During our trip between Vieste and Mattinata, I was lucky enough to discover a beach that left an unforgettable impression on me the beach of Vignanotica near Puglia.
Located in the Gargano National Park, in the heart of the province of Foggia, this natural cove is located on the Adriatic coast and offers a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Access to the beach is relatively simple. After crossing a road that winds through the wooded area, you reach a small parking lot. From there, it is a short walk along a dirt road to the beach.
It is not difficult, but there is a slight descent to the sea. And from the first steps, the views are impressive: turquoise sea, high white cliffs and nature everywhere. It is a place that exudes a feeling of freedom, space and tranquility, despite the presence of other visitors.
The beach itself is divided into a sandy area with a few sun loungers and a small cafeteria, and another, much narrower area, bordered by pebbles and an impressive limestone cliff. We sat there and started to have a great time. It is actually one of the most special places I have ever visited.
I was naturally drawn to this wild part, where the white rock plunges straight into the water, and natural cavities in the rock form small, shaded shelters. The atmosphere is more intimate, more authentic.
And one of the most unforgettable swims. besides that Iโm not big fan of swimming. Lately I realised that I donโt like to swim at all just I never have such a feeling to go to swim but the sea there was unusual, special.
So warm and so great, and somehow the climate and the weather and the warmth of the water came together and I just flew away swimming in this water got into bed ana, far from the cafeteria, surrounded only by the sound of waves breaking on the pebbles.
And after my unsurpassed swim, we started a spectacular photo shoot and I also decided to make a grand flight with my friend Zelya's drone. These shots that I got and the view that I saw flew even further, it's just beyond words.
This cliff, along which I walked, and also flew over it on my drone, is undoubtedly one of the most interesting features of this place. Made mainly of white limestone, it rises in places to more than 40 meters. Erosion has formed amazing shapes: honeycombs, caves, cracks...
The contrast between the dazzling whiteness of the stone and the deep blue of the sea is simply amazing. At the very top, I saw a dense pine forest, a lot of green trees visible from the cliff to the sea.
This forest, visible from the beach, creates the impression of a dramatic, almost surreal landscape, but it is impossible to reach from below. Up there, a whole other world, seemingly dominating the water.
The water is, in fact, one of the clearest I have ever seen, a warm, bright turquoise. Lying on my back facing the sky, surrounded by sea and rocks, my heart was completely at peace. Exploring the coastline from the distance through the eyes of a drone, we see that a fairly long beach stretches to the left and rests against the rock.
So continuing in this direction although it is impossible to walk from the beach you come to another, much more famous bay the famous Baia delle Zagare, also called Baia dei Mergoli. This is a much more luxury special beach with very limited access, usually really busy and it needs to reserve in advance and also with quite expensive tickets. This place is famous for its two huge limestone columns, the faraglioni that protrude from the sea like natural sculptures.
It is one of the most photographed places in the entire region, a real Instagram spot, wonderful but very touristy and not always easily accessible.
That is why I fell in love with Vignanotica. No reservations are required, just the bare essentials. And for me, that was more than enough.
I left with incredible images in my head and in my drone, feeling like I had discovered a treasure of the Adriatic coast. If you are looking for a place between sea, rocks and nature, accessible, wonderful and a little away from the big crowds of paying tourists, Vignanotica is in my opinion one of the most beautiful places in Puglia.
