What to Do in Brindisi?

For those of you who don`t know where Brindisi is located, it`s a city in the Apulia region of Italy off the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in the heel of Italy. It might not be as famous as other Italian cities, but that is where part of its charm can be found in my opinion. It`s here that you still get that real Italian vibe: locals going to the market to buy their groceries, sitting on a bench catching up with friends or having their daily coffee.

Points of interest:

Harbor

This was probably my favorite place to be. There are a few restaurants here, but more importantly gelaterias! Not to mention the beautiful sight of the harbor with its many sailing boats.

Sailors Monument

The Monument to Italian Sailors was built in the memory of the fallen soldiers during World War I. You can either climb up the stairs or take an elevator to get you to the top which gives you a spectacular view over Brindisi`s waterfront.

Practical: It`s free to enter. Opening Hours: October – March: open from 9 am – 1 pm and 2 – 4.30 pm on Tuesdays till Sunday (closed on Monday). April – September: open from 9 am – 1 pm and 3 – 8 pm on Tuesdays till Sunday (closed on Monday).*

Brindisi Cathedral

Duomo of Brindisi is not only impressive during the day, it also has something special at night when the lights emphasize its magnificence.

Market

Visit the local farmer`s market where you can find fresh food. It`s not only a treat to the eyes with all the colors of the fresh fruit and vegetables but also the perfect place to by fresh ingredients. It takes place every day (except Sunday) from early to about noon.

Streets

Brindisi is one of those cities where you just have to wander the streets and you`ll find a surprise behind every corner. I loved just walking around and finding treasures along the way.

Besides being a gem on its own, Brindisi is also the perfect hub to visit other destinations, like Ostuni also referred to as the White City.

Ostuni is located about 40 km (25 miles) from Brindisi. Another daytrip could be a visit to Lecce which is only a 30 minutes train ride away.

If you rent a car, which is a good idea to visit the surroundings, you won`t be disappointed by the scenery. How about these gorgeous olive trees dotted along the way?

Don`t miss out on the opportunity to visit a Masseria, which is a farm converted into lodging. We had the pleasure of visiting Masseria Il Frantoio – unfortunately not stayed there overnight, but would love to go back just to have that experience. At this old converted farmhouse, I felt like I found a little piece of heaven right there. The owner, Armando, welcomed us with open arms and showed us around. He and his staff organized a delicious lunch with fresh organic ingredients. Their strawberries were amazing!

When we were there, a couple was getting married. They would have their ceremony in nearby Ostuni, but family and friends were staying at this gorgeous location. If you ask me, it was the perfect location for it!

Thanks to Brindisi is MY destination for hosting me and giving me the opportunity to discover this lesser known part of Italy. All opinions and photos are my own.

*Accurate at time of publishing