Visit Vasto - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

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Are you planning your vacation in Vasto, Italy? Are you looking for all the touristic information on Vasto? On Visit Italy you find tourist guides written by the editorial staff and travel experiences of travellers who, like you, have chosen Vasto as a destination for a trip or for their holidays. Discover Vasto top travel tips with Visititaly's suggestions, recommendations, travel advice and all things to know about Vasto.

Travel guides and videos

A wonderful holiday in Punta Penna in Abruzzo

Rocca San Giovanni (24,3Km)Rocca San Giovanni: the village and its wonders

A wonderful holiday in Punta Penna in Abruzzo

Vasto Marina

Along the 18 km of coastline that belong to the territory of Vasto, stands a promontory that ends in crown, almost as if you are self-elected ruler of undisputed beauty. Actually Punta Penna and its promontory has been included among the ten most beautiful beaches in Italy, not only for the crystal clear sea that turns into deep blue on the horizon, but also for the beach, soft like flour and pastel gilding, typical of timeless places. It is a beautiful wild and in some places even primitive, made of Mediterranean dunes that degrade to the Regional Nature Reserve of Punta Aderci. A weekend in this paradise, guarded and kept away from mass tourism, could become an interesting alternative for lovers of medieval history and culture. The 8 km that separate Punta Penna from Vasto, are worth the route for a mandatory visit to the artistic wonders of this fascinating municipality without neglecting the nature trails marked within the Aderci Reserve. The silence and quiet that the beach offers will end an unforgettable three days out of town.
1st Day As soon as you arrive and found accommodation in one of the accommodation facilities scattered along the coast or in the village in Vasto, you can start the first tour to discover the historical and artistic beauties of the area. A visit is a must to visit Vasto: the municipality houses the splendid Cathedral of St. Joseph, built around the mid-1200 as evidenced by the date shown on the lunette of the portal. Over the years it was also used as a monastic building and then became a Cathedral named after Saint Joseph in honor of Giuseppe Napoleon Bonaparte. The two-color of the stone inside the Cathedral and its structure with a single nave, as well as the frescoes in Gothic style, were inserted later, during a restoration in the 20s of the 20th century. Also in the second half of the '200 dates back to the first construction of Santa Maria Maggiore, beautiful with the bell tower once used as a defensive bastion, it is a splendid example of Romanesque art. The interior preserves examples of paintings from the Titian's school. If you are in Vasto, you can't miss a walk to the Palazzo d'Avalos, an admirable sixteenth-century building, surrounded by a precious Neapolitan garden whose beauty has been brought back to light. The Palace now houses the Civic Museums with an adjoining a very rich Art Gallery. Going up on the terrace of the Palace you have the splendid panorama of the entire Gulf of Vasto. The city symbol, however, remains the Caldoresco castle, which stands on an ancient Roman amphitheater. The defensive walls are reinforced by great ramparts, and by defensive towers. In the 19th century, new residential buildings were added by the Avalos family, which turned the fortress into a complex prestigious home. Vasto gave birth to the poet Rossetti, and his house, declared a national monument, can be visited and constitutes the seat of the Municipal Library. The tour in the village can only end from the view of the Amblingh loggia, a loggia overlooking the walls of rocks and bricks that collects in a single panorama the Gulf of Vasto, the islands Tremiti, the offshoots of the Gargano and the hills of Molise.
The long tour in Vasto will certainly excite your appetite: Vasto is a renowned seaside resort, surely you can choose one of the many clubs, including restaurants, trattorias, taverns or pizzerias where you can take a taste of the taste of the Abruzzo sea. For those who want to make an aperitif first, you can stop in a lounge bar or in a wine shop: a good glass of wine and a satisfying cutting board of cold cuts and cheeses typical of Abruzzo will satisfy the the most refined palates.
Day 2 The second day can be dedicated completely to the sea and nature. Sea and breathtaking landscapes are the peculiar feature of the area. Punta Penna is easily accessible by car, but you can also choose to take a bus, several lines lead to the charming seaside resort. Punta Penna has an extension of 2 square km, and is the last segment of the Alderci Nature Reserve. The beach of Punta Penna starts from the railway station of the Port of Vasto. Beach of ancient beauty, starting from the sea of a blue that fades starting from the intense blue on the horizon, to the transparencies on the shore. The seabed is sandy, steep as you enter the water populated by coral algae where they found mother-porarian, celenterary and encrusting sponges. The conformation of the backdrop offers the possibility of various water sports in complete safety for young and old. Near the cliff that encloses the bay can be seen numerous mussels, clams, cannolicles, combs. On the shore the runner crab will visit, who will escape from the sight of the man. The sand is fine, of a pale golden protected by wonderful dunes dotted with species of flora often even rare.
The maritime Ravastrello, the Salsola and the Nappola protect Euphorbia from the action of the sea but above all the Ginestrino of the beaches, the tail of Hare and the Silene. On the cliff there are unique species such as the Carrot of the Cliffs and the Lemon Virgato. From the beach it's not difficult to see the sea brother, or the grey heron, the little light, or the kingfisher. There are also numerous birds of prey that rise in flight passing from the beach: the swamp hawk or the lesser harrier, the sparrower or the pecchiaiolo hawk. Admiring the unspoilt nature of Punta Penna, time will pass quickly but for those who want it will be interesting to continue their visit to the Reserve. which extends to the mouth of the river Sinello.
The hinterland has centuries-old olive trees but it is in Punta Aderci that you can admire the most beautiful seaweed in the Mediterranean: the Halymenia red floresia. Pebbly beaches are those of the Libertini and Mottagrossa. After breathing nature deeply, you can go up with a stop at the Punta Penna lighthouse, the second Italian lighthouse by height, after that of Genoa. It is a two-storey building that contains the homes of the respective families of the two guardians, offices and from the first floor the real lighthouse, 70 meters high. The top can be reached by a spiral staircase that has 307 steps. Next to the lighthouse, the small church of Santa Maria di Pennaluce that brings back to the early Middle Ages, as shown by the ogival entrance and the exposed stone masonry that covers it.
The evening will be full of a good dinner. Seasonal products, always very fresh fish freshly caught from the Adriatic Sea, which like a mother offers her children the best fruits, dinner can be enjoyed in one of the many outdoor venues with sea view, relaxing at the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. First courses with seafood or succulent brodetti alla vastese and fish soups, fried and roasted the choice will be awkward and the palate will thank you. You can end the evening at a nightclub or in one of the venues with outdoor music, in the village as well as outside the door. For romantics, a long walk on the seafront is recommended, with the moon wobbling over the water and the view of the coast of overflows in the distance will not seem to be in Abruzzo, nor in Italy, but in a far and Caribbean place where stilts, the ancient buildings planted in the water, are places still inhabited.

