Now, we’ve at all times beloved our visits to Puglia and at all times lease a automotive. It makes it a lot simpler to discover the area, particularly to search out a number of the smaller spots. That being stated, don’t fret in the event you don’t drive, there are some practice traces, buses and switch choices accessible too.
So, to make it good and straightforward in your journey, I wished to share a number of the finest issues to do in Puglia that I’m positive you’ll love.
Have the perfect time exploring Puglia… and don’t overlook to attempt all of the scrumptious meals, olive oil and burrata! You’ll depart stuffed.
1.) Alberobello
In all probability one among Puglia’s most iconic cities, Alberobello is extra well-known for its distinctive trulli homes which can be located throughout the city and are pretty 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 attempt to acquire their taxes.
Now, I’m going to provide you recommendation we wished we had earlier than visiting Alberobello. Sure, it’s stunning to see the Trulli homes are completely beautiful 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 price 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? Properly, we discovered probably the most attractive resort about 25 minutes from the centre of Alberobello, proper within the attractive olive groves of Puglia.
The truth is, the resort is absolutely made out of genuine Trulli homes. It’s bliss and simply among the finest 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 very historic metropolis that dates again 1000’s of years.
The truth is, 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 can be 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 keep in mind that level about not having the ability to drive within the previous centre of Matera; be sure that to safe some parking (like we did) with the resort once you guide. 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, remember to try the Saint Agostino Church, Santa Lucia alle Malve Church and Duomo Matera. The spiritual buildings in Matera are simply stunning to see and steeped in historical past.
3.) Poliganao a Mare
Perched on the Puglian shoreline, visiting Polignano a Mare is likely one of the finest issues to do in Puglia in the event you fancy a seaside city, with a stunning (however typically busy) little seashore.
The truth is, I’d go so far as saying that Polignano a Mare has one of the vital well-known seashores in all of Puglia.
You possibly can simply spend just a few, fairly relaxed days right here because it’s fairly small. Although, in the event 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 off the 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 probably the most attractive little city in Puglia referred to as Monopoli and it’s completely price a day journey (or longer if you wish to take it extra chilled).
It’s simply among the finest issues to do in Puglia as you make your approach down the japanese coast of Puglia.
When you arrive, be sure that 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 a number of the finest pizzas within the city. We beloved it. That being stated, if you’d like some native seafood, pop into Osteria Perricci which was so good for lunch.
Read more: Best things to do in Matera
5.) Bari
Bari is often 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 larger transport hubs.
Although, don’t see Bari as simply the arrival and departing level to visiting the perfect issues to do in Puglia. It’s a lot greater than its airport.
We spent just a few days in Bari and completely love the previous a part of town, proper on the seafront (by the harbour).
As soon as right here, remember to try the previous a part of Bari (Bari Vecchia). It’s the completely attractive harbourfront space of Bari that’s crammed with winding cobbled streets, quaint eating places and museums, too.
Reality 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 gorgeous, however the actual gem is the previous city.
After strolling round, remember to cease off at San Sabino Cathedral, Castello Svevo and the Bari Museum, too.
Don’t overlook to book this incredible pasta experience 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 remember to book in advance, locations replenish quick.
Read more: Best things to do in Bari
6.) Ostuni
Not too removed from Brindisi, Ostuni is the right metropolis to cease when visiting the perfect issues to do in Puglia within the japanese area.
Perched on a hilly space of Puglia, Ostuni is a good metropolis to go to for a visit to discover its white-washed streets, quaint alleys and lovely little cafes. It’s the sort of metropolis that’s excellent for a stroll.
After arriving, remember to try 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 because the 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, book this Ostuni walking tour that’ll take you throughout the historic centre. It’s an effective way to see town, particularly in the event 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.
Read more: Best things 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 stunning to see and among the finest issues to do in Puglia in the event you love fairly spots.
There’s been historical past in Lecce for 1000’s of years, with Romans utilizing this metropolis as one among their key fortifications in Puglia. When you’ve arrived in Lecce, remember to head contained in the totally stunning Basilica di Santa Croce and the beautiful.
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, book this Baroque and underground Lecce walking tour. It’s such an effective way to see Lecce and make sure you entry to spots that you simply may not think about when going alone. We beloved 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 big spot, however the meals is basically good, particularly for the favourite e cicoria. Simply remember to guide a desk on weekends – this small spot can replenish quick.
Read more: Best things to do in Matera
8.) Gargano Nationwide Park
Located on the northern fringes of the area, visiting Gargano Nationwide Park is likely one of the finest issues to do in Puglia if you’d like a while within the nice outside.
If it’s the seashore you’re in search of, be sure that to move to Baia di Campi. Not solely is there a stunning sandy bay, however it’s additionally received some pretty views of Campi Island, too. Oh, and don’t overlook in regards to the stunning Baia delle Zagare and Baia dei Faraglioni, too. They’re beautiful seashores in Puglia which can be too good to overlook.
Lastly, in the event you rent a ship, remember to try the shoreline round Grotta Sfondata. The rugged shoreline of Gargano Nationwide Park is beautiful to see.
Read more: Best things to do in Matera
9.) Grotta della Poesia
Visiting Grotta della Poesia in Salento is definitely among the finest issues to do in Puglia. Now, the broader area of Salento truly contains cities like Lecce and Brindisi however one particular spot at all times stands out to us, Grotta della Poesia.
For those who’re driving round (after visiting Lecce and Brindisi), be sure that 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 stunning rugged bay, cave and tunnel that’s simply so beautiful to see.
Oh, and don’t overlook you’ve received Nfucaciucci Bay with its crystal clear waters which can be completely beautiful, too.
Afterwards, as you proceed your journey by means of Salento, remember to cease off at Gallipoli. It’s one other baroque city that’s picture-perfect to discover.
Read more: Best things to do in Matera
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 that 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 likely one of the finest issues to do in Puglia as you’re employed your approach 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, one among our favorite foodie spots is Ristorante Pescandalo which serves up contemporary catches of the day which can be introduced into the harbour itself.
Now, we beloved Trani, however don’t really feel like you have to spend days right here. It’s nicely price going as a part of a wider highway journey and stopping for just a few hours to relax.
Read more: Best things to do in Matera
12.) Otranto
A surprising coastal city, visiting Otranto is likely one of the finest issues to do in Puglia when exploring the Salento area. As soon as right here, be sure that 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 a number of the tastiest catches from the shoreline round Salento. It’s fast, contemporary and completely scrumptious.
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