Among the olive groves and along the seashore often furrowed by caves, through cities full of history and traditional villages, you are carried on an expedition that reveals the true soul of a land burned by the sun and kissed by the blue of the sea. Puglia is discovered and experienced at your own pace, without haste and with dedication, in a pure Mediterranean spirit!
Often overlooked in favor of the northern and central Italian regions, Puglia is located in the southeast of the Italian peninsula, forming the heel of the boot. The Puglia or Apulia region has been endowed with an amazing diversity of tourist attractions, from monuments that reveal the region’s rich and tumultuous history, to exceptional natural surroundings.
A trip to Puglia is a complete experience, full of unique moments and splendid places, forming a unique image of southern Italy. Colonized in the past by the Greeks, it is one of the richest regions of Italy from an archaeological point of view. In addition to ancient ruins, medieval castles or baroque churches, there are also certain cultural elements of uniqueness. Although poorer than other regions in the north and relying mainly on agriculture, Puglia is becoming an increasingly sought-after tourist destination by travelers from all over the world.
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Transportation in Puglia!
There are two main options for traveling and visiting destinations in the region, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The first and most convenient, but also more expensive, is to rent a car and set your own route each day. It is more suitable for groups to be able to share the costs, but you can leave whenever and wherever you want. In addition to the higher cost, you also have to be careful of the traffic in the big Italian cities, which can often be much more chaotic and unpredictable than at home. Pedestrian crossings do not always mean that pedestrians have priority over cars, while the ubiquitous scooters weave through cars at frightening speeds.
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The second option, quieter and cheaper, but also more rigid and time-consuming, is the train. In Puglia there are generally three railway companies (4 if we add Ferrovie Nord Barese), which provide connections to most destinations in the region. The national company TrenItalia connects the most important cities and towns, with tickets being more expensive, but also faster journeys. The other two companies are Ferrovie del Sud Est and Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, both with local and regional trains. Although they often have delays, the trains are modern and offer high comfort. An advantage of these is that you can fully enjoy the superb landscapes of Puglia. Both companies operate from Bari Centrale, with different entrances and lines.
4 Days in PuGlia
Day 1 – Bari and Polignano a Mare
The first destination of the trip to Puglia is Bari, the regional capital and a rapidly developing city, also a large port on the Adriatic Sea. Although it is not known as a tourist destination, the authorities have made investments to create interest around the historic center of the city, but also other attractive features. Bari can be discovered through its contrasts, with the dark alleys of the old town and the wide and elegant boulevards around it. However, you can explore the most interesting sights and monuments of Bari in a day at most, many of the attractions being concentrated in a small space. The old center has preserved its authentic character, with narrow cobblestone streets that wind between the tall buildings in a labyrinth that makes orientation almost impossible. If in the past it was considered a somewhat unsafe area, today it is a destination full of atmosphere.
Known as Bari Vecchia by the locals, the old part of the city is contained in a small peninsula that can be explored on foot in a few hours. Between the elegant Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the old port and the commercial port, there is a labyrinth of streets and alleys flanked by historic buildings dating from different periods of the city’s development. Perhaps the first place to visit is the Romanesque basilica of St. Nicholas, with the tomb of the saint who was brought here in 1087, but also other interesting artistic and architectural features. In the same square, you can also admire the Palazzo del Catapano, the Church of St. Gregory or the Nicolaiano Museum.
The other attraction in the old center is the Cathedral of San Sabino, also built in Romanesque style with Baroque additions. Nearby, you can also admire the Castello Normanno Svevo, an imposing and massive fortress on the seafront. There are many other interesting churches and historical monuments in the old center, and at the end you can also explore the cliffs around it, admiring the fishing boats in the old port or the cruise ships in the tourist port. Among the elegant streets of the new town, you must stroll along Corso Cavour and Via Sparano, full of elegant buildings, restaurants and shops.
Near Bari, you can visit the gorgeous town of Polignano a Mare. Any train heading south inevitably stops in this resort town, and in 15 minutes you can stroll along the seafront in Polignano. As in a typical Italian picture, the white houses hang on the cliffs above the sea, with balconies that seem to levitate above the waves. From place to place, the cliffs are furrowed by deep caves, in one of which is the already famous Grotta Palazzese restaurant. Along the shore, including in the historic center of the city, there are viewpoints that reveal new and incredible panoramas of the destination. Perhaps the most beautiful view can be admired by walking north from the beach sandwiched between high cliffs and descending the steps to the cliffs that go deep into the sea. First you can greet the statue of Domenico Modugno, an Italian singer originally from Polignano, famous for the song Volare (nel blu dipinto di blu). The historic center of Polignano contains some extremely interesting buildings, revealing the town’s rich past.
