The 8 best things to do in Vieste and Gargano on vacation in 2025

Horseback riding on the beach in Porto Cesareo is a relaxing experience that will allow you to admire the wonderful beaches of Salento. During the excursion you will be able to go swimming while riding your horse.

The departure of the horseback ride is set in the morning (duration 2 hours and 30 minutes) or in the afternoon (duration 1 hour). The morning ride includes breakfast at the stables before departing to the sea, where you will access the beach with the horses

The afternoon ride, on the other hand, does not go all the way to the beach, it is done sea view, passing over the cliffs. 

You will be provided with all the necessary equipment to ride horses, including helmet. The price includes the insurance.

The recommended clothing includes closed shoes and long pants.

Outside of the morning tour (2:30h), from April 15 to October 15 there will be no horse riding on the beach due to an ordinance for the beach season.

From October 30 onward you will be able to access the beach with both tours!

Group boat excursion departing from the port of San Foca and lasting 2 1/2 hours. During this tour you can admire the Adriatic coast and dive into the crystal clear water.

The tour stops are as follows:

•    Roca Li Posti (Cave of Poetry)
•    Torre dell’Orso Bay (legendary stacks Le Due Sorelle)
•    Creeks of Sant’Andrea (Lu Pepe cove, faraglioni, bastion staircase, Sandri cove)

Two swmimming stops are planned during the excursion:

•    Bay of Torre dell’Orso 
•    Calette di Sant’Andrea 

This excursion is perfect for spending a relaxing time with friends or family.

The 12:00 noon group tour includes a toast on board.

In case of food allergies or intolerances you can contact the facility after booking.

In the event that excursion services cannot be carried out due to unfavorable weather conditions (which can only be assessed by the captain of the boat for the safety of passengers), the customer will be entitled to a refund of the full amount paid or the tour will be rescheduled to the first available date.

Participants are advised that tour schedules may vary, both on departure and return, due to possible delays caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Frequent Questions:

•    Small group sizes. 
•    Accessible to all skill levels.
•    Expert Guides.
•    No dangerous fish.
•    Unique points of interest.
•    Safe swimming stops.
•    Comprehensive assistance.
•    Attention to safety.
•    Photos on board.
•    Feedbacks and positive reviews.

Half-day boat excursion to explore the caves around Otranto.

Departure is scheduled from Otranto harbor at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm each day.

Once you set sail, you can take 2 itineraries at the captain's discretion and depending on weather conditions:

•    North Itinerary: Grotta Monaca, Baia Mulino ad Acqua, Baia dei Turchi, Laghi Alimini, Sant Andrea
•    Southern itinerary: Grotta Palombara, Baia delle Orte, Faro Palascia, Sant Emiliano, Porto Badisco, Grotte della Nuvara, Santa Cesarea Terme, Porto Miggiano

During the excursion, there will be 2 or 3 stops for swimming in the sea. Therefore, we recommend that you bring snorkeling equipment with you to be able to admire the depths of this sea.

In addition, you will be offered an aperitif of local products to be consumed on board.

Throughout the excursion you will be accompanied by an experienced skipper who will tell you the best trivia about the caves and the area.

Horseback riding in Otranto, on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, allows you to discover the beauty of the area through beautiful natural areas and historical sites. Accompanied by professional instructors, you will explore Salento's secrets and local traditions.

The route winds through Mediterranean scrub and coastline, offering spectacular views of the sea. During the excursion, you will visit places of great interest such as the small lake in the former Bauxite quarry, the Orte Bay, the Orte Masseria, the legendary Serpe Tower, and the Orte Grove.

Instructors will provide technical assistance and tourist information about the places traversed.

Boat trip and fishing trip with lunch or dinner starting from Porto Cesareo accompanied by two experienced guides.

This experience is also suitable for beginners as there will be a skipper who will follow you throughout the outing.

You can choose two schedule options:

•    Selecting the departure time at 9:30 am you will have lunch included, consisting of the morning catch
•    Selecting the departure time at 4:00 pm you will have dinner included, consisting of the afternoon catch eaten at sunset.

For both trips, departure is from the port of Porto Cesareo and fishing will be done in the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area. The itinerary will be defined by the ship's captain according to the season and weather conditions.

In addition, stops are planned to dive into the sea and swim in these crystal clear waters.

Discover St. Andrew's Island starting from Gallipoli with a boat excursion.

For this experience you will have a choice of:

•    Morning excursion
•    Afternoon excursion

For each of these excursions, the itinerary includes:

•    departure from the port of Gallipoli
•    Island of St. Andrew and swim stop to swim surrounded by fish
•    Punta Pizzo bay with a stop to swim in the blue waters of this natural oasis
•    return skirting Punta Suina with typical aperitif served on board

During the morning excursion, the boat staff will serve you both an aperitif and a typical fish dish.

During the excursion you will be guided by a skipper who can satisfy all your curiosity about the place.

On the boat there is snorkeling equipment, to admire the seabed, and a sunshade awning to relax in the shade if necessary.

