Vasto sits on Abruzzo’s southern Adriatic Coast, a hilltop town that gazes over turquoise water and the famed Trabocchi Coast—wooden fishing piers turned dreamy seafood restaurants. Once the Roman city of Histonium, Vasto’s lanes still wind past medieval walls, the D’Avalos palace, and lookout loggias that glow at sunset.

Come for wild beaches and coastal hiking at Punta Aderci, linger for seafood traditions like brodetto alla vastese (a fragrant fisherman’s stew) and crisp glasses of Trebbiano and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. Between old‑town strolls and Vasto Marina’s golden sand, this is an Italy that feels local, unhurried, and delicious.

Practical notes: Vasto is easiest via train or bus to Vasto–San Salvo station, then a short taxi to town or the marina. Summer books up quickly—reserve trabocco dinners and beach clubs ahead. Pack light hikers or sturdy sandals for Punta Aderci’s paths, and bring a windbreaker for sea breezes even in warm months.

Vasto

Vasto charms from first steps along the Loggia Amblingh, a clifftop promenade with sweeping Adriatic views and lanes of stone houses. History fans can dive into the Palazzo d’Avalos museums and terraced gardens, see the stout Castello Caldoresco, and duck into the Cattedrale di San Giuseppe.

Nature is the headline: the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve is a mosaic of dunes, cliffs, and pebbly coves. A short ride brings you to the Trabocchi Coast, where century‑old fishing platforms now host unforgettable seafood meals above the waves.

• Top sights: Palazzo d’Avalos & gardens, Loggia Amblingh, Castello Caldoresco, Vasto Marina beach, Punta Aderci Reserve.
• Signature flavors: brodetto alla vastese, arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers), ventricina salami, pecorino, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Cerasuolo wines.
• Stay: Search stays on VRBO Vasto or Hotels.com Vasto—choose old‑town views if you love twilight strolls, or Vasto Marina if beach time is the priority.
• Getting there (book via Omio): Fly into Rome or Pescara and connect by train or bus. Compare flights in Europe, trains in Europe, and buses in Europe. Typical times and costs: Rome Tiburtina to Vasto–San Salvo by bus ~3.5–4.5 hours (~€15–€30); Pescara Centrale to Vasto–San Salvo by regional train ~50–70 minutes (~€6–€12); taxi from Vasto–San Salvo station to old town or marina ~10–20 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Old‑Town Icons, and Brodetto

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along Loggia Amblingh for cliff‑edge vistas toward the Trabocchi Coast, then wander to Piazza Rossetti and the sturdy Castello Caldoresco. If museum hours line up, duck into Palazzo d’Avalos and its belvedere gardens—the sea view from the terraces sets the tone for the trip.

Evening: Start with an aperitivo in the lanes around the loggia—order a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (the region’s vivid pink wine) with olives and local salumi. For dinner, book Trattoria Da Ferri in the historic center—an old‑school spot famed for brodetto alla vastese, a tomato‑rich seafood stew served bubbling in terracotta with toasted bread to mop it up. After dinner, stroll the softly lit streets and pause for a late espresso or amaro at a neighborhood bar.

Day 2: Punta Aderci and the Trabocchi Coast (with optional food/wine experiences)

Morning: Coffee and a cornetto at Pannamore (reliable pastries and cappuccino), then head to the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve (10–20 minutes by taxi or bike from town). Walk the clifftop path to Punta Penna for lighthouse views, then drop to the coves for a swim. Bring water shoes for pebbly stretches and a light windbreaker for breezes.

Afternoon: Return to Vasto Marina for a long beach pause—rent sunbeds at a lido or roll out a towel on the free beach and snack on panini with ventricina and local pecorino from a deli. If you’re in the mood for wine culture, consider a mid‑afternoon train to Pescara (~1 hour) for a guided tasting:

• Option A — Winery experience (near Pescara): Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — meet winemakers, tour cellars, and taste Montepulciano, Trebbiano, and Cerasuolo.

  

  Travel: Vasto–San Salvo to Pescara Centrale by train (~€6–€12, ~1 hr), short taxi to the estate (budget €15–€25 each way).

Evening: For a quintessential coast dinner, reserve a table on a wooden fishing pier at Trabocco Cungarelle in Vasto—set over the water, it serves the day’s catch, spaghetti alle vongole, and grilled Adriatic fish as waves lap the pilings. If fully booked, widen your radius to the renowned Trabocco Punta Tufano near Fossacesia (about 30 minutes by car). End with a seaside passeggiata and a gelato before heading up to the hilltop.

Day 3: Slow Morning, Markets and Views, Departure

Morning: Easy breakfast—another cappuccino and sweet at Pannamore—then browse old‑town food shops for edible souvenirs: confetti di Sulmona (sugared almonds), jars of passata, artisanal biscotti, and bottles of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Pop back to the Palazzo d’Avalos gardens if you missed them, or do one last Amblingh photo loop.

Afternoon: Depart for Vasto–San Salvo station by taxi (10–20 minutes). For onward travel, compare regional trains and buses to Pescara, Termoli, or Rome. If you’re extending your Abruzzo adventure, consider a guided day in the mountains from Pescara:

• Optional add‑on (full day from Pescara, no M/A/E breakdown): Medieval Abruzzo by R. Calascio with typical Abruzzo lunch — explore Rocca Calascio, one of Italy’s most cinematic mountaintop castles, with a rustic lunch.

  

  Logistics: Train Vasto–San Salvo → Pescara Centrale (~1 hr) in the early morning; most tours include transport from Pescara and return in the evening.

Dining & Cafe Shortlist (Vasto)

• Trattoria Da Ferri (historic center): Old‑school temple to brodetto alla vastese, plus simple seafood antipasti. Reserve for dinner; portions are generous and the stew is the star.
• Trabocco Cungarelle (Vasto Marina): Wooden pier over the sea; expect set menus or daily catches—think marinated anchovies, spaghetti alle cozze, grilled pezzogna. Book well in advance, especially weekends.
• Pannamore (multiple in Vasto/Vasto Marina): Dependable coffee, cornetti, and cakes for an easy breakfast or mid‑afternoon dolce stop.

More Food & Wine in Nearby Pescara (easy day‑trip options)

• Pescara Food Tour — a guided walk to beloved bakeries, delis, and trattorie, ideal for tasting Abruzzo’s classics without guesswork.

  

  Travel: Train Vasto–San Salvo → Pescara Centrale (~1 hr each way); tours often run late afternoon, perfect for a golden‑hour stroll.
• Food and Wine Walking Tour of Pescara with 5 Tastings — a deeper dive with multiple sit‑down tastings and dessert finale.

  

Logistics Cheat Sheet

• Where to stay: Old Town for history and views; Marina for beach convenience. Search and compare on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Getting in/out: Use Omio flights to compare routes into Rome (FCO/CIA) or Pescara (PSR), then connect by train or bus to Vasto–San Salvo. From the station, pre‑book a taxi to your lodging.
• Local movement: Taxis, hotel shuttles, and e‑bikes for Punta Aderci; summer beach buses run along the marina. Walking is ideal in the compact historic center.
• Seasonal tips: June–September for warm seas; May and early October are perfect for hiking with cooler water. Book trabocco restaurants weeks ahead in peak season.

In three days, Vasto gives you the essence of Abruzzo: a storied hilltop, a wild stretch of the Adriatic, and a table set with the sea’s best. Whether you add a food tour or a mountain castle day from Pescara, you’ll leave plotting your return to this under‑the‑radar coast.