Brindisi holidays

Brindisi Cathedral, Italy

City breaks to Brindisi are perfect for perusing Puglia – scores of the region’s highlights are within easy reach.

Brindisi city breaks

Brindisi sits on Italy’s southeast coast in the photogenic region of Puglia – the heel of Italy’s boot. A natural harbour sits front and centre here – it’s one of the country’s busiest ports and has been since Romans ruled the place. The city’s made up of a series of whitewashed buildings and churches and, thanks to its compact size, its sights are easily doable in a day. What really makes this place though is its pinpoint on the map, it’s got super-easy access to a list of the region’s most-roamed locations, making it a great option for on-the-go city breakers.

The Gateway to the East

The city’s often dubbed as The Gateway to the East, thanks to its position on the edge of the Adriatic Sea which gives it great access to Greece and beyond. It’s hard-working harbour does trips to some of Puglia’s prettiest places, too. Polignano a Mare’s a great choice for daytrips – this town’s highlights include dramatic coastal caves and a history-laden old town. Ostuni’s another option for outings from the harbour. This whitewashed town looks great in any holiday photo gallery. Train travel’s top of its game, too. You’re a 20-minute ride from Lecce – dubbed the Florence of the South thanks to a bunch of Baroque-style buildings.

Brindisi beaches

The Province of Brindisi stretches along the Adriatic Sea for 70 kilometres, lining up plenty of options when it comes to days out on the beach. From the city centre, you’re a 20-minute drive from Punta Penna Grossa Beach – it’s characterised by a long stretch of sand and crystal-clear waters which are a big hit with snorkellers and scuba divers alike. Heading south of Brindisi, it’s around the same driving distance to the cutesy village of Torre San Gennaro, which is fronted by a white-sand beach.

Popular hotels in Brindisi

Top things to see and do in Brindisi

Beaches

A 70-kilometre stretch

With a 70-kilometre stretch of coastline, there’s no shortage of swathes in the province of Brindisi. And, while there aren’t any beaches in the city centre, days on the seafront are only a stone’s throw away.

The big beach

Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve is home to a beach that shares the same name, a 25-minute drive from the centre of the city. It’s a great spot for snorkelling – if you’re lucky, you might even spot a giant sea turtle.

The secret beach

Brindisi’s beaches tend to get pretty busy during summer. For something a little quieter, Porto Selvaggio – around an hours’ drive from the centre – is reached by walking through a forest and climbing over rocks. Its vistas are well worth the effort – picture a small cove backed by cliff-climbing trees and fronted by a sky-blue sea.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Plan your trip to Ostuni on a Saturday when the town gets a buzz from its weekly market. Farmers have stalls selling fresh produce, and there’s a separate area for clothing – it’s one of Puglia’s biggest markets so it’s worth a visit to bag some bargains.

Mid-range buys

Brindisi’s Colonne Shopping Centre is the place to head to shop with familiar faces – it’s where you’ll find the likes of H&M, Zara and a load of international brands. It’s just a 10-minute taxi ride from the centre of the city.

Designer buys

Bari is the fashionista of Puglia, and it brings names like Louis Vuitton and Prada to its shopping scene. The city’s peppered with several high-end shopping centres, but your one-stop-shop for designer buys is Puglia Village – it’s got the biggest collection of top-end brands anywhere in the region.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Things stay laidback in Brindisi come evening time. The harbour’s home to handful of restaurants and bars which line up seafood-heavy menus.

Lively evenings

Lively Lecce spoils you for choice when it comes to nightclubs and bars. The main hub of places snake off the streets that are connected to the main square.

Food & drink

Squinzano Rosso

This red wine is made using grapes from both Brindisi and Lecce’s countryside. It’s ruby in colour with a fruity flavour, and it’s best paired with meat-heavy mains.

Brindisino artichokes

Brindisi-grown artichokes have a distinct sweet flavour, making them perfect for grazing on as an appetiser. Or, you can eat them oven-baked and stuffed with bread, olives and capers.

Puddica

Puddica’s one of Puglia’s favourite dishes, but it’s particularly a big hit in Brindisi. It’s like an Italian flatbread, topped with tomatoes and oregano. If you like things spicy, there’s an option with added chilli.

Panzerotti

These deep-fried dough balls are usually stuffed with tomato and mozzarella. They’re a bit like a smaller version of a calzone, ideal for eating on the go.

Spumoni

A popular desert, spumoni is made with layers of hazelnuts, chocolate and Stracciatella. Its origins belong in Naples, but it’s a popular pudding pick in this part of Italy, too.

Average Weather in Brindisi

Facts about Brindisi

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Italian
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 to 3 hours from Gatwick

FAQs

Where can I find the latest travel advice?

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

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