Otrantos medieval cathedral is known for the incredible 12th-century mosaic that covers the entire floor of the nave. In Trani, youll find a focus on fresh, local products and the benefits can be found in every bite. While public transport is available, it can be unpredictable, not every town and attraction is well connected, and some of them arent accessible at all. This charming and unique city is dominated by white washed cone shaped Trulli, an architectural style typical of Puglia. Castellana Caves - La Grotta di Castellana. Have a walk in the Old Town of Gallipoli (Lecce), 4. However, Trani has taken its dining clientele in a traditional direction, becoming one of Italys Slow Food Movement cities. Italy is a country rich in cuisine and no matter where you go there is an interesting set of dishes. While its possible to taste Primitivo throughout Puglia, I did a great, informal tasting in Enoteca Tholos in Alberobello. Take a walk through its narrow lanes and get a taste of history. Puglia holidays offer up a magnificent array of beaches, inimitable history and architecture and natural wonders that provide a superb break for the whole family. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Web: www.quisalento.it. Get lost in a magical landscape at Castellana Caves (Bari), 2. While you give free reign to your imagination, make sure you know everything before you leave. The Seagarden Beach Resort is in a great location on the beach and is close to several attractions, including Walter Fletcher Beach, Dead End Beach, and AquaSol Theme Park. In 2010 the city has been listed in Best in Travel 2010 by Lonely Planet. A deep, intense red wine, thick with tannins, Primitivo is lightened by the natural sweetness of the red grapes grown in the Puglia region. Get lost in a magical landscape at Castellana Caves (Bari) Castellana Caves It is a spectacular underground cave system that is 3Km long and 70m deep. Topics are varied, covering everything from wine-tasting to market shopping, the Mediterranean diet, southern Italys Jewish cuisine, olive oil making and the art of the perfect tomato sauce. The best way to see the city is to book a walking tour of Bari. Bari is the capital of the Puglia region and a popular starting point for most tourists, given that its home to the largest international Puglia airport. The islands of the Isole Tremiti lie 36km off Puglias northern coastline. Over 100 metres deep under Puglia's surface lies one of its most spectacular natural wonders. 28 Amazing Things to Do and See in Puglia, Italy, 1. Alternatively, you can book a Street Food Tour in Bari or even take an orecchiette pasta making class (pasta making classes can be very expensive in Italy so, at under 35, this is amazing value). Clifftop Vieste has a rough-and-ready charm that feels more authentic than some of Puglias prettified towns. My granny makes them every Sunday, they are delicious! Check out the video, click here. Go snorkelling in the Violet Cave (Tremiti Islands), 13. Admire orchids in the Gargano National Park, Best place to visit in Puglia: Top 10 not to miss. In a unique location, the hypogeum complex of the Madonna di Grottole, the living crib scene of Polignano a Mare, is a true theatrical representation. This Natural Reserve is a perfect opportunity to spend a day surrounded by nature and unusual plant species. The largest natural swimming pool is perfect to take dips from a height of 5m and to swim in salty water. Unusual Things to Do . A unique place, a cave absolutely to see in its special things. In fact, it is the last surviving portion of what was once a wetland area ranging from Brindisi to Otranto. A: Top activities in Puglia include: Private Wine Tour from Ostuni with Lunch including Alberobello and Locorotondo. This village is located among terraced hills cultivated with typical vineyards. Such cheese will be your perfect accompaniment to an exquisite glass of the Italian wine. Surprisingly, if you are on a lookout for a new and original Christmas snack, Italy, in particular, Puglia, also has something to offer. Polignano a Mare is rightly one of the most famous destinations in Puglia. The Violet Cave owes its name to the violets growing on the banks and to the violet tint of water due to the presence of a particular species of seaweed. This research association is engaged in the protection of marine biodiversity and promotes education about biology, marine fauna, and the marine environment in general. Orecchiette is a homemade ear-shaped pasta, the most traditional way of serving it is usually with cime di rapa (turnip tops) and garlic, or ricotta cheese and fresh tomatoes. This town is famous for its traditional buildings: they are whitewashed and made of local limestone with a particular conic roof made of layered stone labs. While most people visit Polignano a Mare for Cala Porto, one of Puglias most popular destinations also has another hidden secret , Another of the best places in Puglia is the unusual, historic town of Alberobello. I swear I had the best burrata in Puglia (and Italy). Luxury & Special Occasions Sporting Events Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours Shopping Tours Special Offers Weddings & Honeymoons Likely to Sell Out Yoga Classes Hammams & Turkish Baths Popular Cities in Puglia Bari Puglia, Italy Lecce Puglia, Italy Gallipoli Puglia, Italy Porto Cesareo Puglia, Italy Ways to tour Puglia Riserva Naturale Le Cesine is one of the best-preserved wetlands of Southern Italy. How to do it: If youre limited on time, stick to Cala Porta Vecchia, Monopolis most central sandy beach with crystal clear waters right next to the citys sixteenth-century fortified walls. Fun fact: staying overnight in a trulli in Puglia took me back to that time I lived in a cave for 3 months in the Loire Valley, France. During your stay in Puglia, dont limit your visit to the most popular destinations! Youll have the chance to slowly explore the trails and see local flora and fauna while meeting lovely animals like horses. We have reviews of the best places to see in Puglia. Aim to arrive at the headland of Santa Maria di Leuca for dusk its Puglias top spot to watch the sunset. 7) Otranto. See the trulli in Valle d'Itria Valle d'Itria, or "Trulli Valley," is famed for its storybook environment filled with trulli (singular: trullo) or former peasant cottages. Moving further down, it is worth visiting Torrepaduli, which offers the marvellous spectacle of the 'dance of the knives', an ancient tradition through which musicians and dancers, accompanied by tambourines, chase away negativity. The city also has a Roman amphitheatre. For more information visit here. Lecce may be called the Florence of the Baroque. We headed to Puglia during October half term and it's a wonderful time to visit this region of Italy. For instance, a very important Byzantine Abbey of Sant Angelo. Chef Silvestro Silvestori offers a range of cooking classes at his culinary school in Lecce, The Awaiting Table. Rich in lush forests and valleys, the Daunia Mountains offer their visitors astonishing views of landscapes, medieval castles and architectural beauties. Two things you have to do in Polignano a Mare are witnessing a sunrise and sunset over the sea. Its connected to the sea by an underground canal: you can swim through it or you can explore it with a small boat. First of all, eating in Italy is very different. It looks like a durum hard bread biscuit, cut horizontally in half and toasted again in the oven. Moreover, Puglia has a rich historic and cultural heritage, so that its a perfect destination for all tastes. Panzerotti are made with the same pizza dough and then deep fried for a crispy taste! The final destination in the area is Monopoli, a very popular spot and an ideal opportunity to admire the construction of gozzi, the classic coloured wooden boats that liven up the Apulian ports. Much like Monopoli, Gallipoli is another popular seaside summer escape for Italian holidaymakers, with its relaxed atmosphere, vibrant nightlife scene and long surrounding coastline which is home to some of the best beaches in Puglia. Discover Puglia, in southern Italy, the region in the 'heel' of Italy's boot with stunning coastlines, hilltop villages and amazing food. A pioneer of the slow food movement, where the simple life dominates, Puglia is the real dolce vita; yet it remains relatively untrampled by international tourists. Its much less touristy for one thing. The second stage of the trip takes you to the Gargano, a land of centuries-old devotion and pilgrims of unparalleled beauty. Top Things to Do in Puglia, Italy: See Tripadvisor's 2,986,237 traveller reviews and photos of Puglia tourist attractions. Also known as Florence of the South due to its many striking Baroque buildings yes, Puglian cities have a lot of nicknames Lecce is the main city on Puglias Salento peninsula. Castellana Caves (author: ReMagio ) Dont forget to climb to the top of the hill to visit the Cathedral. La Quinta by Wyndham, Salem. The port of Bari can also be reached by ferry from countries including Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and several Greek islands. It is a very popular tourist destination. As an alternative, you can book a walking tour of Monopoli that will introduce you to the citys legends (and includes some local food recommendations). Whether youre staying in nearby Masseria Torre Coccaro or youre simply in the area, the old town of Fasano and nearby coastal Savelttri are worth a quick stop. Its definitely one of the best towns to stay in Puglia. Have a quick trip to the Middle-Ages at Castel del Monte (Andria), 3. I also took a boat trip while I was there, which is a wonderful way to spend half a day, enjoying the sea breeze. Here you can try samples and see how products are made. Although it is a both small and pebbled, thanks to the