Cosa fare e cosa vedere a Margherita di Savoia, fra saline e mare

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 see in Margherita di Savoia, not before knowing its origins.

10 Things to do and see in Margherita di Savoia

1 Margherita di Savoia through time

At the beginning of the 14th century, to escape the Saracen raids and the pestilent air of the swamp, the salinari (as the inhabitants of Margherita di Savoia were called) took refuge on the outskirts of Barletta. Since then, even when they returned, they remained dependent on Barletta, to the point 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 a depot 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 marine saltworks of Margherita di Savoia is by area the largest in Europe. The saltworks area extends for about 4500 hectares, with a water-covered surface of about 4000 hectares. The nature of the soil, mostly clayey, which ensures 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 under the Ramsar convention and is one of the most important in Italy for the stopover, 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 and well-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 animate the entire Margherita summer.

5 Margherita di Savoia Spa

Spa holidays in Margherita di Savoia. The spas of Margherita di Savoia are among the oldest in Europe. The spas, which have always utilized the mud and mother waters from salt extraction, offer a wide variety of treatments. Many services are offered by the spa 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 natural ecosystem and is a reference point for migratory and resident birds. The natural area is of great interest for observing many species of birds, among which the beautiful pink flamingos stand out. Inside the characteristic Salinieri Village, where an educational activity preparing for the visit takes place, a wooden bridge 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 aquatic 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 when coming from the South or the Cerignola exit when coming from the North. For those who prefer to arrive by train, the main 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 paired with agricultural products from the sandy shores. The peculiarity of the sandy soils guarantees unique and distinctive characteristics to the local agricultural products such as potatoes, vegetables, carrots, and onions. The uniqueness of the shoreline soil and the traditional care have also led to the IGP recognition for the white onion of Margherita di Savoia, a key ingredient of the fine local 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, also satisfy 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 restaurant industry represents excellence, like the rest of Apulia.

10 Where to stay in Margherita di Savoia

The hotels in Margherita di Savoia cater to all budgets. Alongside the traditional hotel offerings, it is also easy to find options in the extra-hotel sector. The local accommodations are of good quality and are spread along the entire coast and in the historic center of the town. An excellent choice for location and value for money is the Hotel Margherita, located in Piazza delle Terme, just a few steps from the center and the beach which extends behind the accommodation. For those with a higher budget, nearby is the Grande Hotel delle Terme, large and luxurious.