Things to do in Puglia, Italy
While many travelers are drawn to the rolling hills of Tuscany, the contrasting flat and dry landscapes of Puglia, Italy, offer something uniquely beautiful.
Each town has its own unique quality, with cute harbors, pretty white houses, cobblestone streets, and fantastic seafood restaurants. We had such a great time in Puglia, eating our way through every spectacular city in the region!
Note: Nick and I are pescatarians, and we were delighted at the incredible dishes on offer. We found it much more pescatarian/vegetarian friendly than other parts of Italy.
While in the old town, you should also check out the fascinating (even if a little creepy) Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio: ‘The Church of Purgatory’. It might look like a typical Italian church, but inside, discover mummified bodies and skulls on display, designed to remind visitors of how quickly life passes by.
Where to park? We parked here, a 5-minute walk from the Old Town along the coast.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Porto Antico
Our favorite spot in town was the iconic Porto Antico, a picturesque harbor filled with traditional blue fishing boats, whitewashed houses, and green shutters. The best way to enjoy this incredible scenery is with a picnic; grab a delicious Italian sandwich at Gustavo. Nick had the Parmigiana, which was sensational!
Afterward, sleep off your lunch at Cala Porta Vecchia, a stretch of rocks along the fortified walls of Monopoli. You’ll see a good mix of locals and tourists sunbathing, and it’s the perfect spot for a dip.
Top tip: Craving a coffee? Close to Porto Antico is Caffè Letterario, which serves delicious coffee and pastries. An absolute must while you’re in Pugia, Italy!
2. Alberobello (Best Place for Trulli Houses!)
One of the most famous things to do in Puglia is to witness the iconic Trulli Houses of Alberobello: curved white huts with limestone roofs constructed in a cone shape. These unique homes were initially designed for agricultural workers. However, these days, locals still live in them!
Alberobello is known as ‘the best place’ to see them; they really add a fairytale feeling to the beautiful time-worn streets. We were excited to visit this ancient city, and it definitely exceeded our expectations.
Top tip: Grab a gelato at La Bottega del Gelato and wander up to this location for the best view of the historical part of Alberobello.
Best Time to Visit Alberobello
One important thing to mention is that Alberobello and its famous Trulli houses are popular with tour groups. Because of this, it’s best to visit early in the morning or late afternoon/evening.
We visited from 5:30 PM (in October), which was the perfect time for sunset! The sky was lit in gorgeous warm colors, bathing all the white trulli in a pastel glow. All the shops and bars were still open, but they were much quieter than they would have been in the day—ideal!
Where to park? We parked here (in the historic center).
3. Ostuni (Our Favorite Place to Stay in Puglia)
We chose to stay in Ostuni and found it the ideal base! Known as ‘the white city’, it’s beautiful in its own right, but it’s also a great base to visit all the best things to do in Puglia, Italy.
Covering a hilltop, the city has incredible viewpoints across Puglia’s flat olive-grove-covered landscapes. This was one of our favorite locations, which looks directly across the white-washed buildings and pretty church tops.
Where to park? On arrival, we parked here, just an 8-minute walk into the heart of the centro storico.
Where to Eat in Ostuni
Restaurants also spill down these charming streets (we think Ostuni had some of the best ones in Puglia!). Here are some of our favorites:
- Nuovo Inizio (you can see the menu here)
- Burro Cafe (great specialty coffee)
- Crumb35 (delicious sandwiches)
- Borgo Antico Bistro (outdoor seating on the historic stone stairs)
- Ristorante Il Fienile Ostuni (a bit out of the city, but the best food we had during our 2-week trip!)
Although relaxing on the beach and swimming in the turquoise waters is an absolute must, you can also see this coastal gem from a different perspective by heading to this viewpoint.
For something even more unique, explore the surrounding beaches and caves by boat. Book your boat trip in advance here (there’s plenty of time to stop and swim and you’ll get a delicious Italian aperitif!)
Once back on dry land, check out the beautiful town’s streets by walking through the Arco Marchesale. This will bring you to the old city, where you can explore the maze of alleyways and whitewashed houses. There are also plenty of fantastic restaurants and great souvenir shops to do a little shopping.
Note: Polignano a Mare is not a big town, so you could easily see it in a morning or afternoon if you’re tight for time on your Puglia itinerary.
Where to park? This was one of the more expensive parking spots we came across. However, it was conveniently located only 5 minutes from the old town. Here is the exact location.
5. Matera
Discover the oldest city in Europe and one of the most magical we’ve ever seen! While Matera is not officially in the Puglia region, it’s just a 1-2 hour drive away in the region of Basilicata.