The use of sunscreen, not on board, is recommended to protect yourself from the sun.

Explore Polignano a Mare aboard a sailboat on an unforgettable group excursion.

Departing from the port of Monopoli, you will set sail north to discover the coastline and caves that lie hidden beneath Polignano a Mare.

The gentle progress of the sailboat on the crystal clear waters will lull you and listening to the wind caressing the sails you can relax for a boat trip unlike any other.

The itinerary, determined by the captain according to the weather conditions, will take you to visit the most beautiful caves, coves and beaches in the area, such as Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Palazzese, Grotta dell'Eremita, Lama Monachile and Cala Eremita.

In addition, you can dive into the clear waters populated with colorful fish and admire the seabed by snorkeling.

Finally, you will be offered a tasty aperitif on board based on typical local products.

Throughout the experience you will be accompanied by a skipper who can answer your questions and tell you pleasant trivia about the caves.

The boat tour from Monopoli to the caves of Polignano a Mare allows you to discover the Apulian sea and its gastronomic traditions.

The first part of the tour takes place in the historic area of Monopoli as seen from the sea. Here you will admire Charles V Castle and its ancient walls.    

Next, passing through Cala Corvino, a small cove visible only from the sea, you will sail to Port'Alga, a characteristic cove reachable only on foot or by boat 

Passing Scoglio dell'Eremita, you will arrive in Polignano a Mare to enjoy a typical Apulian aperitif consisting of:

•    focaccia Barese
•    homemade taralli of different flavors
•    frisella with tomato and basil
•    prosecco or soft drinks

Here you can also enjoy a relaxing swimming stop.

The last stop will be the most famous beach in Polignano, Lama Monachile. Next to it you will also meet the statue of the famous Italian singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno.

Back in Monopoli you will stop to admire all the famous caves of Polignano, including the Grotta degli innamorati. 

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Dive into this wonderful area of Fasano in the province of Brindisi as you stroll through the Apulian countryside and coastal dunes area.

The experience begins with an introduction in which you will learn about the itinerary and be provided with the necessary equipment for the walk.

Exiting the riding stables you will be surrounded by the greenery of Apulian nature including olive and fig trees that will accompany you throughout the walk.

The equestrian guide will accompany you throughout the experience answering any curiosity you may have about everything that surrounds you during the experience.

On summer weekends, è only the 1-hour, 30-minute excursion is available, which’includes an inland stretch and a stretch of beach.

A two-hour shared boat trip to discover the most beautiful sea caves on the coast of Polignano a Mare departing from Monopoli.

Polignano is a real jewel on the Adriatic Sea and offers all its beauty precisely when seen from the sea. In fact, with this boat excursion you will be able to admire the buildings overhanging the sea and the caves below.

You will set sail from the port of Monopoli and sail up the coast until you reach Polignano. Along the way you will see beautiful caves such as Grotta della Colonna, Grotta Palazzese and Grotta delle Monache.

You will also be able to see Lama Monachile and Scoglio dell'Eremita from offshore.

During this excursion you will be accompanied by an experienced skipper who will allow you to dive into the sea at one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on the coast before returning.

Finally, you will be offered refreshments of local products to eat on board.

Horseback riding in Ruvo di Puglia allows you to enjoy a unique experience surrounded by nature and away from the city chaos.

This experience is suitable for everyone, even those who are approaching the world of horseback riding for the first time, and it is perfect for couples or group of friends.

The horseback ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and it is preceded by a short introductory briefing.

The activity includes an easy loop trail where you can admire the entire area of the first plateau.

You will have the opportunity to pass through areas that have been the scene of thriving pastoralism for centuries, both sedentary and transhumant. Such activities have left a remarkable legacy of white roads called "tratturi" carrari , interponderial roads, tratturelli and paths.

You can travel through all this on horseback: this experience allows you to relive the history of a time that was, along areas that have not yet been disrupted by the hand of modern man, where the air has a scent all its own and the sky è always blue.

When booking you can choose from 2 options:

•    horseback riding
•    horseback ride with aperitif on the way back

Suitable sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required for this experience.

Maximum weight allowed: 120kg.

Take the quad bike tour departing from Alberobello, and set out to explore nature trails in Puglia.

Two routes are possible for this quad bike tour, with two different durations:

Easy route (2 hours and 30 minutes).

During this tour, after renting the quad bike, you travel through the surroundings of Alberobello, touching some provinces of bari, brindisi and Taranto. The route starts out gently and then tightens into paths through the woods

Trip to the sea (4 hours and 30 minutes)

This tour is completely off-road. You will stop at a lido where you can swim. We therefore recommend that you bring a bathing suit and towel. Next you will pass by Ignazia, a place rich in Byzantine frescoes, and the Selva di Fasano. The return is always scheduled to Alberobello.

Each ATV can carry 2 people, with a maximum weight of 150 kg. The driver must have a B license, while the passenger has no special requirements.

Sportswear is recommended; the facility will provide a tear-resistant suit and a raincoat to protect clothes. Helmet and insurance are included in the price.