Welcome! This interactive guide will help you easily plan your stay in Brindisi. All the most important highlights, local transport details, beaches, local markets, and our hand-picked restaurants are gathered here. Simply click on the links to open the routes directly on your phone.
🛬 Stage 0: Arrival from the Airport to the Apartment (Via Pastrengo 75)
Reaching La casa del sole apartment from Salento Airport (BDS) requires two simple steps:
1. From the Airport to the City Center/Central Station:
- STP Shuttle Bus (Servizio AP / Navetta): Located just outside the arrivals terminal. It departs every 30 minutes, takes about 15 minutes, and will drop you off at the main station stop, Piazza Crispi / Stazione Centrale.
- Taxi: Available right outside the terminal exit, they will bring you directly to the apartment in about 10-12 minutes.
2. From Central Station to the Apartment (Via Pastrengo 75):
- Option A (Recommended with luggage - By Bus): From the same station square, catch the urban bus (Line 1 or Line 3). Get off after just 2 stops at Via S. Giovanni Bosco - Via Pola. Via Pastrengo intersects right there, just a few meters away!
- Option B (On foot from the Station - Exact & Straightforward Route): If you travel light, use the station's internal pedestrian underpass (sottopasso) and take the back exit directly onto Via Tor Pisana. Walk straight ahead: after the traffic light intersection, the street becomes Viale Commenda. Keep walking down Viale Commenda and simply turn left at the intersection with Via Pastrengo to reach number 75 (around 10 minutes total walk, very easy with no detours).
☕ Stage 1: Breakfast, Amenities and Daily Grocery Shopping
The neighborhood is perfectly served, and everything you need can be reached on foot within minutes:
- Pasticceria Manhattan: Located on your exact same street. An exceptional local spot for morning espresso, artisanal croissants, and to taste the authentic warm pasticciotto leccese pastry.
- Supermercato Dok: Practically around the corner. It features an excellent deli counter ideal for purchasing fresh local cheeses (burrata, mozzarella) and Apulian cold cuts.
- Supermercato Lidl: On Via Appia, about a 5-minute walk away. Best place for large water bottle supplies and basic essentials.
- Local Covered Market (Fish and Fresh Produce): Located on Via Santa Maria Ausiliatrice (7-minute walk). Open every morning, it is perfect for buying freshly caught fish straight from local fishermen and km-zero vegetables.
🏖️ Stage 2: The Sea, Beaches and Nature Reserve
From the nearby stop below the street (Via S. Giovanni Bosco), Linea 4 (Summer Line) buses or the Apani Shuttle connect the area directly to the northern coast:
- Cala Materdomini / Conca: The city's main public beach. Completely renovated, it offers comfortable wooden platforms, free public showers, bars, and crystal-clear waters just minutes from town.
- Spiaggia di Punta Penne: A wide, protected free sandy beach, surrounded by beautiful wild dunes—ideal for nature lovers.
- Spiaggia di Giancola: A spacious sandy shore with free access areas alongside fully-equipped private beach clubs (lidi) offering sunbeds, umbrellas, and seafront bars.
- Spiaggia di Apani and Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve: The final bus stop. From Apani beach, you can walk right along the shoreline to enter the stunning Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area, an untouched paradise.
🏛️ Cultural Walk in the Historic Center
After heading back from the beach, hop off the bus at Corso Garibaldi to enjoy an iconic walking itinerary through history:
- The Roman Columns & Virgil's Staircase: The monumental symbol of Brindisi, marking the ancient end of the Appian Way. It offers an incredible view over the inner harbor.
- Temple of San Giovanni al Sepolcro: A striking, mysterious 11th-century circular church historically linked to the Knights Templar (highly recommended inside).
- Traghetto Centro (The Harbor Ferry Boat): The small public passenger boat crossing the inner harbor water. Tickets cost next to nothing and take you to the opposite shore in a couple of minutes.
- Monumento al Marinaio d'Italia: The majestic 53-meter-high rudder-shaped monument. You can take an elevator to the top terrace to experience the finest panoramic view of Brindisi.
🍽️ Stage 3: Our Gastronomic Selection (Where to Eat Well)
From fresh seafood on the promenade to home-cooked traditions and real wood-fired pizza:
- Windsurf Ristorante Pizzeria: Located right on the beautiful pedestrian seafront promenade (Viale Regina Margherita). Famous for fresh local fish, raw seafood platters, and outstanding pizzas. Dining here at night by the harbor lights is magical.
- Nove Radici - Apulian Food Experience: Nestled in the historic old town. The absolute best place to taste finely prepared traditional recipes, like orecchiette pasta with turnip greens or chicory and fava bean purée.
- Mamm’Anna Pizzeria: Just a short stroll from the Roman Columns, renowned for its light-dough gourmet pizzas that are incredibly easy to digest.
- Pizzeria De Matteis: Only a 3-minute walk from your apartment door. Excellent takeaway pizza and casual seating, perfect for an easy, delicious meal close to home after a long beach day.
🧳 One-Day Train or Bus Trips around Apulia (No car needed)
Brindisi Central Station is an optimal railway hub for exploring neighboring historical gems via regional public transport:
- Mesagne (10 mins away): Reachable via a 10-minute direct regional train ride. Famous for its stunning Norman-Swabian Castle and a heart-shaped historic old town made entirely of local white stone.
- Lecce (25-30 mins away): The spectacular Baroque capital. Frequent direct trains; the station rests just a short walking distance from the ancient monumental city gates.
- Ostuni (20-25 mins away): The famous "White City". Direct regional train; a connecting shuttle bus runs regularly from Ostuni station straight up to the hilltop old town.
- Polignano a Mare (40-45 mins) & Monopoli (35 mins): Direct regional trains north towards Bari. Explore Monopoli's historic fishing harbor or walk to Polignano's famous Lama Monachile cliff beach in 5 minutes from its station.
Beautiful locations with quick connections:
- Cisternino (45 mins away): Take the train to Fasano or Ostuni station, then hop on the synchronized regional connecting bus up to one of Italy's most beautiful white villages, renowned for its narrow alleys and grilled "bombette" meat rolls.
- Alberobello (1h 15m away): Accessible by catching the Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) regional trains/buses (tickets bookable directly on the Trenitalia website), or via train with a quick platform change at Francavilla Fontana or Fasano. The UNESCO Trulli capital is perfectly explored on foot.
- Gallipoli (1h 20m away): Take the fast regional train to Lecce, then transfer to the local FSE train line on the adjacent platform. Gallipoli station sits right next to the bridge leading to the old town island.
- Trani (1h 15m away): Reachable via direct regional or Intercity northbound trains. Its breathtaking seaside Cathedral and lively historic marina make it an exceptional day trip destination.
We wish you a safe journey and a wonderful stay in Brindisi! ☀️🇮🇹
LA CASA DEL SOLE
