Gargano peninsula's coastline is dotted with towering chalk cliffs, secret grotto caves and breathtaking bays. For all these alluring natural scenes, many claim that the beach at Vignanotica is one of the most beautiful ones in Italy. Perhaps one of the most well known, since it is accessible by car.
Vignanotica is located just south of Pugnochiuso about midway between Vieste (25 km) and Mattinata (20 km). The landscape is "you have to pinch yourself: made up out of straight chalk walls with a backdrop to the infinite sea and inviting beach made up of tiny, white pebble stones. The beach faces east, so in the afternoon you will be in shadow of the high cliffs. It quickly becomes deep when you move out in the sea. The region has many small caves and coves. Besides the beach there is a hiking trail from here towards the south and famous Baia delle Zagare. This route is about 3 km in length.
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Vignanotica is about 3 km (after some hairpin bends) from Highway 89 between Vieste and Mattinata. Out of season it is possible to run almost down to the beach while the summer you need to park (for a fee) in a nearby car park and then drive the last piece with a shuttle service. The beach is popular in the summer, since it is one of the few accessible by car, and there are only a few beaches around on the stretch between Vieste and Mattinata.
