Now, we’ve at all times cherished our visits to Puglia and at all times hire a automobile. It makes it a lot simpler to discover the area, particularly to seek out a few of the smaller spots. That being stated, don’t fret when you don’t drive, there are some practice traces, buses and switch choices accessible too.
So, to make it good and straightforward on your journey, I wished to share a few of the finest issues to do in Puglia that I’m positive you’ll love.
Have the perfect time exploring Puglia… and don’t neglect to attempt all of the scrumptious meals, olive oil and burrata! You’ll depart stuffed.
1.) Alberobello
In all probability one in all Puglia’s most iconic cities, Alberobello is extra well-known for its distinctive trulli homes which are 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 shortly destroy them when the native authorities would attempt to gather their taxes.
Now, I’m going to offer 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 truth 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 properly value visiting, however you don’t want, say, 2-3 days exploring Alberobello.
Oh, and don’t neglect, 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? Effectively, we discovered probably the most attractive lodge about 25 minutes from the centre of Alberobello, proper within the attractive olive groves of Puglia.
Actually, the lodge is absolutely comprised 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, continually inhabited, cities on this planet.
To be sincere, you’ll wish to spend most (or all) of your time within the outdated a part of Matera; particularly for the cave lodges which are so distinctive. It’s the form of place that’s completely distinctive and, as most automobiles aren’t allowed within the outdated centre, you’ll have all of the winding streets to your self.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 keep in mind that level about not with the ability to drive within the outdated centre of Matera; be sure that to safe some parking (like we did) with the lodge whenever 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, make sure you take a look at the Saint Agostino Church, Santa Lucia alle Malve Church and Duomo Matera. The non secular 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 when you fancy a seaside city, with a beautiful (however typically busy) little seaside.
Actually, I’d go so far as saying that Polignano a Mare has some of the well-known seashores in all of Puglia.
You possibly can simply spend a couple of, fairly relaxed days right here because it’s fairly small. Although, when 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 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 attractive little city in Puglia known as Monopoli and it’s completely value 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 means down the japanese coast of Puglia.
When you arrive, be sure that to wander the little streets round Palazzo Palmieri. It’s the form of city you’ll be able to go to with no actual plan, however find yourself seeing so many spots.
Oh, and don’t neglect 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 finest pizzas within the city. We cherished it. That being stated, if you need 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 often the gateway metropolis to the broader Puglian area, particularly for worldwide guests. You see, that is the place the most important 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 perfect issues to do in Puglia. It’s a lot greater than its airport.
We spent a couple 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, make sure you take a look at the outdated 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 beautiful, however the actual gem is the outdated city.
After strolling round, make sure you cease off at San Sabino Cathedral, Castello Svevo and the Bari Museum, too.
Don’t neglect 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 make sure you e book upfront, locations refill quick.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bari
6.) Ostuni
Not too removed from Brindisi, Ostuni is the proper 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 superb metropolis to go to for a visit to discover its white-washed streets, quaint alleys and beautiful little cafes. It’s the form of metropolis that’s good for a stroll.
After arriving, make sure you take a look at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the world round Arco Scoppa and don’t neglect 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, e book this Ostuni strolling tour that’ll take you throughout the historic centre. It’s a good way to see town, particularly when 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 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 when you love fairly spots.
There’s been historical past in Lecce for hundreds of years, with Romans utilizing this metropolis as one in all their key fortifications in Puglia. When you’ve arrived in Lecce, make sure you head contained in the completely stunning Basilica di Santa Croce and the beautiful.
Oh, and don’t neglect 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 a good way to see Lecce and make sure you entry to spots that you just may not contemplate when going alone. We cherished it, and the guides are so informative!
Lastly, for an informal lunch, hop into Osteria Da Angiulino. It’s not a elaborate or enormous spot, however the meals is basically good, particularly for the favorite e cicoria. Simply make sure you 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 finest issues to do in Puglia if you need a while within the nice open air.
If it’s the seaside you’re in search of, be sure that to move to Baia di Campi. Not solely is there a beautiful sandy bay, however it’s additionally obtained some pretty views of Campi Island, too. Oh, and don’t neglect in regards to the stunning Baia delle Zagare and Baia dei Faraglioni, too. They’re beautiful seashores in Puglia which are too good to overlook.
Lastly, when you rent a ship, make sure you take a look at the shoreline round Grotta Sfondata. The rugged shoreline of Gargano Nationwide Park is beautiful 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 truly contains cities like Lecce and Brindisi however one particular spot at all times stands out to us, Grotta della Poesia.
If you happen to’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 neglect you’ve obtained Nfucaciucci Bay with its crystal clear waters which are completely beautiful, too.
Afterwards, as you proceed your journey by way of Salento, make sure you 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 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 means 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 in all our favorite foodie spots is Ristorante Pescandalo which serves up recent catches of the day which are introduced into the harbour itself.
Now, we cherished Trani, however don’t really feel like you’ll want to spend days right here. It’s properly value going as a part of a wider street journey and stopping for a couple of hours to relax.
Learn extra: Greatest issues 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 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, recent and completely scrumptious.
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