Casa Rosa’s Pratola Guidebook
Sightseeing
The cathedral in the main Piazza, just a 5 minute walk from Casa Rosa. The nicest way to walk there is to take the path up opposite Via Firenze.
Maria Ss. Della Libera
3 Via Rocco SantacroceThe cathedral in the main Piazza, just a 5 minute walk from Casa Rosa. The nicest way to walk there is to take the path up opposite Via Firenze.
Local and beautiful. Explore the amazing old eremito (if it’s open). Swim in the river pools by the molino when the weather is hot.
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Hermitage of San Venancio
Strada Statale 5Local and beautiful. Explore the amazing old eremito (if it’s open). Swim in the river pools by the molino when the weather is hot.
Pacentro is a beautiful village to visit. If you have time to explore any of the wider Majella, then do!
Recommended websites to visit for local itineraries, excursions and various sports activities including hiking include:
www.majellando.it
www.caminareinabruzzo.it
For adventurous hikers, my (Gary’s) personal favourite hike is to drive up to Colle delle Vacche and from there walk to the Eremito di Santa Croche / St Pietro. On a good day you can then also summit Mt Morrone to make a quite brillant loop. The views - of both the Peligna valley and the Adriatic Sea - are fabulous, and at the end of the day you can return to Casa Rosa’s terrace with a cold beer and admire your route from afar :)
Walking in any mountains can be dangerous, so be sure to take a good map and plan your hike properly in advance. Monte Amaro is the highest peak in the Maiella and if you do make it to the summit then please let me know - I’m intending to climb it myself soon and would love to hear about your experience.
Majella National Park Information Center
7 Piazza del PopoloPacentro is a beautiful village to visit. If you have time to explore any of the wider Majella, then do!
Recommended websites to visit for local itineraries, excursions and various sports activities including hiking include:
www.majellando.it
www.caminareinabruzzo.it
For adventurous hikers, my (Gary’s) personal favourite hike is to drive up to Colle delle Vacche and from there walk to the Eremito di Santa Croche / St Pietro. On a good day you can then also summit Mt Morrone to make a quite brillant loop. The views - of both the Peligna valley and the Adriatic Sea - are fabulous, and at the end of the day you can return to Casa Rosa’s terrace with a cold beer and admire your route from afar :)
Walking in any mountains can be dangerous, so be sure to take a good map and plan your hike properly in advance. Monte Amaro is the highest peak in the Maiella and if you do make it to the summit then please let me know - I’m intending to climb it myself soon and would love to hear about your experience.
Worth the drive and walk up for simply unforgettable views. If you prefer to avoid the crowds then do it on a weekday.
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Rocca Calascio
Worth the drive and walk up for simply unforgettable views. If you prefer to avoid the crowds then do it on a weekday.
Beaches, Lakes and Rivers
Pratola’s own outdoor public swimming pool, with bar and snacks, only 10 mins walk from Casa Rosa. Great for spending a hot afternoon lounging and splashing with friends or family.
Via delle Rimembranze
Via delle RimembranzePratola’s own outdoor public swimming pool, with bar and snacks, only 10 mins walk from Casa Rosa. Great for spending a hot afternoon lounging and splashing with friends or family.
Beautiful and clean wooded local river spot, with free public barbecues (firewood included!) only a 10-minute drive from Pratola. Great for cooling off on a hot day.
La Solfa
Beautiful and clean wooded local river spot, with free public barbecues (firewood included!) only a 10-minute drive from Pratola. Great for cooling off on a hot day.
Lago di Scanno is a stunningly beautiful lake to spend the day beside, surrounded by mountains. Park near the cafe, swim in the cool water, have a picnic on the grass and rent a pedalo (10€ per hour).
RomCaffe Lago
Lago di Scanno is a stunningly beautiful lake to spend the day beside, surrounded by mountains. Park near the cafe, swim in the cool water, have a picnic on the grass and rent a pedalo (10€ per hour).
Best sandy beach within 1h from Pratola. A bit further to drive than Pescara, but more beautiful and much cleaner.
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Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area
Km 431 SS 16 AdriaticaBest sandy beach within 1h from Pratola. A bit further to drive than Pescara, but more beautiful and much cleaner.
Unforgettable! A stunningly clear river, and apparently one of the top 5 cleanest in Europe. Well worth the €15 per person (€5 for children under 10) for a 90 min guided canoe paddle.
