Brindisi, Puglia, Italy
Where the ancient Appian Way meets the Adriatic. Brindisi offers Roman relics, Baroque villages, and the trulli of Alberobello — all from a compact, walkable old town.
Where the ancient Appian Way meets the Adriatic. Brindisi offers Roman relics, Baroque villages, and the trulli of Alberobello — all from a compact, walkable old town.
Brindisi has two docking areas — which one your ship uses determines how you get into town.
💡 Pro move: Confirm your docking terminal the night before — it changes your plan significantly.
Brindisi handles cruise ships at two berths depending on ship size.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Major cruise lines (MSC, Costa, Royal Caribbean) | Costa Morena Cruise Terminal, outer harbor📍 | Docked |
| Smaller ships & expedition vessels | Sant'Apollinare Pier / Seno di Levante, inner harbor📍 | Docked |
Brindisi is a great base for Puglia's highlights — whether you stay in town or venture into the iconic trulli country.
A UNESCO World Heritage site unlike anything else in Europe. Alberobello's whitewashed trulli — conical-roofed limestone houses — fill an entire hillside neighborhood. About 1 hour by car or organized coach.
Find Alberobello shore excursions →Called the 'Florence of the South,' Lecce is 40 minutes from Brindisi and packed with extravagant Baroque churches and palazzi carved from golden local limestone. The Basilica di Santa Croce is unmissable.
Find Lecce day trips →The Roman Columns that once marked the end of the Via Appia, the 11th-century Cathedral on Piazza Duomo, Castello Svevo (Frederick II's land castle), and the waterfront Lungomare — all within easy walking distance.
Find Brindisi walking tours →Ostuni — the dazzling 'White City' — crowns a hilltop with whitewashed lanes and a 15th-century Gothic cathedral. Combine it with a drive through olive groves and charming villages like Locorotondo or Cisternino.
Find Ostuni tours →A protected coastal reserve about 20 km north of Brindisi with clear Adriatic water, white sand, and no development. Great for a relaxed swim if your call day is warm.
Find beach excursions from Brindisi →Sample the region's signature dishes — orecchiette with cime di rapa, burrata, fave e cicorie, and local Primitivo wine. Cooking classes and market tours are available in both Brindisi and nearby masserie (farmhouses).
Find Puglia food tours →Brindisi's compact old town rewards a relaxed stroll along the harbor and through its ancient piazzas.
Start at the surviving Roman Column on Via Colonne — the ancient marker of the Appian Way's terminus — then walk inland through the old town to Piazza Duomo for the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista and the nearby Museo Archeologico Ribezzo.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Follow the palm-lined seafront promenade along the inner harbor, past the Castello Alfonsino visible on Sant'Andrea island, continuing toward the Castello Svevo. Great views of the port and perfect for a morning coffee stop.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Brindisi, Puglia, Italy (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55°F / 13°C | 44°F / 7°C | 10 | 7:10 AM | 4:45 PM |
| Feb | 58°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 8 | 6:42 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 47°F / 8°C | 10 | 5:59 AM | 5:54 PM |
| Apr | 66°F / 19°C | 51°F / 11°C | 9 | 6:09 AM | 7:27 PM |
| May | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 8 | 5:31 AM | 7:58 PM |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 67°F / 19°C | 5 | 5:17 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | 3 | 5:30 AM | 8:17 PM |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 4 | 5:59 AM | 7:45 PM |
| Sep | 81°F / 27°C | 67°F / 19°C | 6 | 6:29 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Oct | 72°F / 22°C | 60°F / 16°C | 8 | 6:59 AM | 6:07 PM |
| Nov | 65°F / 18°C | 54°F / 12°C | 11 | 6:35 AM | 4:30 PM |
| Dec | 58°F / 14°C | 47°F / 8°C | 8 | 7:05 AM | 4:21 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis wait at both Costa Morena (~4 km from old town) and Sant'Apollinare (~2 km) terminals. Journey is 6–15 min; confirm fare before departure as surcharges apply for luggage, nights, and Sundays.
From the Sant'Apollinare terminal, the historic center is about 2 km — a pleasant 20–25 min walk along the waterfront promenade. Costa Morena is further at ~4 km.
A guided 1-hour panoramic open-bus or mini-train tour departing from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II near the port entrance. Good for a quick city overview; not a hop-on hop-off service.
Pre-bookable private transfers (e.g. EasyTransfer24, Daytrip) offer fixed-price rides port-to-city or onward to Alberobello, Ostuni, or Lecce with English-speaking drivers.
Organized excursions to Alberobello (UNESCO trulli), Ostuni, Lecce, or Matera include guaranteed return to the ship. Popular for passengers who want to cover more ground than Brindisi itself.
Upcoming cruises that call at Brindisi, Puglia, Italy. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.