Pescara Playbook: Your Unrivalled Experience Watching Il Delfino

A vibrant coastal town on the Adriatic Sea that serves as the perfect gateway to the Abruzzo region, Pescara is one of Italy’s hidden gems.

Its sandy beaches, delicious food and rich history make it an intriguing stop for visitors, yet it is often overlooked in favour of more high-profile neighbours.

Yet there is a lot to love about the city that Gabriele D’Annunzio, one of Italy’s most prominent writers and one of its most controversial figures a century ago, called home.

Pescara, like Abruzzo itself, is a curious meeting of sea and mountains, which is reflected in the city’s culinary offerings.

Pescara, of course, is also a passionate football city and if you are heading there to watch Il Delfino in action, here is all you need to know.

Where To Stay

Pescara is a relatively small city and visitors have two main choices in terms of accommodation.

The Centro Storico is arguably the best bet for those wanting to be closer to historical landmarks and the majority of dining options, while the coastline is ideal for those wishing to wake up every morning with sunrise over the Adriatic and easy beach access.

Both areas offer a mixture of hotels and reasonably-priced Airbnbs and rental options, but be aware that prices for seafront accommodations rocket during the summer.

Destination Calcio stayed in a wonderful Airbnb overlooking the Stadio Adriatico in the Portanuova neighbourhood in the south of the city, which was a 10-minute walk from the lungomare and a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Where To Eat

Abruzzo is one of Italy’s gastronomical capitals and Pescara proudly flies the flag for the region. As the name suggests, Di Mare on Viale Regina Margherita specialises in fish and seafood and is extremely popular with the locals.

A fish mixed grill starts at €20, while a tuna steak will set you back €22. If you are driving be prepared to spend some time finding a spot to park as the Viale Regina Margherita is a busy thoroughfare just off the main beach.

On the lungomare, head to Alcyone Ristorante Pizzeria if you fancy something more high end right by the sea.

Luca, the owner, is well-travelled and has brought something from each of his trips into his menu. Expect a modern twist on Abruzzese classics and incredibly fresh seafood, along with a fantastic wine list. Spaghetti alle vongole is €13, seafood gnocchi is €15 while a roasted octopus with new potatoes is €28.

If you are lucky you may spot a Pescara player dining out at Alcyone too, as it’s where they celebrated their promotion to Serie B last year.

At the opposite end of the scale, head to Alla Brace on Via Gioacchino da Fiore for some traditional arrosticini. An Abruzzese delicacy, these small meat skewers are ideally consumed with a beer. They come in different kinds, normally pork, beef and liver, and the locals will have you believe you ought to polish at least 20-30 in one sitting.

Destination Calcio put away 15 before throwing in the towel. There’s more to Alla Brace than arrosticini, namely a delicious focaccia with soft cheese and local sausage for €8 and a decent selection of beers too.

Where To Drink

Wine lovers should stop off at Don Gennaro or Amber Wine Corner on Via Cesare Battisti in the old town or call in at nearby Distilleria Clandestina on Via Goito for a cocktail.

A 10-minute walk from the Stadio Adriatico, Jayson’s is an Irish pub that doesn’t live up the stereotype but has a more genuine vibe, and a great selection of lagers and ales on tap for around €5 each.

Closer to the ground, Bar Stadio is a wonderfully old-fashioned cafe, a lot calmer than its counterparts by the Curva Nord but no less immersed in football. From the Pescara flag in the window, to a collection of pennants just above the bar, this is where locals come to chat calcio and have probably done so since it opened 82 years ago.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Pescara tickets are available on the club website and at authorised Ciao Tickets selling points in the city. When picking up tickets at the stadium or at the office, remember ID and leave a bit of time as they can get busy.

Kick-off times will be moved for television, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – All merchandise can be bought on the club website or at the Pescara store on Via Carducci 69 in the city centre, which is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

Did You Know?

Euro 2020 winners Marco Verratti, Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile all played for Pescara, leading the Abruzzesi to win Serie B in the 2011-12 season under Zdenek Zeman.

Getting There

If you are aiming to fly to Pescara directly from the UK, your only option as it stands is flying out of London Stansted. Ryanair operates around five flights a week.

If Stansted does not suit, Pescara is approximately two hours by coach from Rome, where the Ciampino and Fiumicino airports are served by flights from several airports across the UK.

Need Another Football Fix?

If you are a fan of lower-league calcio, make sure to visit the Adriatic coast north of Pescara. Serie C outfit Pineto are a 15-minute train ride away, while Giulianova, home to a Serie D side, is 15 minutes further north. Teramo (Serie D) is just over an hour away by train, while former Serie A regulars Ascoli are a two-hour train ride away and their arch-rivals Sambenedettese are just under an hour north of Pescara.