Most travellers end up in Brindisi because they need a ferry — to Greece, to Albania, or onward to the eastern Mediterranean. The port has been doing this job for over two thousand years: it was the terminus of the Via Appia, and the Roman column marking the end of the road still stands on the waterfront.
The town deserves more than just a wait between connections. The old centre has a handful of interesting churches, including the Romanesque San Giovanni al Sepolcro with its frescoed interior, and the waterfront promenade along the inner harbour is a pleasant walk. The Museo Archeologico Francesco Ribezzo on the harbour front holds a strong collection of Messapian bronzes and Roman finds from the port. Brindisi also makes a reasonable base for exploring the rest of Puglia's Salento region — Lecce is only 40 minutes away by train. Ferry services to Greece run year-round, though departures are less frequent outside summer.