Things to do and see in Margherita di Savoia, between salt pans and sea

Margherita di Savoia is a lively seaside town in the province of Barletta Andria Trani, in Puglia, with a very ancient history. The site was already known in the 3rd century BC as Salinis and depended on the pre-Roman center of Salapia.

With the spread of Christianity, in the 12th century the location is documented as Sancta Maria de Salis. Let’s see things to do and see in Margherita di Savoia, not before learning about its origins.

10 Things to do and see in Margherita di Savoia

1 Margherita di Savoia over time

At the beginning of the 14th century, to escape Saracen raids and the pestilential air of the swamp, the salinari (so called the inhabitants of Margherita di Savoia), took refuge in the outskirts of Barletta. Since then, even when they returned, they remained dependent on Barletta, so much so that “Margherita” took the name “Saline di Barletta”.

From the 16th century the Torrione still stands, an ancient defensive structure against Turkish raids, flanked by old 17th-century buildings that served as storage for “Sali d’eccezione“. Only after the Unification of Italy, in 1879, was the name changed to Margherita di Savoia in honor of the first queen of Italy. The Torrione houses the Municipal Art Gallery “F. Galante Civera”.

2 The Salt Pans of Margherita di Savoia

The history of Margherita di Savoia is inextricably linked to its salt pans. The inhabitants are interchangeably called margheritani or salinari. The sea salt pan of Margherita di Savoia is the largest in Europe by area. The salt pan area extends for about 4500 hectares, with an area covered by water of about 4000 hectares. The nature of the mostly clayey soil, which guarantees a high degree of impermeability, favors the saturation of marine water salt. To learn about the history of the salt pans, a visit to the Historical Salt Pan Museum is recommended.

3 Protected Area of Margherita di Savoia

The wetland of the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia has been declared a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and is one of the most important in Italy for the resting, nesting, and overwintering of about 200 species of water birds, including the famous pink heron.

4 Sea of Margherita di Savoia

Beach holidays in Margherita di Savoia. The crystal clear and clean sea and a wide equipped beach make Margherita di Savoia a recommended destination for a summer holiday. Besides sun and relaxation at the many equipped beach clubs, you can enjoy fishing tourism and water sports and attend events that enliven the entire Margherita summer.

5 Thermal Baths of Margherita di Savoia

Spa holidays in Margherita di Savoia. The thermal baths of Margherita di Savoia are among the oldest in Europe. The baths have always used the mud and mother waters from salt extraction and offer a rich variety of treatments. Many services are offered by the thermal establishment, including a SPA for new beauty and wellness treatments.

6 Guided tours in the wetland area of Margherita di Savoia

A visit to the wetland of Margherita di Savoia is highly recommended. The area forms a unique natural ecosystem and is a point of reference for migratory and resident birds. The natural area is of great interest for the observation of many bird species among which the beautiful pink flamingos stand out. Inside the characteristic Villaggio dei Salinieri where an educational activity preparatory to the visit takes place, a wooden footbridge camouflaged with reeds has been built as an Observatory for birdwatching. The observatory is the ideal place to enjoy the spectacle offered by the many species of water birds present in the protected area.

7 How to get to Margherita di Savoia

Those who choose to arrive by car to Margherita di Savoia along the A14 Bari-Bologna must take the Andria Barletta exit coming from the South or the Cerignola exit coming from the North. For those who prefer to arrive by train, the reference station is Barletta. For those choosing to fly, the nearest airport is Bari Palese about 50 Km away.

8 What to eat in Margherita di Savoia

A strong point of the cuisine of Margherita di Savoia is the combination of local products from land and sea, skillfully used for the preparation of refined dishes suitable for all palates. The excellent local catch is enhanced in the kitchen paired with the agricultural products of the sandy soils. The particularity of the sandy soil guarantees to agricultural products of the territory such as potatoes, vegetables, carrots, and onions unique and characteristic traits. The peculiarity of the sandy soil and traditional care led to the recognition of PGI to the white onion of Margherita di Savoia, a protagonist of the good local cuisine.

9 Where to eat in Margherita di Savoia

Dishes prepared with care and refinement by local restaurateurs, respecting traditions, guarantee a varied and quality culinary offer. The proposed dishes, a sweet combination of land and sea, also satisfy the most demanding palates. Here are some restaurants in Margherita di Savoia we have tried: the tasty Ristorante Traiano on Via Traiano 1; the starred Canneto Beach 2 on Via Amoroso 11; the refined Oasi Beach on Via Vespucci; the specialized in fish Ristorante Rinelli on Via Garibaldi 108; the typical Osteria al Vicoletto on Via Vittorio Veneto 12. In general, the local cuisine is good and the catering represents an excellence, like the rest of Puglia.

10 Where to sleep in Margherita di Savoia

The hotels in Margherita di Savoia suit all budgets. Alongside the traditional hotel offer, there is also the extra-hotel accommodation sector easily available. Local accommodations are of good quality and are spread along the coast and in the historic center of the town. An excellent structure for position and quality/price ratio is the hotel Margherita located in Terme Square, a few steps from the center and the beach behind the accommodation. For those with a higher budget, nearby you can find the Grande Hotel delle Terme, large and luxurious.