girlwanderingabroad

Puglia : 5 places you cannot miss out!

Puglia is situated in the south of Italy, right in the heel of Italy’s boot. The region is known for its historic towns, rich culture, excellent food and some of the most beautiful beaches in southern Italy. For me, visiting Puglia was love at first sight. It’s definitely one of the most attractive regions in Italy and in this travel guide, I’m sharing the best places to visit in Puglia, including the most charming towns, my personal travel tips, where we stayed (avaliable accomodation) and the top things to do in Puglia.

How To Get To Puglia & How To Get Around

The easiest way to reach Puglia if visiting by air is flying to Bari or Brindisi, the two main airports servicing this region. If you are arriving from another Italian city, you can also take a train to Bari.
Once you have arrived in Puglia, the best way to get around is by car. It gives you the best flexibility and allows you to explore some places that cannot be reached by public transport. Therefore, Puglia is the perfect place for a road trip! You can find many car rental companies in Bari.

Best Time To Visit Puglia

You can visit Puglia throughout the year, but the best time to visit is probably in the shoulder season (May/June/September) when the temperatures are pleasant and it’s less crowded than in peak season (July/August). We visited Puglia in September. The weather was perfect during our whole trip and the main sights weren’t crowded. Especially in the mornings, we had all of the places entirely to ourselves.

Where To Stay In Puglia

Depending on which places in Puglia you want to see, you can either stay in one place and take day trips from there or stay in different locations so you’ll be able to see more of this beautiful region. I would recommend the first option. We visited in different locations (Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuni, Cisternino) to make the most of our Puglia trip but our base was Monopoli, as it has a perfect location close to all the other towns we wanted to visit. If you look for my personal recommendations on the best places to stay, I’ve linked the AirBnB we stayed at within this article.

A great thing about this region is that you can easily visit Puglia on a budget compared to other regions in Italy, which are really expensive (like visiting the Amalfi Coast).

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PUGLIA & TOP THINGS TO DO – OVERVIEW:
– Stay in an authentic Trullo in Alberobello
– Wander the streets of Cisternino
– Discover the beautiful town of Polignano a Mare in winter
– Explore the town of Monopoli
– Wander around the old center of Bari, the capital of Puglia.

Keep reading for my complete Puglia travel guide

Wander around the Trulli in Alberobello

The charming town of Alberobello is located in the heart of the Valle D’Itria (Itria Valley) which is also known as the ‘Trulli Valley’ because it’s the best part of the region to see the authentic trulli houses. The traditional Apulian trulli have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996. If you are eager to learn more about the history and architecture of this enchanting place, I recommend doing a guided walking tour . The white-washed Trulli (plural for trullo) are made of local limestone and have unique conic roofs. In Alberobello, you can find around 1,500 of these cute traditional houses. Entering the old town of Alberobello felt like stepping right into a fairytale. I absolutely loved getting lost in the enchanting cobblestone alleys while admiring the architecture of the beautiful Trulli. Alberobello certainly belongs to the most beautiful places in Puglia. 
The best time to wander through the streets is early in the morning and late in the evening when the town isn’t as crowded as during the day. That’s why I would definitely recommend staying overnight in a Trullo to make the most out of your visit. Believe me, staying in an authentic Trullo is such a unique and unforgettable experience – you have to try it

Visit The ‘White City’ Of Ostuni

Ostuni, also known as the ‘White City’, belongs to the top places to visit in Puglia. Therefore, it’s a magnet for tourists. The ancient city is full of history and charming old buildings. The history of the old town even goes back to the Stone Ages. I really loved exploring the maze-like cobblestoned alleyways and staircases in-between the vibrant white houses. Every corner of this place looks so photogenic! For me, Ostuni is one of the best towns to visit in Puglia.

Make sure to stop by the cathedral Duomo di Ostuni (Basilica concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) and the Bishop’s Palace. One of the city’s most vibrant places is the Piazza della Libertà which is a great spot for an aperitivo and people watching. You can also join a guided walking tour to learn more about Ostuni from a local guide.

Next to the stunning architecture and the charm of this city, I absolutely loved the food in Ostuni. We tried different local food specialties and I felt like I’m in food heaven! Ostuni really has some of the best restaurants. If you love Italian food, you must try the food in Puglia – it’s next level! One place we really loved is called Borgo Antico Bistrot. Next to the food, the view from this restaurant was simply amazing!

Ostuni is also famous for its olives. The town sits on a hilltop surrounded by endless olive groves with thousand-year-old olive trees. Puglia, in fact, is the largest olive oil producer in Italy. Therefore, Ostuni, is the perfect place to do an Olive Oil Tasting Tour Olive Oil Tasting Tour.