The city is built into a valley and divided into two parts. The first is the Sassi, the most ancient part, where you’ll find ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone rock. The second is the Piano neighborhood, the newer, more modern part of town located just above. You’ll have to climb many stairs to reach this beautiful location, but it’s worth every step!
Where to park? Here is the location of the parking we used. You’ll have to walk from here, as the Sassi is not accessible by car.
The Sassi
Explore the ancient caves of the Sassi in Matera. These limestone dwellings have been used by civilians since prehistoric times! Once used as churches, homes, and shops, these unique caves are now converted into museums, luxury hotels, and even restaurants. It is a photographer’s dream; it’s been on our bucket list forever, and it did not disappoint.
Tip: Although Matera has many well-known viewpoints, we highly recommend these two hidden gems: Viewpoint 1 + Viewpoint 2. If you’d like to relax and take in this atmosphere, this bar terrace also has impressive views; it’s the ideal spot to enjoy an aperitif in the heart of the Sassi.
Note: Although you could come to Matera for a day trip, we wish we had stayed here for a night or two. The boutique hotels nestled within the caves looked really tempting! Remember that if you stay in The Sassi, you’ll have to be prepared to carry your suitcases up hills and stairs (as the streets are pedestrianized). If you stay in The Piano, it’s slightly more manageable, as this more modern part is accessible by car.
Getting to Matera: If visiting on a daytrip, you can arrive using your rental car. Alternatively, join an organized tour of Matera from most cities in Puglia; there are lots to choose from!
Its impressive architectural gems have earned it the nickname ‘the Florence of the South’, and we have to agree! We loved wandering around the baroque streets of the city, admiring the architecture and the soft golden limestone of the buildings. This particular stone is called Pietra Leccese, which gives the city its iconic unique glow.
Make sure to stop off in Piazza del Duomo, the city’s main square; it’s surrounded by the Duomo di Lecce, the bell tower, and two beautiful palaces. You can also visit the stunning Basilica di Santa Croce, which is close by. The basilica’s exterior is really out of this world—we were so impressed by the detail of the stone carving.
Tip: You can buy a combined ticket for Lecce’s most important historical sites. This includes the basilica, several baroque churches, and the seminary palace. Tickets cost 9 EUR, and you can pre-book them here.
Food in Lecce
After a morning of sightseeing, you’ve earned a break at one of Lecce’s many incredible foodie spots. We loved the pastries at Caffè Alvino. We were told the regional favorite is Pasticciotti, a pastry base filled with vanilla custard (in production since the 1700s!). However, you can now get all different variations. Hannah’s favorite was the one with the lemon cream filling, which was mouthwateringly good!
The city’s vibrant dining scene means it’s also the perfect place to do a street food tour. You’ll not only get to try all the local specialties, but they’ll teach you about the city’s most important sites along the way.
It’s no surprise that our favorite spot was ‘Pasta Street’ (Strada delle Orecchiette). Here, local grandmas line the streets, forming their dough into fresh orecchiette. This pasta shape is typical to Puglia and directly translates to ‘little ear’.
Note: The best time to see the ladies of Bari in full pasta-making mode is between 9 AM and noon, so arrive in Bari early if you can! We parked in this location, just a ten-minute walk to Pasta Street.
To learn even more about local ingredients, dishes, and Orecchiette in Bari, book this amazing food tour.
8. Locorotondo
Locorotondo, meaning ‘round place’, is a circular town and one of the most picturesque in Puglia, Italy. The city has unique ‘cummerse’ houses, with sloping roofs covered in the same stones as the iconic trulli. Although you won’t find any actual trulli houses within the city, Locorotondo looks down onto the Itria Valley, where you’ll see olive groves and farmland dotted with the unique cone-shaped structures.
The hilltop town is also famous for its white wine production! Wine lovers will love all the tours in town and the surrounding countryside. If you don’t have time to do a tour, you can enjoy an intimate wine tasting in one of the cozy wine shops.
Join this fantastic bike tour to Locorotondo, passing through the Itria Valley
9. Explore the Caves of Castellana
The Caves of Castellana are one of the best things to do in Puglia — known as one of Italy’s greatest attractions!
It’s most famous for the Gotta Bianca (white cave), which is known as one of the most visually exciting caves in the world because of its spectacular white calcite formations. There’s also the mammoth main chamber, La Grave, where you can see huge stalactites and stalagmites.
Choose a short tour of about 50 minutes (covers 1km of the cave) or a more extended tour of 2 hours (3km). We recommend the longer tour if you want to see the remarkable white cave further along the route. Make sure to book your tickets in advance, especially in summer when it gets busy. During this time, the cool temperatures of the caves are so refreshing!
10. Olive Oil Tasting in a Masseria
One of our most authentic experiences in Puglia was a brilliant olive oil-tasting session. As Puglia makes around 40% of Italy’s olive oil, it’s a no-brainer to learn more about this delicious product.
