Gargano-Foggia is a region of undeniable natural beauty situated on Italy’s southeast coast. Its greatest appeal is the Gargano Promontory, which juts out into the Adriatic Sea and shelters the Gargano National Park. Discover picturesque villages scattered around a rocky coastline of secluded bays and crystal-clear water. Explore centuries-old ruins and sacred shrines, hike in mystical forests and visit idyllic islands.
The gateway to the promontory is Manfredonia, a busy port city home to a medieval castle and churches. A short drive from here is Monte Sant’Angelo, where pilgrims flock to the revered Santuario di San Michele. Nearby Mattinata sits in a hinterland of olive groves set on two hills. From the village’s vast sandy beach you can access a series of hidden and dramatic grottos.
Travel east along the winding coastal roads to the pristine and protected beaches of the Bay of Zagare. Further east, Pugnochiuso is a family-friendly resort that reaches elegantly down a forest-clad hillside toward the inviting sea.
On the promontory’s easternmost tip is Vieste, a town with whitewashed buildings and labyrinthine alleys leading to arguably the region’s finest beach. Continue your journey to Manacore and Peschici, the gateway to the beaches and dive sites of the Tremiti Islands. Visit historic churches and convents in Rodi Garganico. Head inland to the atmospheric mountaintop towns of Ischitella and Vico del Gargono.
Don’t miss the chance to go biking and hiking in the Umbra Forest. Marvel at colorful orchids, enjoy picnics in the shade of tall trees and spot wildlife such as boar, deer, foxes and wild cats.
Away from the beaches and forests, Lucera has Gothic and Romanesque landmarks and an old town crisscrossed by cobblestone streets. Foggia is the provincial capital, a city of handsome squares and tree-lined avenues framed by buildings that date back to the 1100s.
Reach Gargano-Foggia by flying to Bari or Naples and then rent a car from there. Gargano-Foggia’s peak season is the balmy summer months of June to September. Consider arriving in the cool winters to experience almost deserted beaches.