We’ d been dreaming of visiting Puglia, the region that had been so highly recommended to us. It’s a much less frequented destination than its neighbors, such as Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Naples region or Venice… Obviously, we were attracted by this “end of the world” aspect!
We’re not at all disappointed– on the contrary, we can’t wait to go back. As always, to help you organize your trip as quickly and efficiently as possible, we’ve put together a personalized map of our must-sees in Puglia, along with tips, tricks and the best accommodation to make the most of your stay.
On the menu: charming little Baroque villages, traditional dwellings unique in the world (Trulli and Sassi), sublime beaches with crystal-clear waters and incredible gastronomy– our palates still remember it!
In short, PARADISE. As you know, we love Italy, and Puglia is already in our top 3. Below, we present our 5 must-do things to do in Puglia (and it wasn’t an easy selection!), as well as our itinerary for a week to ten days.
What to do in Puglia Our 6 must-haves
1. Visit Alberobello’s trulli
To reach the famous village ofAlberobello, you’ll cross the Itria valley, dotted with olive groves and trulli: small stone dwellings with conical roofs.
We loved exploring the Itria countryside around the main towns by car, and observing these unique buildings in a magnificent natural setting.
The town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is very busy during the day. The streets are narrow and lively, perhaps a little less quiet than you might imagine.
We recommend exploring the surrounding area by car or on foot, then visiting the city early in the morning or late in the evening, to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings with peace of mind.
Second tip: don’t miss any of the viewpoints – it’s the whole package that gives it its incredible charm and picture-postcard scenery.
We stayed at Masseria San Francesco, a sublime place. It’s a beautifully renovated old farmhouse set amidst olive groves, with a large swimming pool carved out of stone: a change of scenery guaranteed!
2. Beaches and coastal towns: Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Otranto
We were pleasantly surprised: despite its somewhat isolated geographical location, Puglia is still very wild. You’ll find superb beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, often lost in the pine forest.
In northern Puglia, don’t miss the two charming coastal towns of Polignano a Mare (a magnificent village perched on the sea) and Monopoli (with its pretty white houses and small port). Good news: they’re only about 30 minutes from Bari.
In the south of Puglia, don’t miss the fortified town ofOtranto, whose historic center has retained all its charm, and don’t forget to visit its cathedral, famous for its mosaic floor.
- In Monopoli: Palazzo Indelli is in the heart of the old town, on a pretty square with restaurants nearby. We slept very well: comfortable bedding, impeccable rooms. In short, a beautiful establishment!
🎟️ Info and booking for Palazzo Indelli
- Another budget option – Dimora Minelli Suites: pretty rooms in the center of Monopoli.
🎟️ Info and booking for the Dimora Minelli Suites hotel (from €115 per night)
In Polignano a Mare: the D’aprile Dimore hotel caught our eye: superbly located, beautiful large rooftop terrace… the photos and reviews clearly make you want to book here.
3. Explore the coastline and its caves by boat
For a different view of the town and its cliffs, we advise you to book a boat trip to Polignano A Mare , lasting around 2 hours, which will take you to several caves in the area and then allow you to swim away from the crowds. We really had a great time.
We’ve provided the link to book the cruise directly , which we recommend to everyone. We advise you to book your ticket in advance, as tours fill up quickly during school vacations.
4. Explore the incredible town of Matera
Matera is an extraordinary town, unique in the world, and a must-see. Its layout and history are totally different from those of the other towns we visited.
It’s also one of the oldest cities in the world: imagine that its inhabitants lived in these caves for 7,000 years, until 1952.
Although it’s often overlooked because it’s not in the administrative region of Puglia but in Basilicata, Matera is only an hour’s drive from Bari. We guarantee you won’t regret your visit.
If you only have a few days in Puglia, our advice is to opt for the incredible town of Matera rather than, in our opinion, a less essential visit to Bari.
We have no hesitation in recommending Il belvedere Matera. Excellent value for money in the town, located in the heart of Sasso Caveoso, everything is within walking distance.
We fell in love with this hotel: the room is entirely dug into the rock – a real troglodyte dwelling – and the view from the breakfast terrace is impressive. In short, an excellent stay.
Information and booking for hotel Il belvedere Matera.
Budget option in Matera comfortable rooms 5 minutes’ walk from the historic center
Info and booking Vicolo Fiore Affittacamere II from 75€, rated 9.3/10 on Booking
5. Lecce: “Baroque Florence
Lecce is another must-see when visiting Puglia. Located in the south of the region, its refined architecture has earned it the nickname of ” Baroque Florence ” – and that’s saying a lot! You’ll immediately fall under the spell of this pretty town steeped in history.
Beautiful beaches and rock formations are close by, all the more reason to visit!
7Rooms – Lecce is a magnificent hotel, so well renovated (as we like it), with a big favorite being the huge bathroom. We arrived and left on our own, and got lots of good advice on how to visit Lecce. It’s right in the historic center of Lecce, from 95€ with parking (outside the ZLT) + air conditioning. We stayed there for 3 nights.
