Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Vieste

Enterprise car hire locations in Vieste

Vieste is located in the province of Foggia and the easternmost part of Gargano promontory. The closest airport for international transfers is Bari-Palese, 180km away. If you're in no hurry, the area is well-served by bus and train, but routes are rarely direct. Waits can also be long, so you'll need to set aside at least 9 hours to reach Vieste by public transport. Alternatively, there's an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch at the airport, and by road, you'll be there in just over 2 hours.

What to do and see in Vieste

Positioned on the Adriatic coast, the municipality of Vieste extends to Sfinale Bay in the north and the bay of Vignanotica to the south. With an economy that was historically reliant on fishing and agriculture, this picturesque town is now a tourist hub. From the narrow streets of the historic old town to the natural beauty of the Umbrian forest in the west, there's plenty to entertain and engage.

For those who love the water, Vieste is the perfect destination. Sitting between two golden stretches of beach, you have multiple options for catching the rays. Spiaggia di San Lorenzo is right next to the Marina, while to the south is Spiaggia del Castello, where you can see Pizzomunno, a vertical column of rock formed by centuries of wave erosion. At over 26 metres high, legend has it that physically circling this monolith will make a wish come true.

History buffs will be delighted by the narrow streets and original architecture of Vieste's old town. This is also where you'll find your souvenirs – there are always bazaars in the alleyways, but during the summer months, random shops pop up in houses to service the tourist trade. Looking for something a little more serene? Vieste Cathedral on Via Vescovado is one of the oldest in the Gargano region, built in the Apulian Romanesque style. The 18th-century bell tower is still intact, and you can even take an official tour.

If you really want to immerse yourself in the culture of Vieste, plan your trip for May. This is when the Feast of Santa Maria is held and involves a procession where the statue of the Madonna is carried through the town to the shrine of Merino.

As you'd expect for a coastal location, seafood is the speciality here. The town is too small for a restaurant district, so just aim for the water and pick an eatery based on whim. Olives are a major crop in the Gargano peninsula, so you can also look forward to ad hoc oil tastings in shops and restaurants. Foodies can combine three local specialities in one by choosing a fish Orecchiette (pasta) dish with garlic-infused olive oil drizzled over the top.

Travelling with kids? Book windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons, or consider a transparent canoe trip. As you paddle along the coast, you can see the sea life teeming under your feet. With a car or van hire in Vieste, you can head to the wild beaches of Baia delle Zagare, Cala della Pipa or Cala della Cattedrale to start your tour.

Driving in Vieste

Vieste is conveniently connected to the rest of Italy via motorway. Drive in from the north via the exit from Poggio Imperiale (A14), use Candela A16 if you are coming from Naples and use Foggi A14 from Bari.

Italian drivers are renowned for their aggressive approach, so getting behind the wheel of a car hire in Vieste can be intimidating for first-timers. But don't be put off! Although it might feel like things are moving faster than you're used to, it will soon become the norm. Just stay alert, and remember to carry a paper map or GPS – phone signals can be spotty in many areas, so you don't want to rely on a mobile device when exploring further afield.

Just like many other towns in Italy, Vieste operates a ZTL (Zone a Traffico Limitato). This is a restricted traffic zone that applies at specific times of the day and year to certain areas. In Vieste, there are two zones: Centro Storico and Borgo Ottocentesco. Between June and September, from 20:00 to 07:00 every night, vehicle access to these areas is restricted unless you have a pre-arranged permit. Even if you drive in by mistake, fines will be enthusiastically applied, so remember what these circular signs look like: a red ring around a white circle.

If you want to park and have a wander on foot, you have a couple of options. Metered on-street parking is usually available, and road surface markings indicate appropriate usage. Parking spaces in blue have the pay and display marking, while those in white are free with a time restriction of 30 minutes or one hour. Yellow spaces are reserved for official vehicles and taxis, and you will be fined and even possibly towed if you use them inappropriately.

Finally, you should be mindful of the driving habits of the locals. In particular, beware of sudden lane changes, as many don't use indicators. While roundabouts are officially considered an intersection and have priority signs or road markings, most drivers don't pay attention to the rules. The same goes for junctions when even slowing down is considered passé.

Car and van hire in Italy with Enterprise

Enterprise Italy offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Vieste

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Vieste

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Vieste, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.