Italy’s heel, the mainland Italian region with the longest coastline, Puglia is one of the unmissable regions in Italy. If you want to live in a fairy tale, I recommend you to walk through its immense plains and swim in its stunning waters, all while feeling the heartwarming hospitality of the locals. Unique landscapes, untouched millennial traditions, and typical products will all guide you to live a fulfilling experience and building long-lasting memories. Read on and discover what Puglia has to offer!
Bari
The capital of the region, one of the best gems of the country, Bari is a city that you definitely need to add to your list this summer. This is one of the most unique and suggestive cities of Puglia. The Old Town looks like a hamlet: walking around you can see old ladies making homemade tortellini on the streets. It’s so amazing! On the other hand, the seaside it’s also very impressive. You will find many restaurants that are very cheap and serve local products. Near Bari, you can also find other stunning places to visit, such as Polignano a mare or Monopoli.
Discover Puglia: Gargano
The coast of Gargano it’s a very interesting touristic destination. It’s different from the most visited areas of the region because of the mountains nearby and its green lands – full of natural parks, olive groves and pine forests. But you can also find very beautiful beaches and suggestive sea caves here. This location is fitted out with stunning places. For example, Peschici it’s perched in a huge promontory with a lot of holiday villages. There, you can visit the beautiful cave of San Nicola. Vieste is also well-liked and packed with amazing beaches.
Trani e Le Murge
Trani is a spectacular city, full of suggestive streets and culture. The city centre is a perfect example of native art and architecture. The Cathedral of San Nicola is an excellent example: it overlooks the sea and it’s so evocative. The Jewish district it’s also something that you cannot miss. It hosts the most ancient Jewish temple in Europe, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The city of Trani is part of a bigger area, called Le Murge. This place includes most of the central part of Puglia. It’s an area rich in karstic formation, with hills, and stunning views. A real blessing of nature.
Itria Valley and Alberobello
A vast expanse of olive trees, stunning white cities shining like pearls, and home to one of the most famous attractions in Puglia, Trulli, Itria Valley is something you can’t miss while traveling through the countryside. It is well-known thanks to its beautiful nature and architecture. The main attraction in the Itria Valley is Alberobello, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and the cultural capital of the Trulli in the Itria Valley. The Trulli have a long history. Since the Medieval Age, peasants have been building these dry stone structures made of limestone, in a rectangular shape with the typical conical corbelled roofs. Alberobello is the only place where we can still admire more than 1.600 of them.
Discover Puglia: Lecce
Flourishing metropolis during the baroque era, Lecce is the most important city in the southern part of Puglia. It is famous for the “Lecce baroque” style of building, distancing itself from the classical baroque architecture for two main reasons. The first one is the use of the “leccese stone”, incredibly soft and easy to manipulate, that once hardened retains a spectacular golden colour. The second one is the type of decorations you can find in Lecce: gremlins, gargoyles, and unusual asparagus columns. Every building has something special and differs from all the others, from the Roman Theatre to Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, and they all fit perfectly inside the streets and squares of, probably, the most beautiful city in Puglia.
Otranto
Founded by the Greeks, Otranto was one of the most important roman ports, connecting the east to the west. It has been influenced by numerous civilizations throughout the centuries and that’s why it is possible to find multiple styles regarding architecture. The city is characterized by a labyrinthine web of alleyways and by distinctive white structures. Probably the most important of them is the Otranto Cathedral, built-in 1080 and renewed numerous times. A gigantic and spectacular mosaic decorates the floor of the church, depicting scenes from the Bible including the Tree of Life. The Cathedral is also a religious stop, as it is dedicated to the martyrs.
Ionic coast
The Ionic coast of Salento is a popular destination for tourists, it’s a real paradise! The turquoise waters and the tropical colours of the cities are fascinating. It’s also an alluring spot for young people, because of the funky bars and discos. Gallipoli, for example, it’s the perfect recap of the beautiful sea, interesting culture, and nightlife. The latter offers the same activities as Porto Cesareo, another lively city on the Ionic coast.
Discover Puglia: Taranto
The city of Taranto overlooks the Ionian Sea, and it’s well-known for its big harbour. It’s home to fishermen, stunning art and amazing food. While visiting the city, you will notice something rather peculiar: The islets S. Pietro and S. Paolo protect the bay (called Mar Grande, Big sea) where the commercial port is located. You will find another bay, called Mar Piccolo (Small sea), near the old part of the city. This is the reason why Taranto is also called “The city of the two seas“.
