Holidays in Abruzzo with children: suggestions
On holiday with children? Then Abuzzo is the right destination for you ! It’s a region able to conquer any kind of traveller , despite his age : there are many thing to see and to do together with your children , both if they are 3 years old or they are 13. Among visits, activities and many ways to have fun , there is only the embarrassment of choice.
Those who travel with children have special needs and before of departure want to organize everything with the utmost care to avoid mishaps and to make your stay more enjoyable. That’s why we have selected for you the attractions and the places that children will be happy to discover.
They will love the holiday and you will love to see them smile.
Here are all the ideas for a family holiday :
Those who choose to spend their holidays in Abruzzo can count on 133 kilometers of coastline washed by the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. In addition to showing off enchanting beaches and crystal clear waters, the coast is full of wide sandy beaches with shallow waters that slope gently towards the open sea, perfect for families with small children. As evidence of the fact that Abruzzo beaches are also suitable for children, there are many that over the years have been awarded the Green Flag, the recognition that indicates beaches and seaside resorts with characteristics suitable for “family” tourism. , selected through a survey conducted among a sample of pediatricians. The rules for the assignment are: clear and shallow water near the shore, sand for towers and castles, lifeguards and lifeboats, games, spaces for changing nappies or breastfeeding, and nearby ice cream parlors, aperitifs and restaurants for adults.
One of the favorite places for families is undoubtedly Francavilla al Mare, with its coastline made up of fine golden sand, in whose calm waters children can play safely and undisturbed. Also wonderful are: the Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area, a small paradise where nature still maintains its balance intact, which takes its name from the suggestive fortress built in the 16th century to defend the coast from the incursions of Slavic pirates; and the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, a spectacular stretch of coast dotted with various beaches, one more beautiful than the other.
Abruzzo also boasts a small but significant offer of water parks. In the province of Chieti, about 50 km from Francavilla al Mare, is Aqualand del Vasto, a huge water park immersed in a splendid natural setting. With 1 km of slides and 3000 square meters of swimming pools it is the ideal place to spend a day full of fun with your children. In addition to the many water attractions, it also includes a playground, a picnic area and an educational farm with many courtyard animals, beautiful ponies and colorful parrots. In Tortoreto, in the province of Teramo, there is the Onda Blu water park, a real paradise for children. For the little ones there is the Happy Island, an area completely dedicated to them with slides, tubes and a mini playground surrounded by greenery.
Abruzzo is the greenest region in Europe: if your children love being in close contact with nature, there are many things you can do outdoors. The territory is full of magnificent natural areas perfect for a trip out of town but also for a simple picnic. In fact, there are countless areas equipped for an unforgettable picnic. Among the locations stand out the Medieval Castle of Roccascalegna, the picnic area of Montepiano, the Rio Verde waterfalls, the picnic area of Bocca di Valle, the Ring of Fonte Cugnoli, the Natural Reserve of Lama Bianca and the Tirino Valley, just to name a few.
These green areas are crossed by a rich network of paths, many of which are within everyone’s reach and suitable for families. For children who are always ready to explore nature, there are numerous equipped and barrier-free routes designed to help them discover the most fascinating and hidden aspects of the area. Among those absolutely not to be missed are: the “La Valle” trail in Guardiagrele, the nature trail in Acciano, the Pescara Sorgenti Nature Reserve Trail, the Acquatina Trail and the trails along the Castel Cerreto Nature Reserve. Within the areas it is also possible to participate in other activities such as horseback riding and mountain biking.
There are also adventure parks, where your little ones can test their skills in complete safety. In Guardiagrele, in the locality of Piana delle Mele, there is the Majella Adventure Park, with paths among the trees that develop at different heights and different degrees of difficulty. In the center of Caramanico Terme there is the Majagreen Adventure Park, a family-friendly place with paths for children from 2 years of age.
All children like animals and therefore you absolutely must take them to the Zoo d’Abruzzo in Rocca San Giovanni, which offers the opportunity to live a day in contact with animals from all over the world. Inside you can admire the most famous and splendid creatures such as the lion, the giraffe, the white rhino and the reticulated python but also observe the behavior of exotic and native species in specially designed structures such as the island of lemurs and the lagoon of the alligators. There are live shows and numerous educational activities for the little ones.
In Abruzzo there are more and more educational farms, where children can experience a new and fun way of experiencing nature. Within them, training activities on food and environmental education are promoted. Definitely worth a visit is the Asinomania educational farm in Introdacqua, which pursues the aim of averting the disappearance of the donkey by proposing its diffusion throughout the national territory. Here children can participate in workshops and training, therapy, trekking and research activities on donkey milk. Also not to be missed is the Babalù Friendship Farm in Sant’Eusanio del Sangro, which organizes guided tours, workshops, educational and playful courses aimed at deepening the interaction between donkeys and children.
Abruzzo is also a region that knows how to enchant with legendary places and stories. In the Roccascalegna area there are the ruins of a dilapidated house known as the Fairy House due to the presence of magical creatures. In addition to the many legends related to this place, many tell of strange apparitions and supernatural phenomena. Another mysterious place is Colle delle Fate in Roccacasale, where according to legend the fairies were invited to a special banquet for the birth of each new unborn child. Instead in the Caves of the Cavallone in Taranta Peligna it is possible to hear the lament of the fairies locked in the cave which slowly turns into a melodious and poignant song. There are numerous events that celebrate these fantastic tales.
Finally, in Abruzzo there are several museums suitable for children, able to conquer them in a fun way. These museums offer a wide range of educational proposals, from visits to workshops. Among the museums that your little ones will surely like are: Abruzzo in Miniatura in Francavilla al Mare, which exhibits about 100 faithful reproductions of castles, churches and monuments that symbolize the region; the Museum of the People of Abruzzo in Pescara, which allows you to discover the history of man in Abruzzo, from distant prehistoric times to the industrial revolution; the Train Museum in Montesilvano, which houses models, dioramas and various finds from the FS; and the MuBAQ – Children’s Museum in L’Aquila, which stimulates children’s creativity and artistic skills through educational workshops.
