Discover the top places to see and best things to do in Puglia, Italy – food, beaches, trulli, wine, and must-visit hidden gems in Apulia.
Planning a trip to Puglia, Italy? Congratulations – you’re about to fall in love. This Italian region is where olive trees grow older than most civilizations, wine costs less than bottled water, and sunsets look Photoshopped (but aren’t).
- Where is Puglia, Italy? Puglia (Apulia) is located in southern Italy, forming the heel of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south.
- What is Puglia, Italy, famous for? Puglia, a favorite vacation spot for Italians, charms with stunning landscapes, historic towns, and authentic Italian cuisine, all at a fraction of the cost of northern Italy.
Whether you’re here for jaw-dropping beaches, slow travel vibes, or to question why pasta in the south tastes better than anywhere else on Earth, this Apulia/Puglia travel guide will help you plan like a pro.
Table of Contents
🗺️ Best Places to See & Things to Do in Puglia, Italy
Grab a gelato, open your map (yes, the heel of the boot), and let’s explore the top things to do in Puglia – no stress, just sunshine, wine, and adventure.
🍝 Bari – Real Italian Life
Bari, the capital, is the starting point for exploring other towns in Puglia/Apulia. This raw, lively, and unapologetically authentic city is a maze of pasta-rolling nonnas, seafront strolls, historic streets, and vibrant everyday life that makes the city unforgettable.
📍 Places to See
- Bari Vecchia (historic old town)
- Basilica di San Nicola
- Lungomare Nazario Sauro (waterfront promenade)
- Castello Svevo
- Piazza Mercantile and local markets
🎉 Things to Do
- Watch nonnas hand-roll orecchiette pasta in the alleys
- Sample focaccia Barese and other local street foods
- Take day trips to Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, or Matera
🛏️ Where to Stay
🕊️ Ostuni – The White City
Ostuni feels like a sun-bleached maze of whitewashed beauty, panoramic views, and slow wandering – the kind of place that makes you dream about staying forever.
📍 Places to See
- Piazza della Libertà
- Ostuni Cathedral
- Arco Scoppa (iconic archway near the cathedral)
🎉 Best Things to Do
- Sip an Aperol Spritz at a rooftop bar with Adriatic views.
- Dine at Osteria del Tempo Perso for rustic Pugliese dishes.
- Shop for handmade ceramics and local crafts in the old town alleys.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🍷 Locorotondo – The Town Built for Slow Living
Locorotondo is a peaceful, whitewashed, historic, circular, old town wrapped in vineyards, flowers, and wine-fueled daydreams – slow, scenic, and impossible not to love.
📍 Places to See
- Chiesa di San Giorgio Martire
- Villa Comunale viewpoint overlooking vineyards
- Palazzo Morelli (for architecture swooning)
🎉 Things to Do
- Sip Bianco Locorotondo DOC wine with focaccia at U Curdunn.
- Photograph hand-painted trulli rooftops and circular streets.
- Watch the sunset from the Villa Comunale viewpoint.
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏡 Alberobello – The Land of Trulli
Alberobello is a whimsical, storybook village of trulli homes, where ancient charm, cozy stays, and comforting Pugliese food turn every moment into a fairy-tale memory.
📍 Places to See
- Rione Monti and Aia Piccola (trulli districts)
- Trullo Sovrano (largest trullo)
- Church of Sant’Antonio
🎉 Things to Do
- Stay overnight in a trullo for a unique experience
- Enjoy rustic Pugliese cuisine (orecchiette, burrata, local wine)
- Shop for handmade crafts and local delicacies
🛏️ Where to Stay
🌴 Polignano a Mare – Cliffs, Caves & Coastlines
Polignano a Mare is where dramatic cliffs, turquoise sea, and pure coastal chaos come together to create one of the most photogenic places in Puglia.
