Gjirokastër Castle is definitely a must-visit if you're in southern Albania. It’s a place filled with history, with a dark and somber atmosphere — especially with so many old prison cells spread throughout. The entrance is paid, but unfortunately, the site could use better maintenance and preservation efforts. There's a lot of dust and loose soil around, and since the castle is exposed to the wind, it can get quite dusty and uncomfortable for visitors. Still, it's a powerful and historical site that’s worth seeing, just be prepared for the conditions.

Incredible experience! You get free range to wander through the entire castle. We spend well over two hours walking around and exploring the castle. There is a second museum within the castle that cost extra to go into. I would recommend paying to go in, it was very informative.

We bought the tickets online, so we skipped the huge line at the entrance. The castle is incredible, make sure to go with enough time to explore everything calmly. It has a beautiful view and a fascinating history. Definitely worth a visit!

The view is stunning, you can see the whole city from above. There are some interesting areas and hidden paths to discover. Even on a busy day, there is plenty of space to move around, they also have toilets inside.

Personally loved this place, amazing views and quite striking thinking about all the 1500+ history and the effort that was put into building it over the time. Went through so many changes and has some haunting stories of the past both recent and historic. Recommended if you’re in the city and looking for something to see and absorb

This is a well-preserved historic site that tells the story of its past. The fortress has a long and eventful history, with many key moments mentioned right at the entrance. It's a great stop to make on your way to the seaside.

Impressive and well-preserved castle with stunning views over Gjirokastër and the surrounding valley. Entry is 400 lek, with an extra fee if you want to visit the museum inside. You can explore the old prison, see a U.S. military plane, and walk along the massive stone walls. Some signs could offer more context, but overall it’s a must-see when in town!

Visited this beautiful castle with my fiance, to watch the sun set over Saranda, it didn't disappoint absolutely stunning, enjoyed a glass of wine which I topped up with lemon soda. Perfect end to our holiday to Albania. We didn't eat here this time as we had already eaten but the pizzas looked lovely so we will be sure to try them on our next visit.

Perched atop the hills overlooking Saranda, Lekursi Castle offered one of the most spectacular views I’ve ever experienced. From up there, I could see the sparkling Ionian Sea, the city below, and the surrounding islands, all creating a breathtaking panorama that felt almost magical. Exploring the castle ruins, I was fascinated by the history and the stories these walls must hold. The on-site café made it easy to relax while taking in the scenery, adding to the charm of the visit. Lekursi Castle wasn’t just a historic site—it was a stunning viewpoint and a truly unforgettable highlight of my trip.

Beautiful venue at the top of a mountain with the most fantastic view of the sunset. Generally everything was lovely, we all had good food, if slightly expensive compared to everywhere else …except I became unwell overnight from what I suspect was bad seafood pasta. It was probably only one seafood bit, as my reaction wasn’t too violent nor immediate, but it got me overnight and I was down for the next 2 days.

Beautiful views from the lower balconies – definitely the highlight of this place. The restaurant itself is not halal and the food is overpriced, but you’re really paying for the location and scenery. I’d recommend arriving at least 1 hour before sunset (2 hours if you want the best seats) to secure a good spot. Drinks are also on the expensive side. We had a margarita pizza and a few drinks before heading elsewhere for dinner. Overall, the views are absolutely amazing and worth experiencing at least once- but save yourself for dinner elsewhere.

I ate dinner at a castle with a pink sunset! This castle wasn’t what you would expect to be as a castle. It’s more of an outdoor venue for dining, concerts and performances. You can’t vest the view! The service here was impeccable. The food delicious, the wine even better. Parking is hard to find. We took a taxi up there. If you plan to take the bus, that looked a little shady.

We went there for the view, it was amazing, worth visiting. We could admire the walls of the castle, but there is a restaurant inside and it affects the original look. The restaurant itself looked nice, but we haven't eaten anything there. The castle is accessible by car until the gates

A place to meet the sunset in romantic atmosphere! Food for all tastes. If you one a bit luxury dinner its there and a bit further there is also a pizza place, but still with the same beautiful view. As also you can get only drinks, and still enjoy the sunset!

It's a worthwhile visit with a guide waiting at the entrance of cave to provide detailed history of this cave. Just spots in the cave is narrower and low. Just need to be careful and not touch :)

A beautiful spot for a quick dip. The swimming pool is a great option but you will need to buy your ticket.

The longest grote in the region, 150m. A shelter for humans since mamouth times, according to the local guide. Partly inaccessible to the public because of 2 endemic species, protected.

Worth visiting. A few reminders - buy tickets at the Grotte entrance(not where cars are blocked off). Check time schedule for tours in advance! For example, the English tour is offered at 11am and 4pm. You can’t just go in anytime. We had to make two trip to see it

It is an Interesting cave and is a very important one too.

Visit is relatively short, but worth it! Amazing place! Stories provided by guides are interesting, covering facts and folklore.

This is one of our summer finds this 2023.The visit last 30 minutes max. Entrance fee is 6€-adult and 3€-child. The young ladies are courteous and efficient,tour guide will explain the details/information if needed. Spectacular view and amazing water.Kids will love the cave. It is worth the visit.

Super sandy beach on the Puglia coast with crystal clear waters. There is a walk into it, but you can avail of the shuttle and parking for €10. There is another carpark for €5 but without the shuttle. We actually walked out as there was a large crowd coming out at the time. Beautiful beach, with small cliffs to provide shade. Our kids loved it.

Just excellent. Clear water, beautiful colours, fine powdery soft sand. Better than most beaches on this side of Puglia.

▶️ Beautiful and clean beach. Parking nearby for only 5€ If you're interested in history there is a lot to read about the Turkish invasion 🙄

Amazing view, very quiet beach with more local people, maybe because the season in September. Easy parking.

