15 Greatest Issues to do in Brindisi in 2023. The picturesque metropolis of Brindisi is stuffed with vital historic monuments, cultural sights, tasty meals, and enjoyable actions to take pleasure in. From its historical church buildings to its vigorous nightlife and vibrant harbor front, listed below are 15 issues to do in Brindisi that can assist you plan your good journey.
Final yr I spent a number 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 filled with attention-grabbing issues to see and do, and Brindisi is not any exception.
Whether or not you’re searching for a calming metropolis break or an action-packed journey, there’s one thing for everybody on this bustling Mediterranean metropolis.
15 Greatest Issues To Do in Brindisi
Subsequent time you end up on this great nook of Europe, you should definitely take a look at a few of these high issues to do and locations to go to in Brindisi:
1. Go to the Metropolis’s Castles
Brindisi is residence to a number of castles that date again to the Center Ages. The Thirteenth-century Swabian Fortress is likely one of the most spectacular sights within the metropolis and is likely one of the high locations to see in Brindisi.
Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi (also referred to as the Aragonese Fortress, or Forte a Mare) lies on a small island known as Sant’Andrea and guards the doorway of town’s historical harbor.
Nearly all of the unique fort was constructed within the 1500s and it was later bolstered by the Spanish to defend town towards assault by the Venetians and the Turks.
Take a look at this guided fort tour, which takes you to the Castello Alfonsino in addition to the close by Monument to the Italian Sailor. (Be aware: the value of this tour doesn’t embrace the €5 entrance price for the fort, which you must pay on arrival.)
2. Discover the Outdated City (One of many Greatest Free Issues To Do in Brindisi)
The historic heart of Brindisi is ideal for exploring on foot. Right here you’ll discover among the metropolis’s most vital sights, such because the Swabian Fortress (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It’s straightforward to discover the center of outdated Brindisi by your self.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 study extra concerning the wealthy historical past and tradition of this historical port metropolis is to hitch a strolling tour.
There are a number of completely different excursions to select from, however I like to recommend reserving this personal tour of the historic Brindisi, which is led by a particularly educated native information, is very reviewed, and contains all entrance tickets (aside from for the Church of San Giovanni).
For these which can be much less cell, this historic tour in an electrical golf cart is a perfect different.
3. Take a Tour of the Historical Roman Harbor
Brindisi’s historical harbor was constructed over 2,000 years in the past. Over the centuries it served as an vital buying and selling publish for the Roman Empire and different powers seeking to management entry to southern Italy and past.
The harbor is probably finest recognized for its two towering Roman columns, though just one stays standing at present. These are positioned on both facet of a grand staircase main all the way down to the waterfront.
It’s not recognized precisely what these columns have been used for, though many historians consider that they marked the top of the By way of Appia – an enormous street that after related Brindisi to Rome. In the present day, you possibly can take a guided tour of the harbor space and find out about 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. Chill out within the Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo is a small, engaging sq. within the coronary heart of Brindisi. It’s probably not a vacationer website in any respect, however has a beautiful calm vibe and is a good place to relaxation for some time after a busy few hours exploring the vacationer sights in Brindisi, Italy.
Within the heart of the sq. is a life-size statue of Caesar Augustus, and there are benches below the shade of the bushes the place you possibly can sit and respect some people-watching.
You’ll discover a number of good outlets on the tree-lined streets simply off this sq. too. These promote a variety of real, (non-touristy), locally-produced items that might make wonderful souvenirs or presents.
5. Take a Stroll Down Corso Roma
Corso Roma is one in every of Brindisi’s most important industrial streets and is lined with a variety of outlets, cafes, boutiques, and eating places. It’s busy with locals at most occasions of the day and is a good place for a day stroll.
Maintain an eye fixed out for the attention-grabbing mixture of structure on show right here. Elegant, historic Baroque townhouses sit proper alongside a variety of contemporary buildings (some fairly, others not a lot), offering a wonderful instance of town’s mix of outdated and new.
6. Go to the Provincial Archaeological Museum
The Museo Archeologico Provinciale di Brindisi is residence 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 most important focus is the archaeological artifacts from the world round Brindisi, significantly these from Roman occasions. 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 good place to return should you’re eager about historical historical past and wish to study extra concerning the previous of this specific a part of Italy. It’s nicely 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 virtually 800 years outdated and has a particular patterned exterior which has been lately restored.
Inside, the church accommodates a number of lovely and colourful 14th-century frescoes.
