The spectacularly beautiful Gargano peninsula juts into the Adriatic Sea. It’s known as the “spur of the Italian boot” and features a rugged, mountainous interior covered with ancient pine forests and silvery olive groves. On the coast, you’ll find soaring limestone cliffs, gold-sand beaches and jewel-toned bays.
Most of the peninsula is set in Gargano National Park, which keeps the region unspoiled and surprisingly uncrowded. The park protects gems like Foresta Umbra, where you can see some of the last-remaining Aleppo pines in Puglia.
The clifftop town of Vieste is a great base to explore Gargano. It’s set on the tip of the peninsula and framed by long sandy beaches. Explore the Norman castle, dine at rustic seafood trattorias and get lost in the atmospheric Old Town. It’s a maze of cobbled streets, narrow stone staircases and traditional whitewashed houses.
Venture inland to discover the peninsula’s mountainous interior. Base yourself in Monte Sant’Angelo, a picturesque town surrounded by wildflower-covered hills. Stroll around the medieval centre and relax in sunny piazzas decorated with colourful flowers.
Getting there
Gargano is on the east coast of Puglia in Southern Italy. Towns and villages on the peninsula are easy to access by train and bus. Bari is a gateway to Gargano and features a major train station and international airport. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore Gargano at your own pace.