overlooking the calanchi badlands, Atri is a small capital of art: the choir of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta holds the most important 15th-century fresco cycle in Abruzzo, painted by Andrea Delitio. The elegant, compact old town is also famous for its liquorice, made here for generations. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the Calanchi Nature Reserve.

The Ponte del Mare in Pescara

Pescara

about 75 km · 50 min

Abruzzo's largest city is lively and modern: a long seafront, the Ponte del Mare footbridge for walkers and cyclists, and plenty of bars and restaurants in the centre. Gabriele D'Annunzio was born here and his birthplace is now a museum; the historic quarter is also home to the Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo, which tells the story of the region's farming and shepherding culture.

The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L'Aquila

L'Aquila

about 115 km · 1 h 15

The regional capital, carefully rebuilt after the 2009 earthquake, is a city to rediscover. The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, with its white and pink checked façade, is linked to the Perdonanza Celestiniana, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Also worth seeing are the Fountain of the 99 Spouts and the Spanish Fort. It combines well with Campo Imperatore or the villages of the Gran Sasso.

Villages

From the villages of the Val Vibrata, a few minutes from the hotel, to the stone villages of the Gran Sasso: stories of fortresses, majolica and thousand-year-old churches.

Civitella del Tronto and the Fortress on the cliff

Civitella del Tronto

about 20 km · 25 min

Perched on a rocky spur, Civitella is dominated by its Fortress: over 500 metres of ramparts built from 1564 on the orders of Philip II of Spain. It was the last stronghold of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to surrender, on 20 March 1861, three days after the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed. Inside you can visit the Museum of Weapons and Ancient Maps; from the walkways the view sweeps across the whole valley to the sea. In the village, the "Ruetta" is one of the narrowest streets in Italy.

The Holy Stairs in Campli

Campli

about 20 km · 25 min

Campli is home to one of the most unusual places of faith in Italy: the Holy Stairs, 28 oak steps climbed on one's knees, granted the same indulgences as the Holy Stairs in Rome by Pope Clement XIV in 1772. The 14th-century Palazzo del Parlamento, one of the oldest civic buildings in Abruzzo, overlooks the square. In August the town fills up for the Sagra della Porchetta Italica, one of the oldest food festivals in the region.

The village of Colonnella

Villages of the Val Vibrata

5 to 15 min

Around the hotel there are small gems: in Nereto the Romanesque church of San Martino and the octagonal chapel of San Rocco; in Sant'Omero the 10th-century church of Santa Maria a Vico, the only monument in Abruzzo from before the year 1000 to survive almost intact; Colonnella, with its monumental staircase and views from the sea to the Laga Mountains; Controguerra, the valley's wine capital; and the abandoned village of Faraone Vecchio, in Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, reclaimed by nature.

Castelli below Monte Camicia

Castelli

about 55 km · 1 h

At the foot of Monte Camicia, Castelli has been the capital of Abruzzo majolica for centuries. The ceiling of the church of San Donato, covered with hundreds of painted tiles, has been called the "Sistine Chapel of majolica". In the village you can visit the Ceramics Museum and the craft workshops, where you can buy a handmade souvenir. The drive there offers spectacular views of the Gran Sasso.

Rocca Calascio and the church of Santa Maria della Pietà

Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Rocca Calascio

about 1 h 30

Two iconic destinations in mountain Abruzzo, a few kilometres apart. Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a medieval stone village, famous for its lentils and for the "scattered hotel" rooms in its old houses. Rocca Calascio, at about 1,460 metres, is one of the highest fortresses in Italy, with the octagonal church of Santa Maria della Pietà beside it: a cinematic landscape, chosen as a location for "Ladyhawke". Ideal to combine with Campo Imperatore in a single day.

Parks and nature

In little more than an hour you go from the beaches to the highest peaks of the Apennines: national parks, mountain lakes and unique landscapes.

Campo Imperatore with the Corno Grande

Campo Imperatore and the Gran Sasso

about 1 h 15

Italy's "Little Tibet": a vast plateau at over 1,500 metres, dominated by the Corno Grande (2,912 m), the highest peak in the Apennines. You can get there by car or by cable car from Fonte Cerreto. In summer it is a paradise for hikers and motorcyclists, with roadside stalls grilling arrosticini; in winter it becomes a ski resort. Don't miss the Alpine Botanical Garden.

Lake Campotosto

Laga Mountains and Lake Campotosto

about 1 h 15

The wildest side of the park: beech and chestnut woods, streams and spectacular waterfalls in spring. Lake Campotosto, at 1,313 metres, is the largest artificial lake in Abruzzo, 42 km around: you can cycle round it, fish or canoe, and in winter it becomes a paradise for birdwatching, with thousands of migratory birds.

