Puglia

Stretching 400km from north to south, Puglia’s long, narrow peninsula forms the heel of Italy. For centuries it was a strategic province, colonized, invaded and conquered by just about every major power of the day – from the ancient Greeks through to the Spanish. These days clean seas and reliable sunshine are the draws for holiday-makers both Italian and foreign, and acres of campsite- and-bungalow-type tourist villages stud the shoreline, though there are still quiet spots to be found. Low-cost flights to Bari and Brindisi have opened up the area to British tourists, many of whom have been buying and doing up trulli – ancient storehouses – and masserie (farm estates) as holiday accommodation.

There’s a brisk air of investment in many resorts, from the new top-of-the-range spa hotels in converted masserie to agriturismo places where you can holiday among olive groves and orchards. B&Bs continue to spring up everywhere, often in the historic centres of towns, some simple, some splendid, all of them better value for money than most hotels. Discover all you need to know before your trip with our Puglia travel guide.

Vieste

For sun and sea, head to this resort on the dramatic Gargano promontory, which also serves as a gateway to the remote Tremiti islands.

Castel del Monte

Puglia’s greatest Swabian castle is a testament to thirteenth-century engineering.

Martina Franca

This lively town with its Moorish feel makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area’s trulli – Puglia’s traditional conical whitewashed buildings.

Ostuni

One of the most stunning hilltop towns in southern Italy, with a sun-bleached old quarter and a sandy coastline 7km away.

Lecce

Dubbed the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is an exuberant city of Baroque architecture and opulent churches.

Otranto

Pressed against clear Adriatic waters at Italy’s easternmost point, Otranto’s whitewashed medieval core makes a great base for getting around Salento’s windswept coast.

Puglia is known as the breadbasket of Italy. It’s the source of 80 percent of Europe’s pasta and much of Italy’s fish; it produces more wine than Germany and more olive oil than all the other regions of Italy combined. It’s famous for olives (from Cerignola), almonds (from Ruvo di Puglia), dark juicy tomatoes (often sun-dried), cime di rapa (turnip tops), fava beans, figs (fresh and dried), cotognata (a moulded jam made from quince) and for its melons, grapes and green cauliflower. The influence of Puglia’s former rulers is still evident in the region’s food. Like the Greeks, Pugliesi eat lamb and goat spit-roast over herb-scented fires and deep-fried doughnut-like cakes steeped in honey; and like the Spanish they drink almond milk, latte di mandorla.

Puglia also produces some of Italy’s best-value wines, particularly its formidable reds – Primitivo di Manduria (aka red Zinfandel), Salice Salentino, and Negroamaro. Locorotondo is a straightforward, fresh white from Salento, a region known also for its rosati (rosé) called Salento Rosato and dessert wine called Aleatico.

Samsara Beach in Gallipoli is perfect for those wanting to sample some of Italy’s party scene with the sea and sand between your toes.

Great cocktails, delicious food and a buzzing atmosphere make Samsara one of the hottest spots on the west coast.

Hosting parties across the summer with an array of guest DJs, Samsara Beach Club Puglia is perfect for those looking for a laid-back party scene.

Fantastic Puglia villa holiday Masseria Caprice is perfectly situated just outside Gallipoli.

Lido Bosco Verde in Pilone, Ostuni is a stylish gem serving traditional Italian food. Surrounded in greenery, you’d have no idea you were in one of the hottest places in Europe.

Taking you from day to night effortlessly, this little oasis is located between the unrivalled eastern beaches and the open Italian land.

Trullo Ferrando is the closest little haven and offers guests stunning countryside views. Furthermore it is away from the hustle and bustle of the seafront.

If you have more time, Galatina is not far from Corigliano d’Otranto and is an untouristy town with a preserved historic centre of baroque buildings. The Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria has stunning 15th century frescoed walls and ceiling. Try a famous pasticotto pastry (unless you don’t eat lard) at Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone. 

The Gargano Promontory juts out into the Adriatic Sea in northern Puglia and is called the spur in the heel of Italy’s boot. It feels very different from the rest of Puglia—greener and more mountainous with lush pine forests and a spectacular coastline of white limestone cliffs, colourful sea caves, and long sandy beaches.

It’s harder to get to than the Valle d’Itria and Salento, and we didn’t find the towns quite as pretty, so I only recommend coming here if you are in Puglia for more than 10 days or are a return visitor.

I think Vieste is the best base in Gargano but there are many more towns to visit on day trips including: 

Mont Sant’Angelo – Picturesque mountain town with a famous cave church.

Peschici – Pretty seaside town close to lovely beaches. 

Vico del Gargano – An off the beaten track hill town. 

I hope I’ve inspired you to head south and explore the towns of Puglia. These are just some of the possibilities—pick a town at random and you’ll likely find fascinating history, beautiful architecture, friendly people, and delicious food.

Hope this helped !!!