Vieste

Teetering on the white limestone cliffs of Italy's Gargano Peninsula, you’ll find Vieste. This compact coastal city is a huddle of whitewashed buildings lined up along narrow streets with two towering landmarks. There’s the Vieste Cathedral in the town centre and the iconic Pizzomunno monolith, a giant limestone rock on the beach below. Whether you want to get close up to the Medieval architecture, take some time to relax at the family-friendly beaches or visit the Gargano Sea Caves, there’s plenty to see and do in Vieste. And, you can’t forget about the food. Fresh local seafood, handcrafted pasta and locally produced olive oil take centre stage here – buon appetito.

Top three things to do in Vieste

1. Visit the Pizzomunno Monolith

Head down to Vieste’s main beach, Scialara, and you’ll be greeted by the imposing and very Insta-friendly Pizzomunno Monolith. At 25 metres tall, this white limestone tower is a symbol of the local area, standing guard on the sand. It’s also steeped in local folklore. If you ask around, you’ll hear locals telling tales of a tragic love story between a mermaid and a fisherman.

2. Stoll around the old town

The historic centre of Vieste, known as ‘la Terra’, is a maze of narrow lanes and charming piazzas. Like a beacon in the centre of the town, you'll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a 12th-century Romanesque church with a beautiful stained-glass rose window. Wander on and hidden around every corner of the town you’ll find artisan shops and traditional trattorias, where you can tuck into local delicacies like orecchiette pasta and burrata cheese.

3. Tour some sea caves by boat

Vieste's coastline is dotted with arches and sea caves carved by the Adriatic Sea over centuries. The best way to explore these natural wonders is by booking a spot on a boat tour. Head to Gargano to check out Smugglers Cave, known locally as Grotta dei Contrabbandieri, which, as you might guess, has a history of smugglers evading the law. Grotta Sfondata is worth a stop, too. It has a collapsed roof that’s created a kind of natural skylight, as well as a secluded beach inside where you can sit and watch the light play on the water.