Brindisi and the Messapian towns

Who should base themselves around Brindisi, and who should look elsewhere?

Brindisi works for a late arrival or an early flight at Brindisi airport (BDS), or for a countryside masseria with a spa in Mesagne, Oria or Latiano: four of the 13 confirm one. The area has 13 stays on The Puglia Edit in five comuni, in estimated price bands 1 to 3. A beach holiday belongs in another area: none of the 13 confirms a private beach.

Italia.it points visitors in Brindisi to the Roman Columns above the Scalinata Virgiliana by the harbor and to piazza Duomo, the city’s oldest square, with the cathedral and the archaeological museum. It suggests setting out on foot from the old town.

Palazzo Virgilio is a four-star hotel with 63 rooms and 3 suites beside the station and the port, and Grande Albergo Internazionale, with 67 rooms on the seafront, says it is open all year. Masseria Vaccaro is a boutique hotel made from a 17th-century rural residence, with a pool for guests.

For what is on in town, see the Brindisi page on Andiamo in Puglia (in Italian); the same site also covers Punta Penne (in Italian).

Which towns around Brindisi have stays, and what is each known for?

Mesagne has two of the area’s spa stays. Masseria Elysium is a villa built in 1800 as an agricultural estate, with 10 rooms and 2 suites, the Eden SPA and weddings on 12 hectares. Tenuta Moreno is a four-star hotel with 84 rooms, built around a house from the 1700s, with a pool, a spa and small pets on request.

Antica Masseria Martuccio, also in Mesagne, is a 17th-century masseria with 28 rooms that hosts weddings with civil rites on site and says it is open all year.

Oria became the capital of Messapia, the territory the area is named for, according to italia.it, and it keeps a castle tied to Frederick II, with a triangular plan and three towers. Masseria Palombara is a 16th-century masseria with 20 rooms reserved for adults, two pools, a spa and weddings on an exclusive basis. Latiano has Relais Marchesi Imperiali, four single-storey buildings on 4 hectares of lawn, with three pools and a spa.

What kinds of stay are around Brindisi, and what do they cost?

Five are masserie, five are hotels, two are boutique hotels and one is a palazzo. Eight sit in estimated price band 1, under €250 a night for a double room in high season, four in band 2, €250 to €450, and one in band 3, €450 to €750. Why most bands are estimates is set out on How we select.

The four with a spa are listed together in the spa retreats collection, and Masseria Palombara, which states exclusive use for weddings, is in the exclusive-use collection.

Choosing a base here

When to go

Oria stages its historical pageant, the Corteo Storico di Federico II and the Torneo dei Rioni, in August, according to italia.it. Masseria Palombara writes of porticoes for hot summer days and fireplaces for winter evenings; neither line states when it is open. Antica Masseria Martuccio and Grande Albergo Internazionale say they are open all year, and Masseria Baroni Nuovi opens from March to November. For the other ten, opening months are not confirmed, so ask the property before planning a winter trip.

Getting there

Brindisi (BDS) is the airport for the whole area. Palazzo Virgilio, Hotel Orientale and Boutique Hotel Executive Inn all describe a position convenient for the airport and the railway station. Palazzo Virgilio lists a paid transfer to and from Brindisi and Bari airports, Masseria Vaccaro a transfer from airports and train stations, and Tenuta Moreno a hotel shuttle from Bari airport. The masserie in Mesagne, Oria and Latiano are easier with a car. Each stay page shows its distance to both airports when its position is precise.

Towns and villages

Brindisi, Mesagne, Oria, Francavilla Fontana, San Pietro Vernotico, Latiano, Erchie, Cellino San Marco, San Donaci, San Pancrazio Salentino, Torchiarolo, Torre Santa Susanna, Tuturano.