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Puglia, the area within the heel of Italy’s boot, is dotted with stunning small cities in shades of white and gold, with distinctive structure just like the conical trulli of Alberobello and the extravagant baroque of Lecce.
Rich in church buildings and palaces, hidden piazzas and winding alleyways, markets and sluggish meals trattorias, Puglia’s cities are a spotlight of a go to to the area and motive to entice you away from the limitless shoreline.
In some cities you possibly can even mix visits to cathedrals and castles with dips within the sea simply steps from the historic centre.
Simon and I’ve spent months exploring this fascinating area, and on this submit, I share my suggestions for the most effective locations to go to in Puglia Italy.
I additionally reply frequent questions on the place to remain in Puglia, when to go to, and methods to get round.
You’ll discover a map with all these Puglia locations beneath.
Contents
Watch our video for an outline of the place to go in Puglia.
Where is Puglia Italy?
Puglia (also referred to as Apulia) is a area in Southern Italy. If you take a look at our Puglia map beneath, you’ll see that it’s positioned within the heel of Italy’s boot form.
The largest metropolis in Puglia is Bari, which is a five-hour drive southeast of Rome (4 hours by prepare) and three hours from Naples.
Travel Tips for Visiting Puglia
Where to Stay in Puglia
The 4 primary areas of curiosity to vacationers are the Valle d’Itria, the shoreline round Bari, the Salento Peninsula within the far south, and the Gargano Peninsula within the north.
A great technique when deciding the place to remain in Puglia is to decide on a base for every of those areas and go to close by cities on day journeys.
I don’t suppose that you must fear concerning the actual city you keep in as you’ll be day-tripping to different locations and might’t actually go flawed.
I let lodging availability and pricing assist make my resolution. Less well-known Puglia cities shall be cheaper and sure simply as charming.
For instance, on one Puglia journey, I searched on Booking.com for self-catering lodging in the entire Valle D’Itria space that met my standards (WiFi, kitchen, pool, worth and many others.).
I ended up discovering a beautiful little home at Trullo dei Messapi within the countryside close to Ceglie Messapica, a city I beforehand knew nothing about.
It was nice to get off the crushed monitor, and it was straightforward to go to extra well-liked cities like Ostuni.
Less Than a Week in Puglia
If you solely have time for one space, I like to recommend the Valle d’Itria because it showcases the most effective of Puglia with probably the most basic countryside and cities.
Although if seashores are your main focus, you would possibly choose the Salento (learn my information to the greatest seashores in Puglia).
Anywhere within the Valle d’Itria could be incredible, however our absolute favorite place to remain is Masseria Il Frantoio, an olive farm close to Ostuni with unbelievable meals.
7 to 10 Days in Puglia
If you’ve gotten per week or 10 days in Puglia, I like to recommend dividing your time between the Valle d’Itria and the Salento.
You can simply go to Bari and the coastal cities from the Valle d’Itria, or when you’d choose to remain on the coast, you possibly can go to the Valle d’Itria from Polignano or Monopoli.
My preferrred journey is a countryside keep within the Valle D’Itria (someplace close to any of the locations listed beneath) with mornings spent day-tripping to different cities and afternoons stress-free by the pool or the seashore close to Ostuni.
Lecce outdated city is my favorite base on the Salento peninsula because it’s beautiful, central for each coasts, and you’ll stroll to numerous incredible eating places and wine bars.
If you’d moderately be by the ocean within the Salento, think about Otranto or Gallipoli or for a quieter city, Castro.
Or once more, choose someplace at random primarily based on lodging—a couple of occasions we’ve stayed in small cities close to Gallipoli as a result of we discovered an reasonably priced rental, and it labored out nice.
If you like only one base on your entire journey, you would take a day journey to the opposite space, however you’ll spend extra time driving. From Ostuni, it’s an hour to Lecce and 1.5 hours to Otranto.
