The 10 best things to do in Vieste and Gargano on vacation in 2026

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 with Skipper in Porto Cesareo, including crystal clear sea, regenerating swim and visit to the Rabbit Island, ideal for couples, families and small groups.

You can choose from three types of tours:

•    Short tour: discovering the picturesque Roman Columns with swimming stop and visit to the Rabbit Island
•     Long tour: with sailing to Punta Prosciutto, two swimming stops and visit to the Rabbit Island
•    Sunset Tour: to enjoy a romantic atmosphere by the sea.

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.

Explore the Salento coast in total autonomy by renting a 450hp dinghy from San Foca.

You can rent the dinghy for half or full day. To drive it you must have a boat license.

You will board an inflatable boat with capacity for 12 people and equipped with shower, sun cushions, awning, climbing ladder, USB socket, GPS and echo sounder.

This experience allows you to sail to discover the best-known places in Puglia, such as Torre dell'Orso, Sant'Andrea and Otranto.

Fuel is excluded and must be paid on site.

Experience a gozzo excursion along the coast of Castro Marina and discover sea caves, bays and crystal clear waters of Salento, accompanied by experienced sailors.

During the cruise, visit some of the area's best-known caves, such as Grotta Palombara, Grotta Rotundella, Grotta Azzurra and the Grotta Zinzulusa, as well as Baia Romanelli.

You can choose from three options:

•    The 1-hour tour with cave visit and one swimming stop
•    The 2-hour tour that continues to Porto Miggiano and Santa Cesarea Terme with more time for swimming
•    The 3-hour tour that offers a more complete experience, with additional swim stops and an aperitif on board, all the way to Luvara Bay.

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.

Explore Puglia's most fascinating caves with this group boat tour ideal for visiting Polignano a Mare, the fantastic waters of the Adriatic Sea and its charming bays.

You'll have the opportunity to swim, enjoy both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and visit some of the area's most evocative sites, including the "Grotta Palazzese", the "Cave of Love" the Archbishop's Cave, the Domenico Modugno Statue, Lama Monachile, the Red Bull Balcony, the Ardito Cave, the Favale Cave and many others.

The excursion lasts 1 1/2 hours and you can choose between the shared and exclusive options.

Maximum capacity: 10 people.

This experience allows you to discover the Itria Valley in Puglia and taste its fine wines and some of Puglia's main specialties.

Program

You will be welcomed by a winery located in one of the most renowned areas for wine production and surrounded by 40 hectares of vineyards.

For any option you will explore the winery and the winemaking process, visiting the underground aging room where our wines mature in barriques.

The experience ends with a guided tasting of local wines, accompanied by typical products.

There are 3 different tasting routes offered:

•    Classic tasting route: 3 wines accompanied by Apulian taralli, olives and focaccia.
•    Premium Tasting Route: 4 wines accompanied by a light lunch of Apulian taralli, olives focaccia salumi and local cheeses.
•    Deluxe Tasting Route: 5 wines accompanied by a light lunch of Apulian taralli, olives focacce salumi and local cheeses.
•    VIP Tasting Path: 7 wines accompanied with light lunch of Apulian taralli, olives, mixed friselline focaccia, salumi, dairy products and local cheeses paired with each of the proposed wines.

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

Enjoy a boat excursion to discover the coast of Polignano a Mare and its picturesque coves starting from the small port of San Vito.

The tour is conducted with 7-meter open boats, ideal for visiting the coves. Each boat has a maximum capacity of 10 people. 

During the tour you will have the opportunity to discover all the wonders of the Polignano a Mare coastline and to swim at the spots where the sea is more blue.

Departure is scheduled from the small port of San Vito, with subsequent navigation to the most famous caves, including: Grotta Palazzese, Grotta Ardito, Grotta dei Fossili, Grotta dei Due Occhi and the Scoglio dell’Eremita.

On board an aperitif with prosecco and taralli is included.

The tour can be taken in shared mode with other guests or privately.

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.

The horseback ride in the Murge from Corato will last about 50 minutes and will allow you to discover the Alta Murgia National Park with a fantastic experience on horseback, with an equestrian guide.

The horseback ride will be preceded or followed by a lunch held in the farmhouse adjacent to the equestrian club. In summer, the ride is only available at 5 p.m., so lunch precedes it.

Lunch consists of an appetizer of cold cuts, cheeses, focaccia, salted meat, eggplant other typical Apulian products. You will also be offered two first courses, a side dish with vegetables, sweet fruit and drinks included.

The menu varies slightly each week and the Sunday menu is more substantial. 

The Alta Murgia Park is an area of special historical as well as naturalistic importance, visiting it on horseback is an experience that allows you to stay in touch with nature.