Day 2 – Alberobello and Martina Franca
About 60 kilometers from Bari, in an idyllic valley with olive groves and small stone houses that appear among them, lies the town of Alberobello. Perhaps the most famous destination in Puglia, this picturesque village is included in the UNESCO heritage for the traditional stone buildings known as trulli. These trulli are a veritable cultural treasure, with a still uncertain past and a charming appearance. Built of stone and with conical slate roofs, they dot the entire Itria Valley, but nowhere are they more beautiful and more concentrated than in Alberobello. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also get there by train, with the Ferrovie del Sud Est company having several daily trips. From Bari central station, find the two lines of the local company (located on platforms 8-9), and the ticket that can be purchased from the ticket office on the platform costs under 10 euros each way.
In Alberobello, you will find the trulli areas very easily, all the signs leading the hundreds and thousands of tourists to the main attractions. First, head to the splendid Church of Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano, and in the streets behind it you will find Trullo Sovrano, the only building of its kind that you can visit. You will thus discover the authentic style of a trulli, with specific furniture and decorations. From in front of the church, go down Corso Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza del Popolo, from where you will admire a special panorama of the densest area of trulli, also known as Rione Monti. Before heading to the hill in front, you can also visit Aia Piccola, located just to the left of the viewing area.
Less touristy and still inhabited in places, you will admire some superb trulli. In the Rione Monti area, the trulli buildings form a real village that seems to be taken from stories. The cobbled streets climb the hill flanked by whitewashed stone-roofed houses, many adorned with multi-coloured flowers and most of which have been converted into souvenir shops. You can spend a few hours exploring all the alleys and taking pictures of every sight you come across. Other interesting places to visit in Alberobello include the church of Sant’Antonio, the Museo del Territorio, as well as the museums of olive oil, wine and crafts.
For a few euros more, from Alberobello take the same trains two more stops to the town of Martina Franca, another exceptional destination in Puglia. An iconic sight of southern Italy, this town is perched on a hill, and to visit the historic centre, you have to climb from the train station to the top. With its immaculate white facades, charming streets and alleys and little treasures of Baroque architecture, Martina Franca is worth exploring for a few hours. The most important and interesting attractions, in addition to the great pleasure of exploring the idyllic streets, include the Basilica di San Martino, a superb Baroque monument, the Church of San Domenico, the Santo Stefano gate or Arco di Sant’Antonio, the Palazzo Ducale and other churches and palaces.
Day 3 – Lecce and Brindisi
It’s time to discover the southern tip of Puglia, starting with a trip to perhaps the most beautiful city in southern Italy, little known to tourists. Lecce is likened to Florence due to its Baroque architecture. It would be recommended that for the next two nights you move your general camp from Bari to Lecce. The train journey is extremely pleasant, with trains leaving every hour from Bari Central Station (TrenItalia), the ticket being just over 10 euros. Before Lecce, you can descent for a few hours in Brindisi, where you can enjoy the superb views of the natural harbor and the long history. Visit the superb staircase to the sea known as Scalinata di Virgilio, with the two columns at the end marking the end of the ancient Via Appia. Brindisi has two castles, one on an island in front of the harbor, known as Forte a Mare, and Castello Svevo that is located in the northern part of the old center. Other attractions of the city include the magnificent Piazza Duomo with its numerous monuments, the Roman ruins of the Rione di San Pietro degli Schiavoni, the monument to the sailors in the port and many other churches and palaces.
Continue on to Lecce, the Baroque city nicknamed the “Florence of the South”. The entire old town is full of imposing buildings, embellished with intricate ornamentation, lacework and cherubs guarding the balconies and windowsills of palaces and churches. Each square, street and alley reveals new architectural treasures, thus forming one of the most charming cultural destinations in Italy. Explore this labyrinth at your leisure to admire everything Lecce has to offer. The first extremely attractive area you will find is Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by spectacular buildings such as the Duomo, the 70-meter Campanile tower, Palazzo Arcivescovile or Palazzo del Seminario. Another major point of interest in Lecce is Piazza Sant’Oronzo, with a tall column supporting the statue of the saint that watches over the Roman amphitheater. Not far from these, you must also admire the imposing castle of Charles V. Every building, church and palace in Lecce stands out before visitors with spectacular facades, scenes and ornaments.
Day 4 – Salento Peninsula Coast
On the last day of your trip to Puglia, I suggest you rent a car to freely explore the coast of the Salento peninsula, a completely magical land, located between the Adriatic Sea and the Gulf of Taranto. Bathed by azure waters and sunny for most of the year, the extreme south of Italy offers you a variety of spectacular experiences. Starting from Lecce, you head towards the eastern coast of the peninsula, from where you will set off on a circuit that surrounds the heel of the Italian boot. You can make a first stop in the town of Roca, to admire a true wonder of nature, the Grotta della Poesia.
