Abruzzo is where the Apennine mountains tumble almost straight into the Adriatic Sea. In the same day you can hike past wild bears in a national park, then sit down for a seafood lunch on a century-old fishing pier. Locals call it "the region of parks" for good reason. Protected parks and reserves cover more than a third of the land here, sheltering wolves, golden eagles and one of Europe's rarest bears. Add a coastline lined with quirky wooden piers turned into restaurants, a hilltop fortress straight out of the movies, and a local obsession with grilled lamb skewers, and you have a region well worth the detour from Rome.

Abruzzo's accommodation is just as varied as its landscape. You will find beachfront hotels on the Adriatic coast, boutique stays in Pescara's old town, and simple guesthouses tucked near the mountain parks inland. Some travellers base themselves on the coast and take day trips to the mountains. Others do the opposite. Either way, book early for summer and you will have a comfortable base for exploring the rest of the region.

Where to stay in Abruzzo

• Pescara - Abruzzo's biggest city and easiest base, with a long sandy beach, a lively seafront promenade and the region's main airport and train links. Good for travellers who want beach days with easy transport in and out.
• Vasto and the Trabocchi Coast - a quieter stretch of coast south of Pescara, named after the rickety wooden trabocchi piers that once caught anchovies and are now converted into seafood restaurants. Made for slow beach days and long lunches over the water.
• Sulmona - an inland town built around a handsome old centre, best known as the birthplace of Italy's famous confetti, sugar-coated almonds that have been made here since Roman times. A relaxed, walkable base for exploring the mountains without needing a car for every errand.
• Calascio and Campo Imperatore - a tiny mountain village below the dramatic Rocca Calascio fortress, on a high plateau so stark it is nicknamed Italy's "Little Tibet." Rocca Calascio has starred in films including Ladyhawke and The American, and the whole area is popular with photographers chasing sunrise.
• Pescasseroli - the main gateway to the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, where patient hikers occasionally spot the endangered Marsican brown bear. A good pick for walkers and wildlife-watchers, and for skiers in winter.

How much is Abruzzo accommodation?

Expect to pay around AU$140 a night for a comfortable mid-range hotel in Abruzzo, noticeably less than Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. Prices climb fast on the coast in July and August, so book ahead if you are travelling in peak summer.

• Budget and guesthouses - from AU$65 per night. Simple rooms, sometimes with a shared bathroom, close to a train station or beach.
• Mid-range hotels - from AU$100 per night. Private bathroom, breakfast included, usually walking distance to the beach or old town.
• Boutique hotels - from AU$150 per night. Smaller, design-led properties with a restaurant or garden on site.
• Luxury and resorts - from AU$260 per night. Sea views, spa facilities and full-service dining.

Top-rated hotels in Abruzzo

• Villa Alba Boutique Hotel - a 4-star stay in Pescara's old town, with a leafy garden terrace, Egyptian cotton sheets and a private beach a short walk away.
• G Hotel Pescara - modern rooms near Pescara's train station, about a 15-minute walk to the beach, with free bikes for exploring the seafront.
• Hotel Regent - right on Pescara's beachfront promenade, with seafront restaurants and Teatro D'Annunzio just a short stroll away.
• Hotel Venezia Vasto - a friendly, no-fuss stay near Vasto's beaches, handy for a seafood dinner on one of the Trabocchi Coast's old fishing piers.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Abruzzo

• Book coastal hotels in Pescara and Vasto well ahead for July and August. Italian domestic travellers holiday here hard in peak summer, and rates spike accordingly.
• Chasing the Marsican brown bear or a hike through Gran Sasso or Majella National Park? Base yourself inland in Pescasseroli, Sulmona or Calascio instead of the coast, and hire a car if you can. Public transport between the mountain villages is patchy.
• May, June and September get you warm weather, arrosticini season in full swing at every roadside grill, and noticeably lower rates than August.
• Rocca Calascio and the Campo Imperatore plateau are a long, winding drive from the coast, so stay nearby rather than trying to do it as a same-day dash from Pescara.
• Pescara has its own airport with a handful of direct European routes, which can beat routing through Rome or Milan if the dates line up.

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