← Pescara Marathon·Day trip

Chieti: The Hill City Above Pescara

A hill city above Pescara with a Roman past, a national archaeology museum and long views to the sea. A short ride, with a climb at the other end.

DurationDay trip
TransitRegional train from Pescara Centrale to Chieti Scalo, about 11 to 19 minutes, then a local bus up the hill
DepartsPescara

After the Pescara Marathon: Chieti

The Route: Pescara Centrale → Chieti Scalo → Chieti (hill town) → Chieti Scalo → Pescara Centrale Logistics: A regional train to the lower station at Chieti Scalo, up to 21 a day, then a local bus up to the old town. The old town is on a hill, so expect slopes. Marathon Month: September Duration: Day trip

Pescara Centrale ──(train, 11-19 mins)──> Chieti Scalo ──(local bus up the hill)──> Chieti old town
        ▲                                                                              │
        └──────────────────────────(same route back)─────────────────────────────────┘

The Pescara Marathon is a sea-level race with almost no gradient, and the Monday after it is a gentle test of the opposite. Chieti stands on a ridge about 13 km inland, and its old town is entered by a bus ride from the station in the valley. The railway makes the first part easy. Check the timetable at trenitalia.com and the local bus times with the operator before you go. Many museums are shut on Mondays, so check before you commit to one.

September in Chieti: the days are warm and often hazy, and the hill air is a few degrees cooler than the coast. Shade is limited in the squares, so bring water and a hat.

Getting there

Trains run from Pescara Centrale to Chieti Scalo, the station at the foot of the hill, with a fastest journey of about 11 minutes and a typical one of about 19. A local bus then climbs to the old town; check the route number and the last bus back at the stop. A taxi from the station is more expensive but saves the wait.

The old town

The main street is Corso Marrucino, and it runs along the ridge with shops, cafés and the Teatro Marrucino. The cathedral of San Giustino stands at the top of the town, and nearby is a group of small Roman temples. A viewpoint on the edge of the old town looks over the valley to the sea in one direction and the Maiella massif in the other, on a clear day.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale d'Abruzzo, in the Villa Comunale park, holds the Warrior of Capestrano, a pre-Roman limestone statue from the sixth century BC. It is the best-known object in the region. Check the opening days and the ticket price, and confirm the Monday hours.

Lunch

Chieti serves the food of inland Abruzzo: maccheroni alla chitarra, pasta cut on a frame of steel strings, with a lamb ragù, and arrosticini, small mutton skewers. Book a table for lunch at the weekend; on a Monday some places shut.

Getting back

Take the bus down to Chieti Scalo and the train back to Pescara Centrale. Check the last train, and allow a margin if you have a flight that evening.