10 Days or More in Puglia
With an extended keep in Puglia, you’ve gotten the choice of including on a visit to the Gargano Peninsula within the north or spectacular Matera in neighbouring Basilicata.
Puglia Accommodation
There’s a variety of characterful lodging in Puglia, primarily B&Bs and self-catering flats or homes.
Masserie are fortified farmhouses that supply visitor lodging and sometimes scrumptious meals—learn our information to Puglia masseria for our favourites.
For quick stays, I exploit Booking.com to seek out lodging. I exploit the filters to pick out my standards (together with assessment scores of 8+) and slender down the choices. You can select “Farm Stays” below Property Type to seek out masserie.
For longer stays, you may get nice offers for rental homes and flats on Vrbo.
Unless you’re staying within the countryside, I like to recommend searching for lodging within the outdated city or historic centre.
All these Puglian cities have trendy outskirts that are much less enticing, though in case you are on a finances, it’ll be cheaper (and parking simpler).
Puglia Transport
How to Get to Puglia by Plane
You can fly into Bari or Brindisi airports in Puglia—I exploit Kiwi to seek out the most effective flight offers. Bari is often cheaper.
Either airport works for the Valle d’Itria whereas Bari is closest to the Gargano and Brindisi is nearest to the Salento.
How to Get to Puglia by Train
If you’re visiting some other place in Italy, you may as well arrive by prepare—Bari and Lecce are the primary hubs. Rome to Bari takes 4 hours, and Rome to Lecce is 5.5 hours.
You can search Trenitalia for timetables and to e book prematurely for the most affordable tickets. Be certain to make use of Italian place names (i.e Torino not Turin).
On an extended journey, you would think about travelling from London to Italy by prepare or get an Interrail or Eurail go to go to a number of locations in Europe.
Renting a Car
Renting a automotive is by far one of the best ways to get round Puglia. It is feasible by prepare or bus, however public transport is sluggish and restricted.
We use Rental Cars and Kayak to seek out the most effective automotive rental offers.
We often lease from Bari airport or the town centre, however Brindisi airport has leases too.
One-way charges will be cheap, so on one journey we rented a automotive in Lecce (after arriving by prepare), road-tripped north by way of the Valle d’Itria, dropped it off in Foggia after visiting the Gargano, and took the prepare to Rome.
For Brits, we suggest shopping for a separate automotive rent insurance coverage coverage to cowl the surplus because it’s less expensive than getting full insurance coverage with the rental firm.
Driving in Puglia is pretty straightforward, however the slender streets of the historic centres is usually a problem. Look out for ZTLs, zones the place site visitors is restricted to native residents.
I like to recommend renting a small automotive, parking within the trendy outskirts of cities (typically free), and strolling into the outdated city.
It’s greatest to hold cash for parking meters, because the bank card operate typically doesn’t work (or exist).
Public Transport
It is feasible to discover Puglia by public transport, however you’ll have to analysis routes and examine timetables prematurely and have plenty of persistence.
I like to recommend avoiding travelling on Sundays when companies are much more restricted.
Trenitalia is the nationwide railway in Italy and their trains in Puglia shall be quicker and extra dependable than the regional line FSE (Ferrovie Sud-Est).
You can discover Trenitalia stations (from north to south) in Trani, Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Cisternino, Ostuni, Brindisi, and Lecce. Note that some stations are fairly removed from the historic centre (Ostuni’s is a 30-minute stroll).
The native FSE line connects Martina Franca to Locorotondo, Alberobello, Cisternino, Ceglie Messapica, and Lecce.
From Lecce there are direct trains to Gallipoli and Galatina, however you need to make two modifications to get to Otranto and one change for Corigliano d’Otranto.
I like to recommend selecting a couple of potential bases (corresponding to Polignano or Martina Franca and Lecce) and taking a look at prepare occasions and frequency to the locations you’d like to go to.
You can see timetables on the Trenitalia web site which additionally exhibits the “Regionale FSE” trains, or you possibly can examine the FSE web site straight (no English choice although).