scritto da Kenneth Harrison - ultima modifica il 28/07/2021

Rocca San Giovanni: the village and its wonders

Rocca San Giovanni beach

Rocca San Giovanni, which has been certified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a delightful medieval town located in Abruzzo in the province of Chieti; this small town, which extends for about twenty square kilometers, is perched on a & ; #39; height of about one hundred and sixty meters above sea level and is, among other things, a renowned seaside resort. It's easy to fall in love with it at first sight: harvest and characteristic this village is extremely suggestive and picturesque. Sea, hill and historic center are the main ingredients that make Rocca San Giovanni a coveted tourist destination. First let's see how to get there: Driving along the A14 (Adriatic motorway) coming from the North follow the direction & lt; Strong>Ancona and take the Val di Sangro exit; then follow the signs for Fossacesia and finally follow the provincial road 81 to Rocca San Giovanni; if come from the south on the Adriatic, follow the direction of Pescara; for the rest the indications are equivalent. Below we propose a valid itinerary to best visit Rocca San Giovanni. We suggest spending a day visiting the historic center. Surrounded by vineyards, orange groves and olive groves, the town still retains its ancient medieval walls, built in the aftermath of the looting of the Normans. The most important remains of this defensive structure, made with pebbles and stones of the area and almost totally destroyed by the earthquake of 1626, are located at the height of Via Abate Odorisio and culminate with the Filippini tower. A visit to the church of St. Matthew the Apostle is a must, which is located in Piazza degli Eroi: realized in Romanesque style, it consists of three naves divided by pylons that support five arches in double ring. The facade of the church, which dates back to the late twenties of the last century and is made of sandstone blocks, has an arched central portal and is devoid of any ornament . Inside the church you can admire the statue of Our Lady of Graces, a Byzantine canvas of the fourteenth century depicting the Madonna and Child Jesus and the beautiful fresco “The Last Supper” by the Molise painter Amedeo Trivisonno (1904-1995). Saint Matthew the Apostle recalls, even if in a small size, the structure of the abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, located in the nearby Abruzzo municipality of Fossacesia. Also of great interest is the Town Hall, started in the nineteenth century and rebuilt in 1926; it & egrave; characterized by a large porch, formed by arches with a semicircle vault. Passing an internal staircase leads to the famous ceremonies room. The board room is periodically set up for the exhibition of sculptures, paintings and engravings of great artistic interest. Also worth mentioning is the presence in Rocca San Giovanni of a cultural center, located in Via Western near a palace nobleman of the last century that has been re-adapted to host exhibitions, exhibitions and any important cultural event. The structure, dedicated to the Abruzzo artist Arturo Colizzi, was strongly desired by the Administration and the citizens to act as a cultural and social glue, hosting conferences and conferences and returning to Rocca San Giovanni its former splendors. It is also worth visiting the famous Casino Murri, an ancient farmhouse built between the eighteenth and the nineteenth century and that was recently refurbished. Featuring a rectangular plan, the casino also has a private chapel, probably built later than the building of the main structure. A wide two-ramp staircase leads to the first floor. To spend a pleasant evening we recommend tasting the typical products, at the numerous gastronomic places in the village. Do not miss the famous palazzole, baked fish appetizer made with anchovies (or instead of sardines), bread crumb, garlic, parsley and oil; it is advisable to accompany them with a good glass of local wine. After all, the village of Rocca San Giovanni is also known as a city of wine, being there are two famous wineries that produce Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo doc. Also important is the production of extra virgin olive oil, which is characterized by its fruity flavor and the characteristic golden green color.

