Fara  San  Martino​

Latest page update: 21 May 2025
By: Dion Protani

  Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Fara San Martino
Fara San Martino offers a small but well-regarded selection of established hotels, popular with visitors to the nearby Majella National Park and the Gole di Fara San Martino. Accommodation here is praised for hospitality, comfort and convenient access to the walking trails and mountain scenery.
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Hotel Del Camerlengo is the leading choice, offering comfortable rooms, a pool, restaurant and wellness facilities, with excellent feedback for service and cleanliness (€€). Hotel Al Duca (Atessa, approx. 15 kilometres) provides modern rooms, a restaurant serving traditional cuisine and strong guest reviews for value and comfort (€€). For a countryside experience close to the park, Villa Maiella (Guardiagrele, approx. 18 kilometres) offers elegant rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant, earning high praise for its cuisine and professional service (€€€).

Where is

Where is Fara San Martino?
​The town of Fara San Martino is situated within the Province of Chieti in the central Italian region of Abruzzo. On 1 January 2022 it had a population of 1,312 inhabitants. It's known colloquially as the Home of Pasta and its most famous brands include De Cecco. 

Standing at an elevation of 440 metres above sea level, the comune of Fara San Martino covers a total area of 43 square kilometres. 
Comune di Fare San Martino
Province: Chieti

Region: Abruzzo

Population: 1,268 (in 2024 - source)

​Size: 43 km²

Elevation: 440 metres

Highlights: Sorgenti del Fiume Verde, Gole di San Martino

​Close by: Lake Casoli, Lama dei Peligni, Casoli, Roccascalegna​

Recommended accommodation: ​​Residence La Piazzetta
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)

Listed since: 2006

1 of 6 in Abruzzo listed by Touring Club Italiano

What People Ask About Fara San Martino

Is Fara San Martino worth visiting?
Yes, Fara San Martino is worth visiting for its location at the entrance to the Majella National Park, its historic abbey ruins, and its dramatic gorge. The town is also known as a centre of pasta production, giving it both cultural and culinary appeal.
What are the main attractions in Fara San Martino?
The highlights include the Abbey of San Martino in Valle, partly carved into rock at the entrance to the gorge, and the Fara San Martino Gorge itself, with striking limestone walls. The town’s pasta factories also form part of its cultural identity and heritage.
How do I get to Fara San Martino?
Fara San Martino is around one hour by car from Pescara and 45 minutes from Chieti. The closest motorway exit is at Casoli. Buses connect the town with nearby centres, but driving is the easiest option for reaching the gorge and surrounding mountains. The nearest airport is Pescara.
When is the best time to visit Fara San Martino?
The best time to visit is from late spring to early autumn, when hiking trails and the gorge are easily accessible. Summer is popular for outdoor activities, while spring and autumn provide milder weather and quieter conditions for sightseeing.
What food is Fara San Martino known for?
Fara San Martino is internationally known for pasta production, with several factories operating in the town. It also shares the culinary traditions of the Majella area, including lamb dishes, cheeses, and rustic mountain soups.
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Discover

Discover Fara San Martino
Located at the eastern edge of the Majella National Park, Fara San Martino is a small town with a big reputation in the world of pasta. It's home to no fewer than four companies that produce pasta with the most famous of those being De Cecco, one of the most popular and well-respected brands in the country. 

The quality of the pasta is enhanced by the minerals found in the local area's water. There are numerous places to explore the water and other countryside features, including at the Sorgenti del Fiume Verde, an area of streams, pools and waterfalls where the water is of a bright turquoise colour. 

A couple of kilometres west of the town centre and reachable on foot in around half an hour are the Gole di San Martino, a series of gorges displaying some stunning natural rock formations. One of the chief sights along the gorges is the Abbazia Benedettina di San Martino in Valle: largely reduced to rubble but fascinating nonetheless. 

