Things to Do in Puglia: Your Complete Guide to Italy's Hidden Gem

Puglia offers a compelling alternative to Italy's more crowded destinations. The region combines stunning natural beauty with rich history, exceptional food, and remarkable value. Unlike the Amalfi Coast or Tuscany, you'll find authentic experiences here without battling crowds or inflated prices.

The region's landscape shifts dramatically from the Gargano peninsula's forested cliffs in the north to the flat, sun-bleached plains of Salento in the south. Between these extremes lie the UNESCO-protected trulli houses of Alberobello, the whitewashed hilltop towns of Valle d'Itria, and the baroque splendour of Lecce.

1. Explore the Trulli of Alberobello

No visit to Puglia is complete without seeing Alberobello's extraordinary trulli. These cone-roofed limestone dwellings, unique to this region, create one of Italy's most distinctive townscapes. The town boasts over 1,500 trulli, earning UNESCO World Heritage status.

What to See:

• Rione Monti - The main trulli district with shops and restaurants
• Aia Piccola - A quieter neighbourhood where locals still inhabit traditional trulli
• Trullo Sovrano - The only two-storey trullo, now a museum
• Chiesa di Sant'Antonio - A church constructed entirely from trulli

Top Tip: Visit before 9:00 or after 17:00 to avoid tour bus crowds. Consider staying overnight in a trullo accommodation for a truly immersive experience.

2. Wander Ostuni's White City

Perched dramatically on a hilltop overlooking olive groves that stretch to the Adriatic, Ostuni captivates visitors with its dazzling whitewashed buildings. Known as La Città Bianca (The White City), this medieval town offers labyrinthine streets, excellent restaurants, and panoramic views.

Must-See Spots:

• The ornate 15th-century Cathedral
• Piazza della Libertà and its elegant public spaces
• The narrow alleyways adorned with blue doors and bougainvillea
• Arco Scoppa, the atmospheric archway leading to the cathedral

Where to Eat: Sample traditional cuisine at Osteria del Tempo Perso or enjoy modern Italian dishes with spectacular views at restaurants overlooking the valley.

3. Discover Baroque Lecce

Often called the "Florence of the South," Lecce showcases some of Italy's most exuberant baroque architecture. This elegant university city carved from golden limestone offers world-class art, sophisticated dining, and a vibrant atmosphere without the tourist saturation of northern Italian cities.

Key Attractions:

• Basilica di Santa Croce with its intricately carved façade
• The stunning Duomo and its piazza
• Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Sant'Oronzo
• Historic city gates: Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae, and Porta San Biagio

Local Experience: Join locals for evening passeggiata and aperitivo in the pedestrianised centre. The city comes alive after 18:00 when residents fill the piazzas and outdoor cafés.

4. Marvel at Polignano a Mare

Built directly into limestone cliffs above the turquoise Adriatic, Polignano a Mare offers one of Italy's most dramatic coastal settings. The town's tiny beach, flanked by towering cliffs, sits at the heart of the old quarter.

Things to Do:

• Photograph the iconic clifftop views
• Visit Lama Monachile beach (arrive early in summer)
• Take a boat tour to explore sea caves
• Watch cliff divers at the Red Bull Diving Championship spot

Must-Try: Queue at Pescaria for their legendary fish sandwiches – crispy bread stuffed with fresh seafood, vegetables, and stracciatella cheese.

5. Experience Valle d'Itria's Charm

The Valle d'Itria, Puglia's verdant heartland, encompasses several stunning whitewashed hill towns connected by roads winding through vineyards and olive groves. This region epitomises rural Puglian beauty.

Locorotondo

This perfectly circular hilltop village ranks among Italy's most beautiful towns (Borghi più Belli d'Italia). Flower-draped balconies line narrow lanes, creating postcard-perfect scenes at every turn. The town's balcony competition ensures residents maintain spectacular floral displays year-round.

Highlights:

• Villa Comunale for panoramic valley views
• Pristine whitewashed centro storico
• Excellent local wine, particularly white varietals

Martina Franca

Martina Franca distinguishes itself with elegant baroque and rococo architecture. Larger and less touristy than neighbouring villages, it offers sophisticated dining, impressive palazzi, and authentic local culture.

Don't Miss:

• Basilica di San Martino
• The extraordinarily long balcony at City Hall
• Capocollo di Martina Franca – prized smoked salami
• Bombette – meat rolls stuffed with cheese

Cisternino

Another gem among Italy's most beautiful towns, Cisternino is famed for its unique bombette. These "little bombs" are meat rolls filled with cheese and cured meats, grilled fresh at butcher-restaurants throughout town. Order directly from the meat counter, then enjoy them at communal tables with local wine.

6. Relax on Puglia's Beaches

Puglia rivals Sardinia and Sicily for Italy's best beaches. With over 800km of coastline spanning two seas, beach lovers find everything from Caribbean-style white sand to dramatic rocky coves.

