Pineto Playbook: Your Unrivalled Calcio Experience Among the Pine Trees

Between the blue waters of the Adriatic and the green landscapes of Abruzzo, Pineto Calcio represents a quiet reality in Italian football. A club that started as a small community team has grown into a professional side competing on the national stage. 

Founded in 1962, they spent decades in the lower divisions before winning Serie D Group F in 2022-23, earning promotion to Serie C for the first time in their history. 

Known as the Biancazzurri because of their blue and white colours, Pineto play their home matches at Stadio Pavone-Mariani. The ground was refurbished after promotion to the third tier and now holds around 1500 fans. And, like nearby Pescara, it is close enough to the coast to combine a match with a day at the beach.

Here is everything you need to know. 

Where To Stay

Parco degli Ulivi is one of Pineto’s most popular hotels. Just a short walk from the shore, it sits in a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery, with easy access to the town centre and the stadium. It has a swimming pool, private beach area and bicycles for guests, making it easy to explore the town beyond matchday. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and many have balconies overlooking the sea or the surrounding hills. The restaurant focuses on Abruzzese cuisine, with homemade pasta and local ingredients among its highlights. 

Hotel Costa Verde is also close to the beach and town centre and is a practical choice for visitors looking for a traditional seaside stay in Abruzzo. It has direct access to the beach, with sun loungers and umbrellas available for guests, as well as a swimming pool surrounded by gardens. The restaurant is known for its seafood dishes. 

Hotel Miramare is just a few metres from the beach and close to Pineto’s famous pine forest, allowing guests to easily enjoy the coastline, promenade and town centre. Rooms were recently renovated and this is another hotel with complimentary bicycles to help guests explore the area. The restaurant here is an important part of the experience. Fresh fish is always available alongside traditional Abruzzese recipes. The combination of good food, a relaxed atmosphere and attentive service makes Miramare a popular choice. 

Where To Eat

The Pineto Beach Restaurant is inside the Pineto Beach Resort and offers a relaxed seaside atmosphere. The plates combine Italian and Abruzzese traditions, with seafood, meat dishes and pizza all available. Fish specialities are among the most popular, as are the homemade desserts. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable (with fish or meat main courses from around €15). 

Resilienza Bottega Ristorante offers a more contemporary approach to Abruzzese cuisine. The restaurant combines local traditions with modern techniques, creating dishes that reinterpret regional flavours. The menu balances seafood and land-based specialities, including fresh pasta, high-quality meats and updated versions of classic Abruzzese recipes. Presentation is an important part of the experience. Prices are higher than a typical trattoria, but they reflect the quality of ingredients and the restaurant’s more ambitious style. 

Located in Torre di Cerrano, just outside Pineto, Nonna Michi represents the authentic side of the region’s cuisine. This family-run trattoria focuses on simple recipes, local products and traditional flavours. The menu is among the closest you will find to true Abruzzo cooking: it features regional specialities such as arrosticini, pallotte cacio e ova (traditional cheese and egg balls), grilled meats and homemade dishes inspired by countryside traditions. It is perfect for visitors wanting to experience the region’s culinary identity away from more tourist-focused places.

Where To Drink

Pineto’s nightlife may not match that of Pescara — less than 20 minutes away on the train or half an hour in the car — but during the summer months the coastline gets lively, with beach bars and seaside venues offering entertainment. For a more relaxed evening in town, there are a few good options. 

Maion Pub is a traditional-style pub on Via Gabriele d’Annunzio and is one of Pineto’s most popular places. It has a welcoming atmosphere and a good selection of food and drink. 

Located in Piazza della Libertà, Al Centrale Wine Bar Bistrot offers a more refined alternative. The venue combines the atmosphere of a wine bar with the informality of a local meeting point, making it ideal for an aperitivo or an after-dinner drink. The focus is on wine, with particular attention to Italian and Abruzzese labels, but the bar also offers cocktails, spirits and small appetisers. Its central location makes it a convenient place to experience Pineto’s evening atmosphere, especially during the warmer weather. Check out their Instagram to get an idea of the Abruzzo vs the rest of Italy specials they have been doing.

Don’t Forget

Tickets for Pineto matches are available online at Vivaticket and at authorised sales points in the city. Prices range from €10 to €25, with reduced tickets available for under-14s and over-65s. 

Tickets can also be bought at the stadium on matchdays from 2pm until kick-off, while another option is Bar Pineto Calcio on Via Marittima, which sells them on weekdays from 4pm to 7pm.

Official merchandise is sold online.

Did You Know?

The name Pineto literally means ‘pine grove’, reflecting the strong connection between the town and its natural surroundings. One of the area’s most famous attractions is the Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area, with its famous centuries-old pine trees. 

Getting There

Pineto is easy to reach. Abruzzo Airport in Pescara is 30km away, with domestic and international connections. 

Travelling by car is straightforward: from the A14 motorway, take the Pineto-Atri exit and follow the signs. Visitors arriving from Pescara can use the SS16 Adriatica, a scenic coastal road connecting the two cities. 

Pineto-Atri train station is on the Adriatic railway line between Bologna and Bari, with regular regional connections to Pescara and other coastal destinations. The station is within walking distance of the town centre and the Pavone-Mariani. 

For visitors staying in Pescara and planning to explore the surrounding area, trains and buses provide reliable connections. However, renting a car is recommended for those wanting to discover Abruzzo’s beaches, villages and natural parks at their own pace. 

Need Another Football Fix? 

Fans staying in Pineto can easily travel south to watch Pescara, a club with plenty of history, including several seasons in Serie A. They are back in Serie C in 2026-27 after a campaign back in the second tier, and their stadium, the Adriatico, is much bigger than the intimate Pavone-Mariani.

There are regular trains between the cities while the drive offers beautiful views of the coastline. A visit to Pescara can easily become a full-day experience, combining football with a walk along the promenade, time on the beaches and the city’s bars and restaurants. It is the perfect complement to Pineto’s quieter coastal charm.