The picturesque metropolis of Brindisi is stuffed with necessary historic monuments, cultural points of interest, tasty meals, and enjoyable actions to get pleasure from. From its historical church buildings to its energetic nightlife and vibrant harborfront, listed below are 15 issues to do in Brindisi that will help you plan your excellent journey.
Final 12 months I spent a couple of weeks exploring the southeastern Italian province of Puglia and actually fell in love with the area. It manages to be each extremely laidback while concurrently stuffed with attention-grabbing issues to see and do, and Brindisi is not any exception.
Whether or not you’re searching for a soothing metropolis break or an action-packed journey, there’s one thing for everybody on this bustling Mediterranean metropolis.
Finest Issues To Do in Brindisi
Subsequent time you end up on this great nook of Europe, make sure to try a few of these prime issues to do and locations to go to in Brindisi:
1. Go to the Metropolis’s Castles
Brindisi is house to a number of castles that date again to the Center Ages. The Thirteenth-century Swabian Castle is likely one of the most spectacular sights within the metropolis and is likely one of the prime locations to see in Brindisi.
Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi (often known as the Aragonese Citadel, or Forte a Mare) lies on a small island known as Sant’Andrea and guards the doorway of the town’s historical harbor.
The vast majority of the unique fortress was constructed within the 1500s and it was later strengthened by the Spanish to defend the town towards assault by the Venetians and the Turks.
Take a look at this guided castle tour, which takes you to the Castello Alfonsino in addition to the close by Monument to the Italian Sailor. (Observe: the value of this tour doesn’t embody the €5 entrance payment for the fortress, which it’s worthwhile to pay on arrival.)
2. Discover the Previous City (One of many Finest Free Issues To Do in Brindisi)
The historic middle of Brindisi is ideal for exploring on foot. Right here you’ll discover among the metropolis’s most necessary sights, such because the Swabian Citadel (see above), the Monument to Virgil, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Saint Mary of the Announcement, and the Piazza della Vittoria.
It’s straightforward to discover the center of outdated Brindisi by your self. Nevertheless, among the finest methods to be taught extra concerning the wealthy historical past and tradition of this historical port metropolis is to hitch a strolling tour.
There are a couple of completely different excursions to select from, however I like to recommend reserving this private tour of the historic Brindisi, which is led by a particularly educated native information, is very reviewed, and consists of all entrance tickets (apart from for the Church of San Giovanni).
For these which can be much less cell, this historical tour in an electric golf cart is a perfect various.
3. Take a Tour of the Historic Roman Harbor
Brindisi’s ancient harbor was constructed over 2,000 years in the past. Over the centuries it served as an necessary buying and selling publish for the Roman Empire and different powers trying to management entry to southern Italy and past.
The harbor is maybe finest identified for its two towering Roman columns, though just one stays standing as we speak. These are positioned on both facet of a grand staircase main all the way down to the waterfront.
It’s not identified precisely what these columns had been used for, though many historians consider that they marked the top of the Through Appia – an enormous highway that after related Brindisi to Rome. At present, you may take a guided tour of the harbor space and study its fascinating previous.
This two-hour tour takes you first to the port’s well-known Roman columns, then throughout to the Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Provincial Archaeological Museum F. Ribezzo, and finishes on the grand Granafei Nervegna Palace.
4. Loosen up within the Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo is a small, enticing sq. within the coronary heart of Brindisi. It’s not likely a vacationer web site in any respect, however has a stunning calm vibe and is a superb place to relaxation for some time after a busy few hours exploring the vacationer points of interest in Brindisi, Italy.
Within the middle of the sq. is a life-size statue of Caesar Augustus, and there are benches beneath the shade of the bushes the place you may sit and respect some people-watching.
You’ll discover a couple of good outlets on the tree-lined streets simply off this sq. too. These promote a spread of real, (non-touristy), locally-produced items that would make glorious souvenirs or presents.
5. Take a Stroll Down Corso Roma
Corso Roma is one in all Brindisi’s essential business streets and is lined with a spread of outlets, cafes, boutiques, and eating places. It’s busy with locals at most instances of the day and is a superb place for a day stroll.
