Things to Do

Via Verde dei Trabocchi – Bike Route

The Greenway of the Trabocchi Coast is a cycling and walking path (about 42–50 km) connecting Ortona to Vasto Marina, passing through San Vito. The route is almost completely flat, runs along the sea, and passes through nature reserves, vineyards, and traditional wooden fishing platforms called trabocchi. You can book bikes from Ortona on this website here.

Ortona's Aragonese Castle & Saint Thomas Church

Wander through the historic heart of Ortona, with charming streets, cafés, viewpoints, and the Church of Saint Thomas, one of the town’s most important landmarks.

Lido Riccio, Saraceni, Ripari di Giobbe and San Vito beaches

There are a few optons for beaches available around the area of Ortona and San Vito. Depending on the weather, September might be quite late for the season and some of the 'Lidos' might be partially shut.
Still nice to go for a stroll by the seaside.

Lido Riccio (requires car)
Saraceni (walkable from Ortona)
Ripari di Giobbe (requires car)

San Vito offers many natural beaches accessible on foot from the city center, please see below:

Fish Restaurant - Trattoria San Domenico (Ortona)

Trattoria San Domenico in Ortona is a long‑standing seafood restaurant, tucked into the historic center right in front of the Aragonese Castle with a beautiful view of the Adriatic.

Italian/Argentinian Restaurant - Tapani (Ortona)

Tapaní is one of the best restaurants in Ortona also featured on the Gambero Rosso guide, a cosy little spot in the historic centre where traditional Abruzzese and Italian cooking meets Argentine influences.

Pizza - 250 Grammi (Ortona)

A popular local pizzeria focusing on classic pizzas made with good‑quality ingredients, it’s a reliable option for an easy dinner in town. Bets pizza on the menu is the '250 grammi'.

Meat - Dal Tramonto all'alba (San Vito)

A restaurant in San Vito specialising in grilled meats and burgers, with a good range of different cuts and types of meat available. While prices can be on the higher side compared to more casual spots, it’s a solid option if you’re looking for a meat‑focused meal rather than traditional seafood.

Fish – Ristorante Cavalluccio (San Vito)

A well‑established seafood restaurant in San Vito Chietino, offering classic coastal dishes with a traditional approach. The menu focuses on fish and simple preparations, and it’s a reliable option if you’re looking for a sit‑down meal by the sea rather than something casual or quick.

Arrosticini – Arrosticini Nino La Quercia (Villa Caldari, Ortona)

A rustic and informal place just outside Ortona, known for serving arrosticini, a traditional Abruzzese speciality made of small skewers of grilled sheep. The meat is cut into bite‑sized cubes and cooked over an open flame, then eaten straight off the skewer while still hot.

Sentiero del Cuore – Lago di Scanno

One of Abruzzo’s most iconic walks, this panoramic trail leads to a viewpoint where Lago di Scanno appears in the shape of a heart. The hike is relatively easy and rewarded with one of the most photographed views in the region.

Caramanico Terme – Valle dell’Orfento & Eremi

A gateway to the wild heart of the Majella, Caramanico Terme offers access to the Valle dell’Orfento with its deep gorges, as well as ancient hermitages hidden in the surrounding mountains.

Cascate di San Giovanni – Bocca di Valle

Hidden in the woods near Guardiagrele, these waterfalls are reached via an easy trail starting at Bocca di Valle. The area combines shaded paths, mountain streams, and cool, refreshing cascades.

Gole di Fara San Martino

Dramatic limestone gorges carved by water over millennia, the Gole di Fara San Martino offer an impressive and accessible walk between towering rock walls at the entrance to the Majella.

Anfiteatro delle Murelle – Majella

A vast natural amphitheatre of rock and grasslands within the Majella National Park. The Anfiteatro delle Murelle feels wild and remote, perfect for experienced hikers seeking powerful mountain scenery.

Campo Imperatore

Often called the “Little Tibet” of Italy, Campo Imperatore is a high-altitude plateau offering wide open landscapes, grazing sheep, and endless skies in the heart of Gran Sasso.

Piana del Voltigno

A peaceful karst plateau near the Gran Sasso, the Piana del Voltigno is known for open meadows, forests, and seasonal wildflowers. Ideal for quiet hikes and nature lovers.