scritto da Kenneth Harrison - ultima modifica il 02/11/2021

Tips for sleeping in Vasto

Bed and breakfast

Campings

Farm House

Hotels

Sea

Punta Penna

Vasto

Spiaggia della Marina

Vasto

Spiaggia di Mottagrossa

Vasto

Costa dei Trabocchi

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

Spiaggia del Cavalluccio

Rocca San Giovanni (26 Km)

Spiaggia de La Foce

Rocca San Giovanni (23 Km)

Lido Calypso Village

Petacciato (16 Km)

Il Tempio del Mare

Fossacesia (19 Km)

Levante

Fossacesia (22 Km)

Lido Galetta

Fossacesia (20 Km)

Lido Nadia

Casalbordino (10 Km)

Country

Punta Aderci

Vasto

Punta Aderci is a regional nature reserve. The reserve was established in 1998 and has 285 hectares. The intent was to preserve the rocky coast and is today the privileged destination for those who want to watch birds and practice diving.

Faro di Punta Penna

Vasto

This is the second Italian lighthouse in height, after that of Genoa. It is a two-storey building that contains the homes of the respective families of the two guardians, offices and from the first floor the real lighthouse, 70 meters high. The top can be reached by a spiral staircase that has 307 steps.

Grotta o Fosso delle Farfalle

Rocca San Giovanni (26 Km)

The natural cave called Grotta delle Farfalle is located between San Vito and Rocca San Giovanni. The cave is excavated in the sandstone rock and, according to tradition, it periodically populates itself with butterflies. The surrounding environment is characterized by the presence of poplars and willows, as well as animals such as badger, faine and various types of small rodents. During World War II, the natural caves served as a refuge for many fleeing civilians.

Art and culture

Musei Civici di Palazzo D'Avalos: Sezione Archeologica

Vasto

Palazzo D'Avalos conceived by Giacomo Caldora and which, probably, dates back to 1427. The D'Avalos, whose name the palace takes its name, never used the palace as a residence and was set on fire by a Turkish invasion. The building consists of a beautiful garden, recently restored, a courtyard and an extension on two levels. Inside it houses: the archaeological museum, the costume museum and a picture gallery.

Castello Caldoresco

Vasto

It was built on a pre-existing castle in 1439, on the design of the Sienese architect Mariano di Jacopo known as Il Tàccola, according to the new technique of bastion fortifications. Giacomo Caldora, lord of Vasto, ordered its construction making it the keystone of the city's defensive system. Over the centuries it has undergone various transformations and changes.

Torre Bassano

Vasto

The Bassano Tower is located in the historic center of the Municipality of Vasto. It was built in 1439 on the orders of the Marquis of Bassano. It was built with the aim of protecting and defending the city from enemy attacks during the Middle Ages. It was connected to the Caldoresco Castle by a city wall that is no longer visible today. To date, the building has a good state of preservation.