Explore The Town Of Monopoli

Monopoli is a coastal town close to Polignano a Mare. Therefore, I would recommend visiting these two places in combination. We stayed in Monopoli for one night at B&B Verdearancio, which offers lovely, modern rooms within walking distance to the historic center.

The beach of Capitolo is part of the splendid territory of Monopoli, it is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Puglia.

The fine golden sand beach is located near the hamlet of Capitolo, a few kilometers from the city center. Not to be confused with the Calette of the Chapter of Monopoly which are located between the seaside resort and the fraction of Capitolo. They are small, from here coves, and composed mainly of rocks that allow access to the green and crystalline sea. There are a total of 19 and although they are not all easy to reach: they undoubtedly deserve a break, even just for snorkeling .

The old town of Monopoli is full of charm. You can find cute alleys, beautiful old churches (make sure to stop at the Monopoli Cathedral, Basilica of the Madonna della Madia) and a rustic old fishermen harbor (Porta Vecchia). At the seafront of Monopoli, you can admire the impressive Castle of Monopoli (Castle of Carlo V) and the old defensive walls, or just walk along the beautiful seafront promenade and relax at one of the sandy beaches. If you have enough time, you can also join a guided walking tour to explore this fascinating town like a local. Monopoli is one of the best places to go in Puglia and should definitely be included in your itinerary.

For the accommodation options in Monopoli, click here: Airbnb n 1 , Airbnb n 2

Discover The Beautiful Town Of Polignano A Mare

Polignano a Mare belongs to my absolute favorite places in Puglia. The small, picturesque seaside town is spectacularly built on the edge of rocky cliffs and the beautiful white-washed houses of the old town overlook the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea.

I really loved the historic centre with its narrow streets and old houses. My favorite spot, however, was the small beach of Polignano a Mare called Lama Monachile or Cala Porto. The pebble beach is not only photogenic but also the perfect place for a swim in the unbelievably clear, emerald waters surrounded by the dramatic cliffs of Polignano a Mare. For a great viewpoint overlooking the beach, head to the Ponte Lama Monachile, an old Roman bridge located right behind the beach.

If you look for the best view of the town and the beach, don’t miss Pietra Piatta – here you can find the perfect angle for postcard-worthy pictures of Polignano a Mare. It’s also a great spot to enjoy the sunset while admiring the beauty of this stunning Italian seaside town. This place is a must-see!

We did a day trip to Polignano a Mare from Monopoli (see next section), which is enough when you visit Puglia for the first time. But, since I, personally, really fell in love with this beautiful place, I think I would stay overnight next time. For me, it’s one of the best places to visit in Puglia.

So, next time we plan to stay for at least two nights in Polignano a Mare and I also really want to do this boat cruise to the hidden caves next time because I heard it’s amazing.

Wander The Streets Of Cisternino

The picturesque hilltop town of Cisternino is listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. After wandering through the labyrinth of charming alleys of this lovely town, I can totally understand why. The old town of Cisternino with its old white houses, narrow streets and flower baskets everywhere looks simply picture-perfect. The name of the town means ‘round place’ which derives from the circular shape of the town.

We stopped in Cisternino for half a day coming from Ostuni, which is only a 10-minute drive. Compared to other towns in Puglia, Cisternino is relatively uncrowded and I really loved that. There are not many sights in Cisternino, but you will find some beautiful churches and “BBQ places”, Cisternino is very famous for its barbecuing butchers! All you have to do is choose your meat – maybe the local speciality like bombette or gnummriedd, little meat parcels filled with mince, ham and cheese – and take a seat outside with a carafe of local wine. The butcher will then barbecue your chosen goodies and bring them out to you when ready. A truly local (and delicious) eating experience! So make sure to taste a glass of vino in one of the cute restaurants and enjoy the charm of this beautiful town. Cisternino is definitely one of the best places to visit in Puglia.

Cisternino is very famous for its barbecuing butchers! All you have to do is choose your meat – maybe the local speciality like bombette or gnummriedd, little meat parcels filled with mince, ham and cheese – and take a seat outside with a carafe of local wine. The butcher will then barbecue your chosen goodies and bring them out to you when ready. A truly local (and delicious) eating experience! So make sure to taste a glass of vino in one of the cute restaurants and enjoy the charm of this beautiful town. Cisternino is definitely one of the best places to visit in Puglia.

More places to visit in Puglia:

Gallipoli
Brindisi
Porto Cesareo
Martina Franca
Locorotondo
Taranto
Trani
Vieste
Gargano Peninsula / National Park
Santa Maria di Leuca

I hope you enjoyed reading this Puglia travel guide and that I could convince you that Puglia is worth visiting! For me, Puglia is one of my favorite regions in Italy! If you have any other questions about visiting Puglia, just let me know in the comments below!

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