White sea stacks and turquoise sea
On the southern coast of the Gargano, between Mattinata and Vieste, the Baia delle Zagare is one of the most famous and photographed bays in Apulia: a crescent of white pebbles and sand at the foot of high limestone cliffs covered with Aleppo pines, facing a sea of extraordinary turquoise and emerald colours. Its name comes from the "zagare", the white blossoms of the citrus groves that once covered the slopes above, perfuming the air in spring.
Its symbols are two white faraglioni, sea stacks rising from the water just off the beach: the Arco di San Felice, a natural arch of rock pierced by the sea, and the Faraglione dei Gabbiani, the "Seagulls' Stack", a tall pointed spire. The coast around is dotted with sea caves, such as the Grotta dei Contrabbandieri, and other coves and beaches, such as Vignanotica and Mergoli, which can be reached on foot along steep paths or by boat. Part of the bay is reserved for a hotel, which runs a lift carved into the cliff, but the rest is accessible from the sea. Mattinata, a village on the slope of the mountain, is known for its olive oil and almonds.
Tip: the best way to see the stacks and caves is a boat trip from Mattinata or Vieste; the beach of Vignanotica, reachable on foot, is a quieter alternative.
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