The Trabocchi Coast is one of the most iconic places in Abruzzo, famous for its historical and cultural value. This splendid stretch of coastline, approximately 40 kilometers long, is dotted with 23 trabocchi, ancient stilted structures once used for fishing, which today are the distinctive symbol of the region.
In addition to the opportunity to enjoy unique gastronomic experiences within these evocative structures, the Trabocchi Coast offers visitors the chance to explore beautiful beaches and historically significant towns of extreme beauty.
In the following lines, we’ll guide you through the discovery of this extraordinary territory, revealing what makes it truly special. Continue reading to find out what to see on the Trabocchi Coast.
What are Trabocchi?
Trabocchi are ancient structures built on stilts and used as fishing machines. These constructions, connected to the mainland by long wooden walkways, are characterized by their arms — called antenne — which extend toward the sea to support large, tight-meshed nets known as trabocchetti, used to catch fish.
Originally constructed entirely of wood, over time these fishing tools were reinforced with iron elements, often sourced from nearby railway construction sites, to increase their resistance. Despite some theories suggesting a Phoenician origin, the first documented traces of trabocchi date back to 1240. These structures are typically found along coastal stretches with rocky outcrops and deep waters, ideal for both fishing and mooring small boats.
Today, the trabocchi of the Abruzzo coast have been restored to their original splendor. Some continue to be used privately, while others have been transformed into characteristic restaurants where it’s possible to enjoy freshly caught fish.
What to See on the Abruzzo Trabocchi Coast
Choosing to spend your vacation along the Trabocchi coastline means guaranteeing yourself the opportunity to carry out an endless series of activities, from walking or cycling along the panoramic Via Verde, to visiting the most evocative towns that dot the coastline, to relaxing on the beaches.
But let’s now discover in detail what the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo reserves for each of its visitors.
The Trabocchi
The Trabocchi Riviera hosts about twenty trabocchi between Ortona and Vasto, each with unique characteristics. These ancient fishing structures, built on stilts and connected to the mainland by wooden walkways, are symbols of Abruzzo’s historical and cultural heritage. Among the most famous are:
- In Ortona: Trabocco Mucchiola, Trabocco Vento di Scirocco, Trabocco San Giacomo, and Trabocco Punta Fornace
- In San Vito Chietino: Trabocco Turchino, Trabocco Caravaggio, Trabocco Lupone, and Trabocco Valle Grotte
- In Rocca San Giovanni: Trabocco Punta Tufano, Trabocco Sasso della Cajana, and Trabocco Punta Isolata
- In Fossacesia: Trabocco Punta Torre, Trabocco Spezzacatena, Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio, Trabocco Punta Punciosa, Trabocco Punta Rocciosa, and Trabocco Punta Le Morge
- At Punta Aderci: Trabocco di Punta Aderci and Trabocco Grotta del Saraceno
- In Vasto: Trabocco Cungarelle and Trabocco Trave
Historic Towns Along the Trabocchi Coast
The Trabocchi Coast is famous not only for its ancient fishing structures but also for the picturesque historic towns that line the coastline. These small settlements, often perched on hills or directly overlooking the sea, are small treasures waiting to be discovered. Let’s explore the most characteristic ones.
San Vito Chietino
San Vito Chietino is a fascinating town located between Ortona and Lanciano. This locality is divided into two parts: the historic center, perched on a hill 122 meters above sea level, and the other part of the city that extends along the coast.
One of San Vito’s main historical attractions is the Dannunzian Hermitage, a house on a promontory where Gabriele D’Annunzio stayed for a long time, leaving a significant cultural imprint. Despite the damage suffered during the world wars, the town has returned to its splendor in the 1960s, establishing itself as one of the main tourist attractions in the area.
Rocca San Giovanni
Rocca San Giovanni is a small medieval village nestled between the green hills and the tranquility of the Adriatic Sea. Founded around the year 1000, the village preserves traces of its past, such as the Bell Tower, the only one surviving of the three original towers, and the remains of medieval walls, now visible along Via Abate Oderisio.
The heart of the village is Piazza degli Eroi (Heroes’ Square), a suggestive square where the Municipal Palace, in neo-medieval style, and the Church of San Matteo Apostolo (Saint Matthew the Apostle), built in the 12th century and rich in artworks of great historical value, are located.
Vasto
Vasto, overlooking the picturesque Golfo d’Oro (Golden Gulf), is one of the most fascinating towns on the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo. Its historic center is among the best-preserved in the region and develops around Piazza Gabriele Rossetti, where you can admire the Cathedral of San Giuseppe, the Caldoresco Castle, and Palazzo D’Avalos, the latter known for its splendid Neapolitan garden and for hosting important museum collections.
Beyond its historical heritage, Vasto is famous for the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, a protected area characterized by wonderful beaches, such as Punta Penna and Mottagrossa, which represent a true paradise for nature lovers.
Ortona
Ortona is the ideal starting point for exploring the Trabocchi Coast and the surrounding natural parks of Abruzzo. Its origins date back to the 4th century BC, when it was an important commercial port, and throughout history, it has seen the passage of numerous dominations, from the Romans to the Normans, who left significant traces in its cultural heritage.
Among the main attractions are the Aragonese Castle, an imposing structure overlooking the sea, and the Cathedral of San Tommaso Apostolo, which houses the relics of the city’s patron saint. For hiking and panoramic walk enthusiasts, the Eastern Promenade offers a suggestive path leading to the castle, providing breathtaking views of the coast and the Adriatic Sea.