Beautiful beach, but parking and getting down to the beach is not that easy.

Crystal clear water with incredible fine white sand. We arrived around lunch time and still managed to find some space on the free beach. Bring sandwiches and water to avoid the constant queue at the only small bar. Plenty of parking with free shuttle near the beach, park in "Da Marco" €5.00 for the whole day 10 minutes walk from the beach. Bring time and peace, to relax, one of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia on the Adriatic coast.

beautiful beach and crystal clear water, the sand under your feet in the water feels heavenly, really!!! we are 8 billion people (almost 9) on this planet, and i think 6 billion of them were at the beach with us today. way too busy, the water wasn’t that busy though. beach clears up at around 18. would still recommend going. the walk is a bit far but it’s a nice one

📣ATTENTION 📣 DONT PARK THERE, OUR BELONGINGS GOT STOLEN FROM THE CAR !

20 June 2023. None of the machines work and all covered up so good to park here without paying! Good luck! Also no fees entering the cave of poetry as no attendants present either

Stuff got stolen from the boot/trunk which wasn’t visible. They block or copy your key remotely and take any valuables whilst you’re away. Don’t keep any valuables in the car!!! Don’t open the boot whilst in the parking lot!!!

Expensive car park but convenient for Grotto della Poesia. 1.80€ per hour paid at the start of your stay. No shade so bring a sun shield. We didn’t end up parking here but drove south and parked on the street for free in the shade only 5 minutes further from the Grotto to walk. For reference we stayed at the Grotto della Poesia for 4 hours swimming and sunbathing (did not visit archeological site).

People blending into the crowd and hanging out here to break into cars and rummage through bags etc. if you come here come without anything in your car. To be honest, not worth the visit- locals treat their sites like trash, broken glass, cigarette butts and vandalism on the historic artifacts.

Someone broke into our car and stole some of our belongings. Please don’t park here if you have anything valuable in the car.

Just another way trying to make the most money of tourist. >1,50€/ Hour in the middle of nowhere is just ridiculous.

Beautiful crafter building in both renaissance and baroque architecture. Fascinating to see each stage and level and the inside is incredible. The next day we walked past and there was a wedding being held inside. Very beautiful venue!

Beautiful church right off the square. Go around 4:30pm will often see a wedding.

Beutiful facade. 7e entrance fee just not worth it. Girls at the entrance not very friendly. Couldn't even tell me te entrance pirce, when we asked.

Very nice Basilica to visit and the front in the white limestone and with its carvings are spectacular. The ticket price is rather steep at 7€ for just the basilica with another 20€ to go up the tower. The best value is the 11€ ticket that gets you into the cathedral and 2 other churches as well. Now that is worth it and it is like a treasure hunt by following the map and getting you around the old city.

You have to pay to visit this basilica, but it's worth paying €21 to buy a ticket that gets you in all the main churches and tower for that price. It's a beautiful building with a colourful history. You can visit all the main sites in a day, but it's a beautiful little city, and I used it as a base to explore other towns and cities by train.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is a jaw-dropping example of Lecce’s Baroque mastery. The façade is bursting with detail — angels, columns, animals, and a stunning rose window. Built by monks of the Order of the Holy Cross (monachi sanctae crucis), the basilica is full of symbolic meaning and artistic richness. Una meraviglia barocca che lascia senza parole.

Imposing basilica with excellent stonework both inside and outside. Interesting wooden ceiling design.

Absolutely breathtaking Baroque cathedral in the heart of Lecce. The façade is richly detailed, with statues, symbols, and elegant columns. Inside, the atmosphere is serene and spiritually uplifting. A must-visit landmark in Puglia. Un capolavoro del barocco leccese, da non perdere!

A beautiful square with connecting little streets. This church and its surroundings are truly stunning. However, tickets are required here, which is a bit disappointing, as one wouldn’t expect it for this type of monument. Moreover, they are sold on the other side of the square.

Going into the crypt is a must. Seeing the skeletal remains is a bit scary. The best value is the 11€ ticket that gets you into the Basilica (7€ just for this), Cathedral (this one) and 2 other churches as well. Now that is worth it and it is like a treasure hunt by following the map and getting you around the old city.

Baroque cathedral basilica with transept build in 1669 by architect Giuseppe Zimbalo. Inside cathedral entrance to 12th century crypt with 92 columns. Tickets available in Palazzo del Seminario-11€, with tower 21€.

Gorgeous. Such a lovely place to visit, so quaint and relaxing and the architecture and buildings is stunning.

Beautiful. Download the app for the interesting story. Stunning carvings and especially loved the crypt.

Impressive cathedral, interesting marble work and ceiling. The crypt was also quite impressive.

Ok beach, average. Crowded and dirty sand, water is also not impressive. There are other much better beaches in the area, I highly recommend lido la Rosa dei Venti.

Nice beach, definitely worth visiting. Unfortunately, the organisers of Lido Baia Verde seem determined to milk visitors for every cent — they wanted an extra €10 just to sit at one of their flimsy plastic tables, even after we’d bought a coffee for €3. A shame how this kind of greed is spoiling Italy’s beautiful beaches.

We have traveled across the world and been to many similar places. This is an absolute joke of a beach with ridiculous rules. We came here because the beach looked nice and were looking for a nice private spot. My partner and I chose to get two sunbeds without an umbrella for 30 € because we enjoy staying in the sun. We were given (they didn't let us chose) two sunbeds right in front of the water which kept on rising, which constantly threatened to put our belongings at risk of being drenched. We were told that we were not allowed to move them back even though there was plenty of spare room behind us and many other sunbeds were available. You need to pay to take a shower (two princing points for either hot or cold), and you need to pay an extra 10€ if you want to have a drink on the deck by the beach. We wanted to play a little game of racket by the water, away from everyone (the closest sunbed was at least 15 meters away) and were asked to stop by the personel for no apparent reason. It is not a matter of cost, it is a matter of principle and respect. We felt that this place had none of it.