There are additionally buses, nevertheless it’s not straightforward to seek out out the routes and timetables. There are extra companies in the summertime.
Here’s a journey report on travelling Puglia by prepare to provide you some concepts.
When to Visit Puglia
June and September are the most effective months to go to Puglia for decent climate and smaller crowds.
July and August are by far the busiest months—will probably be sizzling, sunny and vigorous however crowded (particularly the seashores) and lodging is dearer.
We survived August within the Salento (absolutely the busiest time) by going to the seashore early and exploring the a lot quieter inland cities.
It will be heat sufficient for swimming in May and October too, and it’ll be even much less crowded.
On our two-week street journey in May, we had two days of rain, a couple of cloudy afternoons, and the remaining was sizzling and sunny within the mid-20s Celsius, and we have been swimming and sunbathing.
We discovered April and May a good time for sightseeing because it wasn’t too sizzling.
If you aren’t bothered about lazing on seashores, then winter is a quiet and cheap time to discover Puglia’s cities. Just notice that many inns and eating places in coastal cities will shut for the off-season.
Puglia Italy Map
This Puglia map exhibits our favorite Puglia locations divided by the 4 primary areas. The blue pins are for Bari and the coast, crimson for the Valle d’Itria, inexperienced for the Salento, and purple for the Gargano.
I’ve additionally added Matera (in orange) despite the fact that it’s within the neighbouring area of Basilicata because it’s price including to a Puglia itinerary.
Best Places to Visit in Puglia: Bari & The Coast
Bari is the primary gateway to Puglia. It’s price spending a day within the metropolis, so you would both spend your first night time there or day journey in from one of many close by fairly coastal cities.
1) Bari
Bari was once dismissed as only a transport hub (together with by us on our first journey to Puglia), nevertheless it has grown in recognition lately, and we’ve come to like the atmospheric, maze-like outdated city.
While a day is sufficient to see the primary sights, we preferred it a lot that we spent three days there on our newest journey. See our picks for the greatest issues to do in Bari.
Bari Vecchia is a walled metropolis crowded on a peninsula jutting into the ocean. There was no room for growth and the ensuing overcrowding has meant that life is lived on the streets.
As we wandered down the slender alleyways on our first night, we felt like we have been strolling by way of somebody’s front room, or properly, everybody’s front room.
Entire households from grandparents to infants sat outdoors their houses chatting, enjoying, napping, whereas washing dangled from balconies and scooters whizzed previous.
It’s not simply stress-free and socialising that takes place within the streets. In the mornings they develop into a pasta manufacturing facility as ladies sit at tables outdoors their houses making the standard Puglian pasta orecchiette.
These “little ears” are made by rolling the dough into skinny logs, slicing off a piece with a knife and shaping it by hand—all at an impressively fast tempo.
Bari Vecchia is unquestionably probably the most charming a part of the town to remain.
We beloved our keep at pleasant B&B Murex, which has 4 trendy ensuite rooms on the long-lasting pasta avenue. Breakfast (together with scrumptious contemporary focaccia) is served on the roof terrace.
Another B&B that appears nice is La Muraglia, which has beautiful flats with sea views within the outdated city.
You can discover extra inns, B&Bs and flats in Bari right here.
Where to Eat in Bari
Don’t miss the wonderful focaccia at Panificio Fiore or Panificio Santa Rita within the outdated city. It’s excellent for breakfast, a fast snack, or gentle lunch.
Our favorite place to eat within the evenings is informal Pizzeria di Cosimo for fantastic, cheap pizza and panzerotto.
Our meal at La Cecchina was additionally scrumptious, particularly the antipasti.
Our Bari Italy journey information has extra solutions.
Polignano a Mare is a spectacularly positioned small city of white and golden buildings perched on a craggy rock overlooking the ocean.
The fairly historic centre is a beautiful place for a wander or an aperitivo on one of many small piazzas.
Beneath the outdated city is Cala Porto, a small white pebble seashore surrounded by cliffs with clear emerald water.
