The Tremiti Islands are a marine nature reserve and are part of the Gargano National Park. They are the only Italian archipelago in the lower Adriatic , they are part of the province of Foggia, but are connected to the peninsula by ferries and hydrofoils that depart from Termoli, in Molise. An ideal destination for a journey in search of unspoiled nature , they offer very rich vegetation and a splendid and clean sea frequented by many animal species.
Here is a guide to the Tremiti Islands , in Puglia: where they are, what they are and what to see!
Where they are
The Tremiti Islands are five beautiful islands off the Adriatic coast. They are part of the Puglia region, precisely in the province of Foggia, and of the Gargano National Park. They are located 22 km north of the Gargano promontory and 45 km east from Termoli, or from the Molise coast.
How to get there
It is possible to arrive on the Tremiti Islands by sea , thanks to various shipping companies that provide ships, motor ships, ferries and hydrofoils all year round.
The frequency of trips changes according to the period, obviously more frequent in summer. Departures take place from the ports of Abruzzo (Pescara, Ortona, Vasto), Molise (Termoli) and Puglia, Gargano (Manfredonia, Vieste, Peschici and Rodi Garganico).The port with the most daily trips and with the greatest variety of means is that of Termoli , the crossing time varies from 50 min to 2 hours. The costs vary according to the season, the port of departure and the type of boat. On average, a one-way ticket from Termoli costs € 20.00 per person.
You can also arrive by helicopter from Foggia (20 min), also in this case the cost is variable and varies according to high or low season, age, residence situation or not on the Tremiti Islands, generally starting from € 57.00 per person per way.
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January 8/13 ° 10 days / 43 mm
February 8/13 ° 9 days / 39 mm
March 9/16 ° 10 days / 45 mm
April 11th / 19th 9th day / 40mm
May 15th / 23rd 7th day / 21mm
June 19th / 27th 5th day / 16mm
July 22nd / 28th 4th day / 12mm
August 22nd / 28th 4th day / 9mm
September 19/27 ° 6 days / 23 mm
October 15/23 ° 6 days / 29 mm
November 11/19 ° 8 days / 43 mm
December 9/15 ° 10 days / 49 mm
- Climate : Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot but not hot summers. The rainiest months are autumn ones, from January to March the Tramontana blows. Average temperatures range from a minimum of 8 ° to a maximum of 28 °
- Best time: it is a purely summer destination, therefore the recommended period is from June to September to fully enjoy the sea and the sun and avoid rainfall
- Period to avoid : since it is a summer destination, from October to April and not recommended
- Advice : the mild climate requires spring / summer clothing, with a sweatshirt to wear in the evening. The best way to get around is on foot, so don’t forget comfortable shoes. Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen are essential
Which island to go to
The Tremiti archipelago consists of five small islands, only two are inhabited : the island of San Nicola, where the historic town of San Nicola di Tremiti is located, and San Domino, the largest and most important .
The other islands are uninhabited. At the Capraia it is not allowed to disembark, many excursions stop in fact a few meters from its banks to admire the submerged statue of Padre Pio; the Cretaccio, a small island composed mainly of rocks, between San Domino and San Nicola; and finally the Pianosa, which is part of the Integral Martina Reserve, and however the landing and navigation within 500 meters from the island are prohibited, scuba diving can only be done with authorized diving guides.
- San Domino : is the largest, most important and most beautiful island. The Mediterranean scrub dominates the landscape, you can arrive by sea with all the connections and you can move on foot. To fully enjoy the beauty and to circumnavigate by boat
- San Nicola : it is the historical, religious and administrative center of the archipelago with the largest abbey on the Mediterranean sea, that of S. Maria a Mare, whose remains can be visited
What to see: activities, beaches and places of interest
- Grotta del Bue Marino : in San Domino, one of the most enchanting caves on the island, so called because the Monk Seal frequented it until the 1950s. Natural rocky cavity up to 14 m high and about 70 m long, inside an intense blue sea
- Cala delle Arene : the only sandy beach in San Domino, easy to reach, perfect for a day of sea and sunbathing. The sand is white, the sea with shallow waters, clear and transparent. In high season it can be very crowded
- Tour of the Tremiti by boat : best way to admire all the caves and coves otherwise unreachable and to dive into the very blue and clear sea. The most popular tours include San Domino and the coasts of Capraia
- Diving and snorkeling : the archipelago is part of the Tremiti Nature Reserve, the stretch of sea around Pianosa and even integral reserve. Thanks to this protection, the flora and fauna that populate these waters are almost intact, which makes them perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling with mask and snorkel.
- Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare : in San Nicola, it has been standing on the coast of the island for over 1,000 years. There are many legends related to its construction. It was a refuge against the Turkish invasions of 1567 and against the English during the Napoleonic period. Inside there is also a precious mosaic floor recently restored
- Pineta di San Domino : the center of the island is entirely covered by a luxuriant pine forest, consisting mainly of Aleppo pines. In the middle of the pine forest there is the “Rural Village”, or 12 colonial houses built in the woods in 1935. From here three paths branch off that lead to the exploration of the whole island on foot.
- Castello dei Badiali : it is part of the defensive complex of the island of San Nicola and was built at the behest of Carlo d’Angio, then expanded to become an impregnable fortress
- Archaeological area and Diomede’s Tomb : inhabited since ancient times, the Tremiti Islands were known as the Diomedee Islands, as evidenced by the remains on the plateau of San Nicola, which include a Roman domus and a Greco-Roman necropolis
- Scoglio dell’Elefante : wind and water have dug and created suggestive natural sculptures along the coast of the island of San Domino. The most famous is the Elephant rock, which resembles a giant elephant with its trunk partially immersed in water
- I Pagliai : along the northern coast of San Domino there are about ten rocks that surround one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Their shape, vaguely pyramidal, at first sight recalls the heaps of straw that can be seen in the fields after threshing
How much does a holiday at the Tremiti cost
Prices, offers and advice
The Tremiti Islands are very beautiful and represent the ideal destination for those who love the sea and unspoiled nature. The budget for a holiday in the archipelago, however, is quite high , as the costs to be faced are different and not always cheap.
Starting with the ferry , with an average cost of € 42.00 return, which can be even higher depending on the period and the type of boat. The expenses to be taken into account also include the stay, in a hotel in a double room on average from € 150.00 per night with breakfast included, while the apartments have a slightly lower cost, on average € 115.00 per night. Another expense, but absolutely essential, is that relating to the various boat excursions (on average from € 10.00 in low season to € 20.00 per couple per day). Umbrella and deckchair rental costs on average € 15.00.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 125.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: flights to Foggia or Pescara from € 39.00 – look at the offers
- Flight + hotel: Return flight + 7 days / 6 nights from € 828.00 per person – see the offers
Images and videos of the Tremiti Islands
Cala delle Arene: the only sandy beach of San Domino
Diving and snorkeling: Submerged statue of Padre Pio in Capraia
Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare, in San Nicola, overlooking the coast
Castello dei Badiali, on the island of San Nicola
Archaeological area and Diomede’s Tomb
Elephant rock, island of San Domino
I Pagliai, characteristic rocks along the northern coast of San Domino
Shots of the Tremiti islands
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