4Explore the Isole Tremiti

The islands of the Isole Tremiti lie 36km off Puglia’s northern coastline. Although they’re a popular summer getaway for Italian tourists, go in the shoulder seasons and you’ll likely have the islands mostly to yourself.

The largest island is San Domino, which is where ferries from the mainland dock. Hire a bike to explore its coastline and visit the islands’ only sandy beach, Cala delle Arene. The small island of San Nicola is home to the 11th-century Abbazia e Chiesa di Santa Maria, and offers good snorkelling and diving, while deserted Capraia is now uninhabited except for seabirds. Boat tours and day trips run from San Domino to San Nicola year-round, but you’ll need to arrange your own boat to reach Capraia.