Also worth visiting is the Museo Faggiano, where a Lecce townhouse has been turned into a living history lesson, with archaeological excavations revealing the houses history back to Roman times. Explore the canyons of Terra delle Gravine Natural Park (Taranto), 5. Create an account or log in to save your wishlist, Do you already have an account? Castellana Caves complex is one of the worlds largest karst complex that has ever been explored by man. Perhaps it will be your opportunity to try locally famous bombette? All rights Reserved Evo Ristorante. Get lost in a magical landscape at Castellana Caves (Bari), 2. Click here. This huge cave network extends inland for hundreds of metres beneath the coastal town of Castro, and has numerous stalactite-filled galleries. For kids walking in the narrow streets of Alberobello is like entering a fairy tale and they will literally be amazed. If you like architecture and history, dont miss to visit Lecce. This particularly scenic part of Puglia is known for its whitewashed towns, such as Locorotondo and Ostuni, and trulli houses (traditional limestone dwellings with conical roofs), which are best seen in the Unesco-listed site of Alberobello. They are a must see sight for any traveller and feature a unique "white cave" which by some is considered one of the best in the world. Visit San Leonardo, Candelora of SantAntonio Abate, and enjoy a guided tour not to miss any hidden gem. St. Mark's Square view from St Mark's Campanile. Best things to do in Puglia Enjoy fresh marmalade, some olive oil and also the organic nuts. Lecce may be called the Florence of the Baroque. Unusual Things to Do . The city also has a Roman amphitheatre. Youll have the chance to admire a wild natural landscape made of deep canyons and hills, but also the stone houses of the village looking like a sort of open-air museum. And if you linger in the area, check out the locally produced Castel Del Monte Puglia winein a choice of red, white or ros. With a beautifully rustic historical centre, stunning beaches, unique churches and heritage based on Byzantine, Roman and Arab influences, Otranto Puglia is the perfect place to spend a day. Its possible to go inside the castle if you book tickets. Over the centuries Monte SantAngelo has attracted saints, kings, pilgrims, tourists and popes, which makes it an important point on the map for analyzing Italian religious side. Check out the video, click here. 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. In order to really see the best of Alberobello, try staying overnight. Explore, grab an espresso, have a gelato and just enjoy these quieter, less touristed places in Puglia. This combination waterpark/amusement park will keep the whole family busy all day. Top Things to Do in Puglia, Italy - Puglia Attractions Things to Do in Puglia Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more. A traditional Masseria stay is a must do in Puglia for those who love authentic local travel experiences. Private Tour: Lecce Guided Walking Tour. Still open and in business today, it operates in the old district located in the old town. The taralli are small and circular crackers that are commonly consumed as an aperitif in Italy. Then, on reaching Poggiorsini, you will discover the Rock of Garagnone, an imposing block of rock from which you can admire the flight of cricket hawks. Speaking of Roman amphitheatres, heres my guide to the Best Things To Do In Rome (with Insider Tips). We organize tours in all the main cities of Puglia, departing from different locations. The system is made up of a series of large canyons and caves filled with incredible formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, concretions and fossils. Every trip to Italy is unique, build it the way you like it, you'll be spoilt for choice. Otrantos medieval cathedral is known for the incredible 12th-century mosaic that covers the entire floor of the nave. Click here to open this map in Google Maps. Murgia is a hilly region of valleys and karst outcrops. Dont forget the walk to the highest part of the city were youll find the Santa Maria Cathedral which dominates the entire surrondings. Are you thinking about arranging a romantic weekend, but you are looking for something less known than Paris or Rome? Whereas if you are still looking for love, Vico Del Gargano is your perfect option for a dream come true. This historical seaside resort has an ancient tradition to celebrate Christmas: the Living Nativity Scene. 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 karstic cave system running 60 meters below ground. Meaning castle of the mountain, Castel del Monte is perched on a hill near the city of Andria. 28 Amazing Things to Do and See in Puglia, Italy 1. Have a boat tour and reach Castro Caves by the sea (Lecce), 26. The porous limestone beneath Puglias soil isnt only good for winemaking, its also created spectacular caves. 