Holiday in Vieste

About Vieste

Vieste is the pearl of Gargano and one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on the Adriatic coast of Italy. Located at the very tip of the Gargano Peninsula, the spur of the Italian boot, the whitewashed old town sits on a dramatic cliff between two long sandy beaches. The Pizzomunno, a monumental white limestone rock on the southern beach, is the city's landmark, surrounded by a romantic legend of a couple separated by the gods. The two main beaches of Vieste are among the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic. The Spiaggia del Castello in the north and the Spiaggia di Pizzomunno in the south offer fine golden sand, crystal-clear water, and enough space even in the high summer. Along the rugged coast of Gargano, dozens of hidden coves are lined up, accessible only by boat or steep paths. The most famous is the Baia delle Zagare with its two white rock stacks rising like sculptures from the turquoise sea. The old town of Vieste is a labyrinth of narrow, whitewashed alleys, stairs, and small squares, dominated by the Norman-Swabian castle and the Romanesque cathedral. At the Chianca Amara, the Bitter Stone, a plaque commemorates a historical massacre by Ottoman pirates. In the evening, the old town transforms into a lively promenade with restaurants, ice cream parlors, and souvenir shops. The Trabucchi, the traditional wooden fishing platforms along the coast, are the cultural landmark of Gargano. These spectacular wooden constructions on stilts extend over the sea and are still partly used as fish traps, partly operated as atmospheric fish restaurants. Dining on a Trabucco at sunset is an unforgettable experience. The Gargano National Park in the hinterland offers dense forests, the Foresta Umbra (the shadow forest), and the Tremiti Islands off the coast, which are accessible by ferry and offer excellent diving and snorkeling spots. From Germany, Vieste can be reached via Bari Airport (180 km) or Foggia. The best travel time is from June to September, with the high season in August being very crowded.