Surroundings
Discover the surroundings of Vieste: a world of opportunities at your disposal to enrich your holiday in our 4-star hotel by the sea!
When on holiday it is nice to have the opportunity to visit some of the attractions that make the Gargano and our land so special, like the suggestive Tremiti Islands or the luxuriant Gargano National Park.
When on holiday it is nice to have the opportunity to visit some of the attractions that make the Gargano and our land so special, like the suggestive Tremiti Islands or the luxuriant Gargano National Park.
Vieste’s old town centre
Vieste’s old town centre tells the history of the village well before its tourist life. It tells the fear of looting, the difficulties of fishing. The narrow and winding little streets make us understand how it was important to have the possibility to hide and flee from the Saracens, the mediaeval arches open the view over small hamlets, where once upon a time artisan workshops were flourishing.
Evocative squares as Ripa or Piazzetta Petrone, are the ideal frame for photographs to remember for a long time. Noteworthy in the village, is also the presence of the Malacological Museum, the right place where you can learn about shells and Vieste sea life.
Evocative squares as Ripa or Piazzetta Petrone, are the ideal frame for photographs to remember for a long time. Noteworthy in the village, is also the presence of the Malacological Museum, the right place where you can learn about shells and Vieste sea life.
Nature and beauty
The Tremiti Islands
Visiting the Tremiti Islands offer the emotion of exploring an archipelago and its historical sites, like the Abbey on the Island of San Nicola (Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare). Moreover, the Islands, where the crystalline blue of the sea beautifully contrasts with the white calcareous rocks, with their rare beauty are able to impress even the most expert connoisseur of the sea.
The main recognition of this great beauty, is the Blue Flag assigned to the sea of the Tremiti Islands. The Archipelago is composed by the following islands:
- San Nicola, historically and artistically the most interesting island
- San Domino, the largest island, the most complete from the point of view of tourist services
- Capraia, the second island in size, but completely uninhabited
- The Cretaccio, an island so small to be considered a rock
- Pianosa, rocky area located about 20 km from the other islands
The Gargano National Park
The Gargano National Park is among the most extensive protected areas of Italy and includes also the Tremiti Islands. In the park there is an incredible variety of sceneries and landscapes, including:
- Dolines. The karst nature of the territory has generated in the course of the years many enclosed depressions of the upper walls of the caves, leaving behind big basins in which the vegetation grew. Inside the park you can find the biggest dolina in Europe, The Dolina Pozzatina.
- Lakes. In the north-western part of the park, you can visit two unusual lakes, the lake of Lesina and the lake of Varano.
- Wild orchids. In Gargano there is one of the highest European concentrations of orchids, that every spring attract fans and visitors from every part of the world.
Foresta Umbra
The Foresta Umbra has an extension of 400 hectares and is located at about 800 meters in height. It is a protected area characterized by a very rich flora and fauna. Here you can find rates, foxes, wild boar, squirrels, roe deer, peaks and much more!
The Marine Caves of the coast
In the tract of cost leading towards Mattinata, nature, with his patient work of erosion, enjoyed drawing some stunning coves in the limestone rock and many marine caves, some of which can be visited during a boat excursion.
Architiello di San Felice
This is one of the most famous symbols of the Gargano in the world and is located just 12 km from Vieste. Originated in the calcareous rock typical of the Gargano by the millenarian erosion of the sea and by atmospheric agents, according to a legend it was formed by the Nymphs in honour of Neptune, the God of the sea.
Tower and Beach of Porto Greco
Among the many coastal towers of the Gargano, Porto Greco stands out for its beauty and its conservation status. It can be admired not far from Vieste, following the road that leads to Mattinata. The tower marks the entrance to the homonymous clear pebble beach, which overlooks the sparkling sea of Porto Greco.
The religious sites
San Giovanni Rotondo
At about 25 km from Monte Sant'Angelo, there is another unmissable landmark for religious tourism in Puglia: San Giovanni Rotondo, where is located the church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. The celebrity of the village is linked to the complex of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and to the adjacent monastery where St. Padre Pio lived for many years. The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, a great church designed by Renzo Piano and built in 10 years of work, capable to contain something like 7,000 faithful was inaugurated in 2004.
Monte Sant’Angelo
Monte Sant’Angelo has been a popular destination for religious pilgrimages for centuries. It is said that here, at the end of the fifth century, the Archangel Michael appeared in vision to the bishop of Siplonto, Lorenzo Maiorano. From that moment the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo became more and more famous. Its fame grew over the centuries, becoming a vital point of reference for many faithful. The Feast of San Michael the Archangel, from 28 to 30 September every year is followed by thousands of people from every part of the world.