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

Margherita di Savoia is a charming 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 what to do and what to see in Margherita di Savoia, not before knowing 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 salt workers (as the inhabitants of Margherita di Savoia were called) took refuge on the outskirts of Barletta. Since then, even when they returned, they remained under the dependency of Barletta, to the extent that “Margherita” took the name “Saltworks of 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 “exceptional salts.” 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 Saltworks of Margherita di Savoia

The history of Margherita di Savoia is inextricably linked to its saltworks. The inhabitants are called interchangeably margheritani or salinari. The sea saltworks of Margherita di Savoia is by far the largest in Europe. The saltworks area extends over about 4500 hectares, with a water-covered surface of about 4000 hectares. The nature of the soil, mostly clay, which guarantees a high degree of impermeability, favors the saturation of salt in the seawater. To learn about the history of the saltworks, a visit to the historical saltworks museum is recommended.

3 Protected Area of Margherita di Savoia

The wetland of the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia has been declared an Internationally Important Wetland Area under the Ramsar convention and is one of the most important in Italy for the resting, nesting, and wintering of about 200 species of water birds, including the famous pink heron.

4 Sea of Margherita di Savoia

Sea holidays in Margherita di Savoia. The crystal clear and clean sea and a wide and equipped beach make Margherita di Savoia a recommended destination for a summer holiday. In addition to the sun and relaxation on the many equipped beaches, you can practice fishing tourism and water sports and enjoy events that enliven the whole summer in Margherita.

5 Margherita di Savoia Spa

Spa holidays at Margherita di Savoia. The spas of Margherita di Savoia are among the oldest in Europe. The spas have always utilized the muds and mother waters from salt extraction and offer a wide 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 Margherita di Savoia Wetland

A visit to the Margherita di Savoia wetland is highly recommended. The area constitutes a unique naturalistic ecosystem and is a reference point for migratory and resident birds. The natural area is of great interest for observing many bird species, among which the beautiful pink flamingos stand out. Inside the characteristic Salinieri Village, where an educational activity preparatory to the visit takes place, a wooden bridge camouflaged with reeds has been created into a birdwatching observatory. 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 drive to Margherita di Savoia via 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 who choose to fly, the closest airport is Bari Palese, about 50 km away.

8 What to Eat in Margherita di Savoia

The strength of the cuisine of Margherita di Savoia lies in the combination of local land and sea products, skillfully used to prepare refined dishes suitable for all palates. The excellent local catch is enhanced in the kitchen when paired with agricultural products from the sandy shores. The uniqueness of the sandy soils guarantees distinctive and characteristic qualities to agricultural products of the territory such as potatoes, vegetables, carrots, and onions. The particularity of the shoreline soil and traditional care have led to the IGP recognition of the white onion of Margherita di Savoia, a key ingredient of the local good cuisine.

9 Where to eat in Margherita di Savoia

The dishes carefully and refinedly prepared by local restaurateurs, respecting traditions, guarantee a varied and quality culinary offer. The proposed dishes, a sweet combination of land and sea, satisfy even the most demanding palates. Here are some restaurants in Margherita di Savoia that we had the chance to try: 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 dining experience represents excellence, like the rest of Apulia.

10 Where to sleep in Margherita di Savoia

The hotels in Margherita di Savoia cater to all budgets. Alongside the traditional hotel offer, the extra-hotel sector is also easily found. The local accommodation facilities are of good quality and are spread along the entire coast and in the historic center of the town. An excellent structure for location and quality/price ratio is the hotel Margherita located in the Thermal Square, just a few steps from the center and the beach that extends behind the accommodation facility. For those with a higher spending capacity, nearby is the Grande Hotel delle Terme, large and luxurious.