Things to do in L'Aquila

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Castel Sant'Angelo

The Fort Sant'Angelo was originally a family cemetery built by Emperor Hadrian. It was later converted into a papal fortress in the 6th century AD. It is said that in 590 AD, Pope Gregory saw an angel in the sky above the fort and named it the Holy Angel. Fort. Castel Sant'Angelo, located on the Tiber River, at the western end of the ancient Roman region, there are several bridges leading to the west bank of the Tiber River, the more important one is the bridge to the Castel Sant'Angelo (PonteSantaAngelo). When walking through the Pont Sant'Angelo, you may wish to take a closer look at the shape of the bridge and the various exquisite carvings on it. The bridge designed by Bernini can be said to be a masterpiece of Baroque decorative art, but only two of the angel statues on the bridge are made of The statue, sculpted by Bernini himself, has been moved to the church of Santa Adreadelle Fratte for proper preservation, and two replicas have been placed on the bridge. The history of Castel Sant'Angelo in the 2nd century AD, the Roman emperor Hadrian designed the Castel Sant'Angelo and personally directed its construction as the resting place for himself and his successors. Over the centuries, Castel Sant'Angelo has undergone a number of changes: first as a fortress to stop the Visigoths and Ostrogoths from invading, then as a prison, and later converted into a splendid papal palace. Now as a museum, in addition to the collection of stuccoes, frescoes and the residence furniture of the Pope, ancient weapons are also an important and precious collection here.

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Pompeii Archaeological Park

The Pompeii Archaeological Park is located on the shores of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop. In 79 CE, the sudden eruption of the volcano buried the entire town under ash and pumice, inadvertently preserving its streets, houses, shops, and frescoes—freezing the daily life of an ancient Roman town at the moment of disaster. Beyond the ruins, the site also features poignant casts of victims: cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened ash were filled with plaster by archaeologists, recreating their final moments, with a group of such casts displayed in the Garden of the Fugitives. The tour typically begins at the Porta Marina in the west, where the Temple of Venus, the patron goddess of Pompeii, stands on a high platform to the right of the entrance. Along the main street, visitors can see the rectangular Basilica with its recognizable column remnants and frescoes, followed by the ancient Temple of Apollo nearby. Further ahead lies the central forum, where the columns of the Temple of Jupiter frame the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the distance—a classic photo spot. The stone-paved streets outside the forum still bear deep ruts from ancient cart wheels. To the south are the Large Theatre and the covered Odeon, the latter once used for musical performances, with the Temple of Isis reflecting Egyptian influence nearby. Heading north to an intersection, the Stabian Baths offer a glimpse into ancient Romans' passion for bathing. Further east, the House of the Venus in the Shell features a small garden surrounded by a colonnade, with the famous fresco of Venus reclining in a shell still adorning the garden wall. At the southeastern end of the town stands the Amphitheatre, built around 2,000 years ago and capable of seating 20,000 spectators—one of the earliest surviving stone Roman amphitheatres, offering panoramic views from the upper seats. The House of the Faun in the northwest occupies almost an entire block; its excavated Alexander Mosaic is now housed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. Nearby, the House of the Tragic Poet displays the famous "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at its entrance, with interior frescoes depicting mythological and theatrical scenes. The vast site offers limited shade, so allocate at least half a day for exploration, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Those interested in seeing the original Alexander Mosaic and other artifacts can pair their visit with the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Amiternum - Roman Amphitheatre

MAXXI L'Aquila

Rocca Calascio

Rocca Calasciois located on a high mountain peak and is well-preserved, offering magnificent views from the fortress.

Rifugio Le Fontari

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Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is located in northern Rome. Built in the early 17th century by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who came from a prominent Sienese family, it was constructed on the site of a hillside vineyard for his family. Acquired by the Rome city government in the early 20th century and opened to the public, the park covers approx. 80 hectares, making it one of Rome's most prominent large urban parks. With its shady stone pines and cedars, scattered sculptures and fountains, it's easily accessible either by climbing the steps from Piazza di Spagna or entering from the Piazza del Popolo side, serving as a popular leisure spot for locals to stroll, jog, or picnic. The park offers abundant attractions: The artificial lake in the lakeside garden allows visitors to rent boats to reach the center, where the Temple of Aesculapius reflects on the water surface, creating a classic photo spot. The 19th-century water clock, driven by water flow, remains operational to this day. The Pincio Terrace at the northern end of the park overlooks Piazza del Popolo. The park resembles an open-air art district: The Borghese Gallery is renowned for Bernini's sculptures and Caravaggio's paintings, while the National Gallery of Modern Art houses works by Monet, Klimt, and numerous modern Italian artists. The park also features the Etruscan Museum and an open-air theater modeled after Shakespeare's Globe. The Siena square in the garden was built in the late 18th century, named after Siena, the hometown of the Borghese family. Every late spring, it hosts the international show jumping competition that has continued since 1922, with performances by mounted carabinieri in traditional uniforms often serving as the grand finale; the equestrian events of the 1960 Rome Olympics were held here. The Rome zoo Bioparco is adjacent to the park area and can be included in the same tour route.

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Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is located in the valley between the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill, with the Sacred Way leading to the Colosseum on its eastern side. This valley was initially used as a burial ground before being drained and taking shape around the 7th century BCE. Over the following centuries, it developed into the political, legal, commercial, and religious center of ancient Rome, hosting senate meetings, public assemblies, court debates, and religious ceremonies. After the 4th century CE, the forum gradually declined, even serving as pastureland during the Middle Ages, with its ruins buried under silt until systematic excavations began in the 19th century—a process that continues today. The visit typically follows the Sacred Way from east to west. At the eastern end, the three remaining massive vaults of the Basilica of Maxentius (also known as the Basilica of Constantine) are visually striking. Nearby, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina features an ancient colonnade enclosing a medieval church, creating a rare fusion of temple and church. The Temple of Caesar now lies in ruins—historical records indicate it was where Caesar's body was cremated, and visitors still bring flowers here today. To the south, the House of the Vestal Virgins preserves its courtyard and statues of the vestals, while the foundations of the Basilica Aemilia can be identified to the north. Near the Capitoline Hill, relatively well-preserved structures include the Curia (senate house), the black marble marking an ancient sacred site, the Rostra (speaker's platform where orators addressed the public), and the Golden Milestone, considered the starting point of Rome's road network. To the south lie the foundations of the Basilica Julia and three columns of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the latter being one of the forum's most recognizable landmarks. The ancient church of Santa Maria Antiqua at the foot of the Palatine Hill also houses early Christian frescoes dating back to the 6th–8th centuries. At first glance, many see only a jumble of stones and broken columns, but with prior knowledge of the ruins' history or a guide to contextualize them, the layered millennia of history buried in these ruins come vividly to life. It's recommended to combine a visit here with the Colosseum and Palatine Hill on the same itinerary, allowing ample time to explore thoroughly.

L'Aquiland trampoline park

Gran Sasso d'Italia Stadium