It’s very photogenic however will get crowded in excessive season. It’s also referred to as Lama Monachile for the bridge that you will need to stroll over to achieve it.
I loved runs and walks alongside the coast with many viewpoints on the best way to Piazzale Marco Polo.
Polignano is close to sufficient to the Valle d’Itria (half-hour from Alberobello) to be base for exploring the world when you’d choose to remain by the ocean.
Malu B&B is the right place to remain in Polignano a Mare. It’s a pleasant, family-run B&B with vivid, trendy rooms and a really perfect location simply outdoors the outdated city with incredible views from the breakfast terrace and a few rooms.
We splurged on the ocean view suite and it was price it.
The statue of Domenico Modugno, the well-known singer who was born in Polignano, is simply outdoors the lodge and we have been amused to listen to folks singing Volare beneath.
If it’s booked up, Lamare Cucine e Dimore is one other well-liked B&B with sea views.
You can discover different locations to remain in Polignano right here.
The most well-known restaurant in Polignano is Ristorante Grotta Palazzese which is positioned inside a cave. You’ll have to e book prematurely and be ready to pay rather a lot—extra for the situation than the standard of the meals.
Most eating places concentrate on seafood so vegetarian choices are restricted.
We ended up taking a break from Italian at Mint Cucina Fresca, a five-table restaurant in a cave-like room with a vaulted stone ceiling and quirky decor. Their focus is on inventive, wholesome dishes utilizing native produce.
For a takeaway lunch on the seashore, La Rotellina sells the Puglian snack panzerotti, fried dough filled with a wide range of fillings.
Don’t miss a scoop of gelato at Gusto Caruso—they make wonderful classics like pistachio in addition to extra uncommon flavours like a tasty ricotta toffee.
Super Mago del Gelo is known for its Caffè Speciale, an espresso shot with cream, amaretto and lemon peel. It was scrumptious even for a non-coffee drinker.
Monopoli is one other fairly coastal city quarter-hour from Polignano.
The historic centre incorporates a maze of slender streets, a grand basilica, and a fortress overlooking a picturesque fishing port of vivid blue boats.
Monopoli additionally has a small sandy seashore with interesting clear water.
Where to Stay in Monopoli
We visited Monopoli whereas staying in Polignano, however subsequent time I need to keep at Hotel Don Ferrante within the outdated fortress. The charming boutique lodge has trendy rooms, sea views, and even a small pool.
Where to Eat in Monopoli
Seafood dominates on the coast, in order vegetarians, we had lunch at Vini e Panini on Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi.
As the title suggests, they concentrate on wine and sandwiches, though additionally they serve platters and salads. It’s preferrred for a lightweight meal, they usually actually have a vegan menu.
4) Trani
North of Bari, the seaside city of Trani is usually neglected, nevertheless it has an exquisite harbour and a cathedral overlooking the ocean.
It’s place to interrupt up a journey between the Valle d’Itria and the Gargano or to go to the Thirteenth-century Castel del Monte (40 minutes inland) with its distinctive octagonal form.
The Valle d’Itria is a country valley of olive timber, vineyards, and hill cities.
It’s probably the most well-liked locations in Puglia and is thought for its iconic trulli, round stone huts discovered dotted across the countryside.
If you solely have time for one space in Puglia, that is the one I like to recommend.
It can simply be reached from Bari or Brindisi airports. Most of the cities listed here are tiny, and the distances between them aren’t lengthy.
Choose one base (I like staying within the countryside) and take day journeys to the opposite cities. You may handle two or three in sooner or later if time is restricted.
5) Ostuni
Ostuni is a maze-like white metropolis on a hilltop 8km from the Adriatic Sea the place you’ll discover lengthy sandy seashores.
It’s top-of-the-line cities in Puglia to get misplaced wandering the alleys, climbing staircases, and dipping below archways.
I additionally love looking the stalls of native fruit and greens on the Saturday market.
