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PUGLIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Olive trees as far as the eye can see, deep red earth, whitewashed seaside towns, and the sparkling blue waters of the sea are just some of the things you can expect when visiting Puglia.

This is the Southernmost region of Italy and a place full of unique culture, food, and unforgettable landscapes. The locals are friendly and generous with their time, perhaps due to the incredible climate they’re blessed with – the sun shines 300 days a year here! 

A trip to the region might include sojourning through coastal towns, trulli hunting through the Valle d’Itria, sightseeing in Lecce, sometimes described as the ‘Florence of the South, hiking in the Gargano, or indulging in the freshest burrata cheese of your life. Most famous for the towns of Alberobello and Polignano al Mare, there is so much more waiting to be uncovered. Keep reading for our ultimate Puglia travel guide. 

Article contents

Where is Puglia

Puglia is located in the heel of the Italian boot in the very deep South. The Adriatic and Ionian Sea hugs the region from left to right, and the region shares borders with Molise in the north, and Campania and Basilicata in the north west.

South of Rome, the capital, Bari , is easily reached with the high-speed train in just under four hours. Naples lies to the West and a fast train will similarly get you there in less than four hours. 

Map of Puglia

Main cities and towns in puglia.

As one of the larger regions of Italy (in fact the 7th out of 20) there are a great number of cities and towns worth exploring when you travel to Puglia. Consider visiting the following: 

• Bari: The capital (pictured above) is a great place to start or end your trip to Puglia thanks to the well-connected railway station and International Airport. Don’t miss wandering through the labyrinth-like streets of Bari Vecchia, watching the locals roll orecchiette in the streets, exploring the elegant Murat neighborhood, and strolling along the promenade with a detour to the little fish market on the port. 
• Lecce : Also known as the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is beautiful and unique in its own right. An extremely elegant Baroque city, it is also a University town and it shows in its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Don’t miss seeing the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, the Theatre Romain, the Porta Napoli gate, and of course make sure to take a sip of a caffe’ leccese .
• Polignano a Mare : Perhaps the most famous place in Puglia thanks to Instagram (or one of the many weddings in US soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful) is Polignano a Mare. Perched high up on the cliffs, there is an iconic sea view that looks out onto the little beach known as Lama Monachile. Wander the pretty streets of the old town and have your camera handy – you’re going to want to take lots of photos!
• Monopoli : A small fishing village, Monopoli is as pretty as a picture. A stroll through this whitewashed town that rests along the Adriatic Sea will unveil the beautiful Cathedral, a seaside fortress, fabulous restaurants and bars, and of course the beach! If you’re looking for picturesque fishing boats, you’re in the perfect town for a photo opportunity.
• Otranto : Looking for a popular beachside town? Otranto could be your ideal destination. A trip there should also include visiting its UNESCO listed old town ‘centro storico’ and beautiful Medieval castle.
• Alberobello : The other VIP town of Puglia is surely Alberobello, famous for its spectacular streets full of trulli, the traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs. Whilst Puglia is still relatively undiscovered by the crowds, the same cannot be said for this town so aim to arrive here very early for unimpeded walking. It also pays to do a guided tour here to understand the town on a deeper level. 
• Martina Franca : A jewel of Baroque beauty, Martina Franca is a little off the beaten track when it comes to Puglia towns worth visiting. Not overrun by tourists, you can easily lose yourself for a few moments in the little streets. Be sure to try capocollo here, a delicious local cured salami and try to time your visit to coincide with the popular Sunday Flea Market. 
• Locorotondo :  Whitewashed buildings and civic pride are a feature of this pretty town close to Alberobello, and Martina Franca. Locorotondo gets its name from its round like shape, so enjoy a wander through the streets and look out across the valley dotted with trulli . This town is also famous for its white wine so be sure to try some while you’re there.
• Grottaglie : In the center of the region, Grottaglie is the undisputed capital of ceramics in Puglia. Visit the ancient ceramics quarter and while away the hours as you visit workshop, after workshop in search of the perfect piece. 
• Ostuni : F amous for its stunning whitewashed buildings, Ostuni is another breathtakingly beautiful hilltop town to visit in Puglia. Catch glimpses of the Adriatic Sea as you wander through the narrow streets of the old town towards its Gothic style Cathedral. While not directly on the beach, you’ll find several only a short drive away from the center of town.
• Gallipoli : One of the most famous Pugliese towns, Gallipoli is on the Ionian Sea. The old town, connected to the new town by a bridge, is full of lovely Baroque architecture and pretty palazzi. Go for a swim at the sandy beach and relax at one of the many bars along the promenade with a spritz. 
• Vieste : Located in the Northern Gargano area of Puglia, Vieste is a stunning seaside town. Visit the Swabian Castle, relax at the beach here and use it as a base to access the Gargano National Park.
• Taranto : Taranto has a very long and fascinating history reflected in its culture and architecture. Relatively free from tourists, the archeological museum is worth a trip as is the 15th century Aragonese Castle. Look out for Greek remains and don’t skip a visit to the fish market.

Top things to do in Puglia

No matter your interests, this travel guide to Puglia aims to show you how many great activities and experiences to have when traveling in Puglia! Whether you’re a foodie, beach lover, or history buff, you’ll find plenty of choice in this sunkissed region. Some of our favorite activities include: 

Taste olive oil

Puglia is the most important region in Italy for olive oil, producing 40% of the country’s total supply! Gain a deeper understanding as to how extra virgin olive oil is made and the difference between store bought and locally produced with a guided tasting. Try Acropoli di Puglia in Martina Franca!

Visit spectacular beaches

Puglia has some of the best beaches in the country, so you can’t miss a visit to at least one or two! The Grotta della Poesia in Roca is one of the most spectacular with a now Instagram famous sheltered natural pool to dive into. Others include the Beach of Purity in Gallipoli, Santa Maria al Bagno, and Mora Mora Beach near Lecce.

Stay in a trullo

One of the most unique experiences you can have in Puglia is staying in a trullo, the characteristic hut from the Valle d’Itria. There are many options for staying in a trullo from B&B style to luxury trulli resorts .

READ: Our full guide to the Best things to do in Puglia .

Eat pesce crudo (Pugliese sashimi)

Pugliese love their raw fish! In particular, Barese (the people from Bari) are famous for it thanks to the absolute freshness of their seafood. Wander along the old port early in the morning and buy some raw squid, calamari, and sea urchins for a fresh, healthy snack.

Learn to make orecchiette pasta

One of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your travels is the ability to cook something from the region you visited. Pasta from Puglia is very easy to make at home and requires just durum wheat flour, water, and a knife – no machine required. Learn how to make pasta with this class in Lecce .

Explore the Baroque churches in Lecce

Marvel at the sheer beauty and richness of the Baroque churches in Lecce. There’s an old Pugliese joke that the town has more churches than residents and it might seem just the way as you wander through the streets. In particular, take time to visit the Duomo and Basilica di Santa Croce.

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What to eat and drink in Puglia

The cuisine of Puglia is rustic and full of wholegrains, vegetables, fresh fish, and creamy cheeses. Whilst the region is the biggest producer of wine in Italy, it was historically used for cheap, table wine. That’s all changing now and the region is full of up and coming wineries that celebrate the local grapes of Primitivo, Aglianico, Negroamaro, Fiano, and Greco.

Besides indulging in as much raw seafood as possible (don’t miss the gamberro rosso or red prawns), look out for these tasty dishes on your trip: 

• Orecchiette with cime di rapa: The typical pasta of the region takes its name from its little earlike shape. It’s made from durum wheat of which the region is full of and water – no eggs here. The most typical pairing is with vibrant cime di rapa (broccoli rabe).
• Bombette : If you’re not a seafood lover, or simply prefer meat then this dish is for you.  Bombette are fried pork meat skewers filled with cheese, and seasoned with salt and pepper. The best place to try them is in the Valle d’Itria.  
• Taralli : The typical savoury biscuits of Southern Italy, you’ll spot these frequently at aperitivo hour served alongside your spritz. You can find them spiked with fennel seeds, chilli, nuts, raisins or even sweet versions. 
• Focaccia Barese : This focaccia is seriously life-changing! The dough is light and fluffy and thicker than its Northern relative in Genoa thanks to being made with mashed potatoes. The most classic version is topped with ripe tomatoes, oregano, olive oil, and sometimes olives. The best place to try this is at Panificio Fiore in Bari.
• Mozzarella, burrata and stracciatella: Puglia is the land of creamy cow’s milk cheeses! Look out for mere hours’ old mozzarella, burrata and stracciatella or go and visit a local caseificio, dairy farm, to get it seconds after its made.   
• Pasticciotti: The perfect breakfast treat to have at the bar in Puglia is undoubtedly a pasticciotto . This little tart is filled with ricotta, custard, pistacchio paste, or jams.
• Caffe Leccese: Upgrade your coffee order to a caffe’ leccese when in Puglia! It’s a shot of espresso on ice and topped with almond syrup. Locals will tell you not to mix it, but it’s very refreshing either way. The best place to order this is unsurprisingly in Lecce.  
• Rustico Leccese: Another Lecce special, look out for this savoury pastry filled with mozzarella, bechamel, and tomato sugo. Be sure to enjoy this piping hot at  one of the city’s wonderful bakeries like Il Fornaio di Greco Francesco .

