Now, we’ve all the time beloved our visits to Puglia and all the time lease a automotive. It makes it a lot simpler to discover the area, particularly to search out a few of the smaller spots. That being stated, don’t fret in case you don’t drive, there are some prepare traces, buses and switch choices obtainable too.
So, to make it good and simple in your journey, I wished to share a few of the greatest issues to do in Puglia that I’m certain you’ll love.
Have the very best time exploring Puglia… and don’t overlook to strive all of the scrumptious meals, olive oil and burrata! You’ll depart stuffed.
1.) Alberobello
Most likely one among Puglia’s most iconic cities, Alberobello is extra well-known for its distinctive trulli homes which are located inside the city and are pretty to see.
Apparently, it’s stated that these homes had been as soon as utilized by farmers who would construct them after which shortly destroy them when the native authorities would try to gather 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 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 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 sometimes in such a big cluster as in Alberobello.
Fancy staying in a Trulli Home? Effectively, we discovered probably the most beautiful lodge about 25 minutes from the centre of Alberobello, proper within the beautiful olive groves of Puglia.
Actually, the lodge is absolutely made out of genuine Trulli homes. It’s bliss and simply probably the greatest 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To be trustworthy, you’ll wish to spend most (or all) of your time within the outdated a part of Matera; particularly for the cave accommodations which are so distinctive. It’s the sort of place that’s completely distinctive and, as most automobiles aren’t allowed within the outdated centre, you’ll have all of the winding streets to your self.
Simply do not forget that level about not with the ability to drive within the outdated centre of Matera; be certain to safe some parking (like we did) with the lodge once you e book. Our lodge then picked us up from the storage that they organized and took us on to the lodge. 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 greatest issues to do in Puglia in case you fancy a seaside city, with a stunning (however generally busy) little seaside.
Actually, I’d go so far as saying that Polignano a Mare has one of the crucial well-known seashores in all of Puglia.
You’ll be able to simply spend a number of, fairly relaxed days right here because it’s fairly small. Although, in case you’re brief on time, a day journey can suffice.
Apparently, the sunrises are nice from right here, too! Although, we’re by no means in a position to 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 probably the most beautiful little city in Puglia known as Monopoli and it’s completely price a day journey (or longer if you wish to take it extra chilled).
It’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Puglia as you make your manner down the jap coast of Puglia.
When you arrive, be certain to wander the little streets round Palazzo Palmieri. It’s the sort of city you may 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 few of the greatest 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.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 the very best issues to do in Puglia. It’s a lot greater than its airport.
We spent a number of days in Bari and completely love the outdated a part of town, proper on the seafront (by the harbour).
As soon as right here, remember to try the outdated a part of Bari (Bari Vecchia). It’s the completely beautiful harbourfront space of Bari that’s stuffed with winding cobbled streets, quaint eating places and museums, too.
Fact be informed, 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 outdated city.
After strolling round, remember to cease off at San Sabino Cathedral, Castello Svevo and the Bari Museum, too.
Don’t overlook to e book this unimaginable pasta expertise in Bari.
You’ll head out on a guided tour of Bari and even get to make your personal conventional pasta (Orecchiette) and get to style a tipple of native wines from Puglia and gelato too! Simply remember to e book prematurely, locations refill quick.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bari
6.) Ostuni
Not too removed from Brindisi, Ostuni is the right metropolis to cease when visiting the very best issues to do in Puglia within the jap 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 good for a stroll.
After arriving, remember to try the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the world 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 brief 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 selfmade and completely yummy.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 stunning to see and probably the greatest 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 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 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 take into account when going alone. We beloved it, and the guides are so informative!
Lastly, for an informal lunch, hop into Osteria Da Angiulino. It’s not a flowery or big spot, however the meals is actually good, particularly for the favourite e cicoria. Simply remember to e book a desk on weekends – this small spot can refill quick.
Learn extra: Greatest issues 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 greatest issues to do in Puglia if you’d like a while within the nice open air.
If it’s the seaside you’re searching for, be certain 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 concerning the stunning 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, remember to try the shoreline round Grotta Sfondata. The rugged shoreline of Gargano Nationwide Park is gorgeous to see.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Matera
9.) Grotta della Poesia
Visiting Grotta della Poesia in Salento is definitely probably the greatest issues to do in Puglia. Now, the broader area of Salento really consists of cities like Lecce and Brindisi however one particular spot all the time stands out to us, Grotta della Poesia.
In the event you’re driving round (after visiting Lecce and Brindisi), be certain 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 gorgeous to see.
Oh, and don’t overlook you’ve received Nfucaciucci Bay with its crystal clear waters which are completely gorgeous, 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.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 certain 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 beautiful.
11.) Trani
Perched between the cities of Bari and Barletta, visiting Trani is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia as you’re employed your manner 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 are introduced into the harbour itself.
Now, we beloved Trani, however don’t really feel like you must spend days right here. It’s nicely price going as a part of a wider street journey and stopping for a number of hours to sit back.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Matera
12.) Otranto
A surprising coastal city, visiting Otranto is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Puglia when exploring the Salento area. As soon as right here, be certain 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 off-the-cuff lunch at SoFish. It’s a street-food-style eatery that has a few of the tastiest catches from the shoreline round Salento. It’s fast, contemporary and completely scrumptious.
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