📍 Places to See
- Centro Storico (whitewashed alleys + flower balconies)
- Villa Comunale viewpoint (vineyard + trulli)
- Chiesa Madre San Giorgio
- Santa Maria della Greca Church
🍷 Things to Do
- Wine tasting (Bianco Locorotondo DOC is the star)
- Try local specialties: focaccia barese, orecchiette, burrata
- Day trip to Alberobello, Martina Franca, and Cisternino (all nearby)
🛏️ Where to Stay
🍽️ Cisternino – A Food Lover’s Paradise
Cisternino is a humble, food-obsessed charmer – the kind of town where grilled meat, warm streets, and real Italian life turn a simple meal into a memory.
📍 Places to See
- Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (main square)
- Church of San Nicola
- Local butcher shops (fornelli pronti)
🎉 Things to Do
- Taste bombette (cheese-stuffed meat rolls) at Fornelli Pronti
- Enjoy local wine in small enotecas
- Attend seasonal festivals or food markets
🛏️ Where to Stay
⛵ Monopoli – Seaside Charm & Slow Vibes
Monopoli is a sun-soaked coastal dream where fishing boats, hidden beaches, and seafood-filled evenings create the perfect slow-summer fantasy.
📍 Places to See
- Monopoli Harbor with colorful fishing boats
- Cala Porta Vecchia and nearby coves
- Local beaches: Lido Santo Stefano, Cala Susca
🎉 Things to Do
- Explore Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
- Swim at Cala Porta Vecchia or Lido Santo Stefano
- Dine on fresh seafood at Osteria Perricci or Il Guazzetto
🛏️ Where to Stay
🪨 Matera – Magic in Stone
Matera is a hauntingly beautiful ancient cave city where golden sunsets, stone-carved history, and cinematic magic create an unforgettable, almost otherworldly experience.
📍 Places to See
- Sassi di Matera (ancient cave districts)
- Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario (traditional cave home museum)
- Matera Cathedral (Cattedrale di Matera)
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto
🎉 Things to Do
- Tour Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario to see a cave home
- Visit rupestrian churches like Santa Maria de Idris
- Photograph sunset from Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli over the Sassi
🛏️ Where to Stay
🌅 Otranto – Coastal Charm & Crystal Waters
Otranto is a dreamy Adriatic town where turquoise waters kiss medieval walls; stroll the seafront, admire the mosaic cathedral, and watch sunsets paint the sea pink.
📍 Places to See
- Otranto Cathedral (with famous mosaic floor)
- Castello Aragonese (historic seaside fortress)
- Porto di Otranto (harbor area)
- Nearby beaches: Baia dei Turchi, Alimini Lakes
🎉 Things to Do
- Explore Otranto Cathedral’s intricate mosaic floor
- Swim at Baia dei Turchi or Alimini Lakes for crystal-clear waters
- Walk the seaside promenade and watch sunsets over the Adriatic
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏖️ Gallipoli – Island Old Town & Golden Beaches
Gallipoli is an old town that rests on a tiny island, surrounded by clear Ionian waters and sandy beaches – romantic, sun-kissed, and perfect for slow wandering.
📍 Places to See
- Gallipoli Old Town (historic center on the island)
- Castello Angioino (seaside castle)
- Cathedral of Sant’Agata
- Lungomare Galilei (harbor promenade)
- Nearby beaches: Spiaggia della Purità, Baia Verde
🎉 Things to Do
- Explore Gallipoli Old Town
- Swim at Spiaggia della Purità or Baia Verde
- Dine on fresh seafood at Osteria del Canneto
🛏️ Where to Stay
⛪ Trani – Cathedral by the Sea
In Trani, a glowing white cathedral overlooks the harbor, pastel buildings line the streets, and quiet coastal elegance makes it one of Puglia’s most photogenic towns.
📍 Places to See
- Trani Cathedral, an iconic Romanesque cathedral by the harbor
- Castello Svevo, a historic seaside fortress
- Harbor promenade’s pastel buildings and scenic views
🎉 Things to Do
- Climb the cathedral terrace for panoramic harbor views
- Stroll the old town streets lined with cafes and boutiques
- Dine on fresh seafood at local favorites like Osteria dei Mille
🛏️ Where to Stay in Trani
🏛️ Lecce – Baroque Beauty & Historic Charm
Lecce is one of the most scenic and culturally rich towns in Puglia/Apulia, often called the “Florence of the South” for its stunning Baroque architecture.