Where to stay in Puglia

Whilst tourism is still relatively new in Puglia, there are fantastic and unique accommodation options throughout the region. There are many traditional hotels, B and Bs and apartments in the major towns available at budget to luxury prices.

More interesting however are the masseria and trulli options you can stay in – provided you are traveling with access to a car. Masseria are traditional Pugliese farmhouses that were once used as fortresses in medieval times. Today, there are hundreds of these properties that dot the countryside including many luxurious options that come with swimming pools, spa services and on-site restaurants.

Trulli or traditional stone houses are another option which are also found in the Itria Valley countryside. 

When planning your trip to Puglia, Vieste is an excellent base if you’re planning on visiting the Gargano. Along the Adriatic Sea, Monopoli (pictured above) is a wonderful option with lots of facilities and a useful position on the train line.

For those wanting to stay in the Itria Valley, a car is absolutely necessary as there is limited public transport. Consider basing yourself in the countryside in a relaxing Masseria or Trulli house between Martina Franca and Locorotondo like Masseria San Michele . Further south in the Salento, Lecce makes for the best base as the major city (with a train line) so there are lots of accommodation and dining choices and easy access to the beaches.

When to go to Puglia

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Puglia and enjoy warm weather and beach time with fewer crowds.We visit the region in late May / early June on our Early Summer Puglia tour to take advantage of these ideal conditions.

Those who love the heat and swimming will enjoy the summertime in Puglia, although August is best avoided due to crowds, inflated prices, and the hottest temperatures.

There are incredible cultural festivals during the summer which are worth seeking out including the Night of San Giovanni in Ostuni, San Pietro e Paolo in Otranto, the Puglia Jazz Festival in Bari, the Alberobello Light Festival, La Notte della Taranta in the towns south of Lecce, and many more.

Early Autumn can be a lovely time for late season swimming and sightseeing with less tourists. You can join our Puglia tour in mid September to enjoy the longer sunny days and mild nights perfect for exploring the region and discovering its delicious cuisine.

Whilst Puglia enjoys a Mediterranean climate and plenty of sunshine throughout the year, it’s important to note that things get very quiet during the Winter. Many beachside towns essentially shut down in the colder months with beach clubs closing from early October and reopening in April.

With that said, Christmastime is one of the most magical times of the year in Puglia as the towns are lit up and decorated to the max and bands walk through the streets on Christmas Eve singing Christmas carols.

How to get to Puglia

There are two main international airports in the region at Bari in the North and Brindisi in the South. If you’re arriving in Puglia from abroad, it’s possible to get a connecting flight from most Italian cities here.

Alternatively, the fast train from Rome or Naples is a reliable option to get you to Bari the capital in less than four hours. Traveling by train in Italy is easy and comfortable with the added bonus of no security checks or luggage restrictions making this our preferred way to travel to Puglia.

If you’re arriving with your own wheels or with a rental car from Rome, it’s a four to five hour drive on the A1 and A16. From Naples, it’s a shorter three hour drive along the via A16/E842 and Autostrada A14/Autostrada.

How to get around Puglia

Travel in Puglia with public transport is not widely recommended as it is slow, there are few main train stations, and regional buses might pass through just once a day (leaving you without a way back).

For travelers who are determined to visit without a car, it is possible to get the train from Bari to Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, and Lecce easily. There is a train to Ostuni, but the station is a short distance away from the town so a taxi would be required to reach the old town. Whilst there are train stations at some of the other towns, there are not normally direct routes from Bari.

With that in mind, it is most convenient to rent a car to travel around Puglia. From Bari or Brindisi airport, you can pick up a rental car to travel around the region with ease, on your own schedule. We recommend using Auto Europe or Car Rental by booking.com to browse the best car rental options. You’ll find the best deals at Bari and Brindisi airports.

Let’s go to Puglia!

We hope our Puglia travel guide has Inspired you to visit Puglia. If you’re keen to learn more about this beautiful region of Italy have a listen to our podcast episode about Puglia’s Pilgrim Trails , or discover more Picturesque Towns of Puglia .

Want to discover Puglia with us? For a deeper local connection, why not join one of our Puglia small group tours . You can see what our guests think about our Untold Italy tours in Puglia by watching the video below.

Puglia, Italy

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Wonderful Time in Italy We were covered from the moment we landed in Rome. The drivers were great, the connections were flawless, and it was well-planned a...

Stretching 400km from north to south, the long, narrow Puglia peninsula forms the heel of Italy . For centuries it was a strategic province, colonised, invaded and conquered by just about every major power of the day – from the ancient Greeks through to the Spanish. These days clean seas and reliable sunshine are the draws for holiday-makers both Italian and foreign. Acres of campsite-and-bungalow-type tourist villages stud the shoreline, though there are still quiet spots to be found.

The best travel tips for visiting Puglia

What to do in puglia, food and drink, best places to stay in puglia, how to get around, how many days do you need in puglia, what is the best time to visit puglia, how to get here, tailor-made travel itineraries for italy, created by local experts.

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Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

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From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

From the atmospheric canals of Venice and the picturesque coastline of Cinque Terre, to the trendy designer boutiques of Milan and the Renaissance-infused streets of Florence, Northern Italy has plenty to offer. Experience it all with this comprehensive trip.

Each ruling dynasty left its mark on Puglia, whether it was the Romans’ agricultural schemes or feudal lords’ fortified medieval towns. Perhaps most distinctive are the kasbah-like quarters of many towns and cities, a vestige of the Saracen conquest of the 9th century. The one at Bari is the biggest and most atmospheric, as it is drawing visitors in the know for its ambience and excellent restaurants.

The Normans endowed Puglia with ornate cathedrals, while the Baroque exuberance of towns like Lecce and Martina Franca is a testament to the Spanish legacy. Lecce is definitely worth a visit for its crazed confection of Baroque churches and laidback café life.

But if there’s one legacy that stands out, it’s the imposing castles built by the Swabian Frederick II – foremost of which are the Castel del Monte and the remnants of the palace at Lucera.

Brindisi , best known for its ferry connections with Greece , lies just 15km away from the dunes of the Torre Guaceto nature reserve.

The forested Gargano promontory, fringed by sandy beaches, seaside hotels and campsite villages, makes a good place for a family holiday. The best escape is to the dry and rocky Salentine peninsula, where there are beautiful coves and sea caves to swim in.

RoughGuides tip: browse our Italy itineraries and find the best option to suit your tastes.

Torre Guaceto, Puglia © Shutterstock

There's enough to do in this charming region nestled in the southern part of Italy. With its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and delectable cuisine, Puglia offers an array of captivating experiences for every traveler to indulge in.

#1 Swim at the beaches near Vieste

Vieste is a popular holiday town, but its charm, character and fun nightlife make it worth braving the August crowds for – or visiting out of season. The most obvious day trip is to the beaches.

Head for the small one between the promontories; north to San Lorenzo, with fine, soft, gently shelving sand. Or just south of town, to sandy Pizzomunno. Nicest of all is the small Baia di San Felice, squeezed between two headlands and backed by pine trees.

If you want to swim away from the crowds, consider an organised boat trip to the grotto-ridden coastline around the headland of Testa del Gargano.

Salento Beach, Puglia, Italy © Shutterstock

#2 Marvel at the mysterious Castel del Monte

Although it lacks appeal today, Andria was a favourite haunt of Frederick II, who built its major attraction nearby in the 1240s.

The most extraordinary of all Puglia’s castles, Castel del Monte is an isolated fortress built around an octagonal courtyard in two storeys of eight rooms. Its mathematical precision, and the preoccupation with the number eight, have intrigued writers for centuries. Some say it is in fact an enormous astrological calendar, or inspired by the octagonal Omar mosque in Jerusalem.

Mystery surrounds its intended purpose. Although there was once an iron gate that could be lowered over the entrance, there are no other visible signs of fortification, and the castle may have served merely as a hunting lodge.

There is only one record of its use. The defeat of Manfred, Frederick’s illegitimate son, in 1266 signalled the end of Swabian power, and Manfred’s sons and heirs were imprisoned in the castle for more than 30 years.

Castel del Monte, famous medieval fortress in Puglia © Shutterstock

#3 Join in la dolce vita in Martina Franca

Martina Franca is a surprising town with a jubilant Baroque sensibility and a lively passeggiata at weekends. Southern Italy’s top performing arts festival, the annual Festival della Valle d’Itria, takes place here from mid-July to early August.

The main square, Piazza Roma, is dominated by the hulking 1688 Palazzo Ducale, now the town hall. A handful of rooms is open to the public on weekday mornings.

Across the square narrow Via Vittorio Emanuele leads right into the old town and Piazza Plebiscito, fronted by the undulating Baroque facade of the Chiesa di San Martino, an 18th-century church, of which only the campanile survives.

