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The San Felice coast with the Architiello, a rock arch over the turquoise sea, and the pine wood above

Puglia · Gargano · Things to see and do

Around Vieste

Beaches, natural rock arches, sea caves and so many wonders to discover. We’ve lived here for over twenty years and we’re happy to suggest where to go, what to see and how to make the most of the area.

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Which beach today?

Check the wind, pick the sea

In Vieste there’s almost always a calm sea somewhere: just head for the coast sheltered from the wind.

If the wind is

Maestrale, Tramontana

The wind comes from the north

Try the south coast

  • Pizzomunno beach
  • Portonuovo

Molinella and the far end of San Lorenzo, on the north coast, are sheltered too.

If the wind is

Scirocco

The wind comes from the south-east

Try the north coast

  • San Lorenzo
  • Scialmarino
  • Molinella

These are the beaches along the coast road towards Peschici.

A day in Vieste

Dawn to dusk

Every hour has its place. Here’s what we suggest to our guests, from the first sun on the sea to the evening stroll.

  1. Enlarge: Fiery sunrise over the sea seen from the Marina Piccola in Vieste, with the church on the headland

    Dawn

    The Marina Piccola

    The sun rises out of the sea in front of Punta San Francesco: worth the early alarm.

  2. Enlarge: The Grotta Sfondata, one of the sea caves of Vieste: an opening in the rock to the sky, and turquoise water

    Morning

    By boat to the caves

    From the harbour heading south, among sea caves, the Architiello of San Felice and Porto Greco bay.

  3. Midday and afternoon

    Forest or cliffs? You choose

    Spend the rest of the day in one of these two places: the cool of the forest or the sea beneath the white cliff.

    Enlarge: A young fallow deer among the trees of the Foresta Umbra, next to a wooden sign

    Midday and afternoon

    In the cool of the Foresta Umbra

    UNESCO World Heritage beech forests and fallow deer among the trees, when the coast is at its hottest.

    Enlarge: A large white rock sea stack with two arches in the turquoise sea at Mattinata

    Midday and afternoon

    Vignanotica and the sea stacks

    From the afternoon the white cliff casts shade over the beach, right up to sunset.

  4. Enlarge: The net of a trabucco raised over the sea at sunset

    Sunset

    The trabucchi

    The old fishing machines glow orange, poised between the rock and the sea.

  5. Enlarge: Stone alley in the old town of Vieste with flowers, balconies and the sea at the end

    Evening

    The old town on foot

    On summer evenings the centre is closed to cars: from us you get there with a stroll along the seafront.

Our tips

What to see around Vieste

Fourteen places we suggest to our guests, grouped by the time it takes to reach them: on foot from us, in half a day or in a full day. Tap a photo to enlarge it.

5 places · Setting off from our gate.

On foot from us

5 places · A morning or an afternoon.

In half a day

4 places · Leave early, back in the evening.

In a full day

Excursions

Sea, nature and unique landscapes

Sea caves by boat, tailor-made

Vieste Sea Adventure

For the sea caves we highly recommend them: private, tailor-made tours among caves, bays, trabucchi and sea stacks. Sheer beauty and fun guaranteed.

Tremiti and caves on larger boats

Francesco De Stasi · Bisanum Viaggi Tour Operator

Whether it’s the caves on the larger boats or the Tremiti Islands and their excursions, Francesco is the best person to organise your whole trip. Ask him anything: if it can be done, he knows how to do it.

For bikes and other excursions, just ask: we’ll give you the best contact.

From people who live here

What to know before you go

  • Evenings in town, on foot

    In summer, in the evening and at night, the centre and the old town are closed to cars. From us you reach them with a short stroll along the seafront, with no hunting for a parking space. If you’d rather drive, there are large car parks in the centre, just 2 minutes from the residence.

  • Check the wind, then choose the beach

    The best sea is on the coast opposite the wind. Ask us in the morning: we’ll tell you where to go.

  • Vignanotica? Best in the afternoon

    The cliff casts shade from the afternoon until sunset. The beach is gravel and pebbles: bring water shoes.

  • Baia delle Zagare by sea

    The beaches below the sea stacks are reserved for the hotel on the cliff, with limited places; the free one can only be reached by sea or with a permit from the Municipality of Mattinata. By boat it’s simpler.

  • Caves: small boat or large?

    You can only see the caves from the sea. A small boat takes you where the big boats can’t go; the big ones cost less, but there are many of you.

Keep exploring

Before you leave

Photos to help you choose, the road to get here and, if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend, everything they need.

Your starting point

Request your quote

Tell us who you are and when you’d like to come: we’ll reply with a quote made for you and, once you’re here, with our tips for your days out.

Would you rather call or write to us?

Lea, Michele, Raffaele and Roxana, the Villa Ulimare family
You’ll hear back from one of us.

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Vieste and the area?

One to two weeks is ideal. In a week you can alternate beach days with boat trips to the sea caves and the Tremiti Islands, and outings to the Foresta Umbra and villages such as Peschici and Monte Sant’Angelo, though perhaps in a bit of a rush. With two weeks you can see everything at a gentler pace, and enjoy some well-earned rest too.

Do you need a car to explore around Vieste?

Not for Vieste itself: from our Family Residence you can walk to Pizzomunno beach, and the centre, 1.5 km away, is a pleasant stroll along the seafront. For the sea caves and the Tremiti Islands you set off by boat from Vieste harbour. For the Foresta Umbra, Vignanotica, Peschici and Monte Sant’Angelo, unless you’re a keen cyclist, a car is the most convenient option: you choose the times and the stops. A parking space is always included with us.

What to do in Vieste on a rainy or windy day?

Take an umbrella and wander at leisure through the old town, between the Cathedral and the Swabian Castle, visit Vieste’s Museo Malacologico, with shells from all over the world, or head up to Monte Sant’Angelo, where the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, began in a cave.

Are the beaches in Vieste free or paid?

Both. On Pizzomunno beach you’ll find our partner beach clubs, Oasi Beach and Il Belvedere, where booking through us saves you 10 to 20% off the list price, and right next to them a wide free beach. Once again this year Vieste has the Blue Flag for San Lorenzo, Scialara (our Pizzomunno beach) and Marina Piccola. Dogs are allowed on the free beaches.

When is the best time to come to Vieste?

June to September for the sea: on average the water is around 23 °C in June, 26 °C in July, 27 °C in August and 25 °C in September. June and September are quieter than July and August, with the sea still warm. And from May to the end of September our pool is waiting for you too.

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