First Timer’s Guide to Puglia, Italy
Arriving in Puglia feels like arriving on the perfect holiday.
The laidback southern region of Italy has become a more sought after destination over the past several years. It’s not as touristy (or glitzy) as Rome, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast, instead it has its own charm of natural beaches, historic villages, and coastal cuisine. Located on ‘the heel of the boot’, Puglia is made up of a number of towns, some which date all the way back to 250 BC. Vineyards and olive groves are just miles away from bright blue waters, the recipe for a chill, sunkissed getaway.
It’s worth staying put in this region of Italy for at least a few days…and up to three weeks. (And you’ll most likely leave dreaming of buying property here—thanks for the idea, Meryl Streep).
Getting There:
Fly into the Bari (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS) airport
An hour flight from Rome
Two hour and twenty minute flight from Paris
Look up train routes through the Italian train network
When to Go:
June - August are considered busy season due to the prime summer weather.
May and September are still prime months to travel for great weather but less crowds.
What to Know:
If you’re planning on exploring multiple towns and beaches, renting a car (or hiring a driver) is an absolute must. It’s a seamless process that should be booked in advance. A car can be picked up upon landing at the airport. You’ll need a few minutes to get used to how the Italians drive (don’t get offended when they tail you, pass you, and throw their hands up at you).
With its coastal location, fresh seafood is just as common as what everyone comes to Italy for—pasta. Must-try foods also include burrata, taralli, and orecchiette pasta—all which were born in Puglia (and most likely taste a lot different due to the freshness of what you’re used to).
Don’t expect miles of golden sandy beaches, instead, you’ll discover hidden gems where you’ll sun bathe on rocks and stumble upon natural beaches.
A beach club is a solid place to rent a beach chair and towel with easy access to the water. Some beach clubs in Puglia to visit include Lido Bambù and Le Palm Beach Club.
Oh, and one more thing to know before you go—Puglia is pronounced POOL-ia (the ‘G’ is not pronounced).
Towns to Explore:
Ostuni - historic town filled with white-washed buildings and subtle views of the sea
Lecce - known as the ‘Florence of the south’, more of a bustling city compared to the other surrounding towns
Monopoli - picturesque town located on the Adriatic sea, grab a gelato and walk through the cobblestone streets
Polignano a Mare - seaside town where you can lounge on the beach and swim in the ocean
Alberobello - more touristy but worth exploring for a couple hours and seeing trulli (traditional Apulian dry stone huts)
*Note these towns are all located on the eastern side of Italy. Extend your road trip through Puglia while looping all the way around the region and exploring the west as well.
Where to Stay:
A boutique hotel about 20 minutes from the town of Ostuni and minutes to the beach, Masseria Calderisi includes 24 rooms. Surrounded by olive groves and originally a 17th-century farm, the hotel is the ideal mix of lived in luxury. A complimentary shuttle will drive you to their private beach club, Calderisi Mare. Book a pizza making class, olive oil and wine tasting experience, and private boat for a true taste of southern Italy. Contemporary Italian cuisine at the on-site restaurant, La Corte, shines, where the seafood, burrata, and pasta steal the show.
Room rates: $350 to $1,000 per night, depending on the room and season.
A luxury hotel that transports you to an exclusive, Puglian village, Borgo Egnazia is a romantic yet family-friendly, over-the-top kind of hotel. The property includes four swimming pools, a variety of different rooms to choose from, seven decadent restaurants to dine at, and quintessential Puglian events that happen throughout the year. It was designed and built to mimic a traditional Puglian village with a traditional twist. You first enter La Corte, the main building of Borgo Egnazia and its corridors lead to other intimate, welcoming rooms. Beyond La Corte, narrow stone alleys reveal charming Casette with secret gardens of bougainvillea, rosemary, and olive trees. Around the Piazza, a maze of stone walls and prickly pears winds through villas with private pools and terraces.
Room rates: Rooms vary around $1,100 per night.
Other accommodations on our radar:
Noteworthy Restaurants:
Peschare di Mari
Osteria del Tempo Perso
Cibus
Puglia isn’t fussy. You can decide to lay by the pool all day or hop in the car to explore a nearby town. With that said, Italians carry themselves well and you should dress for the occasion (the occasion being you are in Italy).
Puglia is -
A crisp Aperol Spritz in hand
The warm Italian sun beaming down on you
A breathtaking chill after jumping into the Adriatic Sea
Handmade pasta and fresh caught seafood
A good book by the pool
Nonnas hanging clothes to dry
Indulging in gelato daily