Maintain a watch out for the attention-grabbing mixture of structure on show right here. Elegant, historic Baroque townhouses sit proper alongside a spread of contemporary buildings (some fairly, others not a lot), offering a wonderful instance of the town’s mix of outdated and new.
6. Go to the Provincial Archaeological Museum
The Museo Archeologico Provinciale di Brindisi is house to some unimaginable artifacts, together with sculptures and different artworks from Greece and Rome that date again so far as 300 BC.
The museum’s essential focus is the archaeological artifacts from the world round Brindisi, notably these from Roman instances. There are additionally some attention-grabbing items from different historical civilizations such because the Etruscans and Magna Graecia right here too.
This museum is a superb place to return in the event you’re eager about historical historical past and need to be taught extra concerning the previous of this specific a part of Italy. It’s properly curated and appeals to a variety of ages, making this among the finest issues to do in Brindisi for households.
7. Admire the Church of Santa Maria del Casale
The Chiesa Santa Maria al Casale is likely one of the metropolis’s most well-known, and strange, church buildings. It’s nearly 800 years outdated and has a particular patterned exterior which has been not too long ago restored.
Inside, the church comprises a number of stunning and colourful 14th-century frescoes.
It’s positioned proper subsequent to Brindisi airport, simply north of the town middle. To get there, you may take a bus from the historic middle to the airport after which stroll for round 5-10 minutes the remainder of the best way.
8. Take a Day Journey to Ostuni or Lecce
Puglia is stuffed with charming, historic cities and cities, and Ostuni and Lecce are two of my favorites. Each are nice locations to go to close to Brindisi, positioned pretty near the town, and visiting both makes for a wonderful day journey.
Ostuni is named “The White Metropolis” on account of its stunning white-washed buildings. The historic middle is stuffed with slender streets lined with quaint family-owned eating places, cafes, and outlets.
Right here, you will discover all kinds of issues, from handmade jewellery to native meals specialties corresponding to olives and cheese. Take a look at this half-day tour to Ostuni from Brindisi.
Lecce can also be properly price visiting and is house to a surprising assortment of historical Roman ruins and Baroque buildings, together with two of Italy’s most spectacular Baroque church buildings.
9. Style Native Delicacies
Among the finest methods to expertise the very best of Brindisi’s scrumptious delicacies is to join a food tour. You’ll have an opportunity to strive conventional dishes corresponding to focaccia and taralli (an Italian snack that’s much like a pretzel), pattern native wines, go to markets and artisanal outlets and be taught all concerning the area’s distinctive culinary historical past.
There are a couple of different food tours to select from. This can be a nice native choice that provides you the possibility to style a spread of conventional baked items, candy treats, cheeses, contemporary seasonal vegetables and fruit, in addition to a glass of native wine.
10. Take a Non-public Cooking Class
This unique cooking class and immersive expertise provides you the chance to discover the secrets and techniques of genuine southern Italian cuisine in a standard Puglian house. You’ll learn to make a couple of basic dishes corresponding to orecchiette pasta, ravioli, and risotto.
Afterward, you’ll get to benefit from the fruits of your labor in a comfortable environment with a glass or two of native wine. This is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Brindisi for {couples} and is a wonderful alternative for foodies searching for an genuine expertise.
11. Sip a Espresso at Caffè Olympia
Brindisi has no scarcity of nice cafes, however one in all my favorites is a spot known as Caffè Olympia. It’s positioned within the coronary heart of the outdated metropolis and serves scrumptious espresso.
They’ve tables and chairs spilling out into the streets and it’s a terrific place to take a seat and relaxation for a bit throughout a protracted day of sightseeing in Brindisi. Additionally they promote ice cream and a spread of candy and savory snacks, which look implausible, although I’ve solely tried their espresso.
12. Take pleasure in a Day on the Seaside
In case you’re searching for issues to do close to Brindisi, the town is near some implausible seashores. These are excellent for spending a day enjoyable or swimming within the heat, calm waters of the Adriatic Sea.
One in all my favorites is Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, which is sort of wild and doesn’t have many services. When you’ve got your individual automotive, this seaside is simply about 25 minutes away from Brindisi.
In case you’d choose one thing somewhat nearer to the town, Lido Cala Materdomini is positioned close to the airport and is accessible by bus (or taxi) from the middle of Brindisi.