Beach was half empty and clean. Pros are that you have parking in front of entrance and you have sunbeds and umbrells plus toilets and showers. Cons that everything is paid: Parking 10€ a day (sam as on street) and entrance for 2 (2 sunbeds 1 umbrella) 35€

We are staying in Gallipoli and our hotel suggested this beach…we are GLAD we went! Quite and charming local with beautiful water and views. Very clean and quaint with a relaxing yet upbeat vibe. All ages shared the experience and everyone was smiling. A great way to spend a summer day!

Gorgeous and easily accessible beach with powdery sand, crystal clear, shallow water.

It's a beautiful beach! Really warm and clear water although the waves were quite strong. Don't know if that was just an off day as we only went once. Some rocks but they feel like they've got carpet on so not sharp. Once you get past them it's all good.

It's okay... I've seen some really crazy ones in Lecce just the other day so it's not really a fair comparison in terms of awe for me, I mean there is like one other thing to see in this whole city so I guess this should be on your list of things to see.

Amazing Basilica even from the outside only. I wasn’t able to visit while it was open, but just viewing the statues and the gracious structure as a whole from the outside only was amazing!

I’ve rarely seen a cathedral with so many paintings, it’s truly impressive! 🎨⛪ Definitely worth a visit, and a great opportunity to learn more about Saint Agatha and her story. I just wish there were more information available in languages other than Italian, to make it more accessible to international visitors 🌍📖

Absolutely magnificent cathedral. Free to enter and very beautiful

Beautiful basilica. We were there on Easter and we saw some Southern-Italian Easter traditions

Beautiful baroque cathedral. Roman-Greek influences also very visible. Beautiful external facade too.

The Sant'Agata Basilica is located in the heart of Gallipoli old town which is on a small island. It is the largest building there packed in tiny streets around, so it's difficult to capture the whole beautiful Baroque facade. The interiors are stunning - pretty dark as a result of lacking sunlight with similarly dark huge paintings on its walls. Terrific marble art work as well. Free entry

The place in general is good but the restrictions are so many that really spoil the fun for the kids.For big rides a parent needs to accompany the kid so i had to be with my 14 year old to go for the rides!!🤔 And if you have 2 kids like me I have to wait 30 minutes with one to do the ride and then wait another 30 minutes plus to go with the second...I understand safety is a priority but this really spoils the fun for the kids.The staff was really polite and the park was clean.At busy times it is crowded and you will have to wait a long time to go to the popular rides.

The water park wasn’t full but big queues on the most fun slide. Many silly rules, my kids 1 too big for some slides and the other too small and they didn’t play together . They closed the only fast food at 14:00 .

Really nice place especially on a Monday in July, there were not too many people and the kids (3 and 4) had fun. Some strange rules on the water slides, but the food was nice for being a park, kind people and fun (in house) show for the kids at the end. Not expensive. I wouldn't go on a holiday though.

We went there for my son's 7th birthday. Most of the slides were too big for him and we ended up wondering from here to there. It was very strange to see that staff was making small children queue for the small slides area. At times the slides were empty, while the queue was becoming bigger. Didn't see the point of that. Poor activity for such a big territory - there were no shows - just staff taking pictures that you can buy at the end for a ridiculous price (10€ or the 1st photo and 7€ for the next ones). Music was too loud as well. On the good side we found the place very clean and they have a good variety of (Italian) food at the cafe. Lasagna was great and the aubergine as well. Tip: Follow their Instagram account for a 3€ discount for each follower. Show this at the ticket counter when buying the tickets and they will apply the discount immediately. All in all - I would maybe recommend the park for children above 10yo. I would not go back.

The rides are ok. The guys at the rides let you wait on purpose and the regulations are really stupid sometimes, but we can't change that. The music at the waves bath is much too loud. It's anyway nice to spend the day (if too windy for the beach).

Kids love the aqua park great value and reasonably priced inside. Lots of wadeable areas. 7 pools and slides. Nice and clean free Sun loungers and parking. Bring your own picnic and BBQ space is provided.

This is the worst aquapark , we ever been. First of all the slides stop working for 2-3 hours at lunch time. There is no working restaurant and the only food is chips and ice cream. The safety measures are very expensive. Our children are around 8 years old and there is only 1 slide for them. Everything is above 135-150 m height. The aqua park is in the middle of nowhere and we drive around 2 hours to there and we are very very disappointed.

I visited this place recently and it was amazing!I saw saturn and the moon from a telescope that was on top and it was amazing.The view is stupendous. The people that worked there were very nice!Overall I had a great experience.

Iconic tower of the Salento western coast. Beautiful and well preserved.

This is maybe one of the most amazing towers to visit on the southern side of Puglia, the view on top is priceles as is the fresh breeze relieving from the summer hotness!

Is was the and of may, so it was not open, but still it was worth it walk over there and fight with mosquitoes 🦟

I came to visit this tower twice during my vacation. The first time it was closed to only private visits, but to compensate they made a really interesting show in collaboration with the local dance club, I quite enjoyed it. The lesson I learned here is that one should always inform him/herself about the location to visit. It's not too bad that you can't enter, the tower is still quite impressive from the outside too and at night it gets illuminated. During the day you can also chill on the small open pond there and enjoy the sea.

One of the many incredibly well preserved watchtower that dot Apulia coast.

