Guardiagrele in the heart of the Abruzzo region, is a charming hill town famous for its artisan crafts and local delicacies.
Views of the Adriatic coast and the Appenines
Known for its artisan traditions, medieval architecture, and spectacular views across the Adriatic and the Apennine mountains, Guardiagrele is known as the “City of Stone,” and offers an authentic slice of Italy for travelers seeking culture, history, and gastronomy at a slow pace. It is some 40 kilometres inland from the coastal city of Pescara, which is the main gateway to the region and has an airport for domestic and European flights. From Pescara Guardiagrele can be reached by car in under an hour via the A25 and A14 motorways, and the drive itself is part of the experience, with winding roads offering beautiful panoramas over olive groves and hilltop villages.
Wrought ironwork and goldsmithing
Guardiagrele’s most iconic monument is the 13th-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, built in golden local stone and boasting a stunning Romanesque-Gothic façade and precious artworks and frescoes. The central Corso Roma is lined with elegant palazzi, artisan boutiques, and cafés, and the Civic Museum displays many archaeological finds, sacred art, and local crafts. The town is famous for its centuries-old artisan traditions, especially wrought ironwork and goldsmithing, a legacy that lives on in workshops where visitors can admire and purchase handmade jewelry and ironwork.
Local delicacies and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines
Guardiagrele is home to the “Sise delle Monache,” triangular sponge cakes filled with cream, and traditional Abruzzese dishes abound from “Arrosticini” which are skewers of lamb to homemade pasta like “Maccheroni alla chitarra.” It also has mountain cheeses such as Pecorino, and the excellent Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines. 
Skiing and swimming are only a hour away
Nature lovers will find the Majella National Park right on the town’s doorstep, with its many hiking trails, hermitages, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. The area is also rich in archaeological and medieval sites, from ancient shepherd trails to fortified villages. Nearby villages like Pretoro and Roccascalegna, with its dramatic cliffside castle, are perfect day trips. In winter the ski resorts in the Majella are easily accessible and in summer, the Adriatic beaches are under an hour away.
