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Costa dei Trabocchi: Italy’s Living Coastline of History, Sea, and Soul
- Alessandro Loja
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 13
The Costa dei Trabocchi is a section of the Adriatic coast between Ortona and Vasto, where pine-covered cliffs plunge into turquoise waters and time appears to be accumulating in salt and wood.
This 60-kilometer stretch of coastline in the Abruzzo province of Chieti tells tales of human ingenuity, survival, and beauty in addition to the sea and sky. Its famous trabocchi, which are historic fishing platform made out of Aleppo pine and positioned above the ocean like wooden insects, now are both architectural artifacts and contemporary havens of tradition and taste.
The Best Spots on the Costa dei Trabocchi: Where Land and Sea Collide
Visitors are greeted by a coastline that alternates between golden beaches like Lido Riccio and tranquil pebble coves like Punta Ferruccio, beginning in Ortona, the northern entrance to the Costa dei Trabocchi. Further south, Fossacesia shows off its maritime spirit in the Gulf of Venus, while the calm interior of the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere reminds one of the region's medieval pulse.
At 155 meters, Rocca San Giovanni is more than just a watchtower; it's a sensory mosaic of historic walls, ornate hallways, and stunning ocean views. Like a timbered compass pointing to the past, the Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio rises out into the Adriatic from its beach. Gabriele D'Annunzio's favorite, San Vito Chietino, is home to the sea-facing Promontorio Dannunziano and the legendary Trabocco Turchino, which the poet likened like a huge marine skeleton.
The southern end at Vasto and Punta Aderci, with its rocky outcrops, sandy crescents, and an ecological reserve where the only sounds are the wind and waves, offers perhaps the most pristine views. These landscapes are connected along the way by the 42-kilometer bicycle route known as the Via Verde dei Trabocchi, which was constructed over the former Adriatic railway and allows for unhurried, personal, and human-scale transit.
Five Trabocchi Where the Sea Becomes a Meal
Dining at the Trabocco is about more than simply seafood; it's about enjoying the sea wind, engineering, and history. In addition to their great food, five of the numerous are noteworthy for their capacity to maintain and improve the trabocco experience.
Trabocco Mucchiola (Ortona): Also known as "Gli Ostinati," this eatery narrates the terroir of the area. Its creative culinary style, unadulterated seaside beauty, and robust yet grounded flavors have won it a place in Gambero Rosso's guide.
Trabocco San Giacomo, also known as San Vito Chietino This trabocco honors the elegance of the shore and is the source of the "aperifish," which consists of fried delicacies and raw seafood served with chilled wine. Chef Emanuele Luciani uses ingredients from the Adriatic and inland Abruzzo to create dishes that are both complicated and evocative.
Trabocco Punta Fornace (San Vito Marina): Located directly on the Via Verde, this trabocco is accessible via a pebbled beach and celebrates seasonal catch. With its "cello pieno," a rustic biscuit served with Montepulciano grape jam, each meal ends with an homage to local custom.
The Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio at Fossacesia Marina Run by the ancient Verì family, this trabocco offers traditional coastal dishes like polpo salad and calamari fritti, and it has a view of one of the most scenic spots on the entire coast.
More than just a place, the Costa dei Trabocchi is a way of life where landscape, legacy, and livelihood all coexist. Time sits still here on timber stilts, and the sea offers both sustenance and narrative. Walking, cycling, or dining along this coast offers the pleasures of both engaging with the past and appreciating the poetry of place.
