Ponte del Mare
Pescara, Abruzzo
The bold design of Ponte del Mare turns heads in the seaside city of Pescara. This contemporary bike and pedestrian bridge curves across the Aterno-Pescara River, uniting the city’s two marinas, and offering sweeping views across the Adriatic to the east and the peaks of Majella and Gran Sasso to the west. Photographers and architecture buffs are particularly drawn to this cable-stayed pedestrian bridge, one of the largest in Europe.
The basics
The largest town in Abruzzo, Pescara is often the jumping-off point for visitors to delve into the Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park or the beach-lined Trabocchi Coast. However, it’s worth stopping in Pescara to take in the city highlights on foot, by e-scooter, or by bike. Most guided and self-guided itineraries combine Ponte del Mare along with other city attractions, such as Ponte Ennio Flaiano and the Vecchia Pescara old town. You can also pair a visit to the bridge with a food experience in this gastronomic hub—food tours, cooking classes, and wine tastings are one of the biggest draws to Pescara.
Things to know before you go
- Ponte del Mare is only open to foot and bike traffic, so is an ideal walk for families with young kids.
- Charge your smartphone battery before visiting to capture photos of this striking 20th-century bridge.
- The bridge sits in the heart of Pescara, with plenty of restaurants and beach clubs within striking distance.
- There are no steps on the bridge, but the relatively steep incline to reach the middle high point may be challenging for wheelchair users.
How to get there
Ponte del Mare is in the very center of Pescara, uniting the two sides of the city across the Aterno-Pescara River. You can reach the bridge on foot or by bike from the waterfront beach clubs, Pescara’s old town, and the city’s Pescara Centrale train station.
When to get there
The bridge is busiest with pedestrians and cyclists during the day, when you’ll enjoy the most memorable views of the coast and mountains. After sunset, Ponte del Mare is spectacularly lit with colorful lights, making for dazzling photos from the nearby river banks.
What to eat and drink in Pescara
Pescara is the gastro hub of food-centric Abruzzo and no visit to the city would be complete without feasting on a few of its local delicacies. Top dishes to try include brodetto di pesce alla pescarese, a type of fish stew; grilled lamb skewers called arrosticini; sheep cheeses and pork charcuterie produced in the outlying hills; and sweet parrozzo cake.
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