Baia delle Zagare
A dramatic Gargano cove between towering cliffs, framed by two striking sea stacks.
Overview
Baia delle Zagare sits on the Gargano coast between Vieste and Mattinata, a small beach reached down a steep path from the coastal road and framed by two limestone sea stacks known as the faraglioni. It's one of the most photographed spots on the Gargano peninsula, though access is genuinely limited - a permit system caps daily visitor numbers in summer. Boat tours from Vieste or Mattinata offer an alternative way to see the bay without the climb or the permit queue.
Good for
Public access
Access from June to September is capped at 30 permits per day for the public path down from the SS89; outside these months the path is open without restriction. Boat trips offer an alternative that bypasses the permit system entirely.
Beach clubs available: Limited or seasonal — sunbeds and umbrellas may be available in summer.
Lounger and umbrella rental is available on the beach, along with restrooms and showers, though this is a small, remote cove rather than a full lido setup.
How to get there
By train: There's no train station near Baia delle Zagare; Gargano's rail options (Ferrovie del Gargano) don't reach this stretch of coast, so a car, tour bus or boat is the practical way in.
By bus: There's no regular public bus service directly to the beach; most visitors arrive by car or organised tour.
Parking: By car: The beach is signed off the SS89 coastal road between Vieste (about 35 km) and Mattinata (about 14 km); from the road, a steep public path leads down to the sand. There's no official car park at the entrance; visitors use a few road widenings nearby, with limited paid parking also available.
On foot: From the road, a steep public path descends to the beach - this is the only walking route in, and it's a genuine climb back up.
Facilities
Practical tips
More about Baia delle Zagare
Baia delle Zagare takes its name from the orange blossom ('zagara' in the local dialect) once grown on the terraces above the bay, though today it's the two dramatic sea stacks just offshore that draw most of the attention. Known as the faraglioni, they've been given their own names - the Arco di Diomede (or Arco Magico, said to bring good luck when swum through) and Le Forbici - and rise up to around 74 metres from the water. The setting is spectacular precisely because it's hard to reach: the beach sits at the base of steep limestone cliffs on the SS89 road between Vieste and Mattinata, with access via a steep public path down from the road. From June through September, a daily permit system limits public access to 30 visitors, reflecting how narrow and fragile the access route is; outside those months, access is unrestricted. For anyone who doesn't want to deal with the path or the permit limit, several tour operators in Vieste and Mattinata run boat trips along the Gargano coast that stop at Baia delle Zagare, giving you the view of the faraglioni from the water without needing a permit at all. Hotels directly above the bay also offer private paths or shuttles for their guests. Once down on the sand, basic facilities include lounger and umbrella rental, restrooms and showers. Strong swimmers sometimes circle the base of the larger stack, a swim of around 20 minutes - not something to attempt casually. Baia delle Zagare suits anyone chasing one of Gargano's most dramatic views and willing to plan around the access constraints, rather than a simple, walk-up beach day.
Location
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