With centuries of history, glorious sunshine and cuisine so integral to the country’s culture that it’s protected by UNESCO, Italy is an essential on the travel bucket list.
While destinations such as Venice and Rome continue to battle an onslaught of overtourism, there are plenty of hidden gems that are still glad to see visitors.
To kick off 2026, Ryanair has released its top recommended locations for the coming year: and one little-known Italian town features.
Pescara is just under two hours from Rome, and it’s surrounded by miles of Adriatic coast, while March sees average temperatures of 15°C.
Things to do in Pescara
If wandering around old buildings is your thing, then captivating Pescara boasts plenty of opportunities to do so. The most beautiful is Pescara Cathedral, which is dedicated to Saint Cettus, the patron saint of the town.
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It’s only 100 years old, as it was built at the same time that both the province and city were created, in 1927, but it’s still worth a look.
The Imago Museum currently has exhibitions on the Impressionists and Salvador Dalí, while the Museo dell’Ottocento (the Museum of the Nineteenth Century) houses the 260-strong art collection of husband and wife creatives, Venceslao Di Persio and Rosanna Pallotta.
As with most destinations in Italy, good food is guaranteed.
And because Pescara isn’t very touristy, you needn’t be wary of tourist traps with the same vigilance as you might in Florence.
Taverna 58 is recommended by the Michelin Guide, as it’s renowned as a strong local trattoria. It’s been going strong since 1980, and is delightfully rustic inside, with checkered tablecloths and tiled floors.
Expect wholewheat pasta served up with chickpeas and saffron, potato dumplings paired with bacon, and beef steak tartare.
There’s also Café Les Paillotes, which is renowned for its seafood offerings, including cuttlefish, fried scallops, and lobster.
Undoubtedly, one of the most beloved elements of Italian culture is the concept of the aperitivo, which involves making a pitstop at a bar (or trying it out at home), and having an alcoholic drink and a few snacks. Think: salted crisps, olives, and Aperol Spritz galore.
There’s ample opportunity to try out this practice for yourself and channel a little bit of La Dolce Vita here, at Post Bar, Bar Basso, and Camparino.
And, of course, a visit to Pescara wouldn’t be complete without an afternoon of lounging on the beach.
The town is completely surrounded by the gorgeous Adriatic Coast, and the Spiaggia di Pescara is a focal point of the locality.
There are a few sunbeds and parasols which can be hired out, but there’s also tonnes of uninterrupted beach.
How to get to Pescara
Ryanair runs direct flights from London Stansted Airport to Abruzzo Airport, which is right in the middle of the province of Pescara, and just outside the main town centre of the commune’s capital.
Travelling between February 2 and February 9, we found one-way fares for £51 return, and the journey takes 2 hours 40 minutes.
Once you’ve touched down on the tarmac, it’s an 8-minute drive from Abruzzo to Pescara town centre.
Public transport links are a little bit shaky, but if you’re not able to secure a taxi (there should be a rank waiting at the airport), then you can take line six from the Pescara bus terminal, and that’ll take around 33 minutes.
When to go to Pescara
If you want a bit of winter sunshine, then Pescara wouldn’t be a bad shout this time of year. It’s slightly warmer than the UK, as temperatures in January and February reach average highs of between 12°C and 13°C.
It also tends to be a lot brighter in parts of Italy during the cold season, so even if it’s still a little bit chilly, you’ll at least soak up some more vitamin D.
In the summer, temperatures in Pescara reach balmy highs of 30°C (the averages throughout July and August), while September dips ever so slightly to 26°C and October to 21°C.
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