water, Cala Porto is one of the best beaches in Puglia. The centrepiece is the monumental Basilica di Santa Croce, celebrated for its ornate and bizarre faade: look out for griffins, dodos, biblical figures, cherubs and even a few sheep in the stonework. Nowadays, this former monastery hosts a branch of Salento University (History, Society and Human Studies), but its still an aesthetically beautiful place with lots of pieces of art. Head to the hilltop town of Altamura . Got any questions or tips, let me know in the comments below. Gallipoli is probably the best known town on the western coast of Puglias Salento peninsula, and with a name which translates to Beautiful City (in Greek) its definitely somewhere not to miss. Check our panzerotti recipe to prepare them any time you wish! Menu. Discover huge ancient olive trees by following the Giants Itinerary (Ostuni). The tour continues to the Alta Murgia National Park, amidst expanses of steppes, barren pastures and karst rocks that will connect you completely with nature. To fully enjoy the beauty of the natural scenery, come here in June or in September to avoid tourist crowds. Evo Ristorante. Horse-ride in Gargano forest (Vieste), 28. Its a great area for hiking, especially around the Forestra Umbra (Forest of Shadows), whose shady beech, oak, yew and Aleppo pines provide a refuge for local wildlife. A few kilometres further on, you can lose yourself in the red grape vines where the famous Primitivo di Manduria wine comes to life, before heading to the Cesine Nature Reserve, a passage route for many birds moving between northern Europe and Africa. Ive put together a list of all the locations in this post about things to do in Puglia. This is how that the historian Gregorovius described Lecce. Hire bikes - a great thing to do in Puglia with kids. Blue Flag Beach 2022: Best beaches in Puglia, Italy, Best 13 Great Reasons to Visit Puglia, Italy, Visit Lecce, the capital of Baroque Architecture, Visiting Alberobello and the uniqueness of Trulli, Castel del Monte, World Heritage Site, Puglia, A guide to visit Gallipoli in Puglia, Italy, Exploring Ostuni, the White City of Puglia, A guide to visit Otranto in Puglia, Italy, Puglia Itinerary Road Trip: Where to Go and How to Do It, Puglia Airport How to Get to Puglia by Air. Although it is a both small and pebbled, thanks to the water, Cala Porto is one of the best beaches in Puglia. The area is famous for the production of renowned red and white wines, like Verdeca or Negramaro, among the most popular ones. The beach is very beautiful, sandy, with rocks on the sides, practically without waves, and very shallow for the most. It protects the house from evil and is an essential part of every family. Shallow waters and a large beach protected from the winds by vegetation and sand dunes make it also an ideal destination for families with kids. Today, wander the seafront and youll find the port is home to luxury yachts. A great way to explore is on this, Fun fact: staying overnight in a trulli in Puglia took me back to that time I lived in a cave for 3 months in the, Something which doesnt always make it on to every list of things to do in Puglia is one of the regions most unique and interesting attractions the, Located in the town of the same name, just a short distance from Alberobello in the Valle dItria, Grotte di Castellana is a 90 million year old. It is very different, yet authentic and surprising part of Italy. The castle was built in the 13th century under the order of King Federick II and was used as the citys fortress as well as a hunting lodge. Bari has a thriving street food scene, but to find the best spots youll need a guide. Murgia is a hilly region of valleys and karst outcrops. Go trekking in the canyon of Terre delle Gravine National Reserve, 12. Farms, vineyards and oil mills offer the ideal opportunity to sample the irresistible flavours of the area. There are plenty of tempting beaches that surround the pretty old town of Gallipoli. What to do in Foggia by the sea What to do in Foggia: visit the Gargano National Park What to do in Foggia: visit the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo What to do in Foggia: the 10 cities . Therefore, visiting Alberobello is crucial in understanding all sides of the country. Its a grand old town, with broad boulevards, great shopping and a well-regarded university that supports a healthy supply of bars and restaurants. Private Tour: Lecce Guided Walking Tour. Private walking tour in Alberobello. The building, still perfectly preserved, is characteristic for its octagonal shape. It only covers about 60km, but youll need to devote the best part of a day once you factor in sightseeing. The town has a handful of good restaurants and cafs; sit down for a coffee on Piazza XX or Piazza Roma and watch the world go by. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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