13. Have Drinks at Spirito
For actually glorious cocktails and a buzzing environment, I like to recommend testing Spirito. It’s among the finest bars I visited in Puglia (and simply nearly as good as among the top bars in Rome), and the bartenders are very educated and tremendous pleasant.
I used to be actually blown away by how good the drinks are right here. In addition to the classics, they provide a spread of ingenious cocktails impressed by the flavors and aromas of Puglia (suppose fennel, artichoke, and chili).
It’s open till late day-after-day besides Monday, and coming right here is unquestionably among the finest issues to do in Brindisi at evening. I strongly advise including a cease right here to your Italian itinerary.
14. Pattern Prime High quality Olive Oil
Puglia is legendary for producing among the best high quality olive oil in Italy. It’s scrumptious and is used liberally in most native dishes.
There are a lot of locations the place you may style and purchase top-quality Puglian olive oil in and round Brindisi. Within the metropolis, head to Azienda Agricola Liberace which is positioned simply west of the historic middle.
In case you’re completely satisfied to journey somewhat additional, Cantasole is a family-owned masseria (olive farm) a couple of kilometers out of city, simply reachable by taxi. Their oil is unimaginable (purchase a bottle to take house!) and so they’re completely satisfied to prepare excursions and tastings of their attractive olive grove.
15. Purchase Recent Native Seafood
In case you’re staying in a self-catering house or villa (or at the least someplace with a BBQ), it’s properly price making a visit to Mare Blu Pescheria the place you should buy among the freshest, highest-quality fish and seafood within the metropolis. Come at 8 am when it opens for the very best choice.
Additionally they promote a spread of cooked seafood platters so that you can take away. I extremely suggest making an attempt their scrumptious fritto misto (combined fried seafood) too, which makes a wonderful lunch on the go. It’s so tasty!
Fast Journey Itineraries For Brindisi
Listed below are a couple of prompt itineraries that will help you determine what to see and do in Brindisi:
1 Day in Brindisi Itinerary
You may see a lot of the essential locations to go to in Brindisi in a day, however you’ll should be pretty organized.
Start your day exploring the town’s historic middle and waterfront. Don’t miss a go to to the majestic Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi and the Swabian fortress. Subsequent, take a stroll down Corso Roma earlier than resting for some time within the Piazza del Popolo.
Within the afternoon, go to the archaeological museum, then take a private cooking class. End the day with drinks at Spirito.
2-3 Days in Brindisi Itinerary
Spend the primary day as above.
On day two, head over to the Church of Santa Maria del Casale to admire its patterned structure and wonderful frescoes. Then, make your method to a masseria (olive farm) the place you may take a tour, pattern, and purchase some top-quality olive oil. Head again to the waterfront to benefit from the sundown.
When you’ve got a 3rd day to fill, make a journey to Ostuni or Lecce, that are each stunning and properly price visiting.
1 Week in Brindisi Itinerary
When you’ve got per week in Brindisi, you may simply do the entire actions on this publish and nonetheless have time to spare. I’m an enormous fan of gradual journey, and I actually love not having to hurry after I’m exploring a brand new place.
I like to recommend taking your time with every sight and exercise to get probably the most out of your time in Brindisi. Spend a full day exploring the historic sights, one other full day on the seaside, and take day journeys to each Lecce and Ostuni.
With the remaining three days, you may go to the church buildings, spend a great period of time on the archaeological museum, take a cooking class, and feast on avenue meals. You’re certain to have a tremendous week!
The place to Keep in Brindisi
Listed below are the 2 essential neighborhoods that I’d suggest staying in Brindisi:
Centro Storico – Finest for First-time Guests
Most guests select to remain within the historic middle of the town, and for good motive. You’ll be inside straightforward strolling distance of nearly the entire essential sights and locations to go to in Brindisi. Take a look at this amazing apartment within the coronary heart of the traditional metropolis.
Materdomini – Finest for Harbor Views (and Entry to the Seaside)
The opposite space you would possibly need to think about staying in is Materdomini; close to the doorway of the traditional harbor and simply throughout the water from the Castello Alfonsino. From right here, it’s additionally solely a brief distance to the seashores simply north of the town. This is a wonderful B&B in Materdomini.