The roads running around the old town’s surviving 14th-century walls offer an excellent panorama of the Valle d’Itria and its neatly ordered fields dotted with trulli.

Martina Franca on a sunny summer morning, province of Taranto, Puglia © Shutterstock

#4 Wander whitewashed Ostuni

Ostuni is one of southern Italy’s most stunning small towns. Known as the “white city”, it is situated on three hills and was an important Greco-Roman city in the first century AD. Seven kilometres away, the popular sandy coastline has Blue Flag beaches.

The old centre spreads across the highest of the hills, a gleaming splash of sun-bleached streets and cobbled alleyways that provide a fascinating amble, and exceptional views.

Bits of Baroque twist out of unexpected places, including an ornamented 18th-century, a 21m-high obelisk dedicated to St Oronzo in Piazza della Libertà. On summer Saturday nights hordes of people drive in from the countryside, meet their friends here and pack out the bars and cafés.

Chiesa di San Vito church houses the Museo di Civiltà Preclassiche della Murgia Meridionale – its highlight is “Delia”, the crouched skeleton of a young pregnant woman, her bones decorated before burial some 28,000 years ago.

Ostuni, Italy © Shutterstock

#5 Linger in Lecce, the Florence of the South

Dubbed the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is a place to explore, with a wealth of fine architecture scattered about an appealing old town, as well as a few diverting Roman remains.

The exuberant building styles are the legacy of religious orders (Jesuits, the Teatini and Franciscans) who came to the region at the end of the 16th century, bringing an influx of wealth which paid for the opulent churches and palazzi that still pervade today’s city.

The flowery style of “Leccese Baroque” owed as much to the materials to hand as to the skills of the architects: the soft local sandstone could be intricately carved and then became hard with age.

For beaches, follow the Littoranea Otranto coast road through pinewoods where several paths lead to long stretches of dunes and rocky coves. Continue south to Roca Vecchia and Grotte Basiliane, a fascinating honeycomb of man-made caves carved into the soft sandstone. There’s a gorgeous natural sea pool here known as the Grotta della Poesia, a favourite spot for locals to launch themselves off the cliffs.

Scenic sight in Lecce, Puglia (Apulia), southern Italy @ Shutterstock

#6 Explore beautiful Otranto

Otranto, a kasbah-like town nestling around a harbour, is set in an arid, rocky and windblown landscape, with translucent seas to swim in.

The port overflows with tourists in August when Otranto’s nightlife is at its peak and the town is most entertaining, but the picturesque location and slow pace will reward visitors year-round, even if its gaudy souvenir shops detract a little from the charm of its winding whitewashed lanes.

The Romanesque Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata is worth a visit, its marble-columned nave adorned by an incredible multi-coloured mosaic. Not far from the cathedral, Aragonese Castello juts out into the bay, defending the harbour. Large parts of it have recently undergone renovation, and its hulking walls incorporate fragments of Roman and medieval inscriptions.

#7 Make the most of Puglia’s produce

Puglia is known as the breadbasket of Italy. It’s the source of 80 percent of Europe’s pasta – the most distinctive being ear-shaped orecchiette – and much of Italy’s fish. It produces more wine than Germany and more olive oil than all the other regions of Italy combined.

Puglia is famous for olives (from Cerignola), almonds (from Ruvo di Puglia), dark juicy tomatoes (often sun-dried), cime di rapa (turnip tops), fava beans, figs (fresh and dried), cotognata (a moulded jam made from quince) and for its melons, grapes and green cauliflower.

The influence of former rulers is still evident in the region’s food. Like the Greeks, Pugliesi eat lamb and goat spit-roast over herb-scented fires and deep-fried doughnut-like cakes steeped in honey; and like the Spanish, they drink almond milk, latte di mandorla.

#8 Island hop in the Tremiti islands

These rugged islands 40km off the Gargano coast are almost entirely given over to tourism in the summer when the tiny population is swamped by visitors. Despite this, they remain relatively unspoilt and the sea crystal clear.

The main Tremiti group consists of three islands:

Only the first two are inhabited. San Nicola is barren and rocky with a fortress, tiny church and no beaches, although there is nude bathing on its east side and good swimming off the whole island.

From there, a regular ferry takes about a minute to cross to San Domino, whose pines offer welcome shade from the heat. Although there’s a sandy beach – Cala delle Arene – right where the ferry lands, it’s packed in the summer. Your best bet is to follow the signs for the Villaggio TCI and make for quieter coves such as Cala dello Spido.

Puglia, Italy - the Tremiti archipelago with the cliffs of Pagliai in the foreground and the island of San Nicola in the background © Shutterstock

#9 Bed down in a trulli

Curious-looking trulli are dotted throughout the Murge area of Puglia. Cylindrical, whitewashed buildings with grey conical roofs tapering out to a point or sphere, are often adorned with painted symbols.

Unique to Puglia, their ancient origins are obscure, but are probably connected to feudal lords who made people working their land build their houses without mortar so they could easily be pulled down if tax inspectors came around.

The thick walls insulate equally against winter cold and summer heat, while local limestone is used to make the two-layered roofs watertight. Most trulli have just one room but when more space was needed, a hole was simply knocked in the wall and an identical structure was built next door.

Although originally they were both dwellings and storehouses, these days they’re being snapped up as holiday homes, and some are rented out as self-catering or B&B accommodation.

Rough Guides tip: Planning a trip to Italy? Check our Italy itineraries !

Puglia is known as the breadbasket of Italy. It’s the source of 80 percent of Europe’s pasta and much of Italy’s fish; it produces more wine than Germany and more olive oil than all the other regions.

The region's sun-kissed landscapes yield a bounty of fresh ingredients that have shaped its unique gastronomy. From olive groves to vineyards, Puglia's cuisine is a celebration of the land's rich bounty.

Some iconic dishes not to miss include:

• Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa: Puglia's signature pasta, orecchiette, pairs perfectly with the bitterness of cime di rapa (broccoli rabe), garlic, and chili flakes.
• Burrata: A luscious cheese with a creamy interior, burrata is often served with ripe tomatoes and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
• Friselle: These twice-baked bread rounds are a staple, enjoyed soaked in water and topped with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and oregano.
• Fava Bean Purée: Creamy and flavorful, this purée is served with bitter wild chicory or enjoyed as a spread.
• Sagne 'Ncannulate: Homemade pasta, typically served with a rich meat sauce, embodies the warmth of Puglian kitchens.
• Tiella: A layered dish of rice, potatoes, mussels, and saffron, slow-cooked to perfection.
• Pasticciotto: A delightful pastry filled with custard or chocolate, exemplifying Puglia's sweet side.

Otranto town in Puglia © Shutterstock

In Puglia, a land of ancient olive groves and charming villages, finding the perfect place to stay is an integral part of your unforgettable experience. From luxurious masserie amidst the countryside to stylish boutique hotels by the sea, discover the best accommodations that will add a touch of magic to your stay in this captivating region.

The best base on the Gargano peninsula is Vieste, jutting out into the Adriatic on two promontories.

Fifty years ago there wasn’t even a proper road here, but today Vieste, with its excellent beaches, is the holiday capital of Gargano, and the streets and sands are packed in August.

Despite the crowds, it is a lively and inviting town, with an interesting historic core and, in summer at least, a fairly lively nightlife.

Most accommodation is in the modern part of Bari although some small B&Bs are opening up in the old city. The most affordable hotels are found around the train station, though the area takes a turn for the worse after dark.

Dubbed the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is a place to linger, with a wealth of fine architecture scattered about an appealing old town, as well as a few diverting Roman remains. Expect high-end hotels and a restored palazzo .

Monte Sant'Angelo

If you intend to stay overnight , don’t count on finding anywhere to sleep at the last minute during the main festival times. For snacks, ignore the touristy places in the lower town and head instead for the bakery outside the castle.

The Tremiti islands

Accommodation on the islands is limited to San Domino and is largely full board in high season. Finding a place on spec in the low season won’t be a problem, though you’ll need to sail from Termoli in Abruzzo, in high season you should book in advance .

Browse the places to stay in Puglia.

Bari, Italy @ Shutterstock

Navigating through the enchanting region of Puglia is a delightful adventure in itself. From its historic towns to its sun-kissed coastline, here's a guide on how to effortlessly explore the diverse beauty of Puglia and make the most of your journey.

FS trains connect nearly all the major places, while small, private lines head into more remote areas – in the Gargano and on the edges of Le Murge.

Most other places can be reached by bus, although isolated village services can be infrequent or inconveniently early. In July and Aug buses connect coastal towns.

Most problems can only really be solved by having your own transport.

Considering the diverse attractions and experiences Puglia offers, you will need at least 5-7 days here. That's enough time to visit a couple of main destinations, explore the coastal areas, and immerse yourself in the region's culture.

Allocate a couple of days to explore the main cities like Bari, Lecce, or Alberobello. Then set aside a few days to discover the coastal towns and beaches. Gallipoli, Otranto, Monopoli, and Santa Maria di Leuca offer picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters.

