Hear, there isn’t any denying Rome is essentially the most iconic vacation spot in Italy, if not Europe as a complete: it is house to world-renowned landmarks just like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and it even performs host to the Vatican Metropolis, so you possibly can’t be precisely mad at vacationers for flocking there within the first place.
Be that as it could, we will not be the one ones who really feel the novelty of Rome has far worn off. It has been on the radar of vacationers for at the least two millennia, and issues are solely intensifying within the age of social media.
We’re known as Journey Off Path for a purpose, although, and as you may need guessed at this level, it is the lesser-known gems that actually pique our curiosity—and , in the event you occurred to be searching for an underrated Italian vacation spot but to be spoiled by the plenty, you have come to the precise place:
The Italian Capital Of Tradition For 2026 Is…
Yearly, the Italian Ministry of Tradition picks out a brand new ‘Capital of Tradition’. In different phrases, a metropolis that has contributed considerably to the nation’s cultural tapestry, and that is not essentially Rome, Florence, or Venice.
We have had Pesaro in 2024, Agrigento (a hidden gem of Sicily) in 2025, and for 2026, the crown goes to L’Aquila, the much-overlooked capital of Abruzzo, a small Italian area east of Rome, straddling the Adriatic Sea.
Nonetheless, in the event you’re anticipating turquoise seas, postcard-ready pebbly seashores, and vibrant seaside bars, you is perhaps in for a little bit of a shock. L’Aquila is not coastal: in truth, it bestrides a hillside in the midst of the Apennine Mountains.
With solely round 70,000 residents, it is far smaller, extra compact than the sprawling cities of Milan or Naples, and in contrast to these different metropolitan examples, it isn’t precisely outgrown its unique, largely medieval townscape:
A Medieval Metropolis Surrounded By Partitions
Encircled by partitions, very like it was within the thirteenth century when it was initially based, it contains a maze of cobble-paved, slim streets, piazzas bounded by charming cafes, and a set of spectacular Baroque church buildings.
As you may need guessed, it simply ticks the entire bins so far as Italian metropolis breaks go, however you might be questioning what it’s about L’Aquila particularly that warrants the Capital of Tradition designation. Properly, for starters, it is a well-reputed college city:
The College of L’Aquila, whose historical past may be traced again to the Sixteenth century, performs host to a lot of establishments, from a Fantastic Arts academy to a State Conservatory, a Movie Institute, and even a Repertory Theater.
In different phrases, artwork buffs from throughout Italy, together with way more developed city facilities, come to L’Aquila to pursue their research, giving it a singular mental environment. This alone might warrant the ‘Capital of Tradition’ designation, however there’s extra.
What To See In L’Aquila
L’Aquila’s architectural wealth is unequalled, beginning with the hanging Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, constructed all the way in which again in 1288. That includes a pink and white façade, it’s best recognized for internet hosting the Perdonanza Celestianiana, a spiritual pageant rooted in medieval customs.
Positioned in a public sq. surrounded by stately buildings, the Fountain of 99 Spouts might be essentially the most iconic monument: because the identify signifies, it has simply in need of 100 spouts, and every of them represents the 99 villages which can be mentioned to have originated the bigger metropolis of L’Aquila.
L’Aquila’s historical past has been marked by devastating earthquakes from 1703 to the current.
The Luminous Fountain, a contemporary set up, symbolizes the town’s resilience and repeated rebirths. To expertise this enduring spirit up shut, go to the rebuilt Basilica di San Massimo, or the Baroque Santa Maria del Suffragio.
In search of fairytale castles? That is Europe, in any case, and L’Aquila is not any exception to the Previous World rule: it’s dominated by a Sixteenth-century Forte Spagnolo, constructed by the Spanish upon their conquest of the town in the course of the Renaissance period.
Discover Abruzzo’s Lush Nature
Although the encircling nature does not essentially contribute to L’Aquila’s tradition, it is an inherent a part of its attraction as a vacation spot. A brief drive away from city, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga is a nationwide park house to Italy’s ‘Little Tibet‘.
A hiker’s paradise, it’s characterised by its myth-shrouded hermitage trails, historical chestnut forests that appear to increase for countless miles, alpine meadows that rival Switzerland’s in magnificence, and hovering snow-capped peaks.
Over in Sirente Velino, however, you will discover gentler trails resulting in postcard-ready limestone gorges, stuffed with alpine rivers, wealthy wildlife, and distant medieval villages, together with the hilltop, storybook city Rocca di Mezzo.
Lastly, on the subject of the Adriatic Sea, L’Aquila is a bit too removed from the coast to double as a seaside getaway, however in the event you do not thoughts the (considerably) lengthy drive, the resort cities of Pescara, Montesilvano, and Francavilla al Mare are about 1.5–2 hours by automobile.
L’Aquila Is A Lot Cheaper Than The Common Italian Metropolis
We should add that, opposite to Italy’s standard trip hotspots, L’Aquila is a lot cheaper: B&B stays within the coronary heart of the Previous City common $70–$85 per night time, whereas 3-star motels begin from round $95, like at Resort Amiternum, a contemporary itemizing inside quick strolling distance of the primary sights.
Meals is equally cheap: a dinner at Osteria Corridore, a standard, family-owned eatery within the historic middle, will run you up $16–$28 on common, relying on whether or not you are ordering a starter and what number of glasses of locally-sourced purple wine you are having to clean all of it down.
The regionally well-known Ristorante Da Lincosta is on the pricier finish, with costs averaging $22–$39, but it surely will not break the financial institution, precisely, and the herb-infused roasted lamb and contemporary burrata are value splurging on.
Craving pasta as an alternative? Pisellino Uova e Farina serves one of the best pizza frita and spaghetti alla chitarra on the town (an Abruzzo specialty), and the standard of the wine choice is sort of spectacular for a mid-range eatery the place costs common solely $20–$31.
How To Attain L’Aquila When In Italy
If you happen to’re questioning methods to attain L’Aquila this fall, the simplest means is by way of Rome. The Abruzzo capital itself doesn’t have a world airport, which is a part of the explanation it stays authentically Italian and protected against overtourism.
Direct regional trains can be found each day from Roma Termini Station; nonetheless, some routes could require a switch at Sulmona.
Typically, the journey length is 2 hours (or 2.5 hours within the occasion of a connection), and advance tickets value between $15 and $25.
E-book your tickets straight by Trenitalia, Italy’s nationwide railway operator, here.
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