Mattinata: Coast, Archaeology and History

Mattinata offers different perspectives for a stay: coves and rock formations along the coast, as well as archaeological sites and medieval landmarks. When planning your trip, it is worth first considering whether you mainly want to experience coastal locations, history or both. The destinations also differ in how they can be accessed.

Coast: Coves, Rocks and Access

Baia di Mattinatella is a sandy and pebbly beach near the coastal road, between tall, pine-covered cliffs. At Baia delle Zagare, two large sea stacks define the scenery: they stand a few metres from the shore, and one of them has an almost perfect arch shape. You can reach Baia delle Zagare by sea or by land through the hotel of the same name, where an elevator built into the rock takes you down. Check access before your visit.

Vignanotica also has its own approach and access route: from the Vieste–Mattinata coastal road, the final stretch leads on foot through dense vegetation. Grotta Campana is a large sea cave whose high vault encloses a small beach. When planning coastal excursions, you can include a variety of landscapes and access routes, rather than treating all the locations as similar beach destinations.

Archaeology and Architectural History

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Mattinata “Matteo Sansone” houses an archaeological collection that the Sansone family donated to the Italian state in 2022. The museum is laid out as a chronological route with six exhibition areas and a visible storeroom. The first area is dedicated to the Monte Saraceno archaeological site and includes stone shields used as grave markers. The Monte Saraceno archaeological area contains a necropolis with more than 500 tombs dating back over 2,500 years.

Monte Saraceno can be reached from Sellino Cavola; from there, a path about one kilometre long follows the rocky ridge. Allow for this stretch as part of your excursion to the archaeological site. Monte Saraceno is also an ornithologically important observation point for migratory birds on their way to and from the wetlands of the Gulf of Manfredonia.

The Abbey of the Holy Trinity stands at the summit of Monte Sacro. It originated as a hermitage of monks in the 11th century and became a Benedictine priory in 1138. Today, ruins remain: the entrance porch with arches and pillars, part of the apse and the Romanesque portal. An archaeological walk leads through holm oak forests to the medieval ruins at an altitude of about 850 metres. The ridge is almost entirely covered by holm oak forest, rising from about 650 metres on the surrounding plain to the 872-metre summit.

Other historic sites offer different points of interest. In Sperlonga lie the remains of the Pulsaian monastery of Santo Stefano; a footpath leads to the early Christian complex. Near the port of Mattinata, the archaeological area of Agnuli includes part of a Roman villa rustica dating from the 1st century BC. Its facilities included areas for storing olive oil and wine, as well as for processing agricultural produce.

In Mattinata’s historic centre, Palazzo Mantuano dates from 1840. Its balcony overlooks the plain and the sea. Low, white buildings typical of the rural culture, known as “pagliai”, also survive there; the first stone houses date from the mid-18th century. Santa Maria della Luce parish church contains stone bas-reliefs that were transferred there from the monastery of S. Stefano dell’Asperlonga in Mattinata.

Nature and Local Cuisine

The local flora is another point of interest: the Mattinata area is home to more than 60 orchid species; 93 have been recorded in Parco del Gargano and about 190 in Italy. Together with the migratory birds at Monte Saraceno, this offers a perspective on nature distinct from the archaeological and architectural attractions.

Local cuisine is based on olive oil, homemade bread, pulses, vegetables, meat and fish. FèXtra offered a specific insight into olive oil production: the olive oil festival was held for the fifth time in 2025. At that edition, visitors could follow every step at Frantoio Giorgio, from the harvest and pressing through to the final tasting. Alongside the landscapes and historic sites, local food is another subject to consider when planning your trip.

Getting Here from the North

If you are travelling from the north, the route takes you via the Foggia motorway exit and SS673 Dir/SS89, followed by about 50 kilometres on SS89 Garganica to the Monte Saraceno tunnel. Check the current route before setting off. This lets you combine your journey and excursions with the Mattinata experiences that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Foggia, Vieste, Foce Varano, Tomaiolo, Candela, Stornara, Segezia, Accadia.

Return to the main travel overview: Foggia.