EN: Exciting experience going inside this medieval tower used in past to defend local people against Saracens. The view from the top is really nice IT: Bellissima. E' possibile visitare l'interno di questa antica torre di difesa contro i saraceni e perfino salire su in cima per godersi un bel panorama ES: Hermosa! Antigua torre de defensa contra los sarracenos hoy abierta a todos para visitarla adentro y subir hasta la parte superior desde donde se puede disfrutar un panorama precioso

We visited Togo Bay Beach Club twice last week and absolutely loved it. As a couple traveling with a baby, I couldn’t recommend a better spot in Puglia. It’s simply perfect — the vibe is just what you’d want at the beach: calm, peaceful, relaxing, and incredibly comfortable. The beach itself is beautiful, with clear, shallow water that’s ideal for babies and kids. The infrastructure is excellent — everything is clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed. Every detail, from the service to the atmosphere, made us feel at ease. We would go back in a heartbeat.

The set up was very nice. Great sandy beaches comfy day beds. Reservations kinda easy but hard to contact the club. Fill out form on website and they send you back an offer within 48 hours. Staff very attentive, helpful and they are constantly cleaning glasses plates and all garbage. We spent the entire day here with our small children. The public beach next door sells everything you would need for a day at the beach too

Absolutely exceptional. From A to Z. With the only negative thing is quite high prices. High season- 2 lounges and an umbrella are 95 euros . But let me tell you that everything is super impeccable there. The area I superb, the beach is sandy, and the water is turquoise clear and very shallow. The service is OMG!!! Everyone is extremely friendly, but when you tip, the service becomes even better . Top level . The lounges are very comfortable, with mattresses. You can buy their own towels or bring yours. Their towels are huge . We bought them))) very nice. And gods was out of this world. The chef is preparing everything on spot, very fast and extremely delicious. We had THE BEST lobster sandwich ever!!!! Eggplants , tiramisu, simply everything was delicious!!!! Absolutely exceptional. From A to Z. With the only negative thing is quite high prices. High season- 2 lounges and an umbrella are 95 euros . But let me tell you that everything is super impeccable there. The area I superb, the beach is sandy, and the water is turquoise clear and very shallow. The service is OMG!!! Everyone is extremely friendly, but when you tip, the service becomes even better . Top level . The lounges are very comfortable, with mattresses. You can buy their own towels or bring yours. Their towels are huge . We bought them))) very nice. And gods was out of this world. The chef is preparing everything on spot, very fast and extremely delicious. We had THE BEST lobster sandwich ever!!!! Eggplants , tiramisu, simply everything was delicious!!!! They have live Dj on weekends, during the weekdays they play music . It gets very busy on a weekend, so you want to reserve your spot beforehand. Enough parking spaces . Great job. We will be back for sure.

Avoid this beach club if you’re looking for a relaxing, well-managed seaside experience. While the coastline is stunning, the overall experience is ruined by the management and front desk staff — incredibly rude and unhelpful. Booking a sunbed or even getting clear information is nearly impossible. You’re expected to fill out vague online inquiry forms, and even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll actually get a spot. Despite spending a decent amount of money here over a few days, the service at the reception remained consistently poor. The only saving grace was the waitstaff — they were fantastic. Unfortunately, the food situation is equally disappointing: no proper meals, just bland snacks that aren’t worth the price. There’s nowhere decent to eat. In short: great view, great waiters, terrible management, zero hospitality. I strongly do not recommend this beach club.

Great place with excellent service, fantastic music, and an amazing DJ after 4 pm. Our waiter. Alexander (the waiter), was very attentive to all our requests and guided us perfectly in choosing the right food. The Fino rosé wine wasn’t really worth it, but everything else more than made up for it.

Absolutely fantastic place! Gorgeous beach- gorgeous setting! Music, ambiance, service, food- love every part of this experience!

Togo Bay is visually stunning, splendid clear water like the Caribbean. The chairs are generous in size and with plenty of space between you and your neighbors. Service was good, but should have been better given the very high prices for chairs and umbrellas, food, wine and even water. Lunch was delicious, but the prices were quite high for Salento. At times it was hard to get a waiter and we had to ask several times to get what we wanted. I will definitely go back in the off season, but the service didn’t warrant the prices they were charging.

Beautiful beaches. During the off season we were almost the only ones as you basically need a bike to get to the ones more east. Unfortunately there is a lot of plastic everywhere but you cannot blame the national park for that...

Our favourite beach in Ostuni area. White sand and beautiful sea, we didnt witness any plastic garbage on the beach.

Interesting natural reserve with lots of animals, like birds and snakes.

This is a fine example of a conservation area and yet very accessible to the public . A shuttle bus service is provided from the main parking area. There are different zones of protection , no fishing , sailing and water sport areas and swimming is not encouraged in some areas . The areas are clearly designated and the public seem to be cooperating. There is a turtle hospital not open to the public due to stress that this would cause the animals. There are long scenic , tranquil paths to walk but beware of the erosions and danger in some of the cliff tops. The beaches and bays are a haven for wildlife and the public alike this place deserves more publicity but maybe its better left to the public to discover how wonderful it is?

Sorry but calling Torre Guaceto a natural reserve is a joke... The beach is dirty, with microplastics and other waste, and due to the shallow water the dirt remains in the water almost up to the buoys. Beach is overcrowded in August as could be expected, yet it has only two toilets and not even a shower. Booking online or not makes no difference: the parking is huge and accepts anyone who pays the 5€ at the entrance, and then everyone queues up for the shuttle. But the small „train“ doesn’t bring you to the beach, instead it drops you off some 700m away... and even in peak periods there is only one "train". Queues under the scorching sun are very long for both journeys (wait at least 20 minutes). The sea is ok, but neither better nor worse than the other coves along the coast. Don‘t waste your time & money here!

Just beautiful, a bit of everything white beachside, grotto's, ruins. Love that so much of this area from Bari on down the coast isn't the over devolved beaches of Spain and France.

