Puglia Review
  • Home
    • Contact
    • The Italy Review Network >
      • Italy Review
      • City Guides >
        • Florence Review
        • Milan Review
        • Naples Review
        • Pisa Review
        • Roma Review
        • Turin Review
        • Venice Review
        • Verona Review
      • Region Guides >
        • Northern Italy >
          • Emilia Romagna Review
          • Friuli Venezia Giulia Review
          • Liguria Review
          • Lombardy Review
          • Piemonte Review
          • Trentino Review
          • Valle d'Aosta Review
          • Veneto Review
        • Central Italy >
          • Abruzzo Review
          • Lazio Review
          • Marche Review
          • Molise Review
          • Tuscany Review
          • Umbria Review
        • Southern Italy >
          • Amalfi Coast Review
          • Basilicata Review
          • Campania Review
          • Calabria Review
          • Sorrento Review
      • Island Guides >
        • Capri Island Review
        • Elba Review
        • Ischia Review
        • Ponza Review
        • Procida Review
        • Sardinia Review
        • Sicily Review
  • Things to see in Puglia
    • Cities of Puglia >
      • Bari
      • Lecce
      • Brindisi
      • Taranto
      • Foggia
      • Trani
      • Barletta
      • Andria
    • Scenic Towns of Puglia >
      • Seaside Towns of Puglia >
        • Polignano A Mare
        • Vieste
        • Otranto
        • Gallipoli
        • Santa Maria al Bagno
        • Peschici
        • Santa Caterina
        • Rodi Garganico
        • Castro
        • Manfredonia
        • Torre dell'Orso
        • Santa Maria di Leuca
        • Campomarino
        • Mattinata
        • Santa Cesarea Terme
        • Porto Cesareo
        • Margherita di Savoia
      • Historic Towns of Puglia >
        • Alberobello
        • Altamura
        • Martina Franca
        • Conversano
        • Gravina in Puglia
        • Bitonto
        • Ruvo di Puglia
        • Lucera
        • San Severo
        • Cerignola
        • Massafra
        • Gioia del Colle
        • Canosa di Puglia
        • Castellaneta
      • Puglia's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Locorotondo
        • Cisternino
        • Bovino
        • Vico del Gargano
        • Specchia
        • Presicce
        • Pietramontecorvino
        • Roseto Valfortore
        • Alberona
      • Towns of Salento >
        • Galatina >
          • Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
        • Tricase
        • Nardo
        • Cavallino
        • Copertino
        • Ugento
        • Avetrana
        • Manduria
        • Maglie
        • Acaya
        • San Pancrazio Salentino
        • Muro Leccese
        • Oria
        • Andrano
        • Grottaglie
        • Soleto
      • Fishing Towns of Puglia >
        • Giovinazzo
        • Bisceglie
        • Monopoli
        • Molfetta
      • Hill Towns of Puglia >
        • Ostuni
        • Monte Sant'Angelo
        • San Giovanni Rotondo
        • Selva di Fasano
      • Orange Flag Towns of Puglia >
        • Corigliano d'Otranto
        • Troia
        • Rocchetta Sant'Antonio
        • Orsara di Puglia
        • Sant'Agata di Puglia
    • Beaches of Puglia >
      • Salento Beaches >
        • Torre Sant'Andrea
        • San Foca
        • Mulino d'Acqua Bay
        • Roca
        • Porto Selvaggio
        • Porto Badisco
        • Costa Merlata
        • Baia dei Turchi
        • Grotta della Poesia
        • Marina Serra
        • Punta Prosciutto
        • Cala di Grotta Monaca
        • San Pietro in Bevagna
        • Pescoluse
        • Torre Lapillo
        • San Cataldo
        • Punta Pizzo
      • Gargano Beaches >
        • Baia delle Zagare
        • Vignanotica Beach
        • Baia San Felice
        • Pugnochiuso
        • Isola di Campi
        • Arco di San Felice
        • Portogreco
        • Cala Campi
        • Scoglio di Portonuovo
        • Spiaggia di Mattinatella
        • Torre Mileto
    • Tremiti Islands >
      • San Domino
      • San Nicola
      • Capraia
      • Cretaccio
    • Natural Sights of Puglia >
      • Cava di Bauxite
      • Alimini Lakes >
        • Alimini Grande Lake
        • Alimini Piccolo Lake
      • Lake Varano
    • Parks of Puglia >
      • Gargano National Park
      • Alta Murgia National Park
      • Torre Guaceto
    • Archaeological Sites of Puglia >
      • Roca Vecchia
      • Cannae
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puglia >
      • Castel Del Monte
  • Travel
    • Puglia Airports >
      • Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport
      • Brindisi Salento Airport
    • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
  • Puglia Hotels
  • Puglia
    • Provinces of Puglia >
      • Metropolitan City of Bari
      • Barletta Andria Trani
      • Brindisi Province
      • Foggia Province
      • Lecce Province
      • Taranto Province
    • Regions of Puglia >
      • Salento
      • Gargano Peninsula
      • Tavoliere delle Puglia
      • Valle d'Itria

Vieste​

Vieste


Taking pride of place on the eastern shore of the Gargano Peninsula, the town of Vieste offers a winning combination of beaches, history and stunning good looks. 

