Now, we’ve all the time cherished our visits to Puglia and all the time hire a automotive. It makes it a lot simpler to discover the area, particularly to seek out among the smaller spots. That being stated, don’t fret in case you don’t drive, there are some prepare traces, buses and switch choices accessible too.
So, to make it good and simple on your journey, I needed to share among the greatest issues to do in Puglia that I’m certain you’ll love.
Have one of the best time exploring Puglia… and don’t overlook to strive all of the scrumptious meals, olive oil and burrata! You’ll go away stuffed.
1.) Alberobello
In all probability certainly one of Puglia’s most iconic cities, Alberobello is extra well-known for its distinctive trulli homes which are located throughout the city and are beautiful to see.
Apparently, it’s stated that these homes have been as soon as utilized by farmers who would construct them after which rapidly destroy them when the native authorities would try to acquire their taxes.
Now, I’m going to offer you recommendation we wished we had earlier than visiting Alberobello. Sure, it’s lovely to see the Trulli homes are completely gorgeous to see.
That being stated, the fact for us was that we didn’t want greater than 3-4 hours in Alberobello. Now, don’t mistake that as me saying to not go, it’s nicely value visiting, however you don’t want, say, 2-3 days exploring Alberobello.
Oh, and don’t overlook, you’ll see many different Trulli homes dotted all throughout the Itria Valley in Puglia, simply not usually in such a big cluster as in Alberobello.
Fancy staying in a Trulli Home? Effectively, we discovered essentially the most attractive resort about 25 minutes from the centre of Alberobello, proper within the attractive olive groves of Puglia.
Actually, the resort is absolutely made out of genuine Trulli homes. It’s bliss and simply the most effective issues to do in Puglia.
2.) Matera
Round a 1-hour drive from Alberobello (and about 10 minutes from the Puglia area), it’s a completely historic metropolis that dates again hundreds of years.
Actually, Matera is taken into account one of many oldest, continuously inhabited, cities on the earth.
To be sincere, you’ll wish to spend most (or all) of your time within the previous a part of Matera; particularly for the cave motels which are so distinctive. It’s the sort of place that’s completely distinctive and, as most vehicles aren’t allowed within the previous centre, you’ll have all of the winding streets to your self.
Simply do not forget that level about not having the ability to drive within the previous centre of Matera; be sure to safe some parking (like we did) with the resort if you e book. Our resort then picked us up from the storage that they organized and took us on to the resort. It was all really easy.
After arriving, make sure to take a look at the Saint Agostino Church, Santa Lucia alle Malve Church and Duomo Matera. The spiritual buildings in Matera are simply lovely to see and steeped in historical past.
3.) Poliganao a Mare
Perched on the Puglian shoreline, visiting Polignano a Mare is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia in case you fancy a seaside city, with a beautiful (however typically busy) little seashore.
Actually, I’d go so far as saying that Polignano a Mare has probably the most well-known seashores in all of Puglia.
You possibly can simply spend a couple of, fairly relaxed days right here because it’s fairly small. Although, in case you’re quick on time, a day journey can suffice.
Apparently, the sunrises are nice from right here, too! Although, we’re by no means capable of take ourselves away from bed that early within the morning!
Their native seafood is so good, particularly their octopus.
4.) Monopoli
Yeah, this ain’t the board sport! Actually, there’s essentially the most attractive little city in Puglia referred to as Monopoli and it’s completely value a day journey (or longer if you wish to take it extra chilled).
It’s simply the most effective issues to do in Puglia as you make your method down the japanese coast of Puglia.
When you arrive, be sure to wander the little streets round Palazzo Palmieri. It’s the sort of city you’ll be able to go to with no actual plan, however find yourself seeing so many spots.
Oh, and don’t overlook to stroll the coast across the harbour and Cala Porta Vecchia.
For a chunk to eat or native Puglian wine, pop into Pinsotti for among the greatest pizzas within the city. We cherished it. That being stated, in order for you some native seafood, pop into Osteria Perricci which was so good for lunch.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Matera
5.) Bari
Bari is usually the gateway metropolis to the broader Puglian area, particularly for worldwide guests. You see, that is the place the biggest airport is, with direct flights from cities like London and different greater transport hubs.
Although, don’t see Bari as simply the arrival and departing level to visiting one of the best issues to do in Puglia. It’s a lot greater than its airport.
We spent a couple of days in Bari and completely love the previous a part of town, proper on the seafront (by the harbour).
As soon as right here, make sure to take a look at the previous a part of Bari (Bari Vecchia). It’s the completely attractive harbourfront space of Bari that’s full of winding cobbled streets, quaint eating places and museums, too.
Fact be instructed, we spent most of our time on this space and don’t remorse it one bit. Sure, the ‘newer’ a part of Bari is beautiful, however the actual gem is the previous city.
After strolling round, make sure to cease off at San Sabino Cathedral, Castello Svevo and the Bari Museum, too.
Don’t overlook to e book this unbelievable pasta expertise in Bari.
