Regional Guides

Towns Worth Knowing: A Curated List for Newcomers

Not a ranking. Not "the 10 best places to live in Abruzzo." Just a practical list of towns that are functional, have amenities, and where foreigners have successfully settled,along with honest notes on what each is like. Because "charming hilltop village" doesn't tell you anything about whether there's a pharmacy.

How to Use This

This isn't a ranking. There's no "best place to live in Abruzzo" because the best place depends on what you need. This is a reference list of towns that are functional, have basic services, and where foreigners have successfully settled.

Each entry includes honest notes on what the town offers and what it lacks. Use this as a starting point for research, not a final answer.

What "Functional" Means

A functional town has: year-round population, basic shops (alimentari, pharmacy), medical access within reasonable distance, reliable road access, and evidence that it's stable rather than declining.

Coastal Towns

Vasto

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~40,000 | Character: Historic old town + marina

One of Abruzzo's most attractive coastal towns. Historic centro storico on the hill, beach/marina area below. Good services, hospital, established expat presence. Property prices higher than average. Busy in summer, quieter but not dead in winter.

Pescara

Province: Pescara | Pop: ~120,000 | Character: Urban, commercial

Abruzzo's largest city and main commercial hub. Best infrastructure, airport, train connections. Not charming but functional. Only place where car-free living is realistic. Property prices highest in region. Good for urban lifestyle, not for village romance.

San Vito Chietino

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~5,000 | Character: Trabocchi coast, scenic

On the Trabocchi coast with those iconic fishing platforms. Beautiful location, tourist appeal. Small but has basics. Popular with foreigners,competition for property. Summer tourism brings crowds and income; winter is quiet.

Giulianova

Province: Teramo | Pop: ~24,000 | Character: Beach resort + historic

Two parts: beach area (Giulianova Lido) and historic old town on the hill. Good services, train station, hospital nearby. Less touristed than Trabocchi coast. Solid year-round community.

Hill Towns

Guardiagrele

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~9,000 | Character: Artisan town, Majella gateway

Known for traditional crafts (ironwork, copper). Beautiful centro storico. Gateway to Majella National Park. Established expat presence. Good local services. At ~600m elevation,proper winters. 30 mins to coast. Popular choice for foreigners.

Atri

Province: Teramo | Pop: ~10,000 | Character: Historic, cathedral town

Beautiful medieval town with significant cathedral. Good services for its size. Relatively close to coast (20 mins). Less discovered by foreigners than Chieti province towns. Genuine working town, not just pretty.

Casoli

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~5,500 | Character: Medieval, practical

Functional hilltown with basics. Nice old center but less photogenic than some. More affordable than famous neighbors. Some expat presence. Good position between coast and mountains.

Caramanico Terme

Province: Pescara | Pop: ~2,000 | Character: Spa town, Majella gateway

Small spa town in Majella foothills. Beautiful location, thermal springs. Tourism economy,busier in season, quiet in winter. Higher elevation (700m). Good for nature lovers but limited services outside tourist season.

Larger Centers

Chieti

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~50,000 | Character: University town, administrative

Province capital with university. Split between old town on hill and newer areas below. Full services including major hospital. Close to Pescara (15 mins). More authentic/less touristy than coast. Good compromise between urban and accessible.

Lanciano

Province: Chieti | Pop: ~35,000 | Character: Historic, commercial

Major inland town with beautiful medieval quarters. Important historically (miracle of Lanciano). Full services, hospital. 20 mins to coast. Good balance of services and character. Established expat community in surrounding area.

Sulmona

Province: L'Aquila | Pop: ~25,000 | Character: Historic, mountain gateway

Famous for confetti (sugared almonds). Beautiful centro storico in mountain valley. Full services for L'Aquila province. Gateway to mountain skiing. Colder winters at 400m elevation. Furthest from coast of major towns. Some expat presence.

Smaller Villages (With Caution)

These villages are functional but small. They're options for people who specifically want minimal services and maximum quiet. Research carefully before committing.

Civitella del Tronto

Province: Teramo | Pop: ~5,000 | Character: Fortress town, tourist draw

Famous for massive fortress. Beautiful but small. Tourism economy,seasonal variation. Basic services. Near border with Marche. Has character but limited daily amenities.

Scanno

Province: L'Aquila | Pop: ~1,800 | Character: Mountain village, scenic

One of Italy's most photographed villages. Lake and mountain setting. Very small year-round population. Tourism-dependent. Remote. Beautiful but demanding lifestyle. Serious winters.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Province: L'Aquila | Pop: ~100 | Character: Restored medieval, tiny

Beautifully restored medieval village. Essentially a boutique hotel village. Tiny permanent population. No services. Example of what "charming village" actually means at ground level. Visit, don't expect to live there normally.

The Bottom Line

This list is a starting point. Each town deserves multiple visits in different seasons before you decide it's "the one." Talk to people who live there,not just sell property there. "Charming" and "functional" aren't always the same thing. The best choice balances what you want with what you need on a daily basis.

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