Teramo: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening

Photo by Fabrizio Primoli. Among the most beautiful villages and towns of Abruzzo, Teramo stands out , once an important historical-cultural center, today the capital of the province of the same name. Of very ancient origins (the first occupations seem to date back to the third century BC), this hill town is located in the northernmost part of the region, in particular on the slopes of the Gran Sasso, in an area rich in vineyards and olive groves.
However, Teramo is not only beautiful to visit for its natural landscapes , but also for its great artistic and cultural heritagethat distinguishes it: the testimonies that have come down to the present day tell the story of very different eras, so much so that visiting Teramo means making a real journey back into the past, meeting a great variety of peoples and cultures.
In this article, we will tell you what is worth visiting in Teramo during a weekend, also focusing on the best restaurants in the area and the most popular places to spend the evening.

What to see in Teramo

1 – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Photo by Luca Aless. Among the most important religious buildings in the city of Teramo, the main (and most visited) is undoubtedly the Cathedral or Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta . From the outside, the church presents the alternation oftwo primary architectural styles : the lower part of the building presents the typical characteristics of the Romanesque style, while the higher part (built later) is evidently Gothic. The coexistence of the two styles is also found inside, but with an addition: in fact, three naves can be found, each with its own characteristics (one nave in Romanesque style, one in Gothic style, while the last one is very close to the architectural style in force in the eighteenth century). The Paliotto placed near the main altar is very beautiful , in which 35 colored panels tell some salient events in the life of Jesus.

• How to get there: the Cathedral of Teramo is located in Piazza della Liberta, in the historic center: to get there on foot, just start from the city hall following via San Berardo and turn the corner with Piazza della Liberta, less than 2 minutes away. From the train station instead they will separate you about 16 minutes on foot. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

2 – Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti
Photo by Infinitispazi. Once called the Church of San Getulio, the Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti is unique in its kind: it is in fact the only early medieval building in the city, rebuilt on the remains of an ancient Roman domus. Of the old building, there remains a 12th century fresco depicting two angels holding a clypeus on which the hand of God is depicted in the act of blessing. Two other frescoes of considerable prestige, present inside the building, are to be attributed to the painter Giacomo di Clampi and represent respectively the nursing Madonna with Sant’Apollonia and Santa Lucia.

• How to get there: this building is also located in the historic center of the city, in Piazza Sant’Anna. To get there from the train station just follow for Ponte San Ferdinando and then turn into via del Baluardo: in just over 10 minutes you will be at your destination. From the Municipality, however, you are separated by 4 minutes on foot. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

3 – Church of Sant’Agostino
Photo of Interminatispazi. The third most important church that we recommend you visit in Teramo is the Church of Sant’Agostino , built next to the convent of the same name (now a former convent, although it still retains the original structure). The church is the result of a notable restoration work at the end of the 19th century: this is why just by looking at it from the outside you can see the presence of nineteenth-century elements on the façade, characterized by rose windows and cornices. Inside, the building has a single nave and is rich in precious treasures: among many, we point out a canvas dating back to the eighteenth century and depicting the Madonna of the waist surrounded by Augustinian saints (among which St. Augustine obviously stands out, but also San Gregorio and Santa Monica).

• How to get there: the Church of Sant’Agostino is very close to the Duomo and Piazza della Liberta, from which it is only a 1-minute walk away. From the train station, on the other hand, it takes about 20 minutes on foot, following the signs first for the Duomo and then for Corso San Giorgio. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

4 – Piazza Martiri della Liberta
Photo by S4mb0r4. We have already mentioned it when talking about the city Cathedral: Piazza Martiri della Liberta and the nucleus of the historic center of Teramo, overlooked by some of the main historic buildings of the city, including the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. Here, the most important events and appointments are held, also during Christmas the square is filled with stalls and entertainment suitable for tourists of all ages. During the day and in the evening, it is very pleasant to walk around the square and its surroundings, as well as enjoy a coffee in a small bar with outdoor tables: if you want to indulge in two seconds of relaxation during your visit, this is the perfect place is for you!

• How to get there: it is very easy to find directions for Piazza della Liberta, as they are the same as for the Duomo. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

5 – Castello della Monica
Photo by Fabrizio Primoli. Located on the small hill of San Venanzio, the Castello della Monica and the surrounding Borgo are nothing more than a nineteenth-century reconstruction of a complex of buildings (of which the Castle represents the main nucleus) that recalls the style of the medieval period. To access it you need to cross a fake drawbridge (however, very realistic!), Equipped with a control turret. Inside, the building has several frescoes of rural landscapes, much loved by the owner of the time, the Teramo artist Gennaro della Monica ; while the exterior is characterized by different decorative materials, partly neo-Gothic, partly Moorish.