Adriatic Coast Beaches

Polignano to Monopoli Area:

• Torre Canne – thermal springs meet the sea
• Monopoli beaches – city beaches and nearby coves
• Capitolo – long sandy stretch popular with families

Gargano Peninsula:

• Vieste beaches – white pebbles and crystalline waters
• Mattinata coastline – dramatic cliffs and hidden bays
• Peschici – charming fishing village with excellent beaches

Ionian Coast Beaches

Salento Peninsula:

• Punta Prosciutto – often called Puglia's most beautiful beach, with white sand and Caribbean-clear water
• Porto Cesareo – marine protected area with pristine waters
• Torre Sant'Andrea – spectacular rock formations and cliff jumping
• Torre dell'Orso – crescent of golden sand with famous rock stacks
• Santa Maria di Leuca – where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea

Insider Tip: Many beaches have both free areas and stabilimenti (beach clubs). Stabilimenti provide loungers, umbrellas, and restaurants, typically charging €15-30 per day. Free beaches offer the same stunning waters without amenities.

7. Stay in a Masseria

Masseria accommodation ranks among Puglia's most distinctive experiences. These fortified farmhouses, once centres of agricultural estates, have been transformed into luxury villas and vacation rentals whilst retaining their historical character.

What to Expect:

• Original stone architecture and vaulted ceilings
• Swimming pools surrounded by centuries-old olive trees
• Farm-to-table dining featuring estate-grown produce
• Ancient olive oil mills (frantoi) preserved within the buildings

8. Visit Medieval Coastal Towns

Otranto

This historic port town in Salento boasts a stunning coastal location and rich history. The Cathedral houses an extraordinary 12th-century floor mosaic covering the entire nave – one of Italy's most remarkable medieval artworks.

Highlights:

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata with its Byzantine mosaics
• Aragonese Castle overlooking the sea
• Charming old town with artisan shops
• Nearby beaches at Torre dell'Orso and Torre Sant'Andrea

Trani

Trani, on Puglia's northern coast, presents a sophisticated face often overlooked by tourists. The magnificent Romanesque cathedral appears to rise directly from the sea, whilst the bustling port fills with fishing boats each morning.

Must-See:

• Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino and its bell tower
• Swabian Castle
• The active fishing port and fresh fish market
• Historic Jewish quarter with synagogue-turned-museum

9. Explore Bari's Authentic Energy

Puglia's capital deserves more than just an airport stopover. This vibrant city of nearly 500,000 offers urban sophistication, exceptional dining, and one of southern Italy's most fascinating historic quarters.

What to Do:

• Get lost in the maze-like Bari Vecchia (old town)
• Watch nonne (grandmothers) make fresh orecchiette pasta on Via Arco Basso
• Visit the Basilica di San Nicola, housing the relics of St. Nicholas
• Stroll the elegant seafront lungomare at sunset
• Shop along pedestrianised Via Sparano

Foodie Alert: Bari offers Puglia's best restaurant scene, from traditional trattorias to innovative contemporary cuisine. The fish market near the old town provides incredibly fresh seafood.

10. Discover Hidden Gems

Gallipoli

This walled island city on the Ionian coast combines medieval charm with excellent beaches. The historic centre sits on a limestone island connected by a bridge to the modern town.

Activities:

• Wander the baroque old town
• Visit underground olive oil mills (frantoi ipogei)
• Explore the Cathedral of Sant'Agata
• Beach hop to nearby Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto

Vieste

The Gargano peninsula's main resort town offers pristine beaches, dramatic coastal scenery, and access to one of Italy's last primeval forests in Foresta Umbra National Park.

Don't Miss: The spectacular coastal drive along SP53 between Vieste and Mattinata, where the road winds along cliffs plunging into turquoise waters.

Monopoli

This charming fishing town combines a picturesque old quarter with excellent nearby beaches. Less crowded than Polignano, it offers authentic seaside atmosphere and superb seafood.

Matera (Day Trip)

Though technically in neighbouring Basilicata, Matera deserves inclusion for anyone visiting Puglia. The ancient Sassi cave dwellings create one of the world's most unique urban landscapes, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and European Capital of Culture 2019.

11. Sample Puglian Cuisine

Puglia's cuisine embodies Mediterranean simplicity, emphasising exceptional local ingredients over complex preparations. The region produces more olive oil than any other in Italy, alongside excellent wines, burrata cheese, and exceptional seafood.

Must-Try Dishes

• Orecchiette alle cime di rapa – ear-shaped pasta with turnip greens
• Burrata – creamy fresh cheese native to Puglia
• Bombette – grilled meat rolls (Cisternino and Martina Franca specialties)
• Raw seafood – sea urchins, oysters, and mussels
• Panzerotti – fried pizza pockets filled with mozzarella and tomato
• Pasticciotto – custard-filled pastry (Lecce specialty)
• Focaccia barese – Bari's version with cherry tomatoes

Wine Experiences

Puglia produces robust red wines, particularly Primitivo and Negroamaro. The region's whites, including Verdeca and Bianco d'Alessano from Locorotondo, offer crisp alternatives for summer drinking.