You should only need a day in Alberobello, famous for its trulli houses, and a day at Matera, with its fascinating cave dwellings, which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Check our Italy itineraries or talk to our Italy travel experts .

Trulli houses in Puglia, Italy © Shutterstock

If you’re planning to visit popular Puglia areas, especially beach resorts, avoid July and especially August when the weather can be too hot and the crowds at their most congested.

In August, when most Italians are on holiday, you can expect the crush to be especially bad in the resorts, and the scene in the major cities to be slightly artificial, as the only people around are fellow tourists.

The nicest time to visit, in terms of the weather and lack of crowds, is from April to June, and in September or October.

Find out more about the best time to visit Italy .

Torre Guaceto, Puglia, Italy © Shutterstock

Getting around Puglia by public transport is fairly easy, at least as far as the main towns and cities go.

Of the scheduled airlines flying to Italy, British Airways (Wba.com) has direct flights year-round to Brindisi, the region's main airport alongside Bari. The majority of the routes are from London, and flights from UK provincial airports have been severely cut back following the pandemic, but it is always worth checking to see if there are flights from your local airport.

Unless you book well in advance, flying between June and September will cost more than in the depths of winter (excluding Christmas and New Year).

The main train stations are located in Foggia, Bari, Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto .

It’s difficult to see why anyone would want to travel to Pugliua by bus from the UK. Book through operators like Eurolines and FlixBus and expect several changes

Find out the best ways to get to Italy .

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• Alberobello

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 17.07.2023

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In Puglia, everything the Italophile craves is here in abundance: ancient towns, extravagant churches, seas of olives, olive-green seas and food to equal of anywhere else in Italy.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Puglia. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Castel del Monte

You'll see Castel del Monte, an inhumanly exact geometric shape on a hilltop, from miles away. Mysterious and perfectly octagonal, it's one of southern…

Mosaics, skulls, crypts and biblical-meets-tropical imagery: Otranto's cathedral is like no other in Italy. It was built by the Normans in the 11th…

Grotte di Castellana

Valle d’Itria

These spectacular limestone caves, 40km southeast of Bari, are Italy's longest natural subterranean network. The interlinked galleries, first discovered…

Basilica di San Nicola

Bari's signature basilica was one of the first Norman churches to be built in southern Italy, and is a splendid (if square and solid) example of Pugliese…

Basilica di Santa Croce

It seems that hallucinating stonemasons have been at work on the basilica. Sheep, dodos, cherubs and beasties writhe across the facade, a swirling…

Museo Faggiano

Descend through Lecce's rich historical strata in this fascinating home-turned-museum, where sewerage excavations led to the chance discovery of an…

Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica

Housed in a well-preserved 16th-century defensive bastion, this excellent museum reopened in late 2018 and features a superbly curated overview of the…

Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Taranto

Sitting unassumingly in a side street in Taranto's new town is one of Italy's most important archaeological museums, chiefly dedicated to the archaeology…

Top picks from our travel experts

8 of the best things to do in puglia, italy.

Head to San Domino for walks, grottoes and coves. It has a pristine, marvellous coastline and the islands' only sandy beach, Cala delle Arene. Alongside…

Giuseppe Zimbalo's 1659 reconstruction of Lecce's original 12th-century cathedral is recognised as being among his finest work. Zimbalo, Lecce's famous…

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is a baroque feast, the city's focal point and a sudden open space amid the surrounding enclosed lanes. During times of invasion the…

The third of the Isole Tremiti, Capraia (named after the wild caper plant) is uninhabited. Birdlife is plentiful, with impressive flocks of seagulls…

Parco Nazionale del Gargano

Promontorio del Gargano

One of Italy's largest national parks, a place of sweeping coast and deep, ancient forests, sits on the spur of southern Italy in Puglia, jutting out into…

Medieval buildings thrust out of San Nicola's rocky shores, the same pale-sand colour as the barren cliffs. In 1010, Benedictine monks founded the Abbazia…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

From hiking in Gargano National Park to tasting local pastries in Lecce, experience the best of Puglia with these top things to do.

Things to Know

These top tips on safety and etiquette can help you plan your visit to Puglia in the south of Italy.

Transportation

What’s the best way to get around Italy’s “boot heel”? Read our guide to find out.

Money and Costs

While on the rise in recent years, Puglia is still a relatively undiscovered destination for foreign visitors. Italians, though, have known for a very long…

Traveling with Kids

Puglia is an Italian vacation destination that can satisfy the whole family. Here are the region's best things to do with kids.

Best Road Trips

The best way to get around Puglia is definitely by renting your own set of wheels – here are five of the best drives in Italy's boot heel.

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Puglia travel blog — the fullest puglia travel guide for first-timers.

Puglia is a small region located at the heel of Italy’s boot. Along with the birthplace of Renaissance Tuscany, Puglia is one of the most beautiful destinations of Italy with picturesque towns and villages, the Italy’s most beautiful beaches. It is also famous for the two tree and plant that have become iconic: Olives and grapes at highest quality. Many Puglia specialties come from them. However, not only famous for its olive production and famous premium wines, Puglia also has many more reasons to urge visitors to come. So, is Puglia Italy worth visiting, what to do in Puglia and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Puglia for the first-time? Let’s check out our Puglia travel blog (Puglia blog, Puglia Italy travel blog) with the fullest Puglia travel guide (how to get to Puglia, Puglia guide, Puglia Italy travel guide, Puglia tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Puglia as well as suggested Puglia itinerary to find out the answer!

• Where to go in Puglia? — 10 best towns in Puglia & most beautiful places in Puglia
• Sardinia travel blog — The fullest Sardinia travel guide for first-timers
• Alberobello travel blog — The fullest Alberobello guide for first-timers
• Bergamo travel blog — The fullest Bergamo travel guide for first-timers
• Milan blog — The fullest Milan travel guide for a great budget trip for first-timers

When it comes to Italy, surely in your head will immediately appear cliché names like Venice, Rome or Milan. But the boot-shaped country has much more to offer than that. Have you ever heard of the land of Apulia or Puglia, located at the “heel” of the Italian peninsula? To many tourists, this name may not really widely know, but in Italy, Puglia is the most desirable place to visit. Surely, after reading this sharing of Puglia travel blog, you will want to pack your suitcase and explore this wonderful remote land.

Puglia is a “heel” region of the southern peninsular section of Italy and is home to historic towns that are thousands of years old, diverse landscapes, great food, and owns some of the best beaches in the south of the country.

Puglia travel blog: Overview of Puglia

Where is the Puglia region?

As I shared in the article sharing my experience of visiting Bari , Puglia is the geographical region located in the southeasternmost tip of Italy. In the past, along with Venice, Puglia was located on Italy’s sea trade route with Eastern European countries and the Balkans. Today, when economic development is more concentrated in the northern regions, the name Puglia is somewhat less well known, many liken Puglia to the Italian Far East, a name that evokes remoteness and mystery.

Located in Southern Italy and right at the heel of the boot-shaped country, the Puglia region has a true Mediterranean beauty with blue sea water, immense olive groves interspersed with Trulli mushroom houses and pretty little white towns. Therefore, Puglia is a very hot tourist destination in the summer in Italy.

This is also one of my favorite regions in Italy. In total I went to Puglia 2 times. Once 6 years ago only used public transport and mainly sightseeing. As for the August trip this year, I went by car from Rome, mainly going to the beach for 7 days and combining with 3 more days of sightseeing around the region.

Although there are a few villages that I have been to twice, but every time I go, I also like it because it is so beautiful. I highly recommend that you go to Puglia once if you can.

Puglia can be divided into 3 parts: North, Central and South. Puglia’s famous attractions are mostly concentrated in the South and Central, from Bari stretching down to Lecce and divided into 2 areas: Valle d’Itria and Salento.

Puglia travel blog: Valle d’Itria  (Itria Valley)

The Itria Valley, located between the provinces of Bari , Taranto and Brindisi, is characterized by beautiful white villages, irresistible delicious food and especially “trulli”, a very typical conical stone house. That is why this area is also known as the  valley of trulli.

Dotted with trulli houses along both sides of the road are olive trees and the stone walls are arranged ingeniously without the use of any adhesive. In Italian this type of wall is called “muro a secco”.

The most famous villages in Itria Valley are Alberobello, Ostuni and Locorotondo. Because it is located near Bari – the capital of Puglia, so you can combine visiting Bari and Polignano a Mare. There are also Zoosafari and Castellana caves, so it is very suitable for families traveling with children.

The Salento Peninsula is also known as the heel of the Italian boot. Stretching from the southern province of Taranto to the entire province of Lecce. The western Salento is bordered the Ionian Sea and to the east by the Adriatic Sea. The two seas meet and intersect at Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of the peninsula.

It is because of this very unique topography that Salento has many of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Quite a few beaches are called very beautiful names such as Maldive del Salento, Caraibi del Salento… because of the clear blue water.

In addition to the beaches, Salento also has no shortage of beautiful attractions such as:  Lecce, a city characterized by baroque architecture, or small coastal towns like Otranto, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca.

Is Puglia italy worth visiting: Why should you visit Puglia?

