Italy uses the euro (EUR). Cash is useful to have on hand for candles, donations at the sanctuary, local restaurants, and souvenir shops. ATMs are available in the town center. Most hotels and larger restaurants accept credit cards, but smaller family-run trattorias and market stalls typically prefer cash.
The Gargano National Park surrounding the town offers beautiful forests, dramatic coastal cliffs, and hiking trails. Monte Sant'Angelo, just 30 minutes away by car, is another major pilgrimage site — a UNESCO World Heritage sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel Michael built inside a natural cave. The Adriatic coast and its beaches are also within easy reach, making the area a rewarding combination of spiritual and natural exploration.
San Giovanni Rotondo is famous as the home of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the most venerated Catholic saints of the 20th century. The Sanctuary of Saint Pio, designed by architect Renzo Piano, houses his tomb and draws millions of pilgrims and visitors each year. The older church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Capuchin convent — where Padre Pio lived and heard confessions — are also open to visitors.
The town welcomes visitors year-round, but the feast day of Padre Pio on September 23 is a particularly special time to visit, with a solemn Mass, street procession, and cultural events. Spring and fall offer mild, comfortable weather for exploring the town and the surrounding Gargano National Park. Summer draws larger crowds, especially during August when many Italians take their holidays.
Italian is the official language of Italy. In San Giovanni Rotondo, most staff at hotels and the sanctuary speak at least basic English, as the site draws international pilgrims and visitors. Masses at the sanctuary are celebrated primarily in Italian, though multilingual printed materials and audio guides are often available for the major pilgrimage sites.
Respectful, modest dress is required throughout the sanctuary complex. Shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. Bare shoulders, shorts, and revealing clothing are not permitted inside the churches or the crypt where Padre Pio's remains lie. During peak pilgrimage periods, the sanctuary can be very busy, so it is worth arriving early in the morning for a quieter, more contemplative visit.
San Giovanni Rotondo sits in the heart of Puglia, one of Italy's finest food regions. Try orecchiette pasta with turnip greens (cime di rapa), lamb dishes roasted with local herbs, fresh burrata cheese, taralli (small savory crackers), and focaccia Pugliese. The local olive oil is exceptional. For something sweet, try pasticciotto — a short-crust pastry filled with custard cream, a Puglian classic.
