Termoli (Molisano: Térmle) is a town on the Adriatic coast of Italy, in the region of Molise. It is a local resort town known for its beaches and old fortifications. The beaches have pure waters. Very few non-Italians stay in this area; most tourists to Molise come from Naples and Apulia, to the south of Molise. The seaside promenade features palm trees, and in the summer the many restaurants are crowded.

Understand

With a population of around 33,000 (2017), having expanded quickly after World War II.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airports are in Pescara, Naples, and Rome. To arrive in Termoli from one of these airports it is necessary to drive a car, take the train, etc. From Rome by car, the drive will take about 3-4 hours.

By car

• Highway Autostrada Adriatica A14 in the direction of Pescara, exit at Termoli and follow SS 87 (state street Bifernina).
• Highway Autostrada del Sole A1 Rome - Naples, exit at the tollbooth Caianello, follow signs for Isernia, for Campobasso, SS 17, got onto SS 650 (Fondovalle Trigno) in the direction of San Salvo, take the highway Autostrada Adriatica A14 in the direction of Bari, exit at Termoli and follow SS 87 (state street Bifernina) in the direction of Termoli.
• Highway Autostrada A24 Rome - L'Aquila, continue on highway autostrada A25 for Pescara, then take highway autostrada A14, exit at Termoli and follow SS 87 (state street Bifernina) in the direction of Termoli.
• From Campobasso take SS 87 (state street Bifernina), continue on SS 647, and then SS 87 (state street Bifernina) in the direction of Termoli.

By boat

There is a port directly in Termoli as well as in nearby Pescara.

• Port of Termoli (Porto di Termoli), Via Calata del Porto, ☏ +39 0875 706484, fax: +39 0875 707336. Connections to Isole Tremiti and Croatia. 
• 1 Port of Pescara (Porto di Pescara).  

By train

There is a station in Termoli with connections to main lines from Bologna, Rome, and Bari.

By bus

The main bus companies serving Molise are the following:

• Autolinee C.L.P. S.p.A., ☏ +39 081 5311707, +39 081 5312424, info@clpbus.it. Connections directly from Naples for Campomarino and Termoli 
• Autolinee Lariviera. 
• Autolinee S.A.T.I. S.p.A., Via Martiri della Resistenza (at the bus terminal), ☏ +39 0875 701673, info@satiautobus.com. Connections to villages near Campobasso, Isernia, and Termoli. 
• Autolinee Molise Trasporti. 

Get around

The city centere of Termoli is very walkable and many of the beaches are less than a 10-minute walk away. If you want to travel around Molise the easiest way is to rent a car, although public transportation by bus or train is also possible.

By car

Parking: white spaces are free of charge, blue spaces are pay, and yellow spaces are forbidden. Pay attention to street signs indicating the times when the street will be cleaned and parking is not permitted.

By bus

The central bus terminal in Termoli has buses going to many towns around Termoli.

See

Old Town

• 1 Castello Svevo. Roughly dated to the 13th century, a period when Frederick II of Swabia planned a system of fortification of Italy's southeastern frontiers as far as Sicily. The central Norman tower of Castello Svevo dates to the 12th century and the castle retains its existing structural features. Today, exhibitions and music festivals are held in the halls of the castle. (updated Oct 2022)
• 2 Termoli Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria della Purificazione, Duomo di Termoli), Piazza Duomo, 86039 Termoli (centre of Old Town), ☏ +39 377 0944933, info@molisewow.com. Roman Catholic cathedral. The first church was built around the 6th century; the present Romanesque building was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral was restored after an earthquake in 1464 and again after an attack by Ottoman Turks in 1566. 30-60 minute guided tours ("Tour Wow Cattedrale") available. (updated Oct 2022)
• 3 A Rejecelle (part of Vico II Castello). Pedestrian street in the Old Town which is less than 40 cm wide. Free. (updated Oct 2022)

Center

• 4 Corso Nazionale street and surrounding area. Pedestrian-only main street in town center with its side streets and piazzas. Here there are many shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. In the evening, especially on the weekend, the street fills up with both the young and the old taking a walk or playing. (updated Oct 2022)

Beyond train station

• 5 Termoli Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Termoli, MACTE), Via Giappone, ☏ +39 0875 808025, info@fondazionemacte.com. W-Su 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00. The 500 m² (5,400 ft²) MACTE opened to the public in April 2019. The building was redesigned from an old local market. What remains of the previous structure is the large circular central area where there was once a small open-air square and the side rooms once used for sales which now house the seven exhibition rooms. Free. (updated Oct 2022)

Do

Beach

One may go to a free beach (spiaggia libera) with no amenities, or rent an umbrella, chair, etc. at the lido.