Ostuni is without doubt one of the most touristy cities in Puglia, however you received’t need to miss it—simply head down a facet avenue to keep away from the crowds and memento outlets.
See my information to the greatest issues to do in Ostuni Italy for extra suggestions.
We completely love Masseria Il Frantoio, which is our favorite place to remain not solely in Puglia however all of Italy!
It’s a magical place on an natural olive farm within the countryside a 10-minute drive from Ostuni and quarter-hour from the seashore.
The 300-year-old stables and grain mill have been lovingly restored and transformed to 16 comfy visitor rooms, and the attractive grounds and pool are excellent for stress-free.
Best of all is the meals (which all comes from the farm)—the eight-course tasting menu is unbelievable.
See our Masseria Il Frantoio assessment for extra particulars or examine the most recent costs right here.
If you need to keep within the centre of Ostuni, Biancadamari is a classy B&B with gorgeous views of the outdated city and sea.
You can discover extra locations to remain in Ostuni right here.
Masseria Il Frantoio is open to non-guests for his or her epic tasting menus, however you’ll need to take a taxi there to benefit from the wine pairing.
6) Alberobello
Alberobello is busy and touristy, nevertheless it’s such a singular and enchanting place (it’s not a UNESCO World Heritage website for nothing) that it’s price a couple of hours.
It’s top-of-the-line locations in Puglia to see trulli. Trulli are conical stone huts discovered amongst the olive timber everywhere in the Valle d’Itria. Alberobello is the one whole city of trulli—1500 of them.
You half anticipate to see a hobbit emerge from these stubby houses of whitewashed partitions and pointy roofs stacked with gray limestone.
One facet of city is stuffed with vacationers and memento store trulli, however head throughout the street to Aia Piccola and also you’ll discover trulli which are actual houses with out the crowds.
See our trulli picture essay for extra info and images of those uncommon dwellings.
Staying in a trullo is a spotlight of the Valle d’Itria. We stayed in a single at Masseria Ferri close to Martina Franca, a 25-minute drive from Alberobello.
Our cute trullo stayed splendidly cool in the summertime warmth, the household that runs the place could be very welcoming, and the meals was excellent.
We most well-liked staying within the countryside moderately than in Alberobello itself, however you’ll find inns in Alberobello right here such because the highly-rated trulli of Tipico Resort.
The antipasti at atmospheric cave restaurant Casa Nova have been scrumptious.
7) Locorotondo
Locorotondo is a labyrinth of whitewashed buildings; its quiet streets saved pristine by residents who enhance their balconies and staircases with pink geraniums.
There aren’t any main sights, however this implies it doesn’t get many guests, so it’s a pleasant place to take pleasure in a leisurely lunch and stroll the streets.
We at all times go to on day journeys, however Locorotondo is a beautiful space to remain—you’ll find trulli and vacation houses within the space right here.
Lovely Martina Franca is the biggest city within the valley. It’s typically neglected and is refreshingly freed from vacationer outlets.
The outdated city is an fascinating mixture of golden baroque and Greek-like white structure with many grand palazzi and church buildings.
The Basilica di San Martino was constructed within the 18th century within the elaborate however sleek Rococo model.
Nearby Piazza Maria Immacolata is a beautiful, semi-circular piazza lined with curved baroque buildings with wrought iron balconies and portici (archways) main down facet streets.
The maze of slender facet streets is ideal for aimless wandering.
Many of the streets are stark white with simply the odd splash of color—washing dancing within the breeze, vibrant pots of geraniums, a vivid blue door.
We visited on a day journey however would love to return for an extended keep.
Martina Franca would make an amazing base for exploring the world when you don’t need to keep within the countryside or don’t have a automotive (there’s a prepare station).
You can seek for extra lodging in Martina Franca right here.
We ate at Ristorante I Templari on the sting of city with a terrace overlooking the countryside.
It’s moderately dear, however the meals was wonderful together with an absurdly giant antipasti choice (don’t get one per individual as they tried to persuade us to do) and a few fascinating vegetarian pasta dishes.
