Vieste is situated on the most eastern end of Gargano peninsula. It has much to offer to visitors and it is a very pleasant town with a picturesque old quarter that makes this a unique destination. You will be astonished by the beauty of narrow streets and handicraft workshops.

The main reason to come here is for the surrounding bays and excellent beaches. It has nearly 14.000 inhabitants. The historical centre of Vieste was built on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Vieste has become well established as a tourist destination so expect your holidays to comprise sunny weather, beautiful sea and great hospitality.

  

 

Visit different points of interest like Chiesa di San Francesco, once a thriving monastery, and a trabucco - still used by fishermen, made of wood. Chianca Amara, the ''bitter stone'', where as many as 5000 local people were beheaded when the Turks sacked Vieste in 1554. Worth visiting is the Cathedral, 11th century in origin, built in Apulian Romanesque style and the Castle/Castello of Frederick II's giving beautiful views over the beach. The main attraction for visitors is the Shell Museum.


What gives Vieste its rare appeal is the excellent atmosphere - easy-going, relaxed and friendly, it is full of typical shops, good restaurants, pizzerias and bars which give the place a very special atmosphere. It would be a mistake to miss an opportunity to sample the local cuisine. It is traditionally noted for its fresh local seafood specialities and homemade pasta.

Every other Monday there is a traditional market. Every day you can buy fresh fish and seafood in the port.

On either sides of Vieste you can find miles of beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand suitable for families with children. 10km south there are romantic pebbly beaches.

You can find some of the most extraordinary natural sceneries in the southern coast of Gargano as it is very interesting from a geological point of view. The erosion by water and winds has shaped the calcareous rock into grottoes (Grotte marine) and archs. Since the coast is steep, some of the finest sights can be reached only by sea and explored in few hours by small boats from the port of Vieste. For its attractions Vieste become the most visited Gargano’s destination.

  

From June to September there are catamaran connections to Tremiti Islands.

Vieste is a great base from which to explore other small villages in the nearby countryside such as:

Peschici, used to be a fishing village, today it is an attractive small town built on a cliff right above the sea. 

Monte Sant´Angelo has become a popular day trip from Vieste. According to the tradition, in 493, the Archangel Michael appeared in dream to the bishop of Siponto, indicating a grotto on the mountain where he was to be honoured. In this place a church was consecrated and assigned to a chapter of priests. The town is visited by numerous pilgrims from whole world each year.

San Giovanni Rotondo is famous for its monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie. Here lived Franciscan monk called Saint Padre Pio (1887 – 1968), canonized in June 2002. He had stigma on his hands that helped him to heal people from dangerous diseases such as cancer. He initiated the construction of a hospital and a new church there.