Wine Tours: Consider visiting wineries in Manduria (Primitivo) or Salento (Negroamaro) for tastings and vineyard tours.

12. Attend Local Festivals

Puglia's festivals showcase authentic culture and traditions. Key events include:

• La Notte della Taranta (August) – Salento's massive traditional music festival in Melpignano
• Carnival in Putignano – Italy's oldest and longest carnival celebration
• Festa di San Nicola (May, Bari) – honouring the city's patron saint
• Summer music festivals in Martina Franca and throughout the region

13. Explore Nature and National Parks

Beyond beaches and historic towns, Puglia offers remarkable natural landscapes:

Parco Nazionale del Gargano

This mountainous peninsula in northern Puglia encompasses:

• Foresta Umbra – ancient beech and oak forest
• Dramatic limestone coastline with sea caves
• Traditional whitewashed villages
• Tremiti Islands – pristine archipelago perfect for diving

Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia

Central Puglia's plateau features:

• Distinctive karst landscape
• Castel del Monte – Frederick II's mysterious 13th-century octagonal castle (UNESCO site)
• Rock churches and prehistoric sites
• Excellent hiking and cycling

Coastal Nature Reserves

• Torre Guaceto – protected marine area near Brindisi
• Le Cesine – important wetland for birdwatching
• Punta della Contessa – pristine dunes and Mediterranean scrub

14. Experience Olive Oil Culture

Puglia produces nearly half of Italy's olive oil. The region's ancient olive groves, some with trees over 1,000 years old, define the landscape.

Olive Oil Experiences:

• Visit working frantoi (olive mills) during harvest season (October-December)
• Tour olive groves at masserias
• Participate in olive oil tastings to understand quality differences
• Learn about the Xylella fastidiosa crisis affecting ancient trees and conservation efforts

15. Discover Artisan Traditions

Puglia maintains traditional crafts passed through generations:

• Ceramics in Grottaglie – renowned pottery centre near Taranto
• Papier-mâché in Lecce – elaborate baroque-style creations
• Stone working – observe craftsmen carving Lecce stone
• Textile arts – traditional embroidery and weaving

Best Overall: May-June and September-October offer ideal conditions – warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices than peak summer.

Peak Season (July-August):

• Hottest weather (often 30-35°C+)
• Busiest beaches and towns
• Highest accommodation prices
• Everything open, vibrant atmosphere
• Advance reservations essential

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October):

• Pleasant temperatures (20-28°C)
• Moderate crowds
• Many festivals and events
• Sea still warm for swimming in September-October
• Best value for money

Low Season (November-March):

• Mild winters (10-18°C)
• Many coastal establishments closed
• Drastically reduced prices
• Authentic local atmosphere
• Ideal for cultural exploration and hiking

By Car (Recommended)

Driving offers the greatest flexibility for exploring Puglia's scattered attractions. The region's road network connects all major sites, with particularly scenic routes through Valle d'Itria and along both coastlines.

Driving Tips:

• Book rental cars in advance, especially in summer
• Most towns have restricted Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) areas – park outside historic centres
• Roads range from modern highways to narrow rural lanes
• GPS essential for navigating small villages
• Parking can be challenging in peak season

By Public Transport

Puglia's train network connects major cities and towns, though services to smaller villages can be infrequent. Trains link Bari with Lecce, Brindisi, Taranto, Foggia, and Barletta. Private railway Ferrovie del Sud Est serves Valle d'Itria towns.

Limitations:

• Infrequent service to smaller towns
• Longer journey times than driving
• Beach access often requires buses from train stations
• Reduced schedules on Sundays and off-season

Airports

• Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) – main gateway, well-connected internationally
• Brindisi Airport (BDS) – smaller but convenient for southern Puglia
• Both airports offer car rental facilities

Accommodation Types

• Masserias – converted farmhouses, often luxury properties with pools
• Trulli – unique conical houses, available for rent in Valle d'Itria
• Villas - curated selection of villas available by The Thinking Traveller
• Agriturismo – working farm stays with farm-to-table dining

Language

Italian is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and better hotels, but less commonly in smaller towns and rural areas. Learning basic Italian phrases enhances your experience significantly.

7-Day Puglia Itinerary

Days 1-2: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare Days 3-4: Valle d'Itria (Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca) Day 5: Matera day trip Days 6-7: Ostuni and nearby beaches

10-Day Puglia Itinerary

Add to the 7-day itinerary: Days 8-9: Lecce and Salento Day 10: Otranto and coastal drive

14-Day Puglia Itinerary

Add to the 10-day itinerary: Days 11-12: Gargano peninsula (Vieste) Days 13-14: Bari, Trani, and northern coastal towns