From vast expanses of olive groves and vineyards to pristine beaches and secluded coves on the adriatic and ionian coastlines, Puglia features some of the country’s most idyllic landscapes. Coupled with its rich culinary heritage, whitewashed rural villages dotted with trulli houses, and cities characterized by beautifully preserved romanesque, gothic, and baroque architecture, it’s no surprise that this previously under-explored region, at the heel of Italy’s boot, is now firmly on traveler radars.
ALBEROBELLO
Puglia’s picture-postcard town is famous for its conical-roofed trulli houses, where there are rows and rows of these unique buildings. But beyond the classic snap, there’s more to this town than meets the eye. With its narrow pedestrianized streets, little shops selling local produce, and family-run cafes and trattorias offering al fresco dining, Alberobello is worth a pit stop on your Puglian holiday.
TIP: Get there early before the tourists arrive and the heat kicks in.
RESTAURANTS:
RECOMMENDED GUIDE: Along dusty roads – Alberobello
Ostuni’s white-washed walls and winding alleyways offer a surprise around every corner. It’s the perfect place to forget the map and get lost. Bursts of color will suddenly appear out of the glowing white and lead towards a garden balcony bar for an afternoon aperitif, or behind a door to one of the best tortellini’s you’ll ever have. TIP: Sunset hour was made for Ostuni. Head into town for a late afternoon drink before wandering to find dinner. RESTAURANT:
OSTUNI
POLIGNANO A MARE
While the other towns drift more inland, Polignano a Mare is right on the sea. its limestone cliffs fall elegantly into the crystal clear waters and the swimming (although busy) is glorious in the summer. While you put your towel down to mark your spot, you might be lucky enough to see some local cliff divers jumping into the ocean while you cool down. The town is also known for its ice cream – perfect for an anytime treat while you stroll on one of its many panoramic terraces.
TIP: Spending all day in this town is easy. we’d recommend an early swim before taking in lunch with a view.
RESTAURANTS:
RECOMMENDED GUIDE: Along dusty roads – Polignano a Mare
The old fishing town of Monopoli is a refreshing way to escape to a more lived and less touristy part of Puglia. The city still has that special, hard-to-find feeling that has faded from so many other Italian towns that end up on the main tourist routes. The town still feels lived in, and imperfect, which adds to its charm. Take a stroll through its historic city for dinner, and stone churches, down to the beach for lunch. RESTAURANTS: RECOMMENDED GUIDE: Along Dusty roads – Monopoli
MONOPOLI
If history’s your thing, then Matera is a must-do. As one of the oldest, continuously inhabited civilizations in the world, this artistic town is so rich in culture that you can sense the generations of stories. Being the ‘city of the caves’, its natural architecture built up and out of the rock gives feelings of drama, grandeur, and disbelief. Incidentally, this is where the last James Bond movie was shot (that motorbike chase scene!) and it wouldn’t be an Italian town without its sprawling options for food, including its famous local oven-baked bread. RESTAURANTS:
MATERA
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO VENTURE MORE SOUTH
- At. Andrea – Amazing village on a cliff with a tiny beach
- Porto Badisco – Where Enea landed in homer Iliade and casually decided to create Italy. Amazing!
- Castro Marina – Fav town on that coast with spectacular blue water there are facilities like beds, umbrellas, and showers at hotel la Roccia.
- Ciolo – Famous for diving from crazy heights, with spectacular views.
- Santa Maria di Leuca – The edge of Italy you can see the two seas coming together. The town is pretty too.
- San Gregorio – First and foremost!
- Ugento – Alla around this town there are plenty of beaches which stretch till the eye can see
- Gallipoli – Punta della Suina & Baia Verde, beach-wise is nicer than Ugento and is close to Gallipoli
- Santa Caterina – Favorite village on this coast
- Porto Selvaggio – Favorite spot in the whole region by Torre Uluzzo – but hard descent to the water and no sand. natural reserve
- Porto Cesareo – Amazing white sands!
- Highly recommended is place is il Vico del Gusto
- Another good one is Il Volo right in the centre
- In Strudà there is a lovely restaurant called Lilith
- On the beach by torre del orso – quintero
WE RECOMMEND A ROAD TRIP FROM ST. ANDREA OR OTRANTO DOWN TO S.M DI LEUCA, THE ROAD AND SCENERY ARE MESMERISING AND YOU CAN STOP IN THE VILLAGES MENTIONED ABOVE.