Pugnochiuso on the Gargano: Sea, Bays and Nature

Sea Bays on the Gargano

Pugnochiuso is located on the Gargano promontory in Gargano National Park, overlooking the sea as well as the bays of Pugnochiuso and Portopiatto. The Pugnochiuso Resort is also located within the national park. Spiaggia di Pugnochiuso is around 200 metres long; its seabed consists of sand, pebbles and stones. The approximately 100-metre-long Spiaggia di Portopiatto has a pebble and sandy beach and lies amid Mediterranean vegetation, rocks and natural grottos.

Waters off the Coast

In front of the small gulf of Spiaggia di Pugnochiuso, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling and diving are possible. Lessons with qualified instructors are offered at the Diving Corner. You can also book canoes there to explore the grottos and natural bays of the cove. A boat tour to the Gargano sea caves also starts in Pugnochiuso. Those who want to experience the coast independently from the water can explore it from here by rented boat. Inflatable boats can also be rented in Pugnochiuso and used without a boating licence.

The Diving Corner offers lessons and canoes; there is also a boat tour to the sea caves, rented boats for exploring the coast, and inflatable boats that can be used without a boating licence. These offers therefore differ in terms of accompaniment, destination and type of transport on the water.

Towers and Reserve

Torre di Pugnochiuso was built to guard the beach of Porto Piatto below it. It is within sight of Torre di Porto Greco and Torre Preposti. Torre Preposti was built in 1946 on the site of an existing ancient watchtower dating from the 16th century and is now used as a lighthouse.

The area around Torre Preposti belongs to the Pugnochiuso Reserve. Wild boars and mouflons can be found there. To enjoy the panorama from Faro di Torre Preposti, you have to follow a path within the Pugnochiuso Resort. Torre di Pugnochiuso is accessible only via the Pugnochiuso accommodation complex.

When planning your day, access to the beach, tower and panorama must be considered separately; Spiaggia di Pugnochiuso, Torre di Pugnochiuso and Faro di Torre Preposti cannot be reached via the same path.

Between the Cycling Route and the Resort

From Pugnochiuso, cyclists can ride towards Monte Sant’Angelo and then reach the heart of Gargano National Park via minor roads. Guests at the Pugnochiuso Resort have access to two seawater pools, including an Olympic-sized pool, as well as a third connected pool for children's games.

The construction of the Pugnochiuso holiday centre helped put tourism in Vieste and on the Gargano on the map. Pugnochiuso is located on the coastal road between Vieste and Mattinata; Vieste is 20 km away, Mattinata 25 km away. Spiaggia di Pugnochiuso is accessible only via the resort or by sea.

Other Destinations

San Marco In Lamis, Vieste, Rignano Garganico, San Domino, Troia, Chieuti, Rocchetta Sant'antonio, Deliceto

To the higher-level travel overview: Foggia.