These are the Best Towns to Explore in Puglia, Italy-Alle Abroad

PUGLIA SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR MUST-VISIT LIST

Once a destination that was considered “under the radar” to most foreign tourists, Puglia has quickly become the new summer hot spot in Italy, for a good reason. With its labyrinthine towns and plethora of beaches plus a never-ending list of luxury hotels & Masseria sure to rival any other popular destination in Italy, Puglia has entered the big leagues.

You’ll find this region in the southernmost part of Italy - aka the heel of the Italian boot - sandwiched between the Adriatic and the Ionian seas. Puglia feels like a crossroads of cultures, similar to Sicily in the sense that traces of North Africa, Turkey, and Greece all meld together to create a destination that feels out of this world.

It’s been called the “New Tuscany” but that’s not an accurate comparison. Puglia is grittier, more ancient & a place that Italians have been coming to escape in the summer months for many many years.

So if you’re considering a trip to Puglia but you’re not sure where to start, here’s a short list of my favorite towns to explore in the Puglia region + one honorable mention that’s just outside Puglia and TOTALLY worth a visit.

Polignano a Mare - BEST FOR ICONIC VIEWS

This town is at the top of many Puglia must-visit lists - and it’s not hard to see why. The town became famous thanks to a photo of the iconic Cala Porto [pictured above] - a small pebble beach that is now the backdrop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series.

The beach itself is honestly better to look at rather than relax on because it’s mostly made of pebbles which can be uncomfortable to sit on. I recommend spending an afternoon walking around the centro storico & staying to enjoy dinner at one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in Puglia - Grotta Palazzese. This restaurant is hidden within an ancient cave and has been hosting lavish parties since the 1700s.

This restaurant evokes strong opinions (both for and against) and it’s worth noting that this is NOT a place to dine on a budget (you’re not leaving spending less than €190 per person) BUT if you want to have an unforgettable dining experience there’s truly no place like it in Puglia.

We visited in April 2023, and I feel that many of the negative reviews were from when they had a different chef at the helm. I’m a pretty discerning diner and while this wasn’t the greatest meal I’ve ever had in my life, the food was solid and I knew that I was going more for the experience rather than the meal.

Click here to read more about our dinner at Grotta Palazzese

DON’T MISS: walking out to this viewpoint here which is right by the statue of Domenico Modugno [the man from Polignano a Mare who wrote one of the most famous Italian songs - Nel blu dipinto di blu aka Volare]

Ostuni - BEST FOR WANDERING

You’ll find the hilltop, white-washed town of Ostuni in the Valle d’Itria - a region of Puglia rich with vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees.

This town should be a must-visit on any Puglian road trip and one of the best ways to experience it is just to wander the maze of cobbled streets [this reminded me of wandering around the narrow streets of Paros, in Greece].

DON’T MISS: Enjoy an extravagant charcuterie board & Aperol Spritz at Borgo Antico Bistro right around sunset or lunch.

PRO TIP: When you’re looking for a place to search as a starting point in really any city in Italy, you can type Centro Storico [old town] and you’re bound to point yourself in the direction of the most charming parts of the town where you’ll find shops, restaurants and probably the most popular sites.

Alberobello - BEST FOR PHOTOS

If you google Puglia, chances are a photo of Alberobello will pop up. This town and its unique trulli homes have become synonymous with the imagery of Puglia making it one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in the region. Think of it almost like the Santorini of Puglia.

That being said, to truly appreciate Alberobello, I would plan to visit in shoulder season [at the beginning of April & end of October] or come during the early morning hours. You could probably cover what you need to in this area in a few hours or less & it’s perfect to combine with the next town on my list.

PRO TIP: The part of Alberobello that has the Trulli is very much concentrated in one area and is split in the middle with one side being very commercialized and the other more local. We did a walking tour with a private guide [highly recommend] and he took us to the Rione Aia Piccola district. This part of town has about 500 or so trulli and is where you’ll find more locals who actually live in the Trulli. You can find certain homes that open their doors to tourists to come in and look [always be sure to leave some euro for them to allow you inside].

Locorotondo - BEST FOR AVOIDING CROWDS

If you’re someone who absolutely HATES crowds and likes to get off the beaten path - this town needs to be on your list. Much like Ostuni, Locorotondo’s centro storico is a white-washed, hill-top town in the Valle d’Itria region of Puglia.

Locorotondo is known as one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (which means one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) and much like Ostuni, the best thing to do here is get lost along its twisty turny streets of the centro storico.

I’ll admit that on the day we visited it was raining and freezing so we didn’t spend too much time here but I would love to come back and explore more.