Things to Do

Things to Do in Fara San Martino
  • Centro Storico di Fara San Martino nestles at the foot of rugged mountains, its streets winding among stone houses and narrow passages. The village preserves a strong medieval character, with arched doorways, rustic balconies, and small piazzas opening to dramatic views. Surrounded by towering cliffs, the historic centre feels closely linked to nature. Walking through Fara San Martino reveals a community shaped by mountain life and centuries of tradition.
  • Gole di Fara San Martino form a breathtaking natural gateway, towering rock walls creating a dramatic canyon that leads into the Majella National Park. Ancient paths wind between sheer cliffs, carved over millennia by the Verde River. The gorge offers cool shade, rushing waters, and a mystical atmosphere. It’s an iconic spot for visitors seeking both natural beauty and a sense of wonder.
  • Abbazia di San Martino in Valle lies hidden within the gorge, a historic abbey partially built into the rock face. Founded in the early Middle Ages, it has long been a spiritual sanctuary amid the mountains. Fragments of stone walls and carved details hint at the abbey’s former splendour. Visiting the site offers an evocative glimpse into centuries of faith and seclusion.
  • Piazza Municipio serves as Fara San Martino’s social centre, bordered by stone buildings and lively meeting spots for locals. The square hosts markets, festivals, and conversations that bring villagers together. Cobblestone paving and views of the surrounding peaks add rustic charm. It’s an inviting place to pause and enjoy the rhythm of daily life in the village.
  • Guided nature and pasta tours in Fara San Martino lead visitors through the dramatic gorge, historic abbey ruins, and into renowned local pasta factories. Guides share stories of the village’s natural wonders and its global reputation for producing high-quality pasta. Tours often include tastings of freshly made pasta and local delicacies. Exploring with a guide connects visitors deeply with Fara San Martino’s unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culinary excellence.

Tours and Activities

Fara San Martino Tours and Activities

Photo Gallery

Abruzzo Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Abruzzo

1. ​Gran Sasso & Monti della Laga National Park
2. Rocca Calascio
3. Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park 
4. Campo Imperatore
5. Majella National Park 
6. Roccascalegna
7. Vasto 
8. Barrea 
9. Sulmona
10. Ortona ​

​👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Abruzzo

How to Get to [Place Name]

How to Get to Fara San Martino
By Rail: The nearest train station to Fara San Martino is in Lanciano, approximately 30 kilometres away. The station lies on the Adriatic coastal line operated by Trenitalia, with regular regional services. Trains from Lanciano reach Pescara in about 1 hour and Termoli in roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Lanciano, local buses and taxis connect with Fara San Martino and nearby mountain villages.

By Road: Fara San Martino is located in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, at the foot of the Maiella mountains. From Chieti, the drive is around 50 kilometres and takes about 1 hour via the SS81 and SP164. From Pescara, it is approximately 75 kilometres and takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. Parking is available near the town centre and close to the entrance of the Fara San Martino Gorges.

Nearest International Airports:
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  • Pescara Abruzzo Airport: Approximately 70 kilometres from Fara San Martino, with a driving time of around 1 hour and 10 minutes via the A14 and SS81. It is the closest airport, offering domestic and European connections.
  • Naples Capodichino Airport: Located about 185 kilometres southwest, taking roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes by car via the A1 and SS652. Convenient for visitors from southern Italy or abroad.
  • Rome Ciampino Airport: Around 215 kilometres west, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes via the A24 and A25. Suitable for travellers arriving from across Europe.

Private Transfers

Fara San Martino Private Transfers
A private transfer provides a comfortable and reliable way to reach Fara San Martino or continue your journey from the village to other destinations in Abruzzo and neighbouring regions. You’ll be collected directly from your chosen location and driven by a professional local driver, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey without the need for car hire or public transport.

Private transfers can be arranged to and from Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, which offers the most direct access for both arrivals and departures. The journey from the airport to Fara San Martino typically takes around 1 hour 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Transfers can also be organised to Casoli, Guardiagrele, and Civitella Messer Raimondo, or to nearby destinations such as Roccascalegna, Bomba, and Lanciano.
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To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.

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