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. Another of the best places in Puglia is the unusual, historic town of Alberobello. One of the best ways to understand the architecture of Lecce is to let a guide show you around. olive trees. Subscribe for weekly inspiration and deals from The Times and The Sunday Times. You can book on Booking.com (where you can usually get a reduced price compared to booking direct same is true for most Puglia hotels). cave system running 60 meters below ground. Purcedduzzi is small pieces of dough either deep-fried or baked and then covered with honey and sugar sprinkles that are traditionally served on the Christmas table in Southern Italy. Brindisi is another port city in Puglia. Often overlooked by international tourists, Monopoli is Puglias Seaside City located close to Bari, and is a popular summer destination amongst Puglian locals. Sign in. Show More Private Guided Tour In Alberobello With Free Tasting: Discovering The Trulli . With sand and rock color palette it has much more to offer than you would have expected. For more information visit. Via Galileo Galilei 24, 72017, Ostuni Italy +39 333 129 2341 Website Menu. It is one of the most important Italian locations for seaside tourism, thanks to its many kilometers of sandy beaches. Discover Puglia, in southern Italy, the region in the 'heel' of Italy's boot with stunning coastlines, hilltop villages and amazing food. While most people visit Polignano a Mare for Cala Porto, one of Puglias most popular destinations also has another hidden secret Grotta Palazzese. Starting with the Propaggini (poetry reading) on December 26th, the core of the Carnival celebrations (and the best time to visit) occurs between late January and Shrove Tuesday in February. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. 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. Its also a city with two very different sides; the modern, The Murat district is the newer part of the city which is home to the major shopping and entertainment district, as well as several elegant 19th century palaces such as the, But the most fascinating part of Bari has to be the maze-like old town of Barivecchia which stretches along the Adriatic Sea, the longest seafront in all of Italy, with many important historic buildings including the grand, Coastal Polignano a Mare is most famous for the picturesque. The Apulian hinterland is just as deserving of exploration as the coast. It was built to house the mortal remains of St Nicholas (better known as Father Christmas). The town is divided into two parts: the new and the old. While the city can get particularly crowded with both tourists and locals during. Celebrate Christmas in Polignano a Mare (Bari), 9. This diving spot is located just in front of Leucas lighthouse, where Ionian and Adriatic melt. By the way, try those with cream and black cherries, they are super delicious. You'll find a lungomare in most Italian seaside cities and Bari is no different. The Ionian Dolphin Conservation Center in Taranto offers tourists and locals the chance to spend about 5 hours on their catamaran to admire the dolphins living in the gulf. Martina Franca is the areas most attractive town, ringed by watchtowers and walls, and largely dates from the early Middle Ages. Puglia might not have as many world-famous sights as Tuscany or Rome, but in many ways, the heel of Italy is a more rewarding place to travel. This Natural Reserve is a perfect opportunity to spend a day surrounded by nature and unusual plant species. 2. Filled with trulli - small stone houses with conical roofs, it's incredibly picturesque and unique. A stay at a Masseria is so much more than just accommodation, with most offering tours of their land and the working farms, tastings of their products including Puglia olive oil, wines and cheeses, and even home-cooked dinners enjoyed alongside your hosts and other guests. 7) Otranto. We headed to Puglia during October half term and it's a wonderful time to visit this region of Italy. 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. 1. 01 of 09 Alberobello and the Trulli Zone Jack78 / Pixabay Puglia's most famous sight is the trulli, unique houses with conical roofs found in the area around Alberobello. Ive also included a Google Map at the end with each of the destinations included. The dunes are up to 12 meters and for a natural barrier between the beach and the road. 60 things to do in Puglia. This village is located among terraced hills cultivated with typical vineyards. A: Top activities in Puglia include: Private Wine Tour from Ostuni with Lunch including Alberobello and Locorotondo. In fact, if you are looking for a destination with the best water, Polignano is a place to go. Required fields are marked *, FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn If you are thinking of traveling to the South of Puglia, without a doubt you should include this beautiful, Art & Culture Bari Land Beach & Coast Gargano Info Itineraries Itria Valley Nature & Parks Recipes Salento Top 10 To See Traditions Typical Products UNESCO World Heritage What to do. How to do it: I personally stayed in the sublime 5-starMasseria Torre Coccaro, close to Fasano. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. Look out for the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-levelled house. Do a tour of the rock carved churches in Massafra (Taranto), 21. It is a 13th-century fortress built on top of a hill. Nothing is sweeter than the wait before a trip to Italy. Castellana Caves - La Grotta di Castellana. A gravina is a rocky slit that can be 100m deep and form a narrow natural corridor. No matter what time of year you visit, the historic center of Alberobello is almost guaranteed to be busy, being one of the most popular places to visit in Puglia. Uncovered in 1932, Luceras Roman amphitheatre is the largest in southern Italy. It is located South of Otranto, easily accessible by car, youll have to walk a few hundreds meters to enjoy the so called red lake. Puglias trullis date back to the 16th century and were designed to be easily dismantled in the event of a royal inspection in order to avoid the regions rulers paying property taxes to the King. Wetland of Southern . Dont miss the viewpoint from the Villa Comunale garden, which offers a panorama over the Itria Valley. Covid travel restrictions explained, See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, 2023 Croatia Island-Hopping Private Yacht and Magical Montenegro Experience. Here are our top 5 things to do in Puglia to help you plan your visit. 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. Day 1: Lecce. Have a 2-hour walk in the so-called Plain of Olive Trees, populated by ancient trees up to 3000 years old. Local sea caves can also be visited on a boat tour. 5) Beaches. I also took a boat trip while I was there, which is a wonderful way to spend half a day, enjoying the sea breeze. The islands of the Isole Tremiti lie 36km off Puglias northern coastline. 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. The filling may vary, but the most popular is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, mozzarella and ham. Finally, a stop in Laterza is recommended; here you can stretch out in the open air and marvel at the limestone formations that have formed caves, swallow holes, pulas and ravines. Have also a walk through the surrounding alleyways, where you can stop in several pubs and bars and enjoy the local nightlife. Its worth a stop if youre travelling south from Trani to Altamura. Get behind the wheel for stirring views across the Adriatic, and access to several small coves and beaches that are well off the beaten track. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page. We would strongly recommend taking a romantic trip to the city of Vico Del Gargano. Locals discovered thermal waters of Torre Canne in the mid-nineteenth century, but in the postwar period after construction of the Spa, real exploitation began. Getting to Bari The city of Bar is well connected by train, buses and flights. 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. Puglias cucina povera is renowned across Italy, so this makes a wonderful place for a cooking lesson. Look out for pilgrims graffiti it was a custom for penitents to trace outlines of their hands and feet into the walls. It is located near a cemetery and it welcomes its visitors with a nice citrus garden. The School of Art in Grottaglie was created in the 18th. On the Adriatic Sea, perched like a birds nest on the edge of a sharp cliff over 20 meters high, Polignano rises above the sea. Moreover, when visiting Grottaglie take a look at balconies, they feature something known as Pumi, from the Latin name pomum, fruit. The building technique is called dry-stone and it is really ancient, stemming from a pre-historical period. 798 Reviews. The updated calendar of events can be found here. The next stop is the San Leucio Archaeological Park, rich in precious archaeological artefacts, including the remains of the largest early Christian basilica in Apulia, dedicated to San Leucio. It occupies a vast area called Murge in the provinces of Taranto, Brindisi and Bari. The list is organised by the best towns to stay in Puglia and what to do there. 10. 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. While most Masseria were originally used for practical purposes, many have now been converted into luxurious agriturismo hotels and charming B&Bs. Dont miss to watch a live show of Pizzica, one of the most famous Italys folk dance the pizzica pizzica is a traditional music and ballet of considerable social and cultural importance which is becoming more and more popular. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Read more. 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. This area is located between Brindisi and Taranto and it is called Murge. This clifftop coast road provides the best road trip in Puglia. Panzerotti are made with the same pizza dough and then deep fried for a crispy taste! First of all, eating in Italy is very different. 1. 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. If you want to taste the local delights, book this Olive Oil Tasting Tour in Ostuni. My guide to the highest part of the worlds largest karst complex has. In 1932, Luceras Roman amphitheatre is the unusual, historic town of Alberobello, try those cream. 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