We visited this Masseria, a small family-run business that gave us a fantastic tour. First, we walked through the farm, looking at different types of trees and learning about the harvesting process. Afterward, we sat on straw bales, trying different olive oils and testing our taste buds. We continued to use this knowledge for the rest of our vacation (we felt like experts by the end!).
Tip: As a nice souvenir of your trip, you can buy their farm-produced olive oil after the tasting.
11. Torre Sant’Andrea
Torre Sant’Andrea has to be added to your list for the most unique coastline in Puglia! Here, the wild wind and water have formed unique limestone rock formations, cliffside archways, caves, and craggy inlets — leaving behind an incredible natural playground to explore. Spend a day here walking across the clifftop scrubland paths, cliff jumping, and snorkeling/swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters.
When we were there, we jumped off the cliffs with some Italians who really knew what they were doing. It’s a good idea to ask the locals before jumping, as they know where the rocks are. We also recommend bringing water shoes, as you’ll need to climb up some rocks to get out of the water.
Important information
There are plenty of parking options close to the beach. However, in the summer, it gets full very quickly. Arrive early in the morning to get a spot or later in the afternoon when people leave.
Note: Don’t leave valuables in your car. Although we had no bad experiences, we heard that theft is common during high season. (Learn more about travel safety)
The beauty of this natural spot is that it has remained untouched, meaning that there are no amenities here. Factor that in when packing for the day and thinking about food and drinks.
If rocky beaches aren’t for you, head to the nearest sandy beach, Torre dell’Orso (here is the location). It’s a bit busier but much more comfortable to lay on. Plus, you’ll find beach clubs, restaurants, and bathrooms here.
12. Try Traditional Puglian Cuisine
With such a fantastic coastline, we’d heard great things about the seafood in Puglia! But it doesn’t just stop at octopus, mussels, and freshly caught fish; the region is famous for orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta), olives, wine, stracciatella cheese, and sweet pastries!
Our personal favorites on the trip were the delicious pastries Pasticciotto with vanilla cream (we tried the lemon version), the traditional broccoli rabe pasta dish, and plenty of fluffy focaccia.
These are the two best restaurants we ate in on our trip:
- Osteria Sud e Terre Lontane in Avetrana
- Osteria da Giuseppe in Ceglie Messapica
Our top tip: The best way to sample Puglian cuisine is by joining a cooking class. See the next best ‘thing to do in Puglia’ for our recommendation.
13. Cooking Class (Our Favorite Activity in Puglia!)
Our favorite experience in our two weeks in Puglia was, without a doubt, this memorable cooking class! Set amongst the beautiful Apulian countryside at a cozy family villa in Ostuni, this cooking experience is taught by the matriarchs of the household—a wonderful mother-daughter duo.
We enjoyed this experience in October underneath a garden pergola in the afternoon sunshine — perfection! You’ll enjoy drinks and snacks while making your food before eating your hard work. There was even traditional live music; we danced with everyone in the group, including the family, which was so much fun. (Book the experience here)
Please note that this experience is very popular and fully booked in advance, so you’ll need to be organized beforehand. We’ve done some research into some other great cooking classes in the area, in case it’s full:
- Lecce: Book your pasta-making class here
- Alberobello: Join this cooking class in a local’s home
- Bari: Book this fresh pasta and Tiramisu class
14. Wine Tasting
For wine lovers, a vineyard tour is one of the best things to do in Puglia! Although it isn’t as well known as regions like Tuscany, the wines are just as delicious. Some great local wines are Primativo and Negroamaro, which have a bolder, more unique flavor than you’ll find anywhere else in Italy! The wine here is also relatively cheap, so you’ll take some treasures away from your tour at a fraction of the price.
We did this fantastic wine tour in the heart of a beautiful vineyard in the Apulian countryside. It was such a great experience learning about the time-honored tradition of making wine and having the opportunity to sample all the different types of grapes available. We also had a delicious meal with our wine, set at a beautiful table among the vines and lit by twinkling lights as the sun went down — magic!
Amazing wine-tasting tour: Book your spot in advance here
15. Discover Salento’s Best Beaches
Salento is the southernmost region of Puglia and is most famously known as the home of the area’s best beaches. Because of the shape of this coastline, Salento has beaches on two seas, meaning you can choose between the rocky coves and wild nature of the Adriatic coast and the calm Caribbean-like waters and soft white sand of the Ionian.
West Salento (Ionian Sea)
On the western Ionian side, discover shallow turquoise waters with white sand similar to tropical favorites. These beaches have more amenities, like vibrant beach clubs, delicious restaurants, and the option to rent sunbeds.