- It's a wonderful place for a good walk along the seaside, the sea is simply amazing, only downside the rubbish coming from the sea get stuck on the beaches and doesn't get removed because "it's a reserve". - Posto fantastico per una giornata di mare immersi nella selvaggia macchia mediterranea, è un peccato però che i rifiuti portati dalle mareggiate non vengano rimossi

Amazing experience! We took the train from Bari and a bus from the train station + a 30 min walk from Fasano, as there was no shuttle bus during weekdays, but was totally worth it. We did not have a car, and were planning to take the bus, but we were given a spare car, which made the experience unforgettable.

Amazing experience! One literally feeds giraffes amd zebras out of the car window. Animals are so near that it cannot be compared with any other zoo. Bring 3-5 kg Carrots and buy peanuts for the monkeys! Totally worth it for any age.

The safari tour was great but the rest more la la.. Rest is the second part of walking tour including a funny train and many closed attractions. Also they forced me to pay extra parking 4 EUR although I paid a family ticket 140 EUR and they know the tour ends with parking and proceeding by foot once through the safari with the car🤣 . Pretty low and embarrassing 👎 But!! The camels are over cool. 🐫

Loved it! Safari from the car was definitely the best part! Bring carrots with you, animals will love it. It can get slow and crowded in the season, so have patience and enjoy the ride. Bring water with you cause it can take 2 hours to just go through the first part in car. You don’t have to buy tickets in advance, you can do it at the gate from your car when you arrive.

Great time spent with the family in the Safari and the park! The park is huge, you can see the animals very close, pet them! The animals are well looked after, there is no bad smell at all! Their territory is large, it looks like the animals are happy in the park! I highly recommend it!

Me and my family had a great time! Every penny was worth it :). The animals seemed happy and freely ran around the park. After our family went through the safari we left without knowing how much is left there,so make sure you don’t make the same mistake! But even if you do,you can come back the same day with the same tickets and you can make sure you don’t miss any more fun! 5 stars❤️

It's well managed and unique (for Europe) place to see lots of exotic animals considerably free in a wide space from the close but safe approach of your car. There are many areas that you are allowed to touch and feed the animals (please don't give them junk or human food, you can buy carrots, peanuts etc. specially for them at the entrance) and areas where you need to stay in your car at all times but it's all worth it. The animals looks like the staff take good care of them which is very important for me considering other similar places or zoo parks in Europe. It's really family/kids friendly place. In the pedestrian area you can find other animals and different zones like reptiles and insects, lake with birds and monkeys where you can have a paid boat ride, there is a rail car (zoo metro) which you can take from one zone to another, a special monkey zone which you can visit with a caged safari style truck and feed peanuts to the animals through a special holes. There is an amusement park in the pedestrian area where you can find food and drinks and have some fun before you take off. Overall a great place for kids and families, we had amazing time there.

This museum and Museo Sigismondo Castromediano in Lecce will give you excellent overview of the history of this region. It is impressive what artefacts they have from Ancient Greek and Roman times. The collection comes mostly from necropolis. Definitively worth a visit, we were in November and we were the only people here while visiting the museum … If you buy ticket for MUDI you will get discount for this museum and vice versa. Kudos to friendly stuff.

World class antiquities museum. Lovely female guide on one of the floors gave us a tour of the highlights in English. Advice: taking your time in the pre Greek and Greek colony period of Taranto might push you into three hour plus visit. We had to leave for our bus and missed lots of other exhibits which was sad but an opportunity to return. Wish they had a snack bar and a proper gift shop. This place has so much potential.

What a gem! Such a beautiful collection. The highlights for us included the collection of Medusa faces and the incredible array of jewelry. A couple of lovely temporary exhibitions rounded it out. Worth the visit and a good audio guide as well.

This is one of the most surprising and jaw dropping museums I have ever visited. I would very rarely suggest driving hours out of your way for a museum but if you are a fan of Greco-Romano culture this gas artefacts that are just outstanding. The audio guide gives you a pretty good background but I could have spent hours and hours here - instead we only spent 2.5 hours in this museum as it was just so overwhelming. The athletes section is amazing, especially if you have an interest in pan-Atheneum games.

Pretty good for the history before BC, but minimal history after that! I really enjoyed the videos and want more of them to give 5 stars. I went on a Sunday and it wasn’t crowded. But don’t use the elevator/lifts is you have a fear of small, packed , and hot stuffy spaces.

We spent a couple of hours here and it was worth every penny - a really epic display of history with so many items and so much detail! The huge mosaics were a highlight. Even though it wasn't applicable to us we also appreciated the accessibility with several sensory exhibits for people without vision, and ramps and lifts.

Really interesting ancient Greek and Roman collections. Including subtle jewelry, mosaics, vases. Unique and very well presented. Must visit!

The castle are still a functional and working marine barracs, so you have to take the free tour. Otherwise no entry. It didn't work with our schedule

Astonishing scenes of old and new. The Ponte Girevole (swing bridge ) opens for ships and connects too seas. Castello has free tours but in Italian only

Entry is only by the free guided tour at set times during the day and evening. It is still an Italian Navy facility therefore the restrictions. It is still is worth viewing from the outside. We couldn’t wait 2 hours for the next tour so we had to skip it. Definitely would do it next time.

A very nice visit at the castle. A navy official provides a guided tour for free (in Italian) every hour. The tour gives information over the history of Taranto and the castle. I found it very informative and entertaining. I would recommend doing it if you are visiting Taranto. Also I was amazed that by the sunset, they displayed the Italian flag with lights on one of the sides of the Costello while playing some anthem (I wish I knew what was it), I loved that moment.

A beautiful castle belongs to the Italian navy, but an unpleasant surprise awaited us, you must have booked a tour guide, that's the only way you can enter...!!! It doesn't even matter so it's worth a visit. Highly recommended.

Very interesting history and friendly staff! Visit with the group is free and scheduled.

We wanted to visit the castle, but the experience at the reception was rather unpleasant. The information provided was very insufficient. We asked for a tour in English, but it was not available, and they also refused to let us join the Italian-language group.