The north of Puglia is associated with the wine-producing culture, while the south has a strong connection with traditional Roman-Greek culture. Thanks to those factors, it has created a special land, attracting tourists from all over the world. It can be said that in terms of history, poetic aspects, peace or bold Italian culture, there is no land that can overcome Puglia. Here are some reasons why you should visit Puliga.

Rich history and architecture

Puglia was once the gateway to Greece and the East. Therefore, this is the ideal land for those who want to learn about culture and history. The region also retains many ancient vestiges of history, culture, tradition and spirituality.

Coming to Puglia you can satisfy all your curiosity and discovery interests. From ancient history to the Medieval and Baroque eras. From castles along the coast to small art villages. Where craft masterpieces begin, stunning views and old quarters. Here like creating the door to enter different civilizations.

Beautiful limestone houses with conical roofs, called Trulli. Very common here, and dates back to the 15th century. Roman, Greco and Messapian remains are also found side by side here. Lecce city with beautiful baroque architecture and considered as an art treasure.

Friendly, generous locals

Although not many people in Puglia can speak English, they are always smiling and ready to help visitors as much as possible. They can guide you on how to get around, places to visit and absolutely do not disturb or cheat. A little friendly Italian words like “ciao” or “bello”, “gustoso” is definitely not difficult for you but makes them happier when welcoming strangers from far away. Who knows, you might learn how to make pizza from an Italian?

Peaceful countryside

If the streets of Puglia were peaceful, the countryside is also absolute peace. There is nothing more enjoyable than cycling through unnamed small dirt roads, flanked by grape fields or weeds, breathing in the countryside fresh air. Even if you scream, it will only startle the birds.

Slow living pace

Puglia is exactly the place for tourists to live slowly. No one is in a hurry here, of course you have to blend in with that atmosphere. Restaurants, coffee shops, restaurants are almost only heard whispering and many places are closed for lunch break. Sipping a cup of coffee and gazing at the streets is perhaps more than enough to slow down after days of hurrying.

Great cuisine

Food is the reason that you cannot miss when coming to Puglia. This land is developed for agriculture so it is an ideal place for fresh meals from local produce. The food here is not expensive, they are reasonably priced. In particular, your meal cannot be without olives and wine – the prides of the Puglia people.

Dreamy alleys and cobbled streets

Most of the streets in Puglia are a maze, small and super winding alleys but not making visitors feel tired and annoyed. They enjoy wandering the cobbled nooks and crannies to discover a forgotten world.

Other reasons

Puglia is the land with the longest coastline in Italy, along with a tradition of maritime trade, so Apulia has many ancient towns, villages and beautiful Mediterranean-style ports.

Puglia shares the Adriatic Sea with Greece and is not far from North Africa, so the architectural style here is influenced by Eastern Europe and Greece very strongly.

Southern Italy’s warm, sunny climate creates a generous, open-minded and not as touristy as northern Italian cities.

Referring to Apulia, people immediately think of unique cultural heritages such as the ancient town of Alberobello, the white city of Ostuni, the open-air architecture museum of Lecce or the once-resounding Bari capital.

When to visit and how long should you travel to Puglia?

The not good time to avoid traveling to Puglia is 2 weeks in mid-August, because this is extremely crowded with tourists due to the Ferragosto holiday season. If you like the hustle and bustle, no problem. However, the other problems that come with it are: difficulties in finding a beach spot or a seat at restaurant, and the cost of room renting or sun loungers at the beach is also higher.

Except August, it’s ok to come to Puglia every other month. If you want to go to the beach but avoid crowds, you should go around June and July.

The ideal travel time in Puglia in my opinion is 7 days. The more time you have, the better you will experience, because there are indeed plenty of places to go. The first time I went for about 4 or 5 days, but almost only to visit the main places but did not deeply explore. This time going for 10 days, I feel a lot better.

Puglia travel guide: How to get to Puglia?

Taking a plane is the most convenient way to get to Puglia. The region’s two main airports are located in Bari and Brindisi. Cheap airlines like Ryanair or Easyjet all operate flight routes here, so you just have to work hard to find cheap prices on Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak. There was a time when I found a ticket with only… €9 from Rome.

If you depart from Rome or southern Italy you can consider taking the train to Bari. But if you come from cities in the North or Central Italy, you should… forget this option, because the time on the train can be nearly half a day.

As I shared in the previous article to visit Bari , you can take the train or plane to Bari, then stay one night and the next day visit other cities in Puglia. Another less common way is to take a bus. One bus company that is mentioned a lot is Onbus but I have not experienced it because I see Puglia as a rather remote area, so the bus ride is quite long and not as comfortable as a train or plane. Unless you are in cities near Bari, use this vehicle.

Puglia Italy travel guide: Getting around Puglia

If possible, you should rent a car or self-drive to Puglia to be more flexible about the itinerary and save time. Self-driving also helps you to visit more closely the Itria valley or beautiful beaches that are difficult to reach by bus.

Taking public transport in Puglia is still fine, because a few years ago when I was a student, I only took buses and trains. However, your travel time and schedule will not be very flexible.

Puglia blog: Getting from Bari to Ostuni, Polignano al Mare and Alberobello

From Bari to other places like Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Lecce you can check train timetable and tickets on Omio or  Trenitalia . And from Lecce to the towns and beaches there are buses of STP , especially the summer service called   Salentoinbus  will have more trips.

From Bari to Ostuni you can take the regional train, you can look up the departure time and buy tickets online here . Travel time is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

From Ostuni to Polignano a Mare is the same, but you should note that Polignano a Mare is located in the middle of the road from Bari to Ostuni, so it is common for you to visit Ostuni first and then on the way back to visit Polignano. It takes about 30 minutes by train from Ostuni via Polignano. From Bari to Alberobello also take the train, travel time is 2 hours.

Puglia blog: Where to stay?

If you want to live like a local in Puglia, you have to experience the form of tourism at the farms, also known as Masserie in Italian. Guests will stay in houses with Mediterranean-style gardens with olive trees, rooms painted with white walls with minimalist décor and luxurious swimming pools just like hotels. You can check it out on Agoda or Booking or Airbnb.

In addition, in Alberobello you also have the opportunity to spend the night in trulli mushroom houses, the type of traditional conical stone houses with spires only found in this town.

To avoid moving and changing accommodation too much, you should only choose a maximum of 2 places to book your hotel: One in the Bari and Itria valley, one in the Salento. The distance between attractions in the same area is not far, so you only need to book in one place to be able to easily travel to other places.

In agricultural areas such as the Itria valley there are many masserias, i.e. farms whose dwellings have been converted into hotels or B&Bs.

Bari and Valle d’Itria (Puglia Italy travel blog)

If you travel by public transport, it is best to book a hotel in Bari. If you have a car, you can choose a hotel or B&B in the trulli area like the villages near Fasano.

My family booked 3 nights at B&B Salita delle Pere . The feeling of sleeping in a trulli in the quiet country atmosphere is really relaxing and unforgettable. The breakfast cakes are all handmade by the lady owner, and the cow’s milk is also from her farm. After spending 3 nights here, I feel relaxed after 7 days of jostling with tons of people at the sea. In short, very good value for money.

Some good hotels in Bari you can refer to

• The Nicolaus Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hi Hotel Bari ( Agoda , Booking )
• Mercure Villa Romanazzi Carducci Bari ( Agoda , Booking )
• Parco Dei Principi Hotel Congress & Spa ( Booking )
• iH Hotels Bari Oriente ( Agoda , Booking )
• Zodiacus ( Agoda , Booking )
• iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel City Bari ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Bari on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Lecce is the largest city in the area and has a very busy nightlife, so you should book a hotel here ( Agoda , Booking ). Those who have a car should stay outside the old downtown area with a bit ride or check the hotel’s parking carefully, but finding parking in the center is quite difficult.

Distance from Lecce to other places:

• Lecce – Gallipoli and nearby beaches (Porto Cesareo, Punta Prosciutto, Punta della Suina..): 35-40 minutes.
• Lecce – Otranto and nearby beaches (Torre dell’Orso, Alimini, Baia dei Turchi..): 35-40 minutes.
• Lecce – Santa Maria di Leuca and nearby beaches (Maldive del Salento, Lido Marini..): 1 hour.

Puglia italy travel blog: Where to go, what to do in Puglia?

If you are a history enthusiast, Puglia is the paradise for you to indulge in that pleasure. The city of Bari , the capital of Puglia, is also home to many Baroque mansions. The Old Quarter is located on a peninsula jutting into the sea, mainly built of white limestone. Small alleys, alleys and ancient domes. Standing from any corner of Bari, you can easily see churches and monasteries.

More interested, you can go to Otranto to admire the church of Santa Maria Annunziata – the most important Catholic cathedral of the city. The floor of the church is completely covered with mosaics dating from the 11th century, fully reproducing the images from the Bible. On the right wing of the hall is a place to remember those who died in the massacre by the Turks in 1480. Today, the skulls of the victims are placed in a glass cabinet right at the church pedestal, making many people feel creepy.

