Only recently opened up to tourism of a certain consistency, following development and modernization of the road network, the region has a range of attractions to suit all demands. Firstly, the beach resorts along the Adriatic coast, characterized by wide sandy shores are, from the Marches boundary, Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto Lido, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto, Silvi Marina, Montesilvano Marina, Francavilla al Mare, Ortona and Marina di Vasto. There are also numerous holiday resorts on or near the mountains: Campotosto, Villetta Barrea, Pizzaferrato and Palena in the Province of Chieti and Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, in the Province of Pescara. There is no lack of winter sports resorts, making Abruzzo one of the best regions on peninsular Italy for skiing; Scanno, Pescocostanzo, Rivisondoli, Roccarasi, Pescasseroli, Ovindoli, Rocca di Cambio, Campo Felice, Campo di Giove, all in the Province of L'Aquila, and Pietracamela and Prati di Tivo (Gran Sasso) in the Province of Teramo. Of interest to the tourist are some pretty, small towns, often with a picturesque ancient appearance: Civitella del Tronto, Atri and Campli in the Province of Teramo; Tagliacozzo, Bazzano (14th century church of San Giusto), Celano (magnificent 15th century castle), Sulmona (architectural complex of Annunziata, Badia Morronese), Alfedena and Bominaco in the Province of L'Aquila; Cittą Sant'Angelo (15th century collegiate church), Penne, Loreto Aprutino and Popoli in the Province of Pescara; Guardiagrele and Lanciano (Gothic-Cistercian church of Santa Maria Maggiore), in the Province of Chieti. A special attraction in Abruzzo are the isolated silent churches, dotted here and there in a green and peaceful countryside, and mainly Romanesque. These include San Giovanni al Mavone, Santa Maria di Propezzano, San Clemente al Vomano, Santa Maria di Ronzano in the Province of Teramo; Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta, at the foot of Mount Velino, and San Paolo di Peltuino, near the remains of the ancient town of Vestini 'Peltuinum' in the Province of L'Aquila; Santa Maria del Lago, Sant'Angelo, San Clemente a Casauria (beautiful three-arched portico) and the Gothic-Cistercian abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, rebuilt in the 12th-13th centuries with Cistercian forms in the Province of Pescara. There are also some attractions of archeological interest. Important settlements include Alba Fucens, at the foot of Mount Velino, a thriving Roman town; Aminterumi, near L'Aquila, ancient Sabine centre; Iuvanum, within sight of the Maiella Frentaro settlement. A further reason for staying in this region is to visit the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, one of the five national parks in Italy, with an extraordinary wealth of interesting flora and fauna.
