The Italian peninsula is blessed with fabulous coastlines from the Adriatic Sea to the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian! So how does one choose? In this article, we’ll introduce you to three magnificent spots along the Adriatic in the central Abruzzo region: Alba Adriatica, Cologna, and Roseto degli Abruzzi. Andiamo!

Alba Adriatica

This beautiful coastal town is in the Teramo province of Abruzzo and is close to the border with the Marches region to the north. Awarded the prestigious Blue Flag in 2023, water simply doesn’t get much prettier than this. It is known in Italian as the Spiaggia d’Argento or the “Silver Beach” for its soft sand with a silvery shimmer.

Visitors, and especially families, will appreciate all of the options available whether they choose to bring their own beach umbrella or take advantage of the various bathing establishments and rent a spot for the day (or longer). There are all kinds of restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops, as well as boat rentals available. The water is shallow enough at the shore for the little ones and gradually gets deeper further out to sea. Lifeguards are on duty patrolling the beaches as well so families can feel even more confident. In fact, Alba Adriatica has also been awarded the Green Flag which means that it has been deemed a child-friendly beach by the Italian Pediatricians’ Association.

There is also a stretch of almost 700 meters of shady woods along the coast which is just perfect for an afternoon break from the sun and a nice bike ride (see last paragraph “Cycling Path”).

The city also plans loads of entertainment for all ages during the summertime (through the first week of September) including music, theater, art, and more. There will never be a dull moment here!

Visit the city’s official tourism site for more information at goalbaadriatica.it

Cologna

Just a few kilometers south of Alba Adriatica is Cologna. Immersed in the Borsacchio Nature Reserve, Cologna is one of the most untouched areas along the coastline and includes sand dunes and Mediterranean scrub. While nowhere near the abundant amount of conveniences available in Alba Adriatica or Roseto degli Abruzzi, still, there are services here including bathing establishments. The sea and sand are also impeccably clean even in the peak of the summer season.

Cologna is a great place to come for an early morning or late evening stroll along the beach in the hopes that most of the tourists will have chosen another spot.

photo credit: https://www.abruzzocitta.it/

Roseto degli Abruzzi

Just a few kilometers south you’ll find the lovely seaside town of Roseto degli Abruzzi, a favorite among locals and visitors alike. All three of its beaches have also earned the Blue Flag award as well as the Green Flag. Like Alba Adriatica, the soft, fine sand and shallow water as well as lifeguards on duty and loads of services for families truly make it the ideal location for a fun-filled family vacation in the sun.

In the evenings, you can expect lots of family-friendly entertainment of all kinds as well as amusement park rides, hundreds of dining options, bars, ice cream, and shops.

The promenade known in Italian as the lungomare is the perfect place to unwind with a relaxing stroll while window shopping and trying a fabulous gelato (we recommend a new flavor each day!). There will never be a dull moment in Roseto degli Abruzzi.

Get more information on the city’s official tourism website by clicking here.

Photo credit: https://www.visitroseto.it/

The Cycling Path

The entire coastline in the Teramo province boasts one of the best cycling and pedestrian paths in all of Italy. The Ciclovia Adriatica runs along the entire Adriatic Coast from Trieste to Puglia and the stretch of it in Teramo is known as the Corridoio Verde Adriatico. It’s a smooth, well-designed track for even the youngest and most inexperienced cyclists. Bike rental is available all along the coast, especially in Alba Adriatica and Roseto degli Abruzzi.

As you can see, these three locations along Abruzzo’s Adriatic coast have everything the heart could desire for the perfect Italian beach holiday! And what we have covered in this article, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Luciodem at Italian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons