Abruzzo, Italy

Abruzzo, Italy, is incredibly cheap by European standards. Rentals, groceries, transportation, and more can cost close to nothing.

Let’s look at rentals. In Abruzzo, you can rent a three-bedroom apartment in the city center for about US$1,077 a month. That same three-bedroom apartment outside of the city center drops to US$742.

So, if you’re a retiree and don’t need a large apartment, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center goes for US$671 per month.

Want to make your rental costs even lower? Consider living outside of the city center: A one-bedroom apartment outside of the city center costs as little as US$490 per month.

Your grocery budget will also be considerably lower than back in the States. Abruzzo, Italy, is a place where locals make pasta, wine, and olive oil, meaning these items are super affordable.

It all comes down to what products you choose to buy: The more you trade imported goods for local ones, the lower your overall groceries cost will be… A couple’s monthly budget for groceries could be as low as US$200

As for transportation, public services are dependable and affordable. For example, a bus ticket from Rome to towns in Abruzzo such as Pescara, Teramo, or Chieti is US$9 to US$14.

A train ride from Abruzzo to Venice will cost US$38. If you enjoy walking, however, Abruzzo is an excellent place to get to know by foot plus, it’s free.

With castles and charming stone towns, Abruzzo has a very strong cultural presence in the lives of its locals. It’s also a place where you can go for a hike in the early morning and enjoy the sunset at the beach that same afternoon. Plus, if you’re a food lover, Abruzzo is known for its exquisite cuisine.

Here’s a list of things to do in Abruzzo, Italy…

1. Castle Of Rocca Calascio

Castle of Rocca Calascio sits at about 4,961 feet high in the province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. However, what makes this castle unique is that it was built specifically for military purposes, it was never intended to house royals. It was meant to accommodate troops.

Its construction began in the 10th century, and though it was built with the military in mind as a defense and observation post.

2. Stiffe Caves

Like the Castle of Rocca Calascio, the Stiffe Caves are also found in the province of L’Aquila.

This natural wonder is truly unique. These caves were formed by an underground river which re-emerged above ground.

The Stiffe Caves are one of the few examples of what’s known as a resurgence cave in Italy. Inside, visitors get to see waterfalls and rapid streams that’ll follow you during walking tour.

3. Fountain Of The 99 Water Spouts

The Fountain of the 99 Water Spouts is one of the best known monuments in Abruzzi, Italy.

It was built over 700 years ago in the Piazza San Vito, in L’Aquila. Also, it features an irregular trapezoidal figure surrounded by carvings of men, women, and animals that spout water from their mouths.

4. La Camosciara Natural Reserve

The La Camosciara Natural Reserve is a large protected green area within the municipalities of Civitella Alfadena and Opi.

You can choose to either walk, bike, horseback ride, or ride the train to explore the park. The La Camosciara Natural Reserve has a large lake, waterfalls, and some wildlife.

5. Roccaraso Ski Area

If you love to ski or snowboard, Roccaraso is a great place to go.

Known as the Alto Sangro, this is one of the biggest ski areas in Abruzzo and in all of Italy. That’s 90 kilometers of slopes for you to go on. In other words, if you’ve never skied before, the Roccaraso Ski Resort has a ski school.

Roccaraso, in Abruzzo, is a good place to finally try skiing as you’ll have learning areas and English-speaking teachers available for you.

6. The Majella National Park

The Majella National Park is a 740 square kilometers zone, touching areas of Pescara, L’Aquila, and Chieti. Established in 1995, it was named a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2021.

The highest mountain within the park is Mount Amaro with an elevation of 9,163 feet.

Majella National Park has 500 kilometers of hiking trails for you. You’ll see cave paintings at Grotta Sant’Angelo and Grotta del Cavallone. Plus, check out the tourist centers dedicated to archaeological finds along with geology and fossils.

Whatever you decide to do while in Majella, remember that it’s a protected natural area. In short, there is wildlife present: Bears, wolves, eagles, and deer.

If you’re looking for a place to retire in Italy, Abruzzo is one of the best places you can choose. It’s unbelievably affordable, culturally rich, there’s diverse scenery, and your quality of life will improve greatly.

Moving to Abruzzo, Italy, might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Nor does it need to be all or nothing: If after you move something doesn’t seem right, you can always look back or try someplace new.

U.S. citizens need a visa to enter Italy if they intend to retire here called an Elective Residency Visa, Visto per Residenza Elettiva o Dimora. Apply for this visa at the Italian consulate in your state before traveling. It’s likely that the application process will take a while so we get started as soon as you can after making your decision.

Abruzzo, Italy, has two distinct climates: Maritime and continental.

January is the coldest month in Abruzzo, Italy. That’s when the temperature can drop to 32°F. But, if you head down to the coast, the temperature will rarely drop lower than 46°F.

Abruzzo’s warmest months are June and July. In both the continental and maritime areas, the average temperature stays between 68°F and 75°F. On occasions the temperature can reach 86°F.

As long as you pack shorts and cotton tops for the summer and long sleeves, jeans, and a fluffy jacket for the winter, you’ll be able to fully enjoy Abruzzo, Italy.