- Foggia city is mainly a transport hub; the province is the attraction
- The Gargano and Tremiti Islands are the main draws for a beach holiday
- San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Sant'Angelo are major pilgrimage sites
- Fast trains connect Foggia with Rome, Naples and Bari
- Airports
- Bari (BRI), Naples (NAP)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September
- Type
- Province
Foggia is the capital of Puglia's northernmost province, known as the Capitanata or Daunia. The city sits on the Tavoliere, a vast flat plain of wheat fields, and was heavily bombed in the Second World War, so it has little of the old-town charm of Bari or Lecce. Most visitors pass through on the way to somewhere else.
That somewhere else is often very good. The province includes the whole Gargano promontory, the Tremiti Islands, two of Italy's most important pilgrimage sites and the hill towns of the Daunian Mountains. See our Puglia guide and Italy guide.
Things to do
- The Gargano – beaches, sea caves and white towns such as Vieste and Peschici, plus the ancient beech woods of the Foresta Umbra.
- Tremiti Islands – a small archipelago with clear water and an old abbey-fortress on San Nicola, reached by boat in season.
- Monte Sant'Angelo – a cave sanctuary to St Michael the Archangel, a pilgrimage site for over 1,500 years and part of a UNESCO listing.
- San Giovanni Rotondo – where Padre Pio lived and is buried, visited by large numbers of pilgrims.
- Lucera – a huge castle compound built under Frederick II and the Angevins, plus a Roman amphitheatre.
- Troia Cathedral – a fine Apulian Romanesque cathedral with an intricate rose window.
- Foggia's cathedral and museum – worth an hour if you are passing through.
- Lakes Lesina and Varano – coastal lagoons popular with birdwatchers.
Where to stay
- Vieste or Peschici – for beach holidays on the Gargano.
- Monte Sant'Angelo or San Giovanni Rotondo – for pilgrimages and cooler hill air.
- Lucera – a historic town base for the inland sights.
- Foggia – practical for train connections.
Getting there
Foggia's own airport has very few flights, so UK visitors usually fly to Bari (BRI), roughly an hour and a quarter from Foggia by car, or to Naples (NAP). Foggia is a major rail junction: fast trains run from Rome in roughly three hours, and connections link it with Naples, Bari and the Adriatic coast towards Pescara and Bologna. For the Gargano interior and hill towns, hire a car.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are best for the Gargano and Tremiti, with warm sea and fewer crowds. July and August are very busy on the coast. Spring and autumn suit sightseeing inland, while summer on the Tavoliere plain can be extremely hot.
Boats to the Tremiti Islands are mostly seasonal and fill up in August, so book ahead.
Top attractions in Foggia
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Foggia on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Foggia worth visiting?
The city itself is not a major destination, but the province has some of Puglia's best scenery and beaches, and several important religious and historic sites.
How do I get to the Tremiti Islands?
Boats and hydrofoils sail from the Gargano ports, such as Vieste, Peschici and Rodi Garganico, and from Termoli in Molise, mostly from spring to autumn.
How far is the Gargano from Bari?
Vieste, on the tip of the Gargano, is roughly two and a half hours from Bari by car.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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