DON’T MISS: A meal at U Curdunn - we LOVED this cozy little spot which had THE BEST eggplant parmigiana

PRO TIP: Locorotondo is near Alberobello and the two towns can easily be paired together in one visit.

LECCE - BEST FOR BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE

Known as the Florence of the south, Lecce is one of the most important cities in Puglia. The historic city is a Baroque masterpiece and one of the best places to take part in a classic Italian nighttime tradition: the passeggiata. For those unfamiliar this is a ritual in Italian culture. It’s when people of all ages go for a stroll through the main streets of their town, typically done in the centro storico or along the lungomare if the town is by the sea).

This is the time to show off your new romance, your new shoes, new baby, new…whatever haha. Lecce is one of the best places to take part in this tradition.

PRO TIP: Book a reservation at La Bocca Bistro - it’s one of the best local spots that features a small but mighty menu and an incredibly kind team.

MATERA - BEST FOR being UNLIKE ANYPLACE ELSE

Okay, before you come for me, I know that Matera technically isn’t in Puglia, BUT it’s right across its border in Basilicata. It would be a shame not to mention it in this list because so many people visit Matera on a trip to Puglia.

I hate to play favorites but Matera stole the show for me. It was by far one of the most unique and utterly different places I have ever visited not just in Italy, but in the world. Named Europe’s capital of culture in 2019, this city has come a long way in recent years.

Matera is one of the oldest settlements in the world - first occupied in the Paleolithic Age and later inhabited by peasants and artisans who decided to make homes in the caves.

In the 1950s Matera was called the “Shame of Italy” due to the unsanitary living conditions & diseases spreading in the Sassi [translates to stones]. The entire population of roughly 16,000 people was forced to leave the Sassi and relocated to new housing projects as a part of an ill-conceived government program that left Matera a ghost town. It wasn’t until the 1980s that a group came together determined to restore the Sassi and bring it back to life.

In 1993, UNESCO named the Sassi of Matera a World Heritage site saying it was “the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem.”

Be sure to leave plenty of time to wander around the Sassi & make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes because you will be walking on uneven cobblestones & doing LOTS of stairs.

FUN FACT: You might recognize Matera as it was featured in the opening scenes in the latest James Bond film.

PRO TIP: Many people only visit on day trips but I STRONGLY suggest spending at least 1 night here so that you can experience the magic of Sextantio - this is one of the most authentic places to stay in Matera that pays homage to the cave dwellings that make up this ancient city. Learn more about it here.

ALTAMURA - BEST GETTING OFF THE BEATEN PATH

This town doesn’t often come up on a list when you google “the best places to visit in Puglia” but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your attention.

Altamura is most known for its pane PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). The bread is talked about with reverence and is made with semolina of hard wheat, sourdough and water and then cooked in a wood oven. Walk around the centro storico when you’re here and be sure to stop into

PRO TIP: If you watched Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy you probably will recognize this guy. We booked their cheese experience and I have to say it was one of the most unique tours I’ve ever taken and entirely personal and so fun!

Bari - BEST FOR FLYING IN AND OUT OF

I included Bari on this list because it's the capital of the Puglia region and this is typically the airport you would fly in and out of. That said, it certainly does feel more like a big city & has less of the small-town charm you’re likely seeking in this region. Bari is a port city and where many cruise ships stop if Puglia is on the itinerary, so you’ll find that in the middle of the day, the area tends to get VERY crowded.

Monopoli - BEST FOR LOCAL VIBES

I’ll be honest, we decided to pass up walking through the old town of Monopoli on our trip and I think it was a big mistake. In speaking with many of the travel professionals we met with during our time in Puglia, MANY told us that Monopoli was one of their favorite spots.

It’s lesser known by tourists, which certainly is a draw for any traveler wanting to get off the beaten path & we were told the old town is something you can explore in a few hours and is where you’ll find glimpses of locals going about their day-to-day routine.

Add it to your list, it will be at the top of mine when I return.

HOW TO GET AROUND PUGLIA

You will without a doubt need to rent a car if you would like to have the freedom to explore Puglia at your own pace and visit many of these destinations on this list. While many travelers might be intimidated by driving in Italy, don’t be. Both Linda and I have driven throughout Italy and would feel confident suggesting clients to do the same [I wouldn’t say the same about the Amalfi Coast].

PRO TIP: As you might imagine, the signage and parking rules might slightly different than what you are used to. Here’s some rules to keep in mind to avoid getting a ticket:

Blue lines: You can park but you will need to pay
White lines: Free parking in the designated parking area
Yellow lines: Locals only parking [Chicago needs that haha]