I honestly can’t stress enough how important it is to book this wonderful tour if you are planning a trip to Alberobello! Especially if the wonderful Mimo is your tour guide. He is funny, informative and educational and makes for a very insightful and informative tour ending in visiting an actual Trulli house doubling as a museum then a perfectly prepared lunch served in a secret garden whilst being serenaded by a beautiful live music! Epic experience!

Great and experienced tour guiding company, they have a house museum of their own.

nice

(Translated by Google) Beautiful city already visited twice, you always discover something new. Anyone who has time and is in Puglia should take a look at the trulli in Alberobello. (Original) Wunderschöne Stadt bereits zum 2 mal besichtigt, man entdeckt immer wieder etwas neues. Jeder der Zeit hat und sich in Apulien befindet sollte sich die Trullis in Alberobello ansehen.

(Translated by Google) Pleasant, uncrowded during the week in June (Original) Agréable peu fréquenté en semaine de juin

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful and characteristic, one of the most beautiful cities in Puglia (Original) Molto bello e caratteristico , una delle più belle come città pugliesi

(Translated by Google) Wonderful experience (Original) Meravigliosa esperienza

Pretty but... I can't help feel that Polignano is a victim of its own "beauty". Certainly worth a visit, but I felt I kept on waiting for it to deliver, and it never did. It does have an impressive setting, built above and into the shallow cliffs, and it had the typical bars and restaurants to enjoy, with a "new" viaduct where an old Roman one used to be, above THE beach - pebble and crowded, so for viewing from a distance rather than enjoying as a beach. You also run out of things to experience pretty quickly, so give it an hour for a coffee, beer or glass of wine, and move on! Free parking up by the station.

A special place to visit! The tall narrow houses clinging to the cliffs with the crashing waves below. Let your eyes soak up the beautiful clear Adriatic sea. Walk the narrow passages in centro storico. Experience the poetry of the little village. Dive back to Roma times.

What a charming place to stay for a long weekend. Polignano a Mare looks like it is straight out of a movie set. This part of Italy (the heel) does not suffer over-tourism so I found it peaceful. The small town is very eye catching, as it's perched precariously on steep sea cliffs. The houses have flower laden balconies and are separated by tight alleyways. You really feel like you are stepping back in time by decades. Your standard run of the mill restaurant here, would be a top class Italian restaurant at home, and the prices are great. There is a statue here dedicated to their favourite son - the famous Italian singer, composer, and actor Domenico Modugno. There is not much English spoken here, so you are better off making the effort to learn some Italian words. If you are in the Bari area, I would advise coming here for a day trip at least, it's that special here.

A very nice small city with narrow streets and fresh sea air. If you dare, you can try swimming down at the rocks because this area is always full of visitors and tourists. While walking at the streets don't miss the beautiful sea view!

I had the pleasure of visiting the historic center of Polignano a Mare at night, and it was truly breathtaking. The area was bustling with tourists, yet it maintained a charming, intimate atmosphere. The streets were lined with numerous eateries, offering delicious gelato and pizza, perfect for a late-night snack. The art on the walls and light installations added a magical touch, making every corner a visual delight. The small churches scattered throughout the area were adorned with stunning religious art, a testament to the town’s rich cultural heritage. Walking through the narrow alleys, I discovered hidden gems like the Vicolo della Poesia, where poetry adorns the walls, and the picturesque Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Polignano a Mare’s historic center is a must-visit, especially at night when it transforms into a vibrant yet serene haven. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply enjoying local cuisine, this place has something for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore its beauty and charm!

If the weather is good, it will be even more beautiful! It's beautiful here

Not a bad city centre but very busy even in the off season.

Monumento a Domenico Modugno is a must-see in Polignano a Mare. The statue overlooks the sea and celebrates the iconic singer of “Volare.” It’s a popular photo spot, especially with the beautiful coastal backdrop. The surrounding area has a lively vibe, and it’s a great place to take a short break while walking through the town. Domenico Modugno, born in Polignano a Mare, co-wrote and performed “Nel blu dipinto di blu” (“Volare”), which became one of Italy’s most internationally famous songs—and even won two Grammy Awards in 1958!

I absolutely love the statue — and the artist who created it! As boats glide into the harbour, “Volare” starts playing and suddenly everyone’s singing and dancing together. The whole place comes alive. The pose is what made him famous when he performed the song for the first time in front of a large audience. He sang with immense passion, bringing a new style and energy that no one had ever seen before. The audience went wild — completely captivated by his performance. His story is truly amazing.

Been there done that! It’s a pity that there’s no details about this symbolism statue, so I asked AI for the explanation. Here’s what it says: “The statue is a monument to Domenico Modugno, a famous Italian singer-songwriter who was born in Polignano a Mare. He is best known for his hit song "Nel blu dipinto di blu," often referred to by its chorus, "Volare." The statue, a three-meter-tall bronze sculpture by Argentine artist Hermann Mejer, was unveiled on May 31, 2009. It depicts Modugno with his arms wide open, an iconic gesture that recalls his performance of "Volare" at the 1958 Sanremo Music Festival. The statue is located on the seafront of Polignano a Mare, looking out over the town and the sea. ＂ Btw. I would definitely recommend you to look for the song to play along for a “dolce” Italian vibes 🥰！

Nice statute in a fabulous location. Hard to get a good photo in the morning, much better in the evening light.

For a moment, I felt like I was flying over Polignano a Mare, just like in the song — light, dreamy, full of Italian magic.

Very beautiful view point! Nice area to chill and have a spritz or coffee.

Lovely town with beautiful views and places to fall in love, the landscape is very nice clean and not too crowded

Amazing place, although a little difficult to find. Well worth the hunt!

