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Plan your stay in Popoli Terme, Abruzzo — thermal baths, medieval architecture, and gorge hiking 35 km east of L'Aquila.
Popoli Terme sits at the confluence of the Aterno and Sagittario rivers in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, roughly 35 km east of L'Aquila and 60 km inland from Pescara. The town takes its double name from the thermal springs that have drawn visitors since Roman times — the sulfurous waters here feed a spa complex still active today. The historic center climbs a hillside above the valley floor, anchored by the 14th-century Taverna Ducale, one of the best-preserved medieval civic buildings in Abruzzo. The surrounding landscape is dramatic: the Gole di Popoli gorge cuts through limestone cliffs just south of town, and the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park lies within easy driving distance.
Visitors arrive for several distinct reasons. Hikers and cyclists use Popoli Terme as a base for routes through the Sagittario valley and toward Campo Imperatore plateau. Thermal spa guests come for weekend or week-long wellness stays at the established baths. History travelers stop to see the Taverna Ducale and the nearby Romanesque church of Sant'Antonio. The town also attracts regional food tourists — Abruzzo's pecorino cheeses and saffron from nearby Navelli appear on local menus throughout the year.
Popoli Terme has a population of around 5,000 residents. The nearest commercial airport is Pescara Abruzzo Airport (PSR), approximately 65 km away by road. The town is served by rail on the Pescara–L'Aquila–Rome line, making it accessible without a car.