Ceglie Messapica is an off the crushed monitor city that makes a really perfect base for exploring the Valle d’Itria.
The historic centre is a bit grittier than the opposite cities on this listing, nevertheless it has a really native really feel that we loved.
Surprisingly, it’s top-of-the-line locations to go in Puglia for meals—the eating places are wonderful and reasonably priced.
It’s price taking a look contained in the fortress—it’s free and is house to a library and a small artwork gallery. Beyond the fortress, you possibly can discover the atmospheric Moorish-style slender lanes.
We beloved our keep at Trullo Dei Messapi, a brief drive from the city in a peaceable space of olive timber and trulli.
The stunning grounds characteristic a big pool with comfy solar loungers, a (non-heated) jacuzzi, and many flowers and pine, olive and fruit timber.
There are three homes—a two-bedroomed trulli and two one-bedroomed stone cottages.
Our one-bedroomed home was very cute and embellished in a country nation model. The kitchen was stocked with DIY breakfast components together with selfmade cake and contemporary fruit which we ate on our personal terrace.
The proprietor could be very pleasant and introduced us contemporary bread every morning.
I extremely suggest it, and it will be particularly fantastic for giant teams.
Check the most recent costs at Trullo dei Messapi right here.
You can seek for extra lodging in Ceglie right here.
You are spoilt for selection on this small city. Osteria Pugliese is an easy, rustic place that’s extraordinarily good worth and the antipasti choice is large and scrumptious.
Cibus is extra upmarket and costly with some inventive vegetarian choices.
Da Gino is on the sting of city in a contemporary constructing and specialises in foraged greens. We didn’t use their menu—Gino simply requested if we wished antipasti, and naturally, we did, they usually introduced us 13 scrumptious dishes.
We ordered our pasta after we’d completed they usually have been comfortable to separate one portion between two bowls—we tried spaghetti with a neighborhood flower picked from close by.
Don’t miss the native speciality, Biscotti di Ceglie, almond cookies filled with jam which are Slow Food licensed. Forno San Lorenzo is an effective native bakery.
Cisternino is 10 minutes from Locorotondo and has an identical really feel with a tiny, charming historic centre of whitewashed homes up on a hill.
There are views of the encircling countryside from Villa Comunale.
Where to Eat in Cisternino
Cisternino is a picturesque place to dine (it’s well-known for its meat) as many eating places arrange tables on the slender streets.
We caught to a beautiful vegetarian aperitivo platter on the fancy cocktail bar Kimera on fairly Piazza Pellegrino Rossi.
Pick up some candy treats from Chocolab on the primary sq., Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
Best Places in Puglia: Salento
The Salento is a sizzling, dry peninsula on the southern tip of Puglia. Its geographical isolation has meant that it has developed a robust id with its personal delicacies, traditions and music, influenced by its Greek previous.
Along with a few of Puglia’s greatest seashores, there are numerous fascinating cities to discover.
See our Salento Italy journey information for heaps extra suggestions.
11) Lecce
Lecce is thought for its exuberant baroque structure within the golden Leccese stone of the world, its church buildings lavishly embellished with cherubs, gargoyles and griffins, and delicately carved columns and cornices.
Lecce is one in all Puglia’s bigger cities, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a walkable measurement, and it manages to be each vigorous and relaxed. It’s one in all Puglia’s highlights and the place we’ve spent probably the most time.
Read our detailed information to issues to do in Lecce for tips about sights, eating places, transport, day journeys and extra.
There are many beautiful locations to remain in historic buildings corresponding to Dimora Storica Torre Del Parco 1419, an expensive lodge in a medieval fortress and Palazzo Bignami, a classy B&B very near the centre.
You can discover extra inns and B&Bs in Lecce right here.
See our detailed information to the greatest Lecce eating places from gelato and low cost eats to conventional trattorias.
12) Otranto
Otranto has a surprising coastal location the place you possibly can mix morning visits to church buildings with a day swim within the clear, impossibly turquoise sea.