Although it appears unloved and certainly not as well kept or clean as it deserves to be, this Museum is worthy a detour to enjoy all the excavation exhibits discovered over the last few decades in different locations of Salento. Apart from the odd coach party visiting for a few minutes you will almost have it to yourself, making the visit a rare and delightful pleasure.

For only 2.50 euros you get one of the greatest collections of Ancient Greek materials. A large display of vessels, jars and jugs. The new section on numbers and formulas was impressive. A true gem. We had the place to ourselves.

well worth a visit 2,5y for people under 26 even cheaper. but the photo is taken at another place. If you want to see those pillars, search for "Tavole Palatine"

The museum is great and the exhibits are superb but the gardens and car park need two blokes with brush cutters for a month

Very interesting and incredibly big for this small village. The temple of hera is interesting too

Excellent guide very interesting

Not the most ornate cathedral I've seen but the crypt underground is amazing. Unearthed buildings that were there before the cathedral with lavis mosaic floors

This is a jewel not to be missed. One of the most amazing sites in all of Italy.

9€ for a combined ticket to the church and museum - well worth it. The building is beautiful and the crypt with the mummy and relics is super interesting. The archaeological site underground is very cool too.

Beautiful cathedral. Too shame that, like most religious places in Italy, they find a way to charge people. The main church is free but you need to pay to visit the underground crypt €3-€7 Lots of other churches in the same area that are free

The crypt is wonderful. Very relaxing and the ruins are quite interesting.

A very beautiful historical church, a must visit if first time in Bari.

Romanesque gem in Bari’s Old Town. Elegant white stone façade with a beautiful rose window and carved lintel of mythical beasts. Inside, three naves divide into 16 slender columns and arcades—simple yet powerful. The crypt holds the relics of Saint Sabinus and the ancient Madonna Odegitria icon. Quiet, spiritual, and steeped in history: a must‑visit beyond the more crowded Basilica. 

We visited a traditional cave dwelling in the Sassi Caveoso area, and it was definitely worth the stop. Although we had to wait a few minutes before entering, the staff was very friendly and welcoming, which made the experience feel relaxed and unhurried. The visit offers a fascinating glimpse into how people lived in these caves until the 1950s. It’s quite remarkable—and a little humbling—to see how entire families shared these spaces not only with each other but also with their animals, including chickens and even horses. The interior has been thoughtfully restored and laid out, with everyday objects and furniture that help bring the past to life. While you may have read about this part of Matera’s history, standing inside the cave really gives it a whole new dimension. It’s something else entirely to physically be in the space and imagine what daily life was like. A short but meaningful visit that adds depth to your understanding of Matera’s unique heritage.

Very interesting reconstruction of life and objects in Sassi di Matera. It is amazing that this was not so long ago. It consists of 3 parts, of which only the living room and the natural refrigerator are worth seeing. There is a paid entrance fee of 5 euros for which you get a recorded audio guide through your phone, which is quite crazy, but it is what it is.

A Fascinating Step Back in Time - A Must-See in Matera. Visiting the Casa Grotta nei Sassi was a truly eye-opening experience. It's an amazing place to discover what a traditional peasant home looked like, and it's incredible to think that families lived this way until they were relocated in the 1950s. The recreation is very well done and gives you a powerful feel for their daily life. What makes this a fantastic value is that the same ticket also gives you access to two other nearby sites: an ancient snow cave used for storing ice and a small cave church that was later converted into a dwelling. This is an absolute must-see when you are in the area. It doesn't take long to visit, but it provides incredible context for understanding the unique history of the Sassi. Highly recommended.

Wonderful guide who took the time to answer our questions at Casa Grotto. Much like life in Finland at the same time. Of course, people didn't live in caves in Finland. Interesting history. No queues.

It was fascinating to see how people once lived in Matera, sharing their homes with animals and even preserving ice from winter through the summer

Oh crap. An overall underwhelming sightseeing spot. Don’t expect a full size museum. It is basically a studio packed with furniture and miscellaneous items. We like antiques, but wow, the overall amount of things to see is severely insufficient. It is sad. The site can be finished in 5 minutes. This spot l shouldn’t be priced at 5 euro. The other attractions in Matera offer a lot more and are only 3-4 euro. 5 euro is an absolute rip off. Do yourself a favor, save the 5 euro and get yourself something to drink. The fair value of this attraction should be 1 euro at best, if not free. If you don’t have time, skip this spot. The scenery around this attraction is amazing however; so visiting this general area is still recommended.

Unique experience inside the cave, very interesting to find the cellar temperature cold even without any closed doors

The house is really hard to find. We had been searching for an hour to find it. And in the burning sun it was quite an experience. But our struggle was worth it. The staff were amazing, they were nice, friendly. And they spoke English very well (from experience during my stay, we struggled because of language barrier in many places so it was a happy relief :) ). The Casa Noha isn’t a big sight because of its look. You watch 4 videos in 3 rooms and they have an authentic kitchen in the 4th room. The videos are very interesting. I found them one of the best informative videos I have ever watched. The narrative is understandable, and helpful to understand how the people of Matera have lived. I think all of us came out satisfied, and with more knowledge than before. I recommend it before visiting the whole town. It gives you another perspective than just walking around in the city of ruins.

Interesting place. Basically it is a short movie about Matera history, so you should not expect to see some exhibitions apart from the old house itself. I would rather dedicate time for some cave house with preserved furniture.

Really good museum with movie in English via headphones. Excellent insight into the whole history of Matera. If you have English National Trust cards with you it’s free!

A very informative movie exhibition providing an in-depth historical background of Matera... But if you are a member of National Trust you get a free entry as there is a cooperation between the NT and the FAI of Italy. If you buy online you miss this chance....

Casa Noha in Matera is a historic house that offers a unique multimedia experience, telling the story of the city and its rock-dwelling inhabitants. It’s a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn a bit about Matera’s history.

