Pescara is a beautiful city located on the Adriatic coast and easily accessible from our sea-view vacation rentals in Abruzzo even without using a car, taking the train from Tollo-Canosa Sannita station with a regional ticket that costs about 2 euros. Those arriving by car, on the other hand, can park at the station’s Area di Risulta parking lot by paying a day ticket.
Pescara is best known as a seaside resort. Along its wide coastline, which borders Montesilvano to the north and Francavilla al Mare to the south, free beaches, establishments, bars, pubs and restaurants offering delicious seafood dishes alternate. The waterfront area is an ideal place for romantic walks and fun evenings.
The city, however, is not only sea and beaches. It also has a lot to offer from a cultural and tourist perspective. Pescara was the birthplace of the famous writer Gabriele D’Annunzio, one of the leading exponents of European decadentism. Along one of the city’s most picturesque courses flanking the Pescara River is the house where he was born on March 12, 1863, and where he spent his early boyhood years, now converted into a museum. Declared a national monument in 1927, it has undergone several restoration and consolidation works that have not too much altered its original appearance. Its interior contains furnishings, period furniture and objects of the writer and his family.
The historic center of Pescara, although partly destroyed during World War II, still retains many architectural and artistic treasures. A stroll through the downtown streets can reveal many surprises, such as the beautiful Cathedral of St. Cetteo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. It was erected in the years 1933-1934 to replace the dilapidated Blessed Sacrament Church. The cathedral houses the tomb of the poet’s mother, Luisa D’Annunzio, and a painting by Guercino, St. Francis, donated by D’Annunzio himself. Other buildings of architectural and artistic interest include the Government Palace of the Province of Pescara, the Church of the Sacred Heart, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows.
The city’s museum offerings are rich and varied. In addition to Gabriele d’Annunzio’s Birthplace Museum, the following are worth a visit: the Museum of the People of Abruzzo, set up in a former 16th century prison, tracing local history from prehistoric times; the Vittoria Colonna Museum of Modern Art, where you can admire works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Renato Guttuso, to name a few; the Paparella Museum, with a prestigious collection of Castelli majolica made between the 16th and 19th centuries; and the Basilio Cascella Civic Museum, which collects the majority of the Cascella family’s works.
Pescara is also known for its natural areas, most notably the Dannunziana Pine Forest, located in the southern part of the city. It was one of the poet’s most beloved places, to whom the outdoor theater and a tall obelisk are dedicated. It covers an area of about 53 hectares and within it is home to a diverse fauna and flora that can be observed and experienced almost all year round. Other green areas in the city include Villa Sabucchi Park, Sports Park, and Colle del Telegrafo Park, from which there are spectacular views of the coast and hinterland.
In addition to being a beautiful city to visit, Pescara is also a must-see destination for shoppers. The center is full of stores and boutiques. In addition, it is important to know that during the summer the city offers many activities and events, such as concerts, theater performances, exhibitions and cultural festivals. Popular events include the Pescara Jazz Festival, held annually between June and July, and the White Night of the Adriatic, which takes place in July with its load of fun, music and free concerts.
For those who decide to visit Pescara, it is advisable to plan your visit according to your interests and preferences. A good idea arriving by train (or alternatively by car) might be to start at Corso Umberto I, a favorite spot for afternoon and evening strolls among the people of Pescara, which is located just across from the exit of the train station. Then we recommend you visit the Birthplace Museum of Gabriele d’Annunzio and the Cathedral of San Cetteo. Afterwards, time could be spent visiting the city’s museums and parks, then ending the day on the waterfront, perhaps with a romantic sunset stroll or an evening at one of the city’s typical clubs, pubs or restaurants.
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