• How to get there: Castello della Monica stands on the hill of San Venanzio, not far from Piazza Garibaldi. From the Municipality of Teramo, just continue along Corso San Giorgio, and then turn at the roundabout in via del Castello: all in less than 10 minutes. From the station, however, it takes about 25 minutes. Get directions
• Hours: at the moment the Castle is undergoing restoration, therefore it is not possible to access its internal rooms. However, it is possible to visit the exteriors and the garden.

6 – Fountain of the two lions
Built towards the end of the 19th century by the sculptor Pasquale Morgante, the Fountain of the two lions was built with the aim of decorating one of the pillars of the loggia of the Town Hall near Piazza Orsini. The sculptural group is rather simple but reveals a balanced and perfectly harmonious composition: two lions, surrounded by rocks, guard an oval-shaped basin inside which the water gushing from the lions themselves, which would represent the two rivers, collects. that flow near the historic center (ie the Vezzola and the Tordino). Above the group, the coat of arms of the city of Teramo and an inscription dedicated to the dead of the Second World War are clearly identifiable.

• How to get there: the fountain is located in Piazza Orsini, a two-minute walk from the Duomo and the city council. From the train station it takes 15 minutes: from Ponte San Ferdinando, turn into Corso dei Michetti until you see the Town Hall. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

7 – Roman theater
Photo by S4mb0r4. Among the ancient architectural complexes present in Teramo, the Roman Theater is probably the best preserved: built under the empire of Augustus, the complex today is located about 2/3 meters below street level while in the past to access it it was necessary to descend some travertine steps. At the time the structure could even accommodate 3,000 spectators on the semicircular steps, furthermore the external façade consisted of two orders of arches placed one above the other. Not far away, there is also the Roman amphitheater , probably dating back to the 1st century AD

• How to get there: the Roman Theater is located between via Teatro Antico and via Luigi Paris, just 4 minutes walk from the Duomo and Piazza della Liberta and 14 minutes from the train station.
• Timetables: the ruins can only be visited from the outside for the moment, however being in a lower position than normal street level they are clearly visible inside.
• Ticket cost: Free

8 – Parco Ivan Graziani
Photo by Franco aq. If after so much wandering around Teramo you need a break or if you simply want to find a more secluded corner from the chaos of the city, you have to head towards the Ivan Graziani Park , just outside the Royal Gate. This park, dedicated to the singer-songwriter from Teramo, is a quiet place where you can take refuge in the green, although not so far from the city. Inside, in addition to the classic benches and fountains, there are countless small archaeological sites, as well as the Monument to the Resistance inaugurated in April 1977.

• How to get there: the park is located in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, near Porta Reale. To reach it you need to use the car: following the SS80 you will arrive in about twenty minutes. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

9 – Tordino and Vezzola River Park
Photo by Infinitispazi. If, on the other hand, you want to relax in the greenery, but without straying too far from the historic center, we recommend the Tordino and Vezzola Parks: these two separate but communicating parks form a ring around the historic core of Teramo, more than 10km long, which follows the natural path of the two city rivers, the Tordino and the Vezzola precisely. To access it, you can go through the woods of the Castello district (upstream), or across a double-arched wooden bridge (downstream). Inside, the inhabitants of the city gather on weekends or on days of good weather, but it is not uncommon to find someone who has a picnic or basks in the sun in the summer months.

• How to get there: the extension of the park is quite considerable, which is why we advise you to access it from the Castle district, and then descend all the way back to the other entrance to the valley. The entrance from the Castle side is about ten minutes from the Municipality, about 24 minutes on foot from the Station. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

10 – Torre Bruciata
Photo by S4mb0r4. The last monument that we recommend you visit during your weekend in Teramo is the Torre Bruciata , so nicknamed because of a devastating fire that struck the city in 1156 and of which significant traces still remain evident on the outside of the tower. With a square base and about ten meters high, it is thought that the tower could have been used as the bell tower of the nearby Cathedral of Santa Maria, although nothing can guarantee it with certainty. The only certain thing is that the tower, made of travertine blocks, can date back to no less than the 2nd century BC.

• How to get there: the tower stands in the historic center, in via Antica Cattedrale, near the Church of Sant’Anna. From the town hall you can reach it in 5 minutes on foot, from the station instead you can reach it in about ten minutes. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

Teramo itinerary in one day
Teramo is a very feasible city to see in a single day, above all because the historic center is very rich in attractions and monuments that are worth visiting, despite being quite concentrated.

MORNING – Our itinerary starts from the heart of the historic center, or Piazza della Liberta , where there is also an excellent place to have breakfast: at Caffe Calypso you can refresh yourself, having a more than decent breakfast at the cost of a few euros. From here, without wasting too much time, we advise you to head to the city Cathedral, full of hidden treasures (consider at least an hour for the complete visit to the complex). Then move to the nearby Piazza Orsini, where the famous Fountain of the Lions is located and from here continue in the direction of the ancient Roman Theater , the best preserved example of the Roman presence in the area. For lunch, stop for some local specialties or a delicious pizza at the O’Sarracino pizza restaurant , a real must for the locals.