Canoa sul Tirino
Unforgettable! A stunningly clear river, and apparently one of the top 5 cleanest in Europe. Well worth the €15 per person (€5 for children under 10) for a 90 min guided canoe paddle.
Some of the best beaches in Abruzzo, only a 1h drive from Pratola. Pebble beaches with beautiful clear water full of fish. Try snorkelling followed by lunch in a local “Trebocco”.
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Costa dei Trabocchi
Some of the best beaches in Abruzzo, only a 1h drive from Pratola. Pebble beaches with beautiful clear water full of fish. Try snorkelling followed by lunch in a local “Trebocco”.
Restaurants
These are a few of our favourite places to eat out in and near Pratola. A variety of price ranges, all offering great local food, great service and good value.
(A new hidden secret for amazing takeaway pizza in Pratola - including out of hours - is Pizza Bodeguita near the autostrada. At the time of writing it’s not even on Google maps but head to In’S Mercato and you’ll find it.)
Our local favourite for lunch and/or dinner. Great local food at good prices (so much more than pizza!). Only a 10-minute walk from Casa Rosa. Try the “Zuppa Della Casa” for a hearty and healthy filler.
Ristorante Pizzeria Il Carro
52 Via degli AppenniniOur local favourite for lunch and/or dinner. Great local food at good prices (so much more than pizza!). Only a 10-minute walk from Casa Rosa. Try the “Zuppa Della Casa” for a hearty and healthy filler.
Go for lunch, sit outside and ask for the local tasting menu. The number and quality of plates and courses is amazing. Best if you’re hungry!
Agriturismo Costa del Gallo
Go for lunch, sit outside and ask for the local tasting menu. The number and quality of plates and courses is amazing. Best if you’re hungry!
Ristorante Pizzeria Villa Letizia
7 Viale EuropaA favourite with locals for a great meal in the evening.
Pizzeria L'800
4 Via Case IoriiA favourite with locals for simple pizza and pasta in the evening.
Really special. Amazing food, views and service at a reasonable price. Pacentro is also lovely for an after-meal walk (visit the twin towers for 360 degree views).
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Taverna de li Caldora
Piazza Umberto I°Really special. Amazing food, views and service at a reasonable price. Pacentro is also lovely for an after-meal walk (visit the twin towers for 360 degree views).
Lovely restaurant with outdoor tables in a wooded valley up in the mountains - great for escaping the heat of summer.
Ristorante Rifugio Campetto degli Alpini
Lovely restaurant with outdoor tables in a wooded valley up in the mountains - great for escaping the heat of summer.
Caffè / Aperitivi
Visit these in the morning for great coffee and pastry with friendly service and good prices. Italian style! Or in the evening for a pre-dinner Spritz.
Just Caffè, with outdoor seating near Garbage Live, is also a good spot in the evening.
Our favourite for a morning cappuccino, right opposite the Cathedral. The nicest way to walk there from Casa Rosa is to take the path up opposite Via Firenze.
Caffè del Corso
3 Via IV NovembreOur favourite for a morning cappuccino, right opposite the Cathedral. The nicest way to walk there from Casa Rosa is to take the path up opposite Via Firenze.
Close to Casa Rosa and best for an aperitivo (Spritz!) - good views from the outdoor seating.
Caffe'900
Close to Casa Rosa and best for an aperitivo (Spritz!) - good views from the outdoor seating.
Bars and Clubs
A surprisingly good Pratola bar scene on weekend evenings, with a bohemian feel and great tunes, and sometimes live music in the cellar later on. Stop here on your way back from a good meal at Il Carro and enjoy the “Pratola movida”!
Garbage Live Club
1 Via LevanteA surprisingly good Pratola bar scene on weekend evenings, with a bohemian feel and great tunes, and sometimes live music in the cellar later on. Stop here on your way back from a good meal at Il Carro and enjoy the “Pratola movida”!
Bread and Groceries
The best local stop for food essentials with a good range of local products, if you have a car. Supermarkets within walking distance from Casa Rosa include the dramatically-named Tiger and (less so) Coal.
Carrefour Market - Supermarket
Via PratelleThe best local stop for food essentials with a good range of local products, if you have a car. Supermarkets within walking distance from Casa Rosa include the dramatically-named Tiger and (less so) Coal.
Pane e Dolce is the nearest local bakery. You’ll find it in the cathedral square, to the left of the front entrance as you look at it.
Maria Ss. Della Libera
3 Via Rocco SantacrocePane e Dolce is the nearest local bakery. You’ll find it in the cathedral square, to the left of the front entrance as you look at it.