• 1 Lido La Lampara, Lungomare C. Colombo, 59, ☏ +39 0875 704564, fax: +39 0875 704564, info@lidolalampara-termoli.it. Offers showers, a bar, and a restaurant. €18 for 1 umbrella with 1 beach chair and 1 beach lounge chair. (updated Sep 2023)

Tours

• 2 Termoli Underground (Termoli Sotterranea), Piazza Duomo, ☏ +39 377 0944933 (Reservations), info@molisewow.com. Tu-Su 09:30 - 13:00, 16:00 - 00:00 (starting 14 June). A journey deep into the underground of Termoli. The 30-60 minute guided tour includes, among other things, the tower damaged by the earthquake in 1456 which was later used as a cistern as well as a "warehouse" from the 1200s and the artifacts found during its excavation. Managed by the PietrAngolare and Explace Association. €5.00 per person. (updated Oct 2022)

Nearby

• 3 Isole Tremiti. From the Port of Termoli, the beautiful Isole Tremiti are 1-1½ hours away by ferry. The ferry ('NLG') will take you to San Nicola with its historic monastery and walking trails. Here you can also take a water taxi to the more developed island of San Domino. Alternatively, you can rent a small motorboat or canoe and explore the islands at your leisure. €25 round trip. (updated Oct 2022)

Eat

• 1 Yo-Go!, Corso Nazionale, 7, ☏ +39 0875 472136. Gelato. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Laboratorio A Vista, ☏ +39 340 487 3671. Highly recommended artisanal gelato, included in the Gambero Rosso guide "Gelaterie D'Italia" in 2022, open late in summer. from €2,50 up. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 GustiAmo Pasticceria, Via XX Settembre 10, ☏ +39 0875 880812. Delicious pastries and coffee. (updated Oct 2022)

Restaurants

• 4 Da Nicolino, Via Roma 13, ☏ +39 0875706804, erricaru@gmail.com. The special dish of the restaurant is brodetto alla termolese. It is made with many types of fish, such as cuttlefish, mullet, mussels and others, depending on the period and the available fish. 
• 5 Il Grottino, Via Roma 25/27, ☏ +39 0875 703287. Excellent price-to-quality ratio, friendly service. The tagliatelle al nero di seppia, vongole e pomodorini ('tagliatelle with squid ink, clams and cherry tomatoes') is highly recommended. If it is on the menu, indulge in the marvellous fig tiramisu! (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 King's Restaurant, Corso Nazionale, 170, ☏ +39 0875 881366, termoli@kingsrestaurant.it. Tu-Su: 13:00-15:00, 20:00-23:00. Seafood, fresh and high quality service. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Svevia, Via Giudicato Vecchio, ☏ +39 0875 550284, fax: +39 0875 706803, ristorantesvevia@gmail.com. Tu-Sa 12:30-14:30, 20:00-22:30; Su 12:30-15:00. Molisian dishes. (updated Jul 2017)

Drink

• 1 Piccolo Bar, Corso Nazionale 32. Daily 09:30-14:30, 17:00-03:00. No-frills bar, inexpensive drinks, simple aperitivo with olives, taralli, chips, and small sandwiches. €5 Negroni with aperitivo, €3 amaro. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Caffe Casolino, Corso Nazionale 68, ☏ +39 0875 70 33 22. Order coffee at the bar or buy some coffee beans to take home. €1.00 espresso, €1.30 cappuccino.. (updated Sep 2023)

Sleep

• La Casetta Di Mary, Via Leopoldo Pilla 6, ☏ +39 349 146 3170, lacasettadimary@gmail.com. Apartment hotel in city center near the harbor. (updated Oct 2022)
• Malo' Rooms, Via Mazzini 15, ☏ +39 349 146 3170, malorooms@gmail.com. Apartment hotel in city center near the street Lungomare Cristofero Colomba and the beaches there. (updated Oct 2022)
• 1 Pensione Al Pescatore, Corso Fratelli Brigida 16, ☏ +39 875 706 692, info@alpescatore.org. Check-out: 10:00. Inexpensive hotel with a retro style, nice views of the harbor from the eastern side, paper-thin walls, and unpretentious restaurant where Italian television will be on during dinner hours. The hotel is around the corner from the Old Town as well as the Port of Termoli. From €60 (low season). (updated Oct 2022)

Go next

Within a radius of about 25 km (16 mi) from Termoli, are the hilltowns of Larino, Casacalenda, Montorio dei Frentani, and Montelongo.