Fossacesia
Fossacesia is a charming town on a hill, known especially for its Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, a majestic monastic complex built in the 13th century on a pre-existing monastery, which today constitutes one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Italy.
The city extends to the coast, and among the most picturesque locations in this area is the Punta Cavalluccio Beach, framed by Mediterranean vegetation and dominated by the eponymous trabocco.
Torino di Sangro
Torino di Sangro is a charming village located between the mouths of the Sangro and Osento rivers. Among its main attractions is the Coastal Holm Oak Forest, a nature reserve of 180 hectares extending from the Sangro River to the Adriatic coast. This extraordinary ecosystem hosts lush vegetation composed of holm oaks, downy oaks, and flowering ash trees, accompanied by an undergrowth rich in ivy and protected flora and fauna species.
The town is crossed by the Adriatic Cycle Route, a bicycle path connecting Fossacesia Marina to Casalbordino, making Torino di Sangro a privileged destination for cycling enthusiasts. The route, immersed in a suggestive landscape, offers panoramic views ideal for a relaxing bike ride or a summer adventure between sea and nature.
Casalbordino
Casalbordino is a village that preserves a fascinating historic center, where it is possible to immerse oneself in the past by admiring the remains of ancient walls, elegant noble palaces like Palazzo Magnarapa and Palazzo De Arcangelis, and the Mother Church of San Salvatore, known for its refined neoclassical facade with exposed brick. In the surrounding area, history enthusiasts can visit the suggestive ruins of the Abbey of Santo Stefano in Rivomaris, an ancient abbey dating back to the 6th century.
The Casalbordino coastline, known as Casalbordino Lido, is a highly appreciated seaside destination thanks to its wide golden sandy beaches, lapped by crystal-clear waters and protected by a lush pine forest.
In the southern part, near the mouth of the Sinello River, the landscape is enriched with small pebble beaches, offering a more tranquil and unspoiled alternative. This stretch of coast is perfectly connected to the Adriatic Cycle Route, a pedestrian and cycle path that allows easy access to the spectacular Punta Aderci nature reserve, ideal for those seeking an experience between nature and outdoor activities.
San Salvo
San Salvo is a town located at the southern end of the Trabocchi Coast, bordering Molise. The heart of San Salvo develops on a hill and still preserves testimonies of its past. The historic center gathers around the archaeological park of the quadrilateral, which includes the Porta della Terra Civic Museum, the Roman mosaic archaeological island, and the suggestive underground aqueduct.
A few kilometers from the center is San Salvo Marina, a modern coastline extending for about 3 kilometers with fine sandy beaches and gently sloping seabeds, ideal for families with children.
The Most Beautiful Beaches of the Trabocchi Coast
The Trabocchi Riviera boasts some of the most fascinating beaches in Abruzzo. Here is a selection of the most beautiful:
- Punta dell’Acquabella (Ortona): a hidden beach among the cliffs, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation. Its crystal-clear waters and rocky seabeds make it perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.
- Ripari di Giobbe (Ortona): nestled between cliffs, this beach is a small paradise of tranquility. It’s ideal for those seeking an authentic contact with nature and enjoying clear, calm sea.
- Calata Turchino (San Vito Chietino): famous for its proximity to the picturesque Trabocco Turchino, this beach offers a breathtaking panorama, with white pebbles and an intensely blue sea.
- Punta Penna (Vasto): one of the widest and most wild beaches on the coast, with sandy dunes and untouched nature. The nearby Punta Penna lighthouse adds further charm to the landscape.
- Cavalluccio Beach (Rocca San Giovanni): characterized by a small pebble beach, surrounded by greenery and dominated by the iconic Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio. It’s a perfect destination for those seeking peace and beauty.
- Fossacesia Marina (Fossacesia): a long coastline of white pebbles, lapped by clear and crystalline waters, with equipped beach establishments and free beach areas. The adjacent pine forest offers a pleasant refuge during the hottest hours.
- Punta Ferruccio (Ortona): an intimate beach, nestled between cliffs overlooking the sea. The colors of the sea and rocks create a scenario of rare beauty.
- La Fuggitella (Fossacesia): a small wild and uncrowded cove, perfect for those who love immersing themselves in a natural and silent atmosphere.
- Marina di San Salvo (San Salvo): a fine sandy beach ideal for families thanks to its equipped facilities.
- Mottagrossa Beach (Vasto): a coastline of pebbles and gravel immersed in unspoiled nature. It is part of the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, a perfect place for those who love tranquility and authentic beauty.
Trabocchi Coast: The Bike Route
As mentioned above, the Trabocchi Coast extends from the city of Ortona to Vasto, crossing a series of small municipalities that offer breathtaking views.
The area is easily accessible by both car and train, thanks to the railway line that runs parallel to the coast, but it is by bicycle that you can best enjoy the panorama. The Via Verde pedestrian and cycling path, built along the former railway route and 42 km long, is a flat path ideal for both experienced cyclists and families.
Vacation on the Trabocchi Coast: Where to Stay
To visit the cities and beaches of the Trabocchi Coast, it is essential to choose a strategic accommodation that allows you to easily reach all the most fascinating stops on the route.
If you are traveling with family, the ideal is to opt for accommodation with all comforts, capable of guaranteeing a holiday of tranquility and relaxation. A perfect solution is to rent a villa with a pool, which offers ample spaces and services designed to meet the needs of adults and children.
We at Anita Villas offer villas in Abruzzo ideal for families, located in strategic positions that allow you to easily explore the most beautiful locations on the Abruzzo coast.
Check availability immediately and book your stay: let yourself be enchanted by the wonders of the Abruzzo coastline and experience an unforgettable vacation!