Otranto is simply 72 km from Albania, and its location has resulted in lots of invasions, the worst of which was the Turkish siege in 1480 after they destroyed a lot of the town and tortured and killed its folks.
Otranto’s principal attraction is the Cathedral with its mosaic flooring inbuilt 1163-1165—it survived the Turkish invasion though components of the Cathedral have been destroyed.
It’s one of many largest mosaics in Europe and covers all the flooring.
Its central motif is the Tree of Life, supported on the base by elephants, a logo of purity, with branches telling pagan and biblical tales.
Another tree close to the entrance of the church depicts heaven on one facet and grizzly scenes from hell on the opposite.
In the chapel, you possibly can see the human stays of the 800 martyrs who resisted the Turkish invasion and refused to transform to Islam.
The empty sockets of lots of of skulls stare down at you in stark distinction to the great thing about the mosaic flooring.
We visited Otranto on day journeys from different components of the peninsula. Otranto makes base within the Salento, although.
Boutique Hotel Palazzo Papaleo has an exquisite view and is positioned proper subsequent to the cathedral.
You may additionally keep on a farm within the close by countryside—Masseria Panareo seems to be gorgeous.
You can discover extra inns in Otranto right here.
Postofisso makes wonderful Puglian sandwiches known as pucce together with vegetarian and vegan choices.
13) Gallipoli
Gallipoli’s outdated city is on an island related by a causeway to the mainland.
It has a relaxed, elegant vibe, gorgeous church buildings, and a golden curve of sand proper within the centre of city, plus many extra alongside the encircling coast.
In July and August, Gallipoli does get uncomfortably busy, although—we choose it within the shoulder season.
Gallipoli was dominated by the Greeks for 5 centuries between seventh and 2nd century BC, however all indicators of their existence have been destroyed by the Romans, and many of the structure seen now could be from the Middle Ages.
Other than leisurely walks alongside the town’s seafront partitions (with a cease for a drink with a view), probably the most fascinating factor to do in Gallipoli is go to Frantoio Ipogeo in Granafei Palace, one of many 35 underground olive presses.
It was first utilized in 1600, excavated by hand out of the mushy rock, to make olive oil for lamps which was exported around the globe.
You can see the unique tools used for grinding and urgent the olives and get a way of what it was prefer to work on this darkish, damp cave.
Blindfolded donkeys have been used to work the olive mill, they usually lived down right here with the employees who smoked weeds and carved little sculptures to distract themselves from the depressing situations.
We at all times go to Gallipoli on day journeys, however there’s loads of lodging.
Pascaraymondo Suite Palace seems to be wonderful in a magnificently restored palace subsequent to the seashore.
We loved the inventive pizza at La Corte.
14) Corigliano d’Otranto
Corigliano d’Otranto is without doubt one of the 11 cities of the Grecia Salentina which have retained their Greek heritage from the Byzantine interval together with the Griko dialect.
It’s a small untouristy city with an fascinating medieval fortress that you simply’ll probably need to your self.
Castello de Monti really consists of two castles. The medieval fortress was inbuilt 1465 with 4 rectangular towers and was sturdy sufficient to withstand the Turkish invasion after they got here right here after destroying Otranto.
The fortress was fortified additional within the seventeenth century with 4 spherical towers and a moat that encircles the interior fortress.
Later a wealthy household reworked it from a fortress into an expensive Ducal palace and added baroque particulars to the facade.
Our primary motive for visiting Corigliano was to remain at close by Masseria Sant’Angelo, a working farm the place you possibly can be taught concerning the traditions of the world from warm-hearted host Rocco who’s a passionate musician of the native pizzica folks music.
We ate fruit from their timber, milked a goat, realized how cheese was made and loved nightly feasts with the household. It’s a particular, genuine place that may take you method off the crushed monitor.
Where to Eat in Corigliano d’Otranto
There’s a bar on the fortress terrace, however I’m undecided in the event that they do meals.