It’s positioned proper subsequent to Brindisi airport, simply north of town heart. To get there, you possibly can take a bus from the historic heart 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 town, and visiting both makes for a wonderful day journey.
Ostuni is named “The White Metropolis” resulting from its lovely white-washed buildings. The historic heart is stuffed with slender streets lined with quaint family-owned eating places, cafes, and outlets.
Right here, you could find all kinds of issues, from handmade jewellery to native meals specialties akin to olives and cheese. Take a look at this half-day tour to Ostuni from Brindisi.
Lecce can be nicely value visiting and is residence 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
The most effective methods to expertise the perfect of Brindisi’s scrumptious delicacies is to be part of a meals tour. You’ll have an opportunity to strive conventional dishes akin to focaccia and taralli (an Italian snack that’s just like a pretzel), pattern native wines, go to markets and artisanal outlets and study all concerning the area’s distinctive culinary historical past.
There are a number of completely different meals excursions to select from. This can be a nice native choice that offers you the possibility to style a variety of conventional baked items, candy treats, cheeses, contemporary seasonal fruit and veggies, in addition to a glass of native wine.
10. Take a Non-public Cooking Class
This distinctive cooking class and immersive expertise offers you the chance to discover the secrets and techniques of genuine southern Italian delicacies in a conventional Puglian residence. You’ll discover ways to make a number of traditional dishes akin 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 selection for foodies searching for an genuine expertise.
11. Sip a Espresso at Caffè Olympia
Brindisi has no scarcity of nice cafes, however one in every of 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 an important place to sit down and relaxation for a bit throughout an extended day of sightseeing in Brindisi. In addition they promote ice cream and a variety of candy and savory snacks, which look implausible, although I’ve solely tried their espresso.
12. Get pleasure from a Day on the Seaside
When you’re searching for issues to do close to Brindisi, town is near some implausible seashores. These are good for spending a day stress-free or swimming within the heat, calm waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Considered one of my favorites is Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, which is kind of wild and doesn’t have many services. When you have your personal automobile, this seaside is barely about 25 minutes away from Brindisi.
When you’d favor one thing a little bit nearer to 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 wonderful cocktails and a buzzing environment, I like to recommend trying out Spirito. It’s among the finest bars I visited in Puglia (and simply pretty much as good as among the high 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 variety of creative cocktails impressed by the flavors and aromas of Puglia (assume fennel, artichoke, and chili).
It’s open till late every single 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 numerous locations the place you possibly can 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 heart.
When you’re blissful to journey a little bit additional, Cantasole is a family-owned masseria (olive farm) a number of kilometers out of city, simply reachable by taxi. Their oil is unimaginable (purchase a bottle to take residence!) and so they’re blissful to arrange excursions and tastings of their beautiful olive grove.
15. Purchase Contemporary Native Seafood
When you’re staying in a self-catering house or villa (or not less than someplace with a BBQ), it’s nicely value making a visit to Mare Blu Pescheria the place you should purchase among the freshest, highest-quality fish and seafood within the metropolis. Come at 8 am when it opens for the perfect choice.
In addition they promote a variety of cooked seafood platters so that you can take away. I extremely suggest attempting their scrumptious fritto misto (blended fried seafood) too, which makes a wonderful lunch on the go. It’s so tasty!
Fast Journey Itineraries For Brindisi
Listed below are a number of recommended itineraries that can assist you resolve what to see and do in Brindisi:
1 Day in Brindisi Itinerary
You may see a lot of the most important locations to go to in Brindisi in a day, however you’ll need to be pretty organized.
Start your day exploring town’s historic heart and waterfront. Don’t miss a go to to the majestic Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi and the Swabian fort. 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 personal 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 option to a masseria (olive farm) the place you possibly can take a tour, pattern, and purchase some top-quality olive oil. Head again to the waterfront to benefit from the sundown.
When you have a 3rd day to fill, make a journey to Ostuni or Lecce, that are each lovely and nicely value visiting.
1 Week in Brindisi Itinerary
When you have every week in Brindisi, you possibly can simply do all the actions on this publish and nonetheless have time to spare. I’m a giant fan of sluggish journey, and I actually love not having to hurry once I’m exploring a brand new place.
I like to recommend taking your time with every sight and exercise to get essentially 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 possibly can go to the church buildings, spend period of time on the archaeological museum, take a cooking class, and feast on road meals. You’re positive to have an incredible week!