The town is bursting with character and nowhere more so than on the little promontory where the Chiesa di San Francesco stands guard against whatever may have come from the sea throughout its history. ​The promontory of Punta San Francesco marks the tail-end of Vieste's Centro Storico (old town), a cluster of white-washed buildings full of intrigue and narrow passageways.
 It is within this part of town that you'll get the picture postcard views of the promontory with various viewpoints from which you can take photos.

Almost hidden within this tight knot of alleyways lies the town's Cathedral which dates back to the 11th century and would have been present during one of the town's darkest episodes some 400 years later. In 1554, Saracen pirates sacked the town and executed 5,000 of Vieste's residents on a plinth now known as the Chianca Amara, the "Bitter Stone" which can still be seen to this day and acts as a gruesome reminder of the past. 

​In modern times, Vieste is a thriving seaside resort with large stretches of golden sandy beach either side of the promontory. To the south of Punta San Francesco lies a huge white rock known as Pizzomunno and this marks the northern end of the long stretch of beach known as Spiaggia del Castello. This is the biggest beach in Vieste and continues for three kilometres along which there are dozens of beach clubs, restaurants and hotels. When you reach the southern end of the beach the main coastal road climbs south and if you turn around and look back here you'll get one of the best views of the town. 

​To the north of Punta San Francesco lies the more modern part of town which has its own charms. This is one of the most pleasant parts of the Vieste to walk around with plenty of shops and places to eat or drink available, particularly so in Marina Piccola with its palm-tree-lined seafront. Either cut across or make your away around the headland to the north of Marina Piccola and you'll find Vieste's port area. 

The port is mainly occupied by small, private boats in an attractive marina but you can also take a number of boat trips from here. The most popular is the ferry across to the Tremiti Islands which are around two hours away. You can incidentally, find the Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables here. Other popular excursions include tours of the Gargano Peninsula's grottoes where you'll also find a mixture of clear azure water with a backdrop of white rocks and cliffs. 

​Beyond the port area to the north west lies the Spiaggia di San Lorenzo; this is another large stretch of beautiful sand with further accommodation and dining options in abundance. Continue north from Spiaggia di San Lorenzo and you will find more beaches that gradually become less busy the further out of town you reach. 

Although some bus options are available, by far the best way to explore the surrounding area is by car. Head north of Vieste and you soon come to a smaller town called Peschici while further west is the slightly larger resort of Rodi Garganico. Both towns offer good options for a day trip to the beach without having to travel too far; Rodi Garganico for example is around 50 minutes away while Peschici is just half an hour. Some of the scenery and beaches you pass along the way make it a worthwhile venture.

Take the coast road south of Vieste and the scenery is arguably even more captivating. Here you'll find some of the best Gargano Beaches including Baia delle Zagare, Vignanotica and Mattinata to name just a few. One of the most visited towns on the peninsula is Monte Sant'Angelo; a hill town with a very different feel to the coastal towns. Standing at an elevation of around 800 metres you'll find the air a good deal cooler here while the town's big draw is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed sanctuary.

​Category: Seaside Towns of Puglia

Administrative area: Foggia Province

Population: 13,907

Highlights: Beaches, old town

​
Close by: Peschici, Pugnochiuso, Rodi Garganico, Vignanotica

Recommended stay: Hotel Boutique Il Castellino Relais


HOME

THINGS TO SEE IN PUGLIA

TRAVEL

PUGLIA HOTELS

PUGLIA


Puglia Review is part of the Italy Review network of websites, aimed at making life easier for English-speaking people travelling throughout Italy.
For advice on other locations in Italy please visit my websites below:
Ischia Review
Basilicata Review
Capri Island Review
Veneto Review
Amalfi Coast Review
Abruzzo Review
Sorrento Review
Procida Review

