Avezzano is the main town of the Marsica, in the mountains of western Abruzzo. It stands on the edge of the Fucino plain, which was once the third-largest lake in Italy before it was drained in the 19th century. The town was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1915, so it has a modern look, but the area around it is rich in history.
Why visit Avezzano
For a practical base in the Abruzzo mountains, with shops, restaurants and train and motorway links to Rome and Pescara, and Roman sites, medieval villages and national parks within easy reach.
Top things to do around Avezzano
The Fucino plain and Claudius’s tunnels
The Cunicoli di Claudio are the Roman tunnels built under Emperor Claudius to drain the lake, one of the great engineering works of antiquity.
Alba Fucens
About 8 km away, the remains of a Roman town with forum, amphitheatre and walls, below the medieval village of Albe and the peak of Monte Velino.
The castle
The Orsini-Colonna castle, rebuilt after the earthquake, now used for exhibitions.
Tagliacozzo
A beautiful medieval town nearby, with an elegant main square and a ducal palace.
Abruzzo National Park
The park’s villages and forests, such as Pescasseroli, are about 45 minutes away.
Best time to visit Avezzano
May to October is ideal for walks, villages and parks. In winter the surrounding mountains offer ski resorts such as Ovindoli.
Getting to and around Avezzano
Rome’s airports are about an hour and a half away via the A24/A25 motorways. Avezzano station is on the Rome–Pescara line. A car is useful for the parks and villages.
What to eat in Avezzano
Marsica cooking: potatoes and carrots from the Fucino plain, arrosticini, lamb, legumes, pecorino cheeses and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Avezzano FAQ
Is Avezzano a good base for the Abruzzo National Park?
Yes: the park is about 45 minutes away and Avezzano has good services.
Can I reach Avezzano by train?
Yes, on the Rome–Pescara line.