The White City of Ostuni

Ostuni is called La Citta Bianca (the white city) because of its white houses. Strolling these streets is one of the relaxing moments. The city is full of cute cafes, ice cream parlor, pastry shops and shops with local products. Pottery shops sell pumo di fiore (ornamental ceramics) with all kinds of colors and sizes. You will see this egg-shaped flower bud all over Puglia, acting as a symbol of prosperity and fertility.

In Ostuni, there is a town that fascinates visitors with its Greek beauty: whitewashed houses, scattered from the plains to the hills. Even hotels in this area are painted white to blend in with the surrounding residential area. The most famous accommodation is La Sommita hotel, built in the 16th century, which was originally a castle of the indigenous people. From here you can look out over the sea and enjoy meals right under the castle dome as a guest. During the day, walking on the labyrinthine streets of the city, don’t forget to stop by the bar to sip some real Puglia wine to be alert enough to find your way home.

Ostuni located on the Adriatic coast, famous for its white paint color of the whole city. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting the Greek island of Santorini, Ostuni will surely fascinate you. In the past, the trade of Italy and Greece was very active, the Greek community used to live in Puglia and their mark was the characteristic white painted towns. Under the golden sun like honey, the deep blue sky no less the color of the sea in the distance, Ostuni appeared proud but very simple. To exalt that pride white color, houses and streets also seem to be decorated as minimally as possible. Ostuni is still not very crowded, so we feel even more small in the space of the city. We stopped for lunch at the fairy-tale Trattoria Fave e Fogghje restaurant/pub and inhaled the distant scent of Greece across the Adriatic.

Polignano a Mare

The town of Polignano a Mare is one of the beautiful towns in Puglia known for its stunning beach with clear blue water, craggy white buildings and a charming beach, Polignano a Mare is one of the towns. you must visit when visiting Puglia Italy.

Perched on a craggy cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, looking even more blue from above, Polignano a Mare is just a small town but steals your soul in a jiffy by lovely streets and houses decorated as if its owners were all poets, or at least artists. This is where Italians come to watch the sea, swimming and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of a Mediterranean afternoon. Polignano is like a short poem, but ecstatically beautiful.

Heading to the square in Polignano al Mare, stop at Il Super Mago del Gelo for a special coffee – their unique concoction with lemon, liqueur and espresso. If not, you can also try others as they also serve traditional coffee, gelato and pastries.

Alberobello

Alberobello is a super cute town in Puglia, home to tiny houses called trulli that have been listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Trulli are small hut-like houses whose cones look like cute mushrooms. Layers of “mushrooms” lining the small slopes of Alberobello attract the footsteps of any visitor. Shops, restaurants or even churches here are also shaped like mushrooms. The secret to a beautiful photo of trulli is to go to the high hill in the afternoon, when the whole cute city is bathed in the extremely romantic sunset.

The houses were built of stone to be easily disassembled to pay less taxes in the 19th century and are now protected by UNESCO law. You can see them scattered throughout the countryside, but you will see these houses one after another in Alberobello.

This is probably a city you must visit once in your life, because it is only one in the world and has become a new highlight of Italian tourism next to the familiar Rome and Venice. Alberobello is world famous for its mushroom-shaped stone houses (conical roofs). This is not a scene from a mythical movie, this is Southern Italy full of surprises for you. Alberobello for me is somewhat less emotional than the two cities above due to quite a lot of tourists. On Alberobello’s holiday, it is packed with tourists because Alberobello is beautiful and unique. You know how, sometimes we have to accept to share beautiful things with many people, not just keep them for ourselves.

Puglia on all three sides is surrounded by the sea, making it really attractive to tourists who love the sea. The sea water here has a beautiful blue color, the color that makes people stare endlessly. You can easily find great beaches for swimming, photography or simply looking at. No need to go too far, the capital Bari can meet the needs of most visitors. Here you can also shop, admire the large-scale shipyards under the blue sky.

The beaches have beach clubs offering loungers, lounges, sunbeds and umbrellas. Costs vary depending on the beach club’s amenities and time of year, but usually around 20 euros for two sun chairs and umbrellas. Most of these places will have a mini-bar and bathroom. Lido Morelli are huts and a casual bar while Coccaro Beach Club offers a more luxurious experience.

If you have time visit the south near Otranto, there is a sinkhole there called Grotto della Poesia. It is like a unique natural swimming pool.

Stay at Masseria or Trulli

You might be surprised at how many accommodation options you have in Puglia. From unforgettable masserias to charming airbnbs with terraces, there is something new for every preference and budget. Almapetra Trulli Resort offers 2-bedroom trulli houses with swimming pools and communal barbecue areas. Starting at around 100 euros a night, it’s a great value option for families.

Or choose Masseria San Francesco for an upscale accommodation with thoughtful interiors, a pool and a lively bar.

Souvenirs:Surely, pretty Alberobello Trulli made of porcelain or stone. Decorative ceramics with Fichi d’India cactus is also a beautiful choice for you.

Puglia travel blog: What to eat?

Puglia has both an agricultural area and a sea, so the cuisine is very rich. Therefore, there is no shortage of specialties from breakfast, street food, to meat and seafood, to suit everyone’s taste.

Delicious food in Puglia

• Pasticciotto: A day in Puglia will start with an energetic breakfast with pasticciotto and almond milk iced coffee. Pasticciotto is a very popular cream-filled cake in the region.
• Puccia:  This is a round and flat bread, very suitable for a quick lunch. In addition, in Puglia, there are many other types of street food such as fried foods (pittule, pitta, panzerotti), or baked goods (rustico, frisa).
• Bombette: This is the most typical dish of the whole region, especially in the Itria valley. Bombette is pork slices rolled with salt, pepper, cheese then grilled in the oven or on a BBQ grill.
• Riso patate e cozze (tiella barese): Including rice, potatoes and mussels cooked together create the perfect taste. This dish is a specialty in Bari, so anyone who comes to Bari should not miss it.
• Orecchiette con broccoli o cime di rapa (orecchiette with broccoli): Orecchiette is a very popular pasta in Puglia. This dish can be found everywhere, but it is best eaten in Bari. In addition to broccoli tops, you can find orecchiettes with ketchup or meat sauce. Food in each region in Italy is different and each city will have its own specialties. Orecchiette is an ear-shaped pasta commonly found in Puglia. There are even variations of this delicious dish throughout the region. Eating a plate of Pasta Orecchiette is a must try experience when visiting this southern region.
• Burrata is a cheese from Puglia, it’s like a bag made of mozzarella with cream and soft cheese inside. You’ll find burrata on the menu, served with a green salad or with pasta. Burrata is delicious and you won’t find it as fresh unless you are in Puglia.
• Olive Oil: With a history of growing olive over 500 years, you can expect the region of Puglia to have an excellent olive oil. There are more than 60 million olive trees in the region that produce about 40% of the entire Italian olive oil production. Olive groves are an integral part of the Puglia landscape and one of the reasons you should travel here.
• Local wine: Primitivo di Manduria and Negroamaro are two of the many dialects you’ll find on menus in restaurants and eateries here. Red wine is really a staple of the Puglian diet and you can’t visit without trying it.

These are just a few of the highlights, but the list is actually quite long. In Salento you can also find very delicious fresh seafood dishes.

Where to eat

Here are a few places I’ve eaten at and enjoyed very much:

• Martinucci coffee/cake shop . This is a very famous pastry chain in Puglia, almost everywhere. Pasticciotto here has a lot of flavors, not too sweet and the cream filling is so tasty.
• Macelleria e Salumeria di Olimpia di Nicola Semeraro (SP216, Lamie di Olimpia BA): This is a butcher with restaurant business near Alberobello and Locorotondo. Bombette here is soft but very tasty. In Puglia it is very common for a butcher to run its own restaurant. So if you want to eat right, you should choose these restaurants to eat bombette or barbecue.
• Gallipoli Seafood Market: At night, the market stalls have tables and chairs selling fresh seafood to enjoy like aperitivo. The atmosphere here is fun and the seafood looks fresh. If you have the opportunity to visit Gallipoli, you should definitely not miss it.
• La Pastasciutta (Via Vito Tamborrino, Ostuni, BR): The restaurant is located in the center of Ostuni, the pasta is delicious and the price is very cheap.

Puglia itinerary 7 days

We usually take at least 3 days and 2 nights to exploring this region. But it is not enough. A suitable Puglia itinerary is 7 days. The attractions in Puglia are mostly small and can be visited during the day. Even, there are many towns that only take 2 hours to explore it all. The travel distance between places is not far, so it is easy to schedule.

Here is the suggested Puglia travel itinerary for 7 days:

• DAY 1 – Arrive in Bari and visit Bari, the capital of the region.
• DAY 2 – Visit Polignano a Mare, a town built on a beautiful seaside cliff.
• DAY 3 – Visit the famous towns of Alberobello and Locorotondo. Alberobello is the most famous trulli town in the region. The evening in Alberobello is also very beautiful and sparkling. So if you are flexible about time, you can go to Locorotondo in the morning and then go to Alberobello in the afternoon.
• DAY 4 – Morning visit to the white city of Ostuni and after lunch depart for Lecce, the city known as the Southern Florence with beautiful Baroque architecture. At night in Lecce is very crowded and bustling, walking at night here is also very fun.
• DAY 5 – Lecce tour (Can be replaced by Gallipoli/Santa Maria di Leuca if day 4 can visit Lecce).
• DAY 6 – Sightseeing in Otranto (can be combined with the nearby beach and then visit in the evening).
• DAY 7 – Depart for Brindisi to catch the flight, ending the journey.