The night feasts at Masseria Sant’Angelo have been a few of our most memorable meals in Puglia.
Galatina is one other of Puglia’s hidden gems, simply 10 minutes from Corigliano d’Otranto.
The preserved historic centre options golden baroque church buildings like these in Lecce and palaces with wrought iron balconies and grand doorways.
Don’t miss the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria with its gorgeous Fifteenth-century frescoed partitions and ceiling.
Where to Stay in Galatina
We visited on a day journey from Lecce, however Galatina would make an reasonably priced, quiet, and central base for Salento.
Corte Baldi is an enthralling B&B in a palace within the historic centre simply steps from the basilica.
Where to Eat in Galatina
Galatina is the birthplace of the pasticciotto pastry, which you’ll be able to strive at Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone. It does include lard, although.
We had a scrumptious lunch at upscale Anima e Cuore in an outdated palace with a big terrace.
They concentrate on seafood, however there’s a separate vegan menu.
16) Castro
Otranto and Gallipoli are crowded in summer time, so my new favorite seaside city in Salento is Castro.
While Castro Marina doesn’t have a sandy seashore, there are seashore golf equipment on the rocks and the water is gloriously clear.
I beloved swimming with a view of Castro’s fortress and outdated city on the hill above.
You can even take boat journeys to go to close by caves.
The coastal drive south to Santa Maria di Leuca is without doubt one of the greatest in Puglia.
Read my Castro Italy journey information for particulars.
Where to Stay in Castro
One of the explanations I beloved Castro a lot is that we stayed proper on the water at Hotel La Roccia.
Where to Eat in Castro
Delizie in Contea has incredible platters of native merchandise on an enthralling piazza within the outdated city.
The Gargano Promontory juts out into the Adriatic Sea in northern Puglia and is known as the spur within the heel of Italy’s boot.
It feels very totally different from the remainder of Puglia—greener and extra mountainous with lush pine forests and a spectacular shoreline of white limestone cliffs, vibrant sea caves, and lengthy sandy seashores.
It’s tougher to get to than the Valle d’Itria and Salento, and we didn’t discover the cities fairly as fairly, so I solely suggest coming right here in case you are in Puglia for greater than 10 days or are a return customer.
Vieste sits on a white cliffed peninsula jutting into the ocean. The outdated city is an atmospheric maze of steep staircases with washing dangling from the straightforward white homes.
On either side of the city are lengthy sandy seashores that may be accessed on foot. You can take an exquisite boat journey down the coast to see dramatic sea stacks and grottos.
It’s the best base for exploring the Gargano. See our submit on issues to do in Vieste Italy for extra info.
We stayed outdoors city on the fantastic Residence Maresol up a steep hill above Castello seashore.
We beloved the tranquil location amongst pine timber, sea views, trendy flats, and tremendous pleasant homeowners.
You can discover extra B&Bs and vacation leases in Vieste right here.
Our favorite locations have been within the countryside outdoors city—Country House Tavernola and Agriturismo Chalet degli Ulivi. See our Vieste information for particulars.
I feel Vieste is the most effective base in Gargano, however there are numerous extra cities to go to on day journeys together with:
- Mont Sant’Angelo – Picturesque mountain city with a well-known cave church.
- Peschici – Pretty seaside city near beautiful seashores.
- Vico del Gargano – An off the crushed monitor hill city.
See our Gargano Italy journey information for extra particulars on locations to go to within the space.
Is Puglia Worth Visiting?
Puglia is totally price visiting for its fascinating historical past, various structure, pleasant folks, scrumptious meals, and superb shoreline.
I hope this submit has given you some concepts of the place to go to in Puglia, however there are such a lot of stunning locations in Puglia that these cities are simply a number of the potentialities. Enjoy!
More Puglia Posts
Read our different Puglia weblog posts that will help you plan your journey to the area:
General Puglia Tips
Central and Northern Puglia
Salento Peninsula
Matera (in Basilicata)