Vignanotica Beach in Gargano, have you ever heard of it? Or maybe you’ve spent a few lazy moments basking in the sun? Even if you have, here are 5 things you definitely don’t know about this beach.
1. Vignanotica Beach in Gargano is considered one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, on the peninsula.
Vignanotica is a 500-meter-long pebble and gravel beach, characterized by its very blue shade of turquoise water and white cliffs and caves. The contrast of blue and white helps the beach maintain its reputation as the jewel of Gargano. In addition, the sea, even in windy weather, is almost always clean, which is why the coast is extremely popular with locals and Italian tourists. Vignanotica beach in Gargano, like all Italian beaches, offers an organized “lido” where you can rent a sunbed or use a shower, etc. There is also a section of “spiaggia”, a free part of the shore where you can pull up and set up your beach equipment.
Due to its beautiful natural surroundings, Vignanotica beach in Gargano is a popular spot for exchanging wedding vows.
2. The beach is easily accessible by car.
Vignanotica is located between Mattinata and Vieste. Admiring the views of the coast, you can drive very close to the beach and leave your car in one of the paid parking lots, then walk down to the sea via steps/paths. One of the parking lots offers a minibus to the beach, included in the ticket price (I don’t know if this is still the case). In theory, it runs every 10 minutes, but since many people use this form of transport, you may have to wait a while. The path down is winding and bumpy; the minibus may jump once or twice, swerve on a bend, but don’t panic – the drivers are a bit crazy, but also experienced.
And if you don’t feel like driving wildly, take the stairs leading through the forest to the parking lot.
3. You can also get to the beach by a path.
Romantically called the “love path”, despite its name, it is not a favorite path for lovers. This name was given to the road because of the views, as the path leads along the Adriatic coast. To find the love path, on the way to Vieste, on the left side, at the bend, look out for a large wooden board with the inscription “Welcome to Gargano Park”. It stands right next to the road next to a small parking lot, so it is easy to spot. You will also see a barrier there – this is where the 20-30 minute (depending on your pace) route begins.
The parking lot is small, in the season it is very difficult to park there, so many people leave their cars on the road quite a long way from the love path. In the summer,it’s OK, but not in the off-season – vandalism is a huge problem in southern Italy.
The path starts in olive groves and then leads through the Aleppo pine forest. Of course, the trees provide shade, which I love during the Italian summer. There are benches here and there on the path and one or two small picnic areas with a table; and since you have the sea in the background all the way, you can have lunch with a view of the big blue. Then a bit more road and voila – Vignanotica beach in Gargano is waiting for you.
The “Path of Love” is an easy route, but I wouldn’t go in flip-flops because it’s slippery in places.
4. Vignanotica beach- avoid August like the plague.
Italians are traditionally on holiday this month, so the beach is full of big Italian families, umbrellas, sun loungers, screaming children, teenagers listening to loud music, and other such noisemakers. As a result, it is difficult to find a place, even in lido; because Italians reserve sunbeds even for a week or two and tables for lunch in restaurants and bars on the beach. Of course, everyone has different preferences and many people like coasts reminiscent of the sieges of Vienna.
In summer, Vignanotica beach is always crowded on weekends, especially on Sundays. On weekdays it is relatively quiet, which does not mean it is empty. In summer, until about mid-September, restaurants, bars, kayak rentals are open. And then everything is closed, although this is slowly changing, because the locals are starting to understand that tourists also come after the season. In any case, off-season is my favorite time on this beach: the sea is still clean and warm, the weather is still beautiful, and you can count the people on the fingers of one hand.
5. Vignanotica beach changes with the sunset.
Finally, my favorite thing. This is the moment when the sun sets behind the cliffs and the shadow slowly spreads over the beach. Some beachgoers run along the mountains trying to catch the last rays of the sun, some pack up for home. Vignanotica beach in Gargano is slowly emptying out. The atmosphere changes from buzzing to relaxing and calm; you can only hear the birds and the sea. For me, such moments are magical.