This is just a suggested Puglia travel itinerary with the main purpose of sightseeing. If you want, you can combine a visit to Matera in the nearby Basilicata region.

If you want to go to the beach more, you should add about 2-3 days. My family last went to August, it was very hot, so most of the day we only went to the beach, only went to visit in the evening to cool down. The last 3 days were just walking around the towns in Valle d’Itria.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Bari and Puglia you can refer to

• Private Bari Old City Guided Walking Tour
• Bari City Walk, by Bike or Segway
• Matera Tour from Bari
• Bari Street Food Walking, Bike, or Segway Tour
• Alberobello Walking Tour from Bari
• Castel del Monte Tour from Bari
• Bari City Walking, Bike, or Segway Tour with Pasta Making Experience
• Lecce: Baroque Architecture and Underground Walking Tour
• Polignano a Mare: Speedboat Cruise to Caves with Aperitif
• From Bari: Pasta Experience Walking Tour
• Alberobello: 2-Hour Guided Trulli Tour
• Ostuni: Olive Oil Tasting Tour
• Polignano a Mare: 1.5-Hour Boat Cave Tour
• Alberobello: History Walking Tour with Olive Oil Tasting
• Bari Walking Street Food Tour
• Apulia: Bike Tour through the Treasures of Bari
• Lecce: Walking Tour
• Lecce: Guided Rickshaw Tour
• Bari Rickshaw Street Food Tour
• Bari: Segway Tour & Gelato Tasting
• Bari Walking Tour
• Bari Street Food Tour by Bike
• Bari: Bike-Rickshaw City Tour

Read more Italy guide here .

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Your travel guide to Puglia

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recommend a guide book for Puglia?

We're going to visit Puglia in September and would like to go to towns that we know about so far including Lecce & Otranto. We have the Lonely Planet Italy guidebook but the info is pretty brief. I was wondering if anyone has a guidebook they like for this region?

We visited Puglia last summer and had same experience with guidebooks - I used the National Geographic Puglia book ( https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/645868/national-geographic-traveler-puglia-by-national-geographic/ ), but really in the end I relied more on travel blogs for most of my research!

We stayed in Lecce and visited Otranto for a day trip - loved both, but definitely saw more of Lecce since we were based there for several nights. We were in the region for about 2 1/2 weeks and could have stayed much longer, we loved it!

We based ourselves in 4 spots, here's where we stayed: Trulli near Ceglie Messapica, 6 nights Lecce apartment, 4 nights Masseria Prosperi near Otranto, 4 nights (favorite stay of trip, amazing family and sweet dogs and horses run wild on property) Masseria Aprile near Locorotondo, 3 nights

Here were some of my favorite blog sources: FathomAway and Hither & Thither And then here are links to some of the articles from each source, but if you search their sites you'll find several articles about Puglia for each! Hope that helps, enjoy your trip! We loved Puglia! https://fathomaway.com/family-friendly-guide-puglia-italy/ https://fathomaway.com/what-to-do-in-puglia-italy/ https://hitherandthither.net/travelogue-puglia-valle-ditria-lecce/ https://hitherandthither.net/travelogue-puglia-salento/ https://hitherandthither.net/travelogue-puglia-salento-polignano-mare/

Getting deeper info means confronting the language issue. English language guides are just too sketchy for such a large region, by and large, as they must appeal to mass audiences. Many blogs are just photos and keywords. I've taken to making my own guide into a PDF doc and adding it to my smartphone for offline use. I organize by city and add sections of EN sources or use Google translate to add IT sources. The official regional and provincial tourist websites often have useful material, and Wikipedia is good for landmarks.

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Reading for the Road: Books About Puglia

Culture & Lifestyle | Italy | By Christina Cain

At The Slow Road we answer to many names (wanderers, bon vivants, students of life) but first and foremost, we’re a group of dedicated travellers.

That’s why we love compiling reading lists that include those books—from novels to memoirs, and everything in between—that have really opened up our favourite regions.

In this post we’ll round up a few of our favourite books about Puglia.

Must-Read Books About Puglia

The italians.

By Luigi Barzini

The definitive portrait of the Italian people, this is a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character. Though first published in 1964, it’s still worth reading for its insight, grace and wit.

Learn more on Amazon >>

A Traveller’s History of Italy

By Valerio Lintner

A brief history of Italy through the 1990s — wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer, this book marches confidently through the centuries.

By Francesca Marciano

A vivid novel following the lives of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter from Puglia over the course of the 20th century, opening as the narrator prepares to sell Casa Rossa, the family farm.

Christ Stopped at Eboli, The Story of a Year

By Carlo Levi & Frances Frenaye

An affecting memoir of southern Italy, originally published in 1947, it stems from the author’s forced relocation to the region as punishment for anti-fascist political activity.

La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

By Beppe Severgini

Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.

Plant apocalypse: how new diseases are destroying EU trees and crops

From ancient olive groves to root vegetables, foreign pests introduced via the bloc’s open import system are causing damage worth billions – and outbreaks are on the rise

T he plants slowly choke to death, wither and dry out. They die en masse, leaves dropping and bark turning grey, creating a sea of monochrome. Since scientists first discovered Xylella fastidiosa in 2013 in Puglia, Italy, it has killed a third of the region’s 60 million olive trees – which once produced almost half of Italy’s olive oil – many of which were centuries old. Farms stopped producing, olive mills went bankrupt and tourists avoided the area. With no known cure , the bacterium has already caused damage costing about €1bn .

“The greatest part of the territory was completely destroyed,” says Donato Boscia, a plant virologist and head researcher on Xylella at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection in Bari.

A decade later, far from nearing resolution, the threat to European plants from Xylella and other diseases is only growing: in February 2024, Puglia scientists found another Xylella subspecies , which had annihilated US vineyards and never previously been detected in Italy. For many farmers, scientists and regulators, the disease is emblematic of a far broader problem: the EU’s difficulty curtailing the introduction of devastating new plant diseases, despite regulatory efforts over the past decade. New data, released to the Guardian, shows that dozens of newly introduced disease outbreaks are detected in the EU every year, even as farmers and scientists struggle to contain previously introduced pathogens. As the climate heats, scientists warn the problem will get worse.

Across the EU, data shows, outbreaks of newly introduced plant disease have continued unabated at an average rate of 70 a year between 2015 and 2020, despite regulations introduced to stop their spread in 2016. While a number of member states have taken steps to prevent and curb the outbreaks, scientists, plant epidemiologists and agronomists say it is still insufficient.

“I can’t understand how, after Xylella, we learned almost nothing,” says Pierfederico La Notte, an Italian plant epidemiologist.

Import system – open or closed?

On a scorching June morning in 2023, Paolo Solmi, a phytosanitary inspector at the port of Ravenna in northern Italy , tells his team to open the first of 28 containers of Egyptian potatoes to check that day. They fill bags with 100 potatoes each before taking them to the labs for EU standardised tests.

“Once these checks have been passed, the goods are free to move within the European Union,” Solmi says.

The EU has an open import system: everything that is not known to be harmful can enter. Some countries, such as New Zealand and Chile, have opted for a closed system: everything is considered guilty until proven innocent.

Evidence shows that the Xylella bacteria came from Latin America and, most likely, got a ride from ornamental coffee plants passing through the Netherlands . About 30 billion rooted and unrooted plants, cuttings, bulbs and tissues came from third countries into Europe between 2005 and 2014, mainly through Dutch ports.

According to Alberto Santini, a forest pathologist at the Italian National Research Council, such an open system has been letting in an alarming number of plant pests and diseases from third countries.

“If you know your enemy, you can try to stop it from entering your country,” Santini says. But, he added, many pathogens are harmless elsewhere because ecosystems evolved with them. While Xyllela might not have affected coffee plants in Costa Rica, it thrived when it met the defenceless southern Italian olive trees.

The EU introduced new regulations in 2016 to better manage what gets in and how, and to deal with outbreaks quickly. Still, with so many ports of entry, scientists and regulators can’t keep up with the volumes coming in. Trioza erytreae , a sap-sucking pest, has been endangering Portuguese citrus ; a bacterium infecting carrots and celery has been raising concerns around the continent; and Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been killing ash trees in Poland . Many scientists fear the spread will be helped by the climate crisis, which is making Europe a warmer, more hospitable place for foreign plant pests to thrive.

“With the current system in Europe, we continuously introduce new organisms,” La Notte says. “In the context of climate change, it will be more and more difficult to manage them.”

