Margherita di Savoia holidays

Holidays to Margherita di Savoia provide a quieter Puglian escape, with beaches, salt flats, and local Italian touch.

Puglia’s sandy sidekick

Margherita di Savoia sits on Italy’s Adriatic coast, in the northern stretch of Puglia – just south of Barletta and about an hour’s drive from Bari, the region’s capital. The town’s main draw is Spiaggia di Margherita di Savoia, a long stretch of sand where Italians flock every summer to roll out their beach towels. Unlike the busier resorts further south, it keeps a laidback, local feel where you’re more likely to hear the chatter of locals than tourists.

A pinch of history

The town owes its name to Queen Margherita of Savoy, who visited in the 19th century and had the place renamed in her honour – yes, the same queen behind the famous pizza. Long before that, though, Romans were harvesting salt here, and the huge salt pans still shimmer behind the beach. Locals love the mineral-rich mud for spa treatments, and birdwatchers come to spot flamingos, herons, and other migratory birds.

Table talk

Food here is as local as it gets. Menus lean heavily on the Adriatic, with fresh-off-the-boat seafood like mussels, octopus salads, and spaghetti alle vongole – made with clams. Then there are Puglia’s staples, like ear-shaped orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe – a local variety – and a touch of chilli. Many restaurants are family-run and unfussy, so you’re likely to get rustic, generous portions. The real ritual comes after dinner, with a stroll along the seafront promenade, finishing with a gelato.

Easy escapes

Margherita di Savoia works well as a base if you want to tick off a few cultural sights in between beach days. Barletta, a historic town known for its medieval castle and lively piazza, is just 15 minutes’ drive up the coast. Trani, known for its cathedral that seems to rise straight from the sea, is another must-see. If you’re up for a longer day trip inland, Castel del Monte – a UNESCO-listed fortress with mysterious octagonal towers – is less than an hour’s drive away.