The Calanchi of Atri

Calanchi of Atri Nature Reserve

about 40 km · 40 min

The calanchi are deep clay walls shaped by erosion, creating an almost lunar landscape a few kilometres from the sea. The reserve is explored on foot along waymarked trails, with viewpoints that become spectacular at sunset. It pairs well with a visit to Atri.

Castel Manfrino and the Montagna dei Fiori

Montagna dei Fiori

about 35 km · 45 min

The mountain closest to the hotel: easy trails and flowering meadows in summer, family ski slopes in winter. From its slopes the view stretches from the Gran Sasso to the Adriatic. Nearby are the spectacular Salinello Gorges, a canyon carved by the river between rock walls.

Stalactites in the Stiffe Caves

Stiffe Caves

about 1 h 30

An underground route along a karst river, past small lakes, stalactites and waterfalls echoing through the rock. The guided tour lasts about an hour and is suitable for children too. Bring a sweater: the temperature inside stays cool all year round.

Sea and coast

The Val Vibrata beaches are a quarter of an hour from the hotel; a little further on you find marine reserves, pine woods and the famous trabocchi.

Sunset on the beach at Alba Adriatica

Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto and Martinsicuro

about 11–15 km · 15–18 min

The beaches closest to the hotel: fine sand, gently shelving water and well-equipped beach clubs, ideal for families. Alba Adriatica has a lively seafront full of fish restaurants and bars; Tortoreto combines the Lido with the old village of Tortoreto Alto, perfect for an evening stroll with a sea view; Martinsicuro has the 16th-century Tower of Charles V, built to defend the coast from pirates. The whole coast is linked by a handy seafront cycle path.

Giulianova seafront

Giulianova

about 18 km · 20 min

Giulianova has two sides: the Lido, with the marina, beaches and seafront, and the old town on the hill, with the dome of San Flaviano Cathedral and a viewpoint over the Adriatic. In the evening the harbour comes alive with restaurants serving the day's catch.

Pineto beach with the Cerrano Tower

Pineto and the Cerrano Tower

about 45 km · 35 min

One of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the province: Pineto's historic pine wood reaches almost to the sand, and a little further south the 16th-century Cerrano Tower gives its name to a marine protected area, with dunes, sea lilies and protected seabeds. Ideal if you are looking for a more natural seaside.

San Benedetto del Tronto seafront

San Benedetto del Tronto

about 25 km · 25 min

The "Riviera of Palms": kilometres of seafront shaded by thousands of palm trees, beach clubs, the fishing harbour and a lively nightlife. An easy, pleasant trip just across the regional border.

The Punta Le Morge trabocco

Trabocchi Coast

about 1 h 15

A stretch of wild coast dotted with trabocchi, old wooden fishing platforms suspended over the sea, some now turned into restaurants. You can ride it by bike along the Via Verde, the cycle path built on the old railway line, past coves, rocks and the abbey of San Giovanni in Venere at Fossacesia.

What to eat and drink

Teramo cuisine is one of the richest in Abruzzo. Here is what to taste during your stay.

Timballo teramano

First course

Layers of scrippelle (thin crêpes) with meat sauce, tiny meatballs and cheese: the dish for special occasions.

Scrippelle 'mbusse

Tradition

Rolled crêpes with pecorino cheese, served in chicken broth: simple and irresistible.

Arrosticini

Grill

Mutton skewers cooked on the "furnacella" grill: the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane

DOCG

The most important red wine of the area, together with the wines of the Controguerra DOC. Many wineries in the valley offer visits and tastings.

Tip: ask the staff where to eat. We're happy to point you to the local trattorias serving traditional food, some of which have special arrangements with the hotel.

A weekend from Nereto

An idea for two or three days, staying at Hotel Europa.

Day 1 · Villages and wine

Morning at the Fortress of Civitella del Tronto, lunch in the village, afternoon in Campli or at Santa Maria a Vico, and a sunset tasting at a winery in Controguerra.

Day 2 · Sea

Beach at Alba Adriatica or Tortoreto, a bike ride on the coastal cycle path and a fish dinner at Giulianova harbour.

Day 3 · Mountains or city

Campo Imperatore and Rocca Calascio for nature lovers, or Ascoli Piceno and Teramo if you prefer art and shopping.

Distances and driving times from Hotel Europa are approximate.

Keep exploring

Sports and motorsportKarting track, Avio Club airfield and equestrian centre a few minutes away, with services for teams.Scopri →Events and festivalsFestivals, food fairs, races and events in the Val Vibrata, updated monthly.Discover →

Stay in Nereto, at the centre of it all

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