A natural abode that reveals the sea of a perfect azure, this grotto is part of an incredible karst system. Passing by superb beaches and idyllic shores, you head towards Otranto, one of the must-see destinations in Salento. Before discovering the seaside town, you can enjoy a few moments spent on the beautiful Baia dei Turchi beach. In the center, you should not miss the masterpiece of the Santa Maria Annunziata cathedral, a famous 12th-century mosaic symbolizing the tree of life. Exploring the city of Otranto will reveal other interesting attractions, including the church of San Pietro, a masterpiece of Byzantine art, the imposing 15th-century Aragonese Castle, as well as other sights in the historic center.
Continuing south from Otranto along the coast, you will encounter impressive landscapes, with an increasingly rocky coastline offering incredible panoramas of the Adriatic Sea. Near Castro Marina, you can visit the Grotta di Zinzulusa and Grotta di Romanelli, before stopping for a visit to the famous thermal springs at Santa Caesarea Terme. In addition to the small beaches hidden in the coves, you can also admire the Faro delle Palascia that delimits the Adriatic Sea from the Ionian Sea. On the journey south, another natural wonder can be found a little after the town of Marina di Novaglie, where you can admire the small rocky bay known as Canale del Ciolo, with its superb beach and bridge over it, as well as the nearby grottoes.
Next, you will arrive at one of the most fascinating places on the peninsula, Marina di Leuca. A favorite vacation spot for the nobles of Puglia, the small port of Leuca is located at the southernmost point of the peninsula, being a holiday and pilgrimage destination, but also a place full of legends. The main attractions of Leuca include the impressive lighthouse, rising 47 meters high and over 100 meters above the sea, the ancient sanctuary nearby, now known as the Basilica de Finibus Terrae, the waterfall created at the end of the Puglia aqueduct, open only a few times a year, the idyllic beaches and the mysterious grottoes near the town. Overall, Marina di Leuca can be a perfect holiday destination.
Continuing north along the charming coast that reveals impressive panoramas at every turn, the last destination of the Salento journey is Gallipoli, which lives up to its meaning of “beautiful city”. Not to be confused with the Turkish city famous for the battles of the First World War, the Italian city is a special experience. The historic center is located on a small island, connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge, surrounded by strong walls and dominated by the eastern fortress rebuilt in the 16th century. Due to its strategic location, Gallipoli was frequently besieged, passing through numerous dominations. In the old center you can admire a multitude of monuments, baroque churches and elegant palaces, which you can find by exploring the narrow streets. If you are lucky enough to catch the sunset on one of the nearby beaches, do not miss this experience before heading back to Lecce, concluding a unique adventure in Puglia!
Recommended Accommodation in Puglia
You have the option of staying anywhere in Puglia, with any destination being easily accessible from Bari, most likely your main destination. While Bari is a booming tourist destination, along the Adriatic coast of the region there are plenty of idyllic resorts and small tourist villages offering a variety of accommodation options. If you want to focus more on discovering the region and taking trips to the most beautiful destinations in Puglia, the easiest way is to book accommodation in Bari and Lecce, here are some recommendations:
rating 8.5 from 1.485 reviews!
Located in a gorgeous building in the center of Bari, on Corso Cavour near the theater, it is one of the most appreciated hotels.
rating 9.1 from 344 reviews!
Located 10 minutes from the historic center, the hotel is among the most luxurious and elegant hotels in Lecce, offering accommodation in elegant rooms.
rating 9.4 from 1.962 reviews!
Located in the centre of Alberobello, the resort offers accommodation in traditional trulli cottages with authentic facilities, and also features a spa centre.
rating 9.6 from 617 reviews!
Located near the center of Polignano a Mare and a few minutes from the beach, the guesthouse offers standard accommodation.
rating 9.3 from 731 reviews!
Located just 10 minutes from Bari’s old town, this guesthouse has received excellent reviews from tourists, offering standard quality lodging.
rating 7.7 from 128 reviews!
Located just 200 metres from the seafront in the centre of Marina di Leuca, this modern aparthotel offers a contemporary design.
Recommended Restaurants in Puglia
Puglia is known for its exceptional gastronomy, and the restaurants offer all the best and traditional this region has. Recognized for the production of olive oil and wine, but also other products, it is a kind of granary of Italy. The cuisine of Puglia is a refined combination of Mediterranean flavors and authentic products, often grown locally by families. Do not miss the traditional orecchiette pasta served with various sauces or lamb dishes. The residents here are very proud of their culinary tradition, small artisan producers taking precedence over commercial chains. Here are some restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine:
- Ristorante Biancofiore (Bari, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 13) – One of the most appreciated restaurants in Bari, offering a refined gastronomic experience.
- Mastro Ciccio (Bari, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 15) – Offers traditional Italian dishes with natural regional ingredients (pizza, sandwiches and more).