Picture

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Puglia Review logo are the property of Puglia Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is the property of Puglia Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
  • Home
    • Contact
    • The Italy Review Network >
      • Italy Review
      • City Guides >
        • Florence Review
        • Milan Review
        • Naples Review
        • Pisa Review
        • Roma Review
        • Turin Review
        • Venice Review
        • Verona Review
      • Region Guides >
        • Northern Italy >
          • Emilia Romagna Review
          • Friuli Venezia Giulia Review
          • Liguria Review
          • Lombardy Review
          • Piemonte Review
          • Trentino Review
          • Valle d'Aosta Review
          • Veneto Review
        • Central Italy >
          • Abruzzo Review
          • Lazio Review
          • Marche Review
          • Molise Review
          • Tuscany Review
          • Umbria Review
        • Southern Italy >
          • Amalfi Coast Review
          • Basilicata Review
          • Campania Review
          • Calabria Review
          • Sorrento Review
      • Island Guides >
        • Capri Island Review
        • Elba Review
        • Ischia Review
        • Ponza Review
        • Procida Review
        • Sardinia Review
        • Sicily Review
  • Things to see in Puglia
    • Cities of Puglia >
      • Bari
      • Lecce
      • Brindisi
      • Taranto
      • Foggia
      • Trani
      • Barletta
      • Andria
    • Scenic Towns of Puglia >
      • Seaside Towns of Puglia >
        • Polignano A Mare
        • Vieste
        • Otranto
        • Gallipoli
        • Santa Maria al Bagno
        • Peschici
        • Santa Caterina
        • Rodi Garganico
        • Castro
        • Manfredonia
        • Torre dell'Orso
        • Santa Maria di Leuca
        • Campomarino
        • Mattinata
        • Santa Cesarea Terme
        • Porto Cesareo
        • Margherita di Savoia
      • Historic Towns of Puglia >
        • Alberobello
        • Altamura
        • Martina Franca
        • Conversano
        • Gravina in Puglia
        • Bitonto
        • Ruvo di Puglia
        • Lucera
        • San Severo
        • Cerignola
        • Massafra
        • Gioia del Colle
        • Canosa di Puglia
        • Castellaneta
      • Puglia's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Locorotondo
        • Cisternino
        • Bovino
        • Vico del Gargano
        • Specchia
        • Presicce
        • Pietramontecorvino
        • Roseto Valfortore
        • Alberona
      • Towns of Salento >
        • Galatina >
          • Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
        • Tricase
        • Nardo
        • Cavallino
        • Copertino
        • Ugento
        • Avetrana
        • Manduria
        • Maglie
        • Acaya
        • San Pancrazio Salentino
        • Muro Leccese
        • Oria
        • Andrano
        • Grottaglie
        • Soleto
      • Fishing Towns of Puglia >
        • Giovinazzo
        • Bisceglie
        • Monopoli
        • Molfetta
      • Hill Towns of Puglia >
        • Ostuni
        • Monte Sant'Angelo
        • San Giovanni Rotondo
        • Selva di Fasano
      • Orange Flag Towns of Puglia >
        • Corigliano d'Otranto
        • Troia
        • Rocchetta Sant'Antonio
        • Orsara di Puglia
        • Sant'Agata di Puglia
    • Beaches of Puglia >
      • Salento Beaches >
        • Torre Sant'Andrea
        • San Foca
        • Mulino d'Acqua Bay
        • Roca
        • Porto Selvaggio
        • Porto Badisco
        • Costa Merlata
        • Baia dei Turchi
        • Grotta della Poesia
        • Marina Serra
        • Punta Prosciutto
        • Cala di Grotta Monaca
        • San Pietro in Bevagna
        • Pescoluse
        • Torre Lapillo
        • San Cataldo
        • Punta Pizzo
      • Gargano Beaches >
        • Baia delle Zagare
        • Vignanotica Beach
        • Baia San Felice
        • Pugnochiuso
        • Isola di Campi
        • Arco di San Felice
        • Portogreco
        • Cala Campi
        • Scoglio di Portonuovo
        • Spiaggia di Mattinatella
        • Torre Mileto
    • Tremiti Islands >
      • San Domino
      • San Nicola
      • Capraia
      • Cretaccio
    • Natural Sights of Puglia >
      • Cava di Bauxite
      • Alimini Lakes >
        • Alimini Grande Lake
        • Alimini Piccolo Lake
      • Lake Varano
    • Parks of Puglia >
      • Gargano National Park
      • Alta Murgia National Park
      • Torre Guaceto
    • Archaeological Sites of Puglia >
      • Roca Vecchia
      • Cannae
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puglia >
      • Castel Del Monte
  • Travel
    • Puglia Airports >
      • Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport
      • Brindisi Salento Airport
    • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
  • Puglia Hotels
  • Puglia
    • Provinces of Puglia >
      • Metropolitan City of Bari
      • Barletta Andria Trani
      • Brindisi Province
      • Foggia Province
      • Lecce Province
      • Taranto Province
    • Regions of Puglia >
      • Salento
      • Gargano Peninsula
      • Tavoliere delle Puglia
      • Valle d'Itria