Free walking tours in San Giovanni Rotondo and what to see

Must-sees

San Giovanni Rotondo is in the interior of the Gargano, in the province of Foggia, and is one of Italy's great pilgrimage destinations thanks to Padre Pio, who lived here for 52 years. The focus of the visit is the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with the Capuchin friary, where you can see the saint's cell and the choir of the old church, where he received the stigmata in 1918.

Next to it stands the church of San Pio, designed by Renzo Piano, with a plan inspired by the Archimedean spiral and great stone arches. Its mosaic-decorated crypt holds the saint's body. Close by is the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital, founded by Padre Pio, and a monumental Way of the Cross climbs the mountainside. Away from the sanctuary, the town has a small old centre that also deserves a stroll.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in San Giovanni Rotondo. What is on offer are private tours of the places associated with Padre Pio, useful if you want to understand the history of the sanctuary and the friary. Many visitors arrive in parish groups with their own guide. You can also see everything on your own, as the main sites are close to one another.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the sanctuary, the new church, the crypt and the friary, or a full day if you want to attend Mass or walk the Way of the Cross. With two days you can go up to Monte Sant'Angelo, with the sanctuary of Saint Michael, a World Heritage Site, or down to the Gargano coast towards Manfredonia or Vieste. The Gargano National Park also offers forest trails.

Where to stay

Most accommodation is around the sanctuary, along the avenues leading to it, with many hotels designed for pilgrims and groups. From there you can walk to the churches. The old town has quieter guesthouses and apartments. If you want to combine the visit with the beach, Manfredonia and the Gargano coast are about half an hour away by car.