Vieste Car Rental

Positioned on the Adriatic coast, the municipality of Vieste extends to Sfinale Bay in the north and the bay of Vignanotica to the south. With an economy that was historically reliant on fishing and agriculture, this picturesque town is now a tourist hub. From the narrow streets of the historic old town to the natural beauty of the Umbrian forest in the west, there's plenty to entertain and engage.

For those who love the water, Vieste is the perfect destination. Sitting between two golden stretches of beach, you have multiple options for catching the rays. Spiaggia di San Lorenzo is right next to the Marina, while to the south is Spiaggia del Castello, where you can see Pizzomunno, a vertical column of rock formed by centuries of wave erosion. At over 26 meters high, legend has it that physically circling this monolith will make a wish come true.

History buffs will be delighted by the narrow streets and original architecture of Vieste's old town. This is also where you'll find your souvenirs — there are always bazaars in the alleyways, but during the summer months, random stores pop up in houses to service the tourist trade. Looking for something a little more serene? Vieste Cathedral on Via Vescovado is one of the oldest in the Gargano region, built in the Apulian Romanesque style. The 18th-century bell tower is still intact, and you can even take an official tour.

If you really want to immerse yourself in the culture of Vieste, plan your trip for May. This is when the Feast of Santa Maria is held and involves a procession where the statue of the Madonna is carried through the town to the shrine of Merino.

As you'd expect for a coastal location, seafood is the specialty here. The town is too small for a restaurant district, so just aim for the water and pick an eatery based on whim. Olives are a major crop in the Gargano peninsula, so you can also look forward to ad hoc oil tastings in stores and restaurants. Foodies can combine three local specialties in one by choosing a fish Orecchiette (pasta) dish with garlic-infused olive oil drizzled over the top.

Traveling with kids? Book windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons, or consider a transparent canoe trip. As you paddle along the coast, you can see the sea life teeming under your feet. With a car or van hire in Vieste, you can head to the wild beaches of Baia delle Zagare, Cala della Pipa or Cala della Cattedrale to start your tour.

Vieste is conveniently connected to the rest of Italy via freeways. Drive in from the north via the exit from Poggio Imperiale (A14), use Candela A16 if you are coming from Naples and use Foggi A14 from Bari.

Italian drivers are renowned for their aggressive approach, so getting behind the wheel of a car hire in Vieste can be intimidating for first-timers. But don't be put off! Although it might feel like things are moving faster than you're used to, it will soon become the norm. Just stay alert, and remember to carry a paper map or GPS — phone signals can be spotty in many areas, so you don't want to rely on a mobile device when exploring further afield.

Just like many other towns in Italy, Vieste operates a ZTL (Zone a Traffico Limitato). This is a restricted traffic zone that applies at specific times of the day and year to certain areas. In Vieste, there are two zones: Centro Storico and Borgo Ottocentesco. Between June and September, from 20:00 to 07:00 every night, vehicle access to these areas is restricted unless you have a pre-arranged permit. Even if you drive in by mistake, fines will be enthusiastically applied, so remember what these circular signs look like: a red ring around a white circle.

If you want to park and have a wander on foot, you have a couple of options. Metered on-street parking is usually available, and road surface markings indicate appropriate usage. Parking spaces in blue have the pay and display marking, while those in white are free with a time restriction of 30 minutes or one hour. Yellow spaces are reserved for official vehicles and taxis, and you will be fined and even possibly towed if you use them inappropriately.

Finally, you should be mindful of the driving habits of the locals. In particular, beware of sudden lane changes, as many don't use indicators. While traffic circles are officially considered an intersection and have priority signs or road markings, most drivers don't pay attention to the rules. The same goes for junctions when even slowing down is considered passé.