17 Giu What to see in Mattinata: beaches and coves in one of the most beautiful areas of the Gargano

We tell you what to see in Mattinata, the town with one of the most beautiful beaches in the Gargano.

Also recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by European Best Destinations, Mattinata is a destination to discover and enjoy minute after minute and beauty after beauty. Let’s discover together what it has in reserve.

Discovering Mattinata

Mattinata is a municipality in the province of Foggia that has little more than 6,000 inhabitants but is known throughout the world for its extreme beauty. We are, to be precise, on the southern coast of the Gargano promontory, between the Castelluccio Hills and Coppa della Madonna.

Mattinata opens its gaze to the Gulf of Manfredonia, which can be seen here in all its splendour. It is undoubtedly one of the main but also one of the most attractive seaside resorts in the Gargano, repeatedly awarded numerous prestigious awards such as the Blue Flag.

The Bay of Mattinata is wide and lies between the ridge of Monte Saraceno and the cliff of Monte Sacro. Throughout this strip of land are scattered archaeological remains of extreme value preserved within the Archaeological Park of Mount Saraceno.

The tourist harbour of Mattinata is also very suggestive. In addition to being very popular with private boats, it is important for its being built near what was once the Abbey of the Trinity.

What characterises Mattinata is undoubtedly its long stretch of pebbly coastline, lapped by an enchanting sea and rocks that form beautiful caves and coves accessible only by sea. But that is not all. The centre of Mattinata also has much to give and to tell, as do the olive, almond and prickly pear trees that populate it and make it even more evocative.

What to see in Mattinata: beaches

Mattinata is known for the beauty of its sea and landscape. It is on this very stretch of Apulian coast that the beautiful Baia delle Zagare, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, is located.

This beach, also known as Baia Mergoli, is one of the most photographed and portrayed on the many postcards of the area. Its peculiarity are the two stacks that rise out of the sea just a few metres from the shore. These are the Arch of Diomedes and The Scissors, which over time have become the true symbol of Mattinata.

If you are wondering what to see in Mattinata, start from this: it is impossible to leave the town without seeing this spectacle of nature.

To get to the Baia delle Zagare the most convenient point from which to start is Vieste. From here it is advisable to continue by car, taking the SP53 southwards. The name Baia delle Zagare comes from the orange groves in the area and their flowers.

If you proceed in the direction of Vieste, you will also find Vignanotica, another beautiful area. Here, too, a very high white cliff juts out between caves and rocks and offers a unique spectacle. Here there is a stretch of coastline that mixes sand mixed with gravel and pebbles, about 500 metres long. We are right on the border between Mattinata and Vieste. In the summer months the beach is quite busy, although not as busy as Baia delle Zagare, but during the spring months and the first or last weeks of summer you can enjoy the spectacle more.

Mattinatella also deserves to be on the list of things to see in Mattinata. It is a coastal stretch dominated by a high rock of almost 10o metres. This is a favourite beach for those who love underwater fishing.

As you can see, Mattinata has a coastline for all tastes. Here you can find everything you want and you can spend days at the sea and relaxing lulled by the beauty of a still unspoilt and sincere nature. An experience not to be missed.

What to see in Mattinata: the town and archeological site

The historical centre of Mattinata is located in the area called Junno, which is the lower part of the town. Here you can still see some pagghiére, typical buildings of the area that date back to the mid-18th century. These provided shelter for both peasants and their animals and were deposits of straw, as the name suggests.

Among the things to see in Mattinata is undoubtedly Palazzo Mantuano, one of the most historical and characteristic buildings in Junno. The palace was built in 1840 and was the home of one of Mattinata’s most famous and powerful families. After an intense and recent restoration, it is now home to the Multimedia Library of Mattinata and hosts many exhibitions throughout the year.

Palazzo Barretta is also a historical building. Built in the early 20th century, since 4 August 1955 the building has been the seat of the Mattinata municipal administration after having belonged to one of the most powerful families in the area.

But Mattinata is also archaeology. Great importance has the Necropolis of Monte Saraceno, which dates back to the Dauna civilisation. As many as 500 tombs from a period between the 8th and 4th centuries B.C. can still be counted here.

Many finds from the necropolis are kept in the Mattinata and Manfredonia civic museums. But that is not all. Also in the area, the remains of a village were found that probably dates back to the same period as the tombs. The area is of great interest because the so-called Daunian Stelae were found, which are still being studied and interpreted today.

Mattinata is a town with a thousand faces. Sea, sun, but also culture without forgetting the good food that is typical of the whole of Apulia. A true experience to be had both as a family and as a couple or in the company of friends.

Our advice on what to see in Mattinata is finished, now it is up to you to book your next holiday.