Note: We found that the price of daybeds ranged from 10 EUR at budget spots to 100 EUR at more high-end clubs.
East Salento (Adriatic Sea)
The eastern part of the region is the place for cliff jumping, fantastic snorkeling, and cave exploration, with beaches characterized by their wild, secluded nature. You won’t find as many amenities here, but that’s all part of its untouched beauty! Some of our favorites on this side were:
- Torre dell’Orso (east)
- Baia dei Turchi (east)
Where to Stay in Puglia
There are so many beautiful places to stay in Puglia, Italy! We chose to stay in Ostuni and loved it; it’s a lively city centrally located in the region, making it super easy to explore. We stayed both in a city hotel and later in a countryside villa.
Tip: If you’re following a Puglia itinerary for a few weeks, we recommend staying in a few places. For example, Monopoli, Alberobello, and Lecce are also ideal bases for exploring other spots. We’ve included some of our favorites below:
Although the Trulli houses are very popular places to stay, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for more extended vacations. We found them a bit uncomfortable, mainly because of the low ceilings and lack of ventilation, which means they are prone to dampness. For a day or two, though, it’s a fun thing to do in Puglia!
Visiting in the summer? You’ll want to book somewhere with a pool, especially if you’re staying away from the coast.
How Many Days in Puglia, Italy?
There are so many amazing things to do in Puglia that you need at least a week to explore. Preferably, 10 to 14 days would be ideal for beach relaxation and to fit in all the fantastic wine tours, cooking classes, and city sightseeing.
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Best Cafes & Restaurants
Apulian food is absolutely delicious, and many must-try dishes and experiences are available! Nick and I are both pescatarians and were so happy that we had so many options on the menu, as the cuisine there is very seafood-based.
We also noticed a lot more vegetarian dishes on offer, especially if you compare it to other regions in Italy like Tuscany. Some of our favorite restaurants we visited during our trip were:
- Ostuni: Borgo Antico Bistrot. There are beautiful views and delicious sharing boards.
- Alberobello: Trattoria Terra Madre. Specializes in organic and locally sourced ingredients.
- Polignano a Mare: Pescaria. Serves delicious seafood sandwiches/paninis. (Book your table here)
- Monopoli: Gustavo. The most delicious sandwich ever!
- Matera: Conzato. Fantastic views of Matera and delicious antipasti.
- Avetrana: Osteria Sud e Terre Lontane. Incredible seafood plates.
- Ceglie Messapica: Osteria da Giuseppe. Fresh, seasonal pasta dishes (book your table here).
How to Visit Puglia, Italy
Puglia has two international airports: Bari and Brindisi. Both have plenty of options for traveling throughout Europe! From both, it’s really easy to travel onwards to your destination, either by rental car, bus, or train.
Getting Around
Renting a car is the ideal way to explore the region, allowing you to dive deeper into the secluded countryside, hidden Trulli Houses, and untouched coastline. It’s easy to navigate, with a good mix of highways between the main towns and winding scenic roads in the countryside.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
By Train
Although you have complete freedom with a rental car, the train is also a great form of transportation in Puglia. All the main towns and cities, such as Bari, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Brindisi, and Lecce, have great train connections. If you’re not renting a car, we recommend staying in one of these places.
Tours
Organized tours are also a great way to see the region. You can book many that offer return transportation and a guide from the major cities—an easy way to visit some of these top things to do in Puglia (and learn from a local expert!).
Some of the tours we did on this trip, such as our cooking class, olive oil tour, and wine tasting, were some of the best experiences we had!
Budget for Puglia, Italy
Puglia is definitely one of the cheaper locations we’ve visited in Italy, and we found it much more affordable than more well-traveled regions such as Tuscany.
While hotels and food are generally priced lower, there are also ways to save money on your trip. For example, you can buy a delicious sandwich or focaccia to take away from one of the shops almost everywhere in town — making the perfect beach snack! The water is also drinkable from the taps, so you won’t have to buy water from the stores.
Note: If you’re renting a car in Puglia, you’ll need to also budget for fuel and parking costs. We spent around 3 – 20 EUR per day on parking.
Best Time to Visit
While July and August are the most popular months to visit Puglia, they are also the hottest (and busiest!). This is an excellent time to relax on the region’s many beautiful beaches, but you should book your hotels, restaurants, and tours well before your trip. Parking can also fill up quickly during these times, so we recommend visiting beaches and other significant attractions first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We visited in October, and we found it absolute perfection! The average daily temperature was 23 degrees Celsius, there were fewer crowds, and in the late afternoons/evenings, we often had the busy city streets to ourselves! We also found it a great time to explore the region’s highlights, with milder temperatures that were perfect for a road trip yet warm enough that we could still swim and sunbathe.
Want to try something unique? Explore Puglia by scooter.
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