Chiesa di Sant'Antonio

Vasto

The church dates back to 1200 and, according to tradition, was built together with a convent, on the initiative of St. Francis of Assisi dedicating it to the Holy Cross, passing through Vasto on the journey to the sanctuary by St. Michael the Archangel of the Gargano. In 1723 Carlo De Nardis, Prior of the Brotherhood of St. Anthony and a great benefactor of the churches of Vasto, had the church decorated with sculptures and baroque stuccoes, by an unknown Neapolitan artist. The bas-reliefs illustrate biblical episodes, of the life of Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony, or are symbols of some virtues.

Duomo di Vasto

Vasto

Built around the middle of 1200 as evidenced by the date shown on the portal bezel. Over the years it was also used as a monastic building and then became a Cathedral named after Saint Joseph in honor of Giuseppe Napoleon Bonaparte. The two-color of the stone inside the Cathedral and its structure with a single nave, as well as the frescoes in Gothic style, were inserted later.

Complesso monumentale di Santa Lucia

Vasto

Monumental Complex of Santa Lucia that is located in the Vallone L'Angrella. The complex is dedicated to Santa Maria in Valle and the first available sources state that it dates back to 1276. The complex consisted of a church, rooms and a well. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1566 after a fire occurred by the Turkish hand.

Complesso monumentale di Santa Lucia

Vasto

Located in Via di Santa Lucia is a monastery dedicated to Santa Maria dell'Angrella.

Castello Ducale

Carpineto Sinello (21 Km)

The Ducal Castle was built in the fourteenth century. The fortress was later restored by Michele Bassi. Limestone and sandstone materials were used for its construction. Inside, there are stucco paintings and decorations.

Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere

Fossacesia (22 Km)

The Abbey is located in the municipality of Fossacesia, on a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The monastic complex consists of a basilica and the nearby monastery, both built in the twelfth century in place of the small pre-existing monastery.

Torrioni dei Filippini

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

The Tower of the Filippini is part, with the Bastion, is part of a defensive structure that dates back to 1061. Norman ruin built with stones and pebbles of the area.

Chiesa di San Matteo Apostolo

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

The church of San Matteo Apostolo, of medieval origin, dates back to the second half of the thirteenth century. It was built by Abbot Odorisio I in the year 1076. The current structure, however, dates back to 1200. The church consists of three naves divided by apparatus pylons supporting five sextiacute arches on each side and ended in semicircular apses, as in San Giovanni in Venus.

Palazzo Comunale

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

The Palazzo Comunale, built in 800, was built above the vestibule of the church of San Matteo Apostolo. Today the headquarters of the town hall The building is square and in the neo-medieval style of Lombard. On the ground floor there is a porch that consists of three round arches. On the first floor, three openings with a round arch enter the balcony with a perforated balustrade.

Casino Murri

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

Attributable to a period from the second half of the eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century, the Murri casino underwent the addition of two levels above that altered its image. The attached chapel is probably an addition a little later than the first installation.

Castello Monteodorisio

Monteodorisio (6 Km)

The Castle of Monteodorisio was built in the 13th century under the D'Avalos family. The building has a trapezoidal structure with three circular towers made of river pebbles. In the 15th century the Castle was restored to house the Museum for Economics between Antiquity and the Renaissance.

Torre di Petacciato

Petacciato (38 Km)

The Petacciato Tower was a coastal tower, with a square base structure. Currently, the structure is in a state of total abandonment and only the ruins are visible. In the vicinity of the tower there is a bathing establishment.

Chiesa di San Giuseppe

San Salvo (9 Km)

Parco archeologico del Quadrilatero

San Salvo (9 Km)

Centro Storico

San Salvo (9 Km)

Food and wine

Trattoria Zi' Albina

Vasto

Iasci Donatello

Vasto

Cantina De Luca Srl

Mozzagrogna (21 Km)

CILLI oleificio

San Salvo (10 Km)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil 100% Italian Cold Extraction

Cantine Mucci S. R. L.