Nice place and the stuff is friendly. We learned a lot about Matera's history. However, the entrance costs 6,5€, not 3€.

very interesting place if you want to know more about history of Matera.

Very beautiful beach with rocks... Sea bottom is quite steep...

This beach was amazing. Limestone cliffs line the beach. The beach itself consists of small smooth rocks and pebbles. Sandals are helpful. Food at the beach bar was pretty good. A bit of a hike down and I could see it being very crowded in peak season

Lovely beach, spectacular cliffs and scenery. Pebble beavh so recomend beach shoes. Of open, drive all the way to the end of the road where there is a parking lot.

The reviews that say this beach is great are right. I shouldn’t give it away, to keep it a hidden gem, but gosh it was great. Beautiful spot. The walk from the parking and back and the €10 parking fee were worth it! Just check out the pictures…. Stunning and with bars and toilets available (as well as shower and beach mattresses for a fee ‘cos nothing is for free)… but worth it. Oh and pet friendly!!! If you don’t like cats and dogs, don’t go there!

We arrived at 9.15 to the beach. Beatyfull, only few people, quiet, clear water, pure nature. BUT: at 9.30 diesel motor boats started to come to the beach; in 30 minutes more than 25 boats - each boat it is approx 100 persons on the deck. In half an hour 2500 people appeared on the beach. Can you imagine? Can you feel it? Unbelievable!! Horrible experience. The miracle disappeared- crowd, shouting, crying and this smoke from diesel motors!! You will not find it in any description of vignanotica beach.... please be aware

Amazing beach. You must see and visit this location at least once. Access is free but you have the option to rent umbrellas and kayaks to explore the nearby caves as well. There's also a bar and public toilets in the area.

Calm and clear. Sheer white cliff as backdrop. Caves as protection. 10€ parking maybe, but nobody was there in august to collect it. Then 250 meters down stairs from parking. Fun windy road to parking.

I loved it here, being in prayer almost for a week, the staff knew me very well, even the priests and nuns (: It was an honor to worship and see the different Mass of languages, only wish they had English Mass though, it’s very rare. Other than that, be aware …it’s best to go early morning, when they open or when they are about to close. It can get very crowded, especially the weekends. St. Micheal archangel favorite color is RED! Don’t forget to buy a chaplet and pray on the other part where he appeared. Stay blessed - Esme from America 📿✝️🫂

8/29/2025: I am on Jubilee Pilgrimage with 37 of my fellow pilgrims. Today I saw an image... Who do you see? What I can clearly see is the rock image of 🙏 St. Padre Pio depicted on the masonry wall looking down at the entrance way of the original St. Michael the Archangel Church. I can see his eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and his beard. The caretaker for 30-years never saw this image until today. I wanted to share this image to everyone in the world... God bless us all!

Definitely a must- visit sacred place. It was too crowded due to the Feast and the Jubilarian Year. Yep! Not May 8th but Sept 29th. Prepare to descend and return in stairs.

Beautiful place. There were too many tourists. I would have liked some quiet to pray, but a guide was giving a lecture to a group of tourists in the grotto. I think that was inappropriate. There should be no talking in that area. I waited 45 minutes for them to leave and it was better when they had left. I feel there should be more respect in holy places. Definitely a good place to go. Not open early for prayer - opened at 8:30 a.m. We participated in the procession through the town for the feast of Corpus Cristi.

Really beautiful and unique place to visit. You can feel good energy! Perfectly kept with a lot of descriptions to prepare your visit and create your time for meditating and praying. If you enter the grotto you’ll also receive a plenary and perpetual indulgence. The only small minus is the closing time for lunch break. I’ve visited many sanctuaries and monasteries and did a lot of pilgrimages and I’ve never seen something like that in a sacred place. Especially, as this is a destination is for pilgrims!! Be sure to organize your trip accordingly and do not arrive during the break to ensure to have the time to visit the entire complex (museums also close for lunch break!!!)

So far yet so nearer to God in the solemn singing during holy hour

Amazing place- not only for catholic people

Free to enter. Gift shop at the end of the crpyt and church tour. There is an area for blessings and we went to a mass in italian at 10am on a thursday.

Very nice prayerful. Nice museum with many padre pio relics

Went here as part of the pilgrimate tour, to see the St. Padre Pio. It was a 5-hour drive from Rome. The church was beautiful and there’s a museum upstairs where you can see how St Padre Pio lives in the church and the cross where he got his stigmata while he was praying. They also put some pictures to describe the life of St, Padre. There’s a big and modern sanctuary behind the church with amazing architecture and where you can enjoy a very good view of the town from the hill. Under the sanctuary, you can see the body of St. Padre Pio upclose from behind the glass. People line up and pray here. On top of the hill there is a big hospital that were build from the donation to the church. If you are going with the tour bus, the bus will have to park at the bus parking and then we go with a shuttle bus to the church. They don’t allow the outside bus to stop in front of the church anymore.

We are talking about a Sanctuary City high on the hills of San Giovanni Rotondo where Padre Pio, the most important Saint of this century (XX) was born and lived to cure the poor. He made a Hospital City very big and then people made a church then a Big Church then a Super Church (Architect Renzo Piano) with his name where thousands pilgrims visit the whole year

The new church is incredibly beautiful. Marvelous mosaics and a beatiful statue of San Pio. But much more important than this: this church is full of grace. The energetic density is very high and can be sensed as soon as you enter the building. After two minutes inside I started to cry for no reason. This is Grace that makes the unconscious sorrow conscious. On a spiritual path this is called purification. During mass the energy level gets even higher. So, walk inside, admire the mosaics and the statue, but know: the most valuable here is invisible! 🙏🙏

Beautiful murals that help you contemplate and pray

So amazingly solemn place