Atri is the Abruzzo region's hilltop secret that is just waiting to be discovered.
The Adriatic coast is nearby
There are Italian towns you visit, and Italian towns you wonder why you didn’t discover sooner. Atri belongs firmly to the second category. This hilltop town in the province of Teramo has the Adriatic coastline on one side and some of the most spectacular landscapes in central Italy on the other. An ancient town that has the rare ability to feel both timeless and completely alive, it is beautiful without being over-polished and historic without feeling like a museum.
The Basilica is a medieval construction
Starting in the historic centre the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the great medieval monuments of Abruzzo, was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and combines Romanesque and Gothic elements and is particularly famous for its extraordinary frescoes. Thee work of Andrea De Litio, this cycle of paintings inside the cathedral is considered one of the masterpieces of Renaissance Abruzzo.
Nature reserves and mountain landscapes
Atri’s position is one of its greatest pleasures: from the town and surrounding countryside, the view moves from vineyards, olive groves and gentle hills towards the Adriatic, while the mountains form a dramatic backdrop further inland. Just outside town the Calanchi di Atri Nature Reserve has been sculpted by erosion into pale, dramatic ridges and valleys: a wild, almost cinematic place, and a reminder that Abruzzo is not just about mountains and beaches.
Atri is famous for its liquorice
And then there is the food. Atri is famous for liquorice, a tradition that dates back centuries and is deeply woven into the town’s identity. Look for local liquorice in historic shops, but do not stop there. This is Abruzzo, after all, so there is also handmade pasta, pecorino cheese, cured meats, hearty soups, and the legendary arrosticini grilled lamb skewers. In the wider Teramo area the Timballo alla Teramana is a wonderfully rich baked dish made with layers of delicate scrippelle, cheese, eggs and tiny meatballs.
Good access roads and two airports
Atri also makes an excellent base for exploring. The Adriatic coast and seaside towns such as Silvi Marina and Roseto degli Abruzzi are close enough for an easy day trip, while the mountains and national parks of Abruzzo are within reach in the opposite direction. By car Atri is easily reached from the A14 motorway, while from Rome the A24/A25 provides the principal route across the Apennines. The nearest airport is Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, approximately 24 kilometres away, making it a good choice for international visitors, while Rome Fiumicino is the nearest major international hub, around 167 kilometres away, and works particularly well if Atri is part of a wider Italian road trip.