6. Test local food
In our opinion, Italy is the second European country in terms of gastronomy, just after France 😉 In restaurants, agriturismos or markets, you’re in for a treat: your taste buds will remember it for a long time. The primi (pasta dish) is often enough to satisfy your appetite, while the secondi is usually a meat dish to accompany it. Here are some of Puglia’s specialities.
Burrata
It’s a delicious cheese from Puglia, made from spun mozzarella filled with fresh cream (stracciatella). You can also find it on pizzas: a real delight!
Stracciatella
This is the creamy part of the burrata: a pure delight.
Wine
The region produces some renowned wines, such as the white Locorotondo, undoubtedly one of the best local vintages. We tasted some excellent organic wines at Tenuta Santoro, near Martina Franca.
Spritz
The Italian drink par excellence! Since we’re being nice, here’s the super-simple recipe:
- 3 doses prosecco-type sparkling white wine (≈ 6 cl)
- 2 doses of Aperol or Campari (≈ 4 cl)
- 1 shot sparkling water (≈ 2 cl)
Then, mix together in a glass with ice cubes to serve chilled!
The best accommodations of our stay
Are you looking for a place to stay during your stay in Puglia? To help you, we’ve put together this article giving you all the advice you need on where to stay in Puglia in Italy, and share our best addresses for unusual hotels and accommodations.
Remember to book your hotels as early as possible, as Puglia is very popular in high season and accommodation quickly fills up.
Agriturismo and Masseria, for stays in authentic surroundings
Agriturismos and masserie are the equivalent of our bed & breakfasts, an excellent and often more affordable alternative to conventional hotels. It’s usually a farmhouse with some rooms or the whole building reserved for travelers.
These addresses are often nestled in the heart of nature, with all modern comforts. Very often, they also have a beautiful swimming pool. A must for resting and regaining strength between two visits!
Our itineraries to visit Puglia, from one week to 10 days
To explore this magnificent region, we recommend renting a car to get to every nook and cranny. We suggest two itineraries that are ideal for exploring by car.
Our recommended one-week itinerary
- Day 1 – Bari → visit Matera – stay at Il belvedere Matera
- Day 2 – Matera → visit toAlberobello – stay at Masseria San Francesco
- Days 3 & 4 – Alberobello → D3: Polignano a Mare and D4: Monopoli + beaches – stay at Palazzo Indelli in Monopoli
- Days 5, 6 & 7 – Monopoli → D5: Ostuni, D6: Lecce and D7: rock formations + beaches – accommodation at 7Rooms in Lecce
- Day 8 – Lecce → day devoted to visitingOtranto – accommodation at Hotel Bellavista – Boutique Hotel in Otranto
- Day 9 – Otranto → visit Gallipoli – stay at Palazzo Presta in Gallipoli
- Day 10 – Gallipoli → return to Bari (≈ 2 hrs 30 mins drive)
When to go (the best weather) and what period to avoid
In this region of Italy, temperatures are mild and pleasant almost all year round. However, we would advise against August, when the population of most coastal towns increases tenfold.
If you want to enjoy the beaches, give preference to June or September: temperatures oscillate between 19 and 27°C. May and October are also very good options, with still mild days (≈ 15 °C to 25 °C).
Activities to visit Puglia
To discover the many points of interest in this extraordinary region, boat tours, bike tours, Segway tours, ice cream tastings… you can book your activity in advance via the Internet.
We recommend you explore the GetYourGuide website, which offers a range of activities at attractive prices, with a cancellation option up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Practical information (flight and travel)
How to get to Puglia?
From Paris, a non-stop flight takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to Bari, capital of the region.
From France, you can sometimes find flights from around €40.
We advise you to use a flight comparator to find the best deal.
How to get around?
The best way to get around Puglia is to rent a car. This means you’ll be free to move around and take photo breaks whenever you like.
Beware: Italian driving is sometimes “sporty”, and in many towns in Puglia you’ll find a ZTL (limited traffic zone) in the historic center and along the coast.
This zone is reserved for local residents; trespassing may result in a fine. In this region, we recommend parking outside the historic centers to avoid ZTLs and narrow streets.
➡️ Car:
👉 To compare offers and find the best value for money, after testing several today, we use the price comparator Discover Carsa reliable and easy-to-use car rental service.
💡 Another important point: the comprehensive insurance offered via DiscoverCars is often much cheaper than that added directly at the rental company’s counter, while offering broader coverage. A real time-saver, and above all a way of avoiding unpleasant surprises when picking up or returning the vehicle.
🚗 To give you an idea of the rate, we found a car for €30 a day to collect fromBari airport.
Compare offers on Discover Cars
We wish you an excellent trip! Don’t hesitate to leave us a note or 5 stars below. If you’re planning this trip, ask us any questions you might have here or on Instagram, and we’ll be delighted to get back to you.
Before you leave and to build your itinerary with the right steps, you can complete your visit with our articles:
- Our tips for renting a car to explore Puglia
- Our best hotels in Puglia
- Visit Matera
- What to do in Lecce
- What to see in Monopoli
- Visit Polignano a Mare
- Puglia’s most beautiful beaches