The place to Keep in Brindisi
Listed below are the 2 most important neighborhoods that I’d suggest staying in Brindisi:
Centro Storico – Greatest for First-time Guests
Most guests select to remain within the historic heart of town, and for good motive. You’ll be inside straightforward strolling distance of nearly all the most important sights and locations to go to in Brindisi. Take a look at this wonderful house within the coronary heart of the traditional metropolis.
Materdomini – Greatest for Harbor Views (and Entry to the Seaside)
The opposite space you would possibly wish to take into account 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 town. This is a wonderful B&B in Materdomini.
Greatest Eating places in Brindisi
There are numerous nice eating places in Brindisi catering to each finances. Listed below are a number of of my suggestions:
Ristorante Secca 48
Ristorante Secca 48 is a traditional Puglian restaurant that serves a variety of tasty native specialties. They’ve a big out of doors terrace with a implausible ambiance, the service is pleasant and attentive, and the wine may be very moderately priced.
Arabella Fish Restaurant
When you’re searching for contemporary fish and seafood, head to Arabella. All the pieces right here is great; the costs are honest, and the meals is great. Strive the seafood linguini – it’s scrumptious.
Hanami
There are a number of respectable 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 variety 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 might need to journey by way of both Rome or Milan. From the airport, you possibly can both take a taxi (they’ve Uber) or a neighborhood bus into city, which takes 15-20 minutes.
When you’re touring from one other metropolis in Italy, you possibly can take the prepare to Brindisi. When you’re coming from outdoors of Puglia, chances are you’ll want to alter trains in Bari, which is about an hour away from Brindisi.
You may as well attain Brindisi by boat, with common sailings from each Greece and Albania. The ferry takes about 10 hours and is a very thrilling option to arrive.
When you get to Brindisi, most locations within the metropolis are inside strolling distance. For longer journeys, you possibly can both take a neighborhood bus, an Uber, or hail a daily cab (although I are likely to go together 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:
What’s Brindisi recognized for?
Brindisi is very recognized for its waterfront and historical harbor, dotted with Roman ruins and medieval castles. Being a port metropolis, Brindisi can be recognized for its lovely, contemporary seafood.
When is the perfect time to go to Brindisi?
One of the best time to go to Brindisi is in the course of the summer season months, from Could to September. The height season runs from June to August and sees town come alive with festivals and out of doors actions, though that is additionally when town is busiest.
My favourite time to go to is both in Could or September when it’s heat and sunny however not too crowded.
Is Brindisi value visiting?
Brindisi is unquestionably value visiting, particularly should 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 town is residence to an important mixture of historic websites, cultural sights, and out of doors actions.
What number of days ought to I spend in Brindisi?
You may see a lot of the most important Brindisi sights in someday. Nevertheless, I’d suggest spending not less than 2-3 days right here to mean you can get a greater sense of town and to make your journey extra relaxed and satisfying. There’s sufficient to do in Brindisi to maintain you busy for not less than a number of days.
Is Brindisi secure?
Total, Brindisi is a pretty secure 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 wise precautions, you shouldn’t have any points throughout your time there.
What’s the hottest factor to do in Brindisi?
Exploring town’s lovely historical harbor is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Brindisi, Italy.
What’s the finest seaside in Brindisi?
Lido Cala Materdomini is positioned close to the airport and is definitely accessible by bus or taxi from the middle of Brindisi. Nevertheless, when you have your personal automobile and don’t thoughts touring a little bit additional, there are a number of seashores close by which can be even nicer. Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle is one in every of my favorites.
What meals ought to I strive in Brindisi?
Seafood is the most well-liked delicacies in Brindisi, and the contemporary native fish, mussels, clams, and oysters are all scrumptious. I additionally suggest attempting orecchiette con cime di rapa (orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe), which is likely one of the most well-known Puglian dishes.
In Closing
Nearly all of guests to Puglia are likely to overlook Brindisi as a vacation spot which I feel is a enormous disgrace. As you possibly can see, there’s a implausible vary of attention-grabbing and enjoyable issues to do in Brindisi, Puglia.
On condition that it’s considerably off the overwhelmed path (in contrast with a few of Puglia’s extra standard locations, not less than), implies that you normally don’t need to take care of crowds of vacationers whereas seeing the sights which is a bonus in my eyes!
When you’re seeking to spend time in an genuine, vigorous, fun-loving southern Italian metropolis, Brindisi is a good choice.