📍 Places to See
- Basilica di Santa Croce – intricate Baroque facade
- Piazza del Duomo – historic cathedral square
- Roman Amphitheatre – ancient ruins in the city center
🎉 Things to Do
- Explore Baroque palazzi and artisan shops
- Take a cooking class to learn traditional Pugliese dishes
- Sip coffee in Piazza Sant’Oronzo while watching locals pass by
🛏️ Where to Stay
- Palazzo Paisiello – Luxury Rooms Lecce
- Arco Vecchio Urban Suite – Epoca Collection
- Patria Palace Lecce – The Leading Hotels of The World
🏞️ Gravina – Ravines, Caves & History
Gravina in Puglia is a historic hill town famous for its dramatic ravine, ancient cave dwellings, and charming old town streets, offering a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience compared to coastal towns.
📍 Places to See
- Gravina Sotterranea – explore underground cave dwellings and tunnels
- Ponte Acquedotto – an impressive historic aqueduct bridge
- Chiesa di San Francesco – a stunning historic church in the old town
🎉 Things to Do
- Walk along the Gravina ravine for breathtaking views and photo ops
- Tour the cave houses and rock churches to experience the town’s history
- Sample local cuisine at Osteria La Roccia or Trattoria Al Terrazzino
🛏️ Where to Stay
🏛️ Canosa di Puglia – Ancient History & Archaeology
Canosa di Puglia is a historic town rich in Roman and Daunian ruins, ancient churches, and archaeological treasures, perfect for history lovers.
📍 Places to See
- Cathedral of San Sabino – medieval cathedral with historic charm
- Roman Amphitheater and Necropolis – ancient ruins revealing the town’s Roman past
- Archaeological Museum “D. Ridola” – exhibits Daunian and Roman artifacts
🎉 Things to Do
- Explore the Roman and Daunian ruins scattered through town
- Walk along historic streets lined with churches and ancient buildings
- Attend local festivals to experience Apulian traditions and culture
🛏️ Where to Stay
🍕 Puglia Restaurants & Food
Apulia is a paradise for food lovers – here’s what to eat and where:
- Burrata – creamy and indulgent, best at La Moresca in Ostuni or Puglia Gourmet in Bari.
- Orecchiette pasta – try it with tomato, cime di rapa, or ragu at Trattoria Nonna Tetti in Lecce.
- Focaccia Barese – grab a slice at Panificio Fiore in Bari or Pasticceria Boccia in Polignano a Mare.
- Bombette (stuffed grilled meat) – the specialty of Cisternino, especially at Macelleria da Totò.
- Local wine – sip Primitivo or Negroamaro at Cantine San Marzano near Taranto or Palmento San Cristoforo in Lecce.
Apulia restaurants and food highlight rustic, regional flavors that are as memorable as the towns themselves.
🚆 How to Get to Puglia
Getting to Puglia from Rome is easy by plane, train, bus, or car – perfect for exploring Italy’s charming towns and coastline. Get your Puglia travel guide and go!
- 🛬 By Air: Fly into Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport or Brindisi Airport.
- 🚉 By Train: From Rome, take a Frecciarossa high-speed train (~4 hours) to Bari or Lecce.
- 🚍 By Bus: FlixBus and regional services connect Rome, Naples, and other major cities to Puglia towns like Bari, Lecce, and Otranto.
- 🚗 By Car: Renting a car is ideal for exploring small towns, scenic coastal roads, and hidden gems off the beaten path.
☀️ Best Time to Visit Puglia
The best time to visit Puglia is spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October), when the weather is warm, crowds are smaller, and beaches and towns are at their most beautiful.
- May-June & September-October: Perfect weather, fewer crowds.
- July-August: Beautiful but hot and busy.
- Winter: Quiet, great for culture, not beaches.
Puglia/Apulia is a sun-soaked region where charming towns, stunning coastlines, and unforgettable food combine to create a travel experience like no other. Whether you wander whitewashed streets, sip local wine, or watch sunsets over the Adriatic, every moment here feels magical.
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