Puglia travel guide – what to see and where to go

Puglia is still a less touristy part of Italy, compared to its other popular destinations like Amalfi or Positano. Puglia region is sitting at the boot’s heel of Italy and has so many beautiful landscapes and coastlines to offer for both locals and tourists. From baroque town, Trulli houses to beautiful limestone cliffs and beaches. In addition to beautiful places you may visit in Puglia, the region is also known for delicious orecchiette pasta, burrata, or Puglian olive oil.

Every Puglian town has its own labyrinth like the old city center which is fully pedestrianized and picturesque. I have already shared with you some more in-depth quick travel guides to some of the Puglian towns, like Bari, Alberobello, Ostuni, or Polignano a Mare.

However, this travel guide will give you a more top-level glance and overview of the Puglia region, what you can expect, and plan your trip accordingly.

What to see and do

We have spent just 3 full days on a road around Puglia. Since the towns are fairly small, we have managed to visit at least 2 towns during the day. Another reason we went so short was also that we went during October time so we were uncertain what is the weather like.

Nevertheless, October is still pretty warm and sunny in Puglia, maybe not as warm for swimming in the sea, but still great weather for outdoor exploration and activities. Our Puglia road trip encompasses Bari, Matera (outside of Puglia), Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisterno, Ostuni, Monopoli, and Polignano a Mare.

BARI

Bari is the “capital” town of the Puglia region, known for its basilica di San Nicola, and being a port and university town. Close proximity to Bari you will find yourself on some sandy beaches too if you are seeking some chilled days on a beach. Molfetta, Trani, and Barletta are three port towns on the coast, up north, not too far from Bari which you can visit too.

ALBEROBELLO

Famous for its conical-roofed houses, which are called Trulli. The UNESCO World Heritage site is protected for its outstanding Trulli center. With narrow pedestrianized streets with local shops and cafes, Alberobello is a picturesque town for a day out to see how trulli are made of and how people used to live there.

Puglia travel guide - what to see and where to go

LOCOROTONDO

Locorotondo is true of one the prettiest town in Locorotondo. Sitting on a hill with perfect views of the Valle d’Itria landscape with vineyard and agricultural land. Locorotondo city center has a very easy walkable center, with many alleys with flowers and plants and laid back atmosphere. The pretty washed white buildings will remind you of Ostuni, another white city in the Puglia region. When you’ve spent an hour or so wandering the streets and are ready for lunch, try some u tridde, Locorotondo’s specialty, a freshly made pasta incorporating pecorino cheese and finely-chopped parsley cut into small pieces and cooked in a wholesome turkey broth.

MARTINA FRANCA

An exploration of the lovely Valle d’Itria (Trulli country!) would not be complete without a visit to Martina Franca, the largest town in the area. You will see how this city is much larger compared to other neighboring towns like Alberobello, Locorotondo, or Cisternino. This elegant town with beautiful churches, baroque architecture, and a spacious square was once a walled city with four gates. However, the four Renaissance and Baroque gates still exist, effectively delineating the old town from the more modern 19th-century part of town.

CISTERNINO

Three is the magic number, so they say, and nowhere is this truer than in the Valle d’Itria with its trio of enchanting, historic towns: Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Cisternino. Cisternino is a small and charming old town with narrow streets, and historic churches and like any other Italian town it should have a central piazza. There are many panoramic viewpoints and parks where visitors can come to admire the sunsets and surrounding countryside with its rolling hills, dry stone walls, and white-tipped conical Trulli roofs piercing the green fields.

OSTUNI

Ostuni is one of the popular destinations for travelers in Puglia also, because of its beautiful minimalist white-washed houses and staircases. Ostuni sits on top of the hall with its city center surrounded by defensive walls. Ostuni has many romantic restaurants to explore, a magnificent Gothic cathedral, and viewpoints of the olive-carpeted landscape and Adriatic sea around the corner.

MONOPOLI

Monopoli is such a charming and vibrant city sitting on Puglia’s Adriatic coast around 30km south of Bari. Mixing a dip in the sea with a good lunch and wandering around the old town center makes it a perfect day trip. Like so many towns on the Adriatic, Monopoli’s history has been thoroughly influenced by its east-facing position and its fortified sea-front walls and castle tell many a story. Explore the piazzas with colorful street markets and stunning cathedrals in its old city.

POLIGNANO A MARE

A shining gem on the coast, a picturesque town sitting on a 20m high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, this is Polignano a Mare. The small old town is charming because of its views and a number of pebble beach spots for visitors and locals where they are enjoying spending their days. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline.

LA MURGIA

The Altopiano delle Murge is a karst topographic plateau of rectangular shape in southern Italy. Most of it lies within Apulia and corresponds with the sub-region known as Murgia or Le Murge. The large area of the national park north of Bari is a great spot for some hiking and soaking up the fresh air.

LECCE

Lecce is also so called Florence of the South. The beautiful baroque architecture and old town with central Piazza del Duomo and cathedral di Lecce with bell tower is something not to miss if you are heading further south to the heel of the boots of Italy region. Supported by a history going back at least 2,500 years, modern-day Lecce is the main town on Puglia’s Salento peninsula and a major draw for the area’s tourism industry.

OTRANTO

Otranto sits right on the Adriatic sea, gazing out across its eponymous strait towards the Balkans and Greece, a strategic position that has profoundly influenced its history. In Roman times, it became an important commercial port. It is also home to the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and 11th-century Otranto Cathedral, with a rose window and ornate mosaic flooring.

How to get there

There are airports in both Bari and Brindisi. Bari’s airport is about 9km west of the city of Palese. Brindisi’s Casale airport is 4km north of the city.

The number of airlines is flying to Puglia, from the UK you can fly by British Airways from Gatwick airport to Bari, Ryanair from Stansted airport to Bari or Brindisi, or Alitalia from Gatwick or Heathrow airport o Bari or Brindisi.