You’ll head out on a guided tour of Bari and even get to make your individual conventional pasta (Orecchiette) and get to style a tipple of native wines from Puglia and gelato too! Simply make sure to e book prematurely, locations replenish quick.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Bari
6.) Ostuni
Not too removed from Brindisi, Ostuni is the proper metropolis to cease when visiting one of the best issues to do in Puglia within the japanese area.
Perched on a hilly space of Puglia, Ostuni is a superb metropolis to go to for a visit to discover its white-washed streets, quaint alleys and beautiful little cafes. It’s the sort of metropolis that’s excellent for a stroll.
After arriving, make sure to take a look at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the realm round Arco Scoppa and don’t overlook to identify the Colonna di Sant’Oronzo that’s stood in Ostuni for the reason that 1700s.
That being stated, if you wish to take advantage of out of your time and keep away from getting misplaced in all of the little alleys, e book this Ostuni strolling tour that’ll take you throughout the historic centre. It’s an effective way to see town, particularly in case you’re quick on time.
Feeling peckish? Seize some scrumptious pasta from Osteria Del Tempo Perso – the octopus is soo good from right here. Alternatively, if that’s full, seize a desk at Il Posto Affianco; their orecchiette is all home made and completely yummy.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Matera
7.) Lecce
One of many issues that makes Lecce so particular is its ornate Baroque buildings and carvings. It’s completely lovely to see and the most effective issues to do in Puglia in case you love fairly spots.
There’s been historical past in Lecce for hundreds of years, with Romans utilizing this metropolis as certainly one of their key fortifications in Puglia. When you’ve arrived in Lecce, make sure to head contained in the totally lovely Basilica di Santa Croce and the gorgeous.
Oh, and don’t overlook to pay a go to to the ruined Roman Amphitheatre. It’s completely spectacular to see.
To make issues simpler, e book this Baroque and underground Lecce strolling tour. It’s such an effective way to see Lecce and make sure you entry to spots that you simply may not contemplate when going alone. We cherished it, and the guides are so informative!
Lastly, for an off-the-cuff lunch, hop into Osteria Da Angiulino. It’s not a flowery or enormous spot, however the meals is admittedly good, particularly for the favorite e cicoria. Simply make sure to e book a desk on weekends – this small spot can replenish quick.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Matera
8.) Gargano Nationwide Park
Located on the northern fringes of the area, visiting Gargano Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia in order for you a while within the nice outside.
If it’s the seashore you’re on the lookout for, be sure to move to Baia di Campi. Not solely is there a beautiful sandy bay, however it’s additionally bought some beautiful views of Campi Island, too. Oh, and don’t overlook in regards to the lovely Baia delle Zagare and Baia dei Faraglioni, too. They’re gorgeous seashores in Puglia which are too good to overlook.
Lastly, in case you rent a ship, make sure to take a look at the shoreline round Grotta Sfondata. The rugged shoreline of Gargano Nationwide Park is gorgeous to see.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Matera
9.) Grotta della Poesia
Visiting Grotta della Poesia in Salento is definitely the most effective issues to do in Puglia. Now, the broader area of Salento really contains cities like Lecce and Brindisi however one particular spot all the time stands out to us, Grotta della Poesia.
If you happen to’re driving round (after visiting Lecce and Brindisi), be sure to move to the coast at Grotta della Poesia (Poetry Cave) that’s not too removed from Lecce itself. It’s a colossal and completely lovely rugged bay, cave and tunnel that’s simply so gorgeous to see.
Oh, and don’t overlook you’ve bought Nfucaciucci Bay with its crystal clear waters which are completely gorgeous, too.
Afterwards, as you proceed your journey by Salento, make sure to cease off at Gallipoli. It’s one other baroque city that’s picture-perfect to discover.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Brindisi
10.) Vieste
Surrounded by Gargano Nationwide Park, the coastal metropolis of Vieste is very easy to go to after exploring the rugged shoreline round this northern a part of Puglia.
As soon as right here, be sure to walk the streets across the Church of Saint Francis, take the paths across the coastal roads and footpaths that meander Vieste and pop for a chunk to eat at Vecchia Vieste.
Not solely is the seafood scrumptious however the setting, is simply attractive.
11.) Trani
Perched between the cities of Bari and Barletta, visiting Trani is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia as you’re employed your method up the northern coast of the area.
After parking up, take a stroll right down to the historic harbour space and cease off at family-run eating places that line the entrance. That being stated, certainly one of our favorite foodie spots is Ristorante Pescandalo which serves up recent catches of the day which are introduced into the harbour itself.
Now, we cherished Trani, however don’t really feel like it’s good to spend days right here. It’s nicely value going as a part of a wider street journey and stopping for a couple of hours to sit back.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Matera
12.) Otranto
A shocking coastal city, visiting Otranto is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia when exploring the Salento area. As soon as right here, be sure to discover the Cathedral of Otranto, Castello Aragonese and cease off for some sundown drinks at Maestrale. An ideal place for an Aperol spritz.
If it’s seafood you’re after, seize an informal lunch at SoFish. It’s a street-food-style eatery that has among the tastiest catches from the shoreline round Salento. It’s fast, recent and completely scrumptious.
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