Finest Eating places in Brindisi
There are a lot of nice eating places in Brindisi catering to each funds. Listed below are a couple of of my suggestions:
Ristorante Secca 48
Ristorante Secca 48 is a basic Puglian restaurant that serves a spread of tasty native specialties. They’ve a big outside terrace with a implausible ambiance, the service is pleasant and attentive, and the wine could be very fairly priced.
Arabella Fish Restaurant
In case you’re searching for contemporary fish and seafood, head to Arabella. Every little thing right here is excellent; the costs are honest, and the meals is superb. Attempt the seafood linguini – it’s scrumptious.
Hanami
There are a couple of first rate sushi eating places in Brindisi, however Hanami is my favourite. The decor is easy and delightful, the sushi is wonderful, and so they additionally provide a spread of tasty pan-Asian and Asian fusion dishes.
Getting To Brindisi
Brindisi has a global airport with flights from various cities all through Europe. Guests from additional afield could should journey by way of both Rome or Milan. From the airport, you may both take a taxi (they’ve Uber) or an area bus into city, which takes 15-20 minutes.
In case you’re touring from one other metropolis in Italy, you may take the prepare to Brindisi. In case you’re coming from exterior of Puglia, you could want to alter trains in Bari, which is about an hour away from Brindisi.
You may also attain Brindisi by boat, with common sailings from each Greece and Albania. The ferry takes about 10 hours and is a very thrilling method to arrive.
When you get to Brindisi, most locations within the metropolis are inside strolling distance. For longer journeys, you may both take an area bus, an Uber, or hail a daily cab (although I are likely to go along with Uber because it’s normally cheaper).
Prime Issues To Do in Brindisi: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Brindisi:
Brindisi is very identified for its waterfront and historical harbor, dotted with Roman ruins and medieval castles. Being a port metropolis, Brindisi can also be identified for its stunning, contemporary seafood.
One of the best time to go to Brindisi is in the course of the summer season months, from Might to September. The height season runs from June to August and sees the town come alive with festivals and outside actions, though that is additionally when the town is busiest.
My favourite time to go to is both in Might or September when it’s heat and sunny however not too crowded.
Brindisi is unquestionably price visiting, particularly in the event you’re searching for a barely extra off-the-beaten-path vacation spot in Puglia. There are many issues to see in Brindisi, Italy, and the town is house to a terrific mixture of historic websites, cultural points of interest, and outside actions.
You may see a lot of the essential Brindisi points of interest in someday. Nevertheless, I’d suggest spending at the least 2-3 days right here to can help you get a greater sense of the town and to make your journey extra relaxed and satisfying. There’s sufficient to do in Brindisi to maintain you busy for at the least a couple of days.
Total, Brindisi is a fairly safe place to go to. Nevertheless, as with many cities, it does expertise a specific amount of petty crime.
It’s a good suggestion to keep away from strolling round by your self at evening, particularly in locations which can be poorly lit. However, as long as you’re taking the same old smart precautions, you shouldn’t have any points throughout your time there.
Exploring the town’s stunning historical harbor is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Brindisi, Italy.
Lido Cala Materdomini is positioned close to the airport and is definitely accessible by bus or taxi from the middle of Brindisi. Nevertheless, if in case you have your individual automotive and don’t thoughts touring somewhat additional, there are a number of seashores close by which can be even nicer. Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle is one in all my favorites.
Seafood is the preferred delicacies in Brindisi, and the contemporary native fish, mussels, clams, and oysters are all scrumptious. I additionally suggest making an attempt orecchiette con cime di rapa (orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe), which is likely one of the most well-known Puglian dishes.
In Closing
The vast majority of guests to Puglia are likely to overlook Brindisi as a vacation spot which I feel is a large disgrace. As you may see, there’s a implausible vary of attention-grabbing and enjoyable issues to do in Brindisi, Puglia.
Provided that it’s considerably off the crushed path (in contrast with a few of Puglia’s extra widespread locations, at the least), implies that you normally don’t should cope with crowds of vacationers whereas seeing the sights which is a bonus in my eyes!
In case you’re trying to spend time in an genuine, energetic, fun-loving southern Italian metropolis, Brindisi is a superb choice.