AFTERNOON – After lunch, you can decide to take the car and move to the well-kept Ivan Graziani Park, about twenty minutes from the historic center, or you can walk towards one of the most curious monuments of Teramo, the Torre Bruciata . While you are there, take a trip to the Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti , the second most important religious building in the city (the first obviously is the Duomo). Finally, proceed towards Chiesa Sant’Agostino and the nearby ex-convent. Just in time for dinner, a few steps from the church, there is one of the best trattorias in the whole city: the Trattoria Da Mauro we are sure it will not disappoint you, with its proposal of local and homemade dishes … a great way to end an intense day!

One day itinerary at a glance

1. Breakfast at Caffe Calypso (Get directions)
2. Cathedral of Teramo – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
3. Fountain of the two lions – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
4. Roman theater – opening hours: always accessible (but not open to visitors)
5. Lunch at O’Sarracino pizzeria (Get directions)
6. Burnt tower – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
7. Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
8. Sant’Agostino Church – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
9. Dinner at Trattoria Da Mauro (Get directions)

Where to eat in Teramo

1. Barman : restaurant offering traditional Mediterranean dishes and local products (arrosticini, bruschetta and fried cheese are highly recommended!)
   Average price per person: € 15.00 / 20.00
   Address and contacts: via Varano, 1 (Get directions ) / tel: +39 0861 550116
2. Pizzeria O’Sarracino : the city’s best pizzeria, with vegetarian and gluten-free options
   Average price per person: € 20.00
   Address and contacts: via Luigi Paris, 9/13 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0861 247706
3. Trattoria Da Mauro : local cuisine, with hearty and homemade dishes
   Average price per person: € 15.00
   Address and contacts: via Cesare Battisti, 69 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0861 240010

What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Photo by Stefano Ulissi. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a place to spend the evening during your weekend in Teramo , we have some alternatives that could be for you: in the city, there is certainly no shortage of pubs and places to have a drink in company, many of which are also found in the surroundings of the historic center. The main areas of the Teramo nightlifehowever they are easily reachable both on foot and by any other means of transport: the nightlife is concentrated mainly near the Piazza della Liberta, therefore in the central city area. However, other very popular centers in the evening, especially by young people and university students, are the surroundings of the university area but also near the city sports field, where there are numerous places dedicated to street food. Just outside the city, however, there are mostly clubs and discos where you can go wild all night! (In the latter case, however, we recommend that you travel by car.)

• Empatia : a must place for an aperitif in Teramo, with live music and books on display / Address: via Giannina Milli, 4 (Get directions) / Facebook page
• Caffe da Pierpi : most famous city bar, to have a beer with friends and chat with the locals / Address: via Cona, 68 (Get directions)
• Liverpool Pub : informal place with a wide selection of beer and delicious dishes / Address: corso Porta Romana, 52 (Get directions) / Facebook page

Plan your stay in Teramo: info and useful advice

• How to get there: Teramo can be reached by car from many central and southern Italian cities: Rome is 172km (2 hours by car), Naples 287km (4 hours by car), Foggia 250km (2 hours and 40 minutes by car), Pescara 78km (1 hour by car), Bologna 343km (3 hours and 40 minutes by car), Florence 376km (4 hours and 20 minutes by car). The city is well served by several bus companies. TUA, Flixbus, Gaspari and Baltour connect it to cities such as Rome, L’Aquila and Pescara (The ticket hardly exceeds € 5.00). Finally, the closest airports are those of Pescara (74km away) and Rome (200km away), from here it will then be necessary to move with a shuttle service, active just outside the terminals.
• How to get around : considering that most of the attractions of Teramo are concentrated in the historic center, it is quite feasible to visit the city on foot, having the possibility to reach all the main monuments and fully savoring the city atmosphere.
• Where to park : if you have arrived in Teramo with your car, we strongly recommend that you leave it at the parking lot of your hotel or the structure where you are staying. If this is not possible, we recommend that you leave it at the San Francesco car park , near piazzale San Francesco (Get directions) or at the Ponte San Gabriele car park (Get directions). In both cases, these are paid but guarded parking spaces.
• Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 40.00 per room – see the offers
• What to see in the surrounding area : San Benedetto del Tronto (49km), Ascoli Piceno (33km), Montesilvano (52km), Pescara (59km), Arquata del Tronto (69km), Gran Sasso d’Italia Island (26km), Gran Sasso (30km), Norcia (110km), Monti Sibillini Park (100km), L’Aquila (95km)