- La Tana del Pulpo (Bari, Via Vallisa 50-51) – Family restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere, offers traditional dishes, especially fish and seafood.
- Arte dei Sapori (Lecce, Vico degli Alami 3) – Located in the historic center of Lecce, offers traditional dishes in a romantic atmosphere.
- Blu Notte (Lecce, Via Marino Brancaccio 2) – Restaurant with traditional fish dishes, highly appreciated by customers, located right in the center of Lecce.
- L’Angolino di Via Matteotti (Lecce, Via Giaccomo Matteotti, 25) – Perfect restaurant for lunch, with traditional Lecce puccia at decent prices.
- La Cantina (Alberobello, Vico Lippolis 8) – Small traditional restaurant offering Puglia dishes, offering a particularly pleasant atmosphere.
- Ristorante I Templari (Martina Franca, Vico I Bellini 7) – The best-rated restaurant in Martina Franca, especially appreciated for its antipasti and atmosphere.
- Casa Mia Trattoria (Polignano a Mare, Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 38/40) – Restaurant appreciated for its delicious cuisine, with pizza and regional dishes.
- La Locanda del Porto (Brindisi, Via Montenegro 20) – Offers excellent fish and seafood recipes, as well as traditional dishes.
- Ristorante della Masseria Bandino (Otranto, Localita Bandino) – The most appreciated restaurant in Otranto offers refined cuisine.
- Tora Pizza & Cucina (Marina di Leuca, Lungomare Magnagrecia) – Set in a superb setting with a sea view, it offers pizza and pasta at decent prices.
- Bagueteria de Pace (Gallipoli, Via Sant’Angelo 8) – Family restaurant offering sandwiches and salads with fresh local ingredients.
Other Activities in Puglia
Shopping – With a variety of traditional products and lower prices than in northern Italy, Puglia is an excellent destination for shopping. For those looking for famous Italian fashion products or famous brands, Bari and Lecce are the best options for shopping. Specific to southern Italy, open-air flea markets can be found in most towns and villages, as well as markets with fresh local produce. In addition to the local food, olive oil and wine famous for the region, there are other traditional products to be found on a trip through Puglia, from papier-mâché to sophisticated embroidery or terracotta manufacturing.
Beaches – With a coastline of hundreds of kilometers, there are also a multitude of splendid beaches that offer perfect conditions. In fact, many northern Italians choose Puglia for their summer holidays. Among the rocky coastline and sea caves, the most famous beaches in this region include Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Marina di Ostuni, Torre dell’Orso, Marina di Salve, Torre Mozza, Rivabella and others.
Adventure – If you are a fan of adventure activities that involve a high dose of adrenaline, this destination offers numerous opportunities. For those who love the sea, the gorgeous beaches of Puglia offer excellent conditions for diving, surfing, but also extreme sports such as cliff jumping. Inland, you can find plenty of hiking trails, especially in the natural parks, as well as opportunities for off-roading, mountain biking and more.
Useful tourist information in Puglia
If the north of Italy is extremely well organized and elegant, the south is more relaxed and authentic. Puglia is one of the emerging destinations on the world tourism market, with new and new attractions being discovered every year. If you want to avoid crowds and high temperatures, the best time to visit is spring (April-June). In the big cities, there are a lot of immigrants, some of them street vendors, and although Italy is generally a safe country, try to avoid the more dangerous areas at night. For transport, the cheapest option is the train (don’t forget to validate your tickets in the machines in the stations and platforms before getting on), and the most comfortable option would be to rent a car for a few days. For accommodation, the most practical would be to choose Bari or Lecce, to be able to explore the region more easily, but if you want something more authentic, there are much more spectacular or traditional options, from the trulli of Alberobello to villas on the seafront.
Day Trips from Puglia
Matera – To the west lies the Basilicata region, even less known to tourists than Puglia. The most famous and interesting destination here is Matera and this should not be missing from any trip to southern Italy, even for a day trip. One of the most spectacular UNESCO sites in the world, Matera is a unique experience. Beyond all the historical buildings in the city, the splendid panorama of Matera from beyond the abyss is one of those images that always remain in the memory. The buildings rise dizzyingly above the abyss, being dug directly into the rock of the slope, some of which can be visited to see the traditional way of life. There are also a multitude of cave churches in Matera, both in the city and in the nearby valley, some of which can be visited as part of a circuit. Apart from the viewpoints that abound on the streets and alleys of the city that must be explored at leisure, you can also visit the most important sights and monuments. These include Piazza Duomo with the cathedral and surrounding palaces, Piazza Vittorio Veneto with the historic buildings that guard it but also the underground water cisterns, San Pietro Caveoso, Chiesa del Purgatorio, Grotta di Vico Solitario, Grotta del Casalnuovo, and many others. There are thematic tourist routes for the cave churches or for the museums, but also many other secrets that are worth discovering on the spot.