Data provided to the Guardian by Wopke van der Werf and Hongyu Sun, researchers at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, shows that there were 1,720 recorded outbreaks of alien plant disease between 1975 and 2020 in the EU, with Italy, France and Spain accounting for half of them. 2018 was the worst year, with 115 known cases.

The data is drawn from the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) database, which records where alien plant diseases – outbreaks caused by alien insects, pathogens and nematodes – are found for the first time or in a new region inside the union. That data is likely an underestimate: EPPO collects new findings by scanning the scientific literature and acquiring official pest reports from its member countries’ national plant protection organisations, so its reports are limited to each country’s responsiveness and interest in investigating an uncommon pest sighting.

According to La Notte, a few crops – such as grape vines – are heavily regulated. But many others, especially ornamental plants, are treated more leniently, making them potential carriers of alien plant pests. Wooden pallets, internet plant sales, and travellers carrying prohibited plants or fruits are all responsible for bringing in diseases, according to several researchers interviewed for this story.

A long trading history

For some countries, such as the Netherlands, open trade in plants is a core part of their history and economy – and they have been resistant to increased regulation. Christian Linden, the founder and CEO of IBH Export, walks around his 14,000-sq metre storage area in the Aalsmeer Flower Auction house in the Netherlands. He imports cut flowers and pot plants, mostly from Turkey and east Africa, and redistributes them around Europe.

Linden says he doesn’t know much about pathogens or bugs entering through the plant trade, but isn’t concerned because the phytosanitary authorities “are very strict”. He thinks the 2016 plant health regulation created higher protection for the EU, and points out the introduction of plant passports, which did not exist when Xylella arrived in Italy. Today, he adds, if one customer finds a disease or a bug on an imported plant, the whole shipment is tracked down and destroyed.

“When it’s necessary to protect the environment, you have to do it,” he says.

John Van Ruiten, the former director of Naktuinbouw, the Netherlands inspection service for horticulture, says their controls on imported material are strict. However, he admits it’s hard to detect everything – insects, symptoms of bacteria or viruses – especially during a visual inspection: “It is impossible that inspectors have the knowledge of all diseases in all commodities.”

Only a sample of about 2% of imported plants are inspected for the presence of symptoms, according to international protocols , says the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Given the number of plants that come through the main EU ports, it is “possible that new species will be introduced”.

The NVWA says it believes the Netherlands has a robust control system. For example, once certain live plants pass the border and end up in a nursery, the phytosanitary inspector rechecks them after two weeks to see if they carry any latent disease.

According to Van Ruiten, the burden of preventing disease shouldn’t fall entirely on the shoulders of the importers. He says exporting countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America should also conduct proper checks.

Balancing costs and benefits

In the port at Ravenna, phytosanitary inspector Solmi recognises the challenge. “Europe was born around the movement of goods, capital and people,” he says. “Our mission is to do our best within the open phytosanitary system because an alternative currently does not exist.”

But while the economic cost of what the EU could lose in terms of trading is substantial, so is the price of the damages caused by alien pests and diseases. How do you put a price on a lost forest of ash trees?

“The main issue on the economics is that data is kind of scarce,” says Françoise Petter, former assistant director at EPPO. The costs and benefits of a closed system have not been calculated, and it is unknown whether losses incurred by a slower trading system would be offset by the preserved value of EU agriculture and biodiversity.

“We’ve never tried to do a full comparison with a closed system,” Petter says. “That’s a little bit depressing, isn’t it?”

This article was developed with the support of Journalismfund Europe

Find more age of extinction coverage here , and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on X for all the latest news and features

• The age of extinction
• Trees and forests
• Infectious diseases
• Endangered species
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• Microbiology

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The Best Puglia Airbnbs for Your Next Trip to Italy's Southern Coast

By Charley Ward

Away from the well-trodden streets of Sicily , Rome , or the Amalfi Coast , the buzz surrounding Italy’s southern region, Puglia, has been steadily increasing. With its rows upon rows of olive groves, delightful jumble of whitewashed towns and villages, and traditional trulli homes, it’s easy to see why. The region's smattering of homestays offer a slice of southern Italian culture unmatched by the area’s best hotels —think tucking up at night inside a cave house after a dip in the underground hot tub, or padding up the spiral staircase in a former astronomy observatory tower to admire the views. Below are the best Airbnbs in Puglia to book now.

We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor. All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Il trullo della Gallina, Ostuni

In the heart of the Itria valley, this little trullo hides out among a lush garden of gently swaying olive trees, where the only noise pollution comes from the birds chirping. You’ll need a car to reach this little guesthouse—and likely a 4x4 to traverse the rural roads—but on arrival, you’ll be rewarded with an almost 108,000-square-foot olive grove to explore, along with a dreamy courtyard and an azure blue saltwater pool —just right for a few lazy laps to cool off in after a day under the Italian sun. Despite the secluded feel, you’re actually very well placed to explore the area’s most beautiful towns—Ostuni, Cisternino, and Locorotondo are all within three miles.

Sleeps: Two Price: From around $224 per night, with a three-night minimum

Traditional sandstone suite, Lecce

This is a proper traditional trullo, all high ceilings, barrel vaults, and dusty sandstone walls—a perfect romantic hideaway for two. Everything comes finished in that understated rural Italian way—big Chesterfield armchairs, a stone bathtub, and simple wooden furniture keep the attention firmly on the architecture—and big shuttered windows showcase the views over one of Lecce’s prettiest squares. You’re close to the action—just a few minutes walk and you’ll be among all the baroque architecture, cafes, and restaurants of the town center.

Sleeps: Two Price: From around $161 per night

Torre Gigliano, Ruvo di Puglia

Once a watchtower, then an astronomical observatory, this 12th-century tower on the cusp of the owner’s farm is a historical gem to explore among the olive trees. A stone spiral staircase makes a statement inside, but it’s the surrounding scenery that steals the show. Depending on the season, the fruits and vegetables grown on the farm will be available for guests to cook up in the evenings, along with a glug or two of homemade olive oil. Should you wish, the hosts can book you a massage or sessions with a personal trainer, along with guided hikes in the Alta Murgia Park. An outdoor pool, complete with a shower, gives you somewhere to cool off on lazy days.

Sleeps: Three Price: From around $171 per night, with a three-night minimum

Lamia Cervone, Ostuni

Just a few minutes walk from Ostuni’s city center, this bijou gem offers pared-back luxury among the fruit trees. Thoughtfully designed for two, there’s a comfy double bed under an alcove, plus a hot tub sat next to an atmospheric crackling fire. Outside, you can barbecue on the verandah (or sit in the hammock while your partner does), or take a dip in the pool, before setting up on the outdoor dining table. Extra services, including yoga or pilates classes, along with aperitive boards and bubbles, are available upon request.

Sleeps: Two Price: From around $351 per night, with a three-night minimum

Shannon McMahon

CNT Editors

Hannah Towey

Musa Aqua, Carovigno

Puglia’s traditional pared-back aesthetic has been given a jaunty zhuzh here. Splashes of color —a yellow vase, a blue checkered tile—add joy and texture to the otherwise neutral scheme. But all the usual Puglian delights are present: tall vaulted ceilings, creamy sandstone walls, and a dreamy plunge pool in the courtyard. You couldn’t be closer to the center of town—a wealth of bars, restaurants, and shops to potter about await just a few hundred feet from your door.

Sleeps: Four Price: From around $261 per night, with a three-night minimum

Alesia Cave, Ostuni

Few caves can claim to be as thoughtfully renovated as this one, smack bang in Ostuni’s charming center. Enter the cave and you’ll find a plush king-size bed, a spa-like walk-in shower, and a kitchenette for making tea and coffee. But head further down for the best bit: a private underground hot tub, deep in the heart of the cave, adorned with twinkly lanterns—all terribly romantic. There are no cooking facilities, but the host has partnered with nearby restaurants to offer breakfast, and there’s a launderette close by should you need it. Previous guests do say that the space is a little small, so this is perhaps not one for a long stay, but the allure of unfettered access to your own cave hot tub wins out over practicality here.

Sleeps: Two Price: From around $258 per night

Masserina D'Aloia, Carovigno

The scent of citrus and almonds will greet you as soon as you arrive at this smart Airbnb. Once a building used to press grapes, this striking stone bolthole is now one of the area’s chicest stays, finished with striking modern furniture that plays perfectly with the area’s historical roots. The location simply couldn’t be better—a five-minute drive from both the sea and the pretty towns of Ostuni and Corvigno. There are two double bedrooms, making it a good choice for group trips, along with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher—no washing up on holiday here. Outside, there’s a firepit to keep you warm while chatting into the evening, along with a vegetable garden guests can harvest from for dinner.

Sleeps: Four Price: From around $369 per night, with a four-night minimum

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BRONTE & FRANK GO TO MOSCOW (Children's Traveltivity Guide) Hardcover – January 1, 2011

• Print length 50 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Worthy Hen Productions LLC
• Publication date January 1, 2011
• ISBN-10 0615381383
• ISBN-13 978-0615381381
• See all details

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Worthy Hen Productions LLC (January 1, 2011)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 50 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0615381383
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0615381381
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces

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