Top 10 places to visit in Puglia, Italy

Top 10 places to visit in Puglia, Italy

Part of Puglia's charm is its slow approach to everyday life. The rising star of southern Italy has ancient farmland fringed by a sun-bleached sandy coast and is where tourists go to escape the hustle and bustle of Tuscany.

The region's beautiful range of private villas, many with private pools and always with stunning views, are particularly popular at the moment as they allow for social distancing without compromising the joy of travel.

Here is a list of 10 places you absolutely must visit if you are traveling to Puglia.

Valle d'Itria

Valle d'Itria, also called the "Valley of Trulli", has a unique fairytale landscape dotted with former country houses known as Trulli. These traditional structures look old-fashioned with their beehive-shaped roofs and are made of stones that the villagers clear from their rocky fields. These structures are easy to put up and just as easy to take down if needed and offer warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer months.

Most of the houses, located in the peaceful countryside of Puglia, have been restored as holiday homes with their own pools.

Gargano

Gargano abounds with beautiful fishing villages, dark and ancient forests in the interior, fine sandy beaches surrounded by cliffs, secret caves and picturesque bays. It is ideal for ecotourism and relaxation.

The most popular and modern town in Gargano is the medieval village of Vieste. It's a joy to stroll through its narrow streets, passing whitewashed houses until you reach the stunning 13th-century castle.

The Mattinata beach along the Baia delle Zagare coastal area is among its most beautiful beaches with its famous stacks a few meters from the shore.

If you like fresh fish, you should try dinner in a trabuco, a traditional wooden fishing platform jutting out into the sea from the shore. You can watch the fishing process, help if you want, enjoy a fish dinner, enjoying a very memorable experience.

Salento

The southernmost region of Apulia is defined by stony olive groves that stretch between dry stone walls. It has a strong identity with its own cuisine, traditions and music influenced by its Greek past.

Along with some of Italy's best beaches such as Porto Cesareo with the dunes of Punta Prosciutto, Pescoluse Beach (also called the Maldives of Salento) and Torre Lapillo Beach, there are some charming towns to explore such as Otranto, Specia and Presice (awarded as three of the most the beautiful Italian villages).

Go there in the summer for a chance to witness a sagra di paese (village festival) where you can eat traditional street food while listening to traditional music.

Chill out

The town of Ostuni is a beautiful maze-like white town on top of a hill. It is full of narrow streets and alleys where you can spend hours getting lost, climbing staircases and falling in love with the stunning views.

The historic center within its ancient walls is home to traditional artisan shops, cozy cafés and aperitifs, as well as wonderful restaurants to experience a perfect Apulian dinner. Then visit one of the trendy bars where you can enjoy the lively Italian nightlife in an international environment.

Brindisi

The port of Brindisi is a UNESCO site. The city hosts the United Nations Logistics Base - the center for peacekeeping operations.

Its beautiful coastline is full of restaurants that serve local and fresh food. The old town, nicknamed 'Brindeasy' for its slow and relaxed lifestyle, has a traditional charm and the people are friendly and welcoming.

Alberobello

Alberobello is a fairytale town, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, built of 1,500 Trulli (typical Apulian cone-shaped stone huts). It's a unique and charming place, and although a little touristy, it's definitely worth a visit.

Most of the Trulli here have been converted into souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, but some of them (in less crowded areas of the city) are real homes where people still live.

It heals

Called the Florence of the South, Lecce is one of Puglia's largest cities. It is known for its Baroque architecture with more than 40 churches and at least as many noble palaces built or renovated between the 17th and 18th centuries. The magnificent result is that it has one of the most unified cityscapes in Italy.

The streets are always alive with young people, families and groups of friends enjoying ice cream or street food.

TIP: Don't miss the Pasticciotto (a typical Lecce cake) at Pasticceria Alvino in Piazza Sant'Oronzo and try an iced coffee with almond syrup.