Torino di Sangro (17 Km)

Oleificio Priori Snc Di Priori Lucia E Giuseppina

Torino di Sangro (15 Km)

Della Fazia Vito

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

Sport and fun

Aqualand

Vasto

Services and tourist information

Comune di Vasto

Vasto

Porto di Vasto

Vasto

V.A.T. Vasto Assesorato al Turismo

Vasto

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica

Vasto

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni E di Accoglienza Turistica

Vasto

Comune di Atessa

Atessa (23 Km)

Comune di Fossacesia

Fossacesia (23 Km)

Comune di Rocca San Giovanni

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

Comune di Tavenna

Tavenna (25 Km)

Comune di Mozzagrogna

Mozzagrogna (24 Km)

Comune di Montenero di Bisaccia

Montenero di Bisaccia (20 Km)

Comune di Cupello

Cupello (7 Km)

Comune di Monteodorisio

Monteodorisio (6 Km)

Comune di Paglieta

Paglieta (18 Km)

Comune di Pollutri

Pollutri (10 Km)

Comune di San Salvo

San Salvo (9 Km)

Comune di Scerni

Scerni (12 Km)

Comune di Torino di Sangro

Torino di Sangro (15 Km)

Comune di Mafalda

Mafalda (20 Km)

Darsena porto turistico

Fossacesia (19 Km)

Porto Turistico Marina Sveva-Montenero di Bisaccia-CB

Montenero di Bisaccia (9 Km)

Pro Loco

Carpineto Sinello (21 Km)

Pro Loco

Monteodorisio (1 Km)

Pro Loco

Guilmi (24 Km)

Pro Loco Val di Sangro

Atessa (21 Km)

Comune di Tufillo

Tufillo (23 Km)

Comune di Villalfonsina

Villalfonsina (12 Km)

Comune di Santa Maria Imbaro

Santa Maria Imbaro (24 Km)

Comune di San Buono

San Buono (20 Km)

Comune di Palmoli

Palmoli (23 Km)

Comune di Dogliola

Dogliola (21 Km)

Comunita'Montana Monti Dauni Medio Vastese

Gissi (18 Km)

Comune di Petacciato

Petacciato (18 Km)

Comune di Casalbordino

Casalbordino (10 Km)

Comune di Fresagrandinaria

Fresagrandinaria (17 Km)

Comune di Furci

Furci (16 Km)

Comune di Gissi

Gissi (18 Km)

Comune di Guilmi

Guilmi (24 Km)

Comune di Lentella

Lentella (14 Km)

Comune di Liscia

Liscia (23 Km)

Comune di Carpineto Sinello

Carpineto Sinello (21 Km)

Comune di Casalanguida

Casalanguida (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Atessa

Atessa (22 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Carpineto Sinello

Carpineto Sinello (21 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Casalanguida

Casalanguida (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Casalbordino

Casalbordino (9 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Cupello

Cupello (7 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Dogliola

Dogliola (21 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Fossacesia

Fossacesia (22 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Fresagrandinaria

Fresagrandinaria (17 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Furci

Furci (16 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Gissi

Gissi (18 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Guilmi

Guilmi (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Lentella

Lentella (14 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Liscia

Liscia (23 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Mafalda

Mafalda (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Montenero Di Bisaccia

Montenero di Bisaccia (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Monteodorisio

Monteodorisio (6 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Mozzagrogna

Mozzagrogna (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Paglieta

Paglieta (18 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Palmoli

Palmoli (23 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Petacciato

Petacciato (18 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Pollutri

Pollutri (10 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Rocca San Giovanni

Rocca San Giovanni (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica San Buono

San Buono (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica San Salvo

San Salvo (9 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Santa Maria Imbaro

Santa Maria Imbaro (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Scerni

Scerni (12 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Tavenna

Tavenna (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Torino Di Sangro

Torino di Sangro (15 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Tufillo

Tufillo (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Villalfonsina

Villalfonsina (12 Km)

Destinations nearby

Visit Vasto - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

Travel guides and videos

A wonderful holiday in Punta Penna in Abruzzo

Rocca San Giovanni (24,3Km)Rocca San Giovanni: the village and its wonders

Tips for sleeping in Vasto

Sea

Country

Art and culture

Food and wine

Sport and fun

Services and tourist information

Destinations nearby

Cupello

Monteodorisio

San Salvo

Casalbordino

Pollutri

Scerni

Villalfonsina

Petacciato

Lentella

Montenero di Bisaccia

Furci

Torino di Sangro

OUR GUIDES

OTHER LANGUAGES

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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