Highlights of Puglia

Puglia, which forms the heel of Italy’s boot, is the long, narrow region of southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea and the regions of Basilicata, Campania and Molise. Beautiful beaches, secluded coves, fields of olive and citrus groves, Baroque towns, whitewashed villages and fascinating conical-shape trulli houses are just some of the many attractions to be discovered in the region.

Molfetta, Trani and Barletta

Molfetta, the first of a trio of port towns north of Bari, has a walled medieval centre; Trani is dominated by a grand Romanesque cathedral; and Barletta has a third-century bronze colossus.

Pasta

The cuisine of Puglia is simple and glorious, based around the local orecchiette (ear-shaped) pasta and an abundance of vegetables.

Egnazia

A fascinating archaeological park which dates back to the Bronze Age. A necropolis with pre-Roman tombs, painted vases known as ‘Egnazia ceramic’, an amphitheatre and forum are just some of the historical discoveries from the ancient town of Gnathia.

Gargano National Park

The Gargano National Park covers an area of more than 120,000 hectares and contains several protected areas such as the Marine Reserve of the Tremiti Islands. The Gargano promontory consists of a wide mountain massif made up of highlands and several peaks - the highest point is Monte Calvo at 1,065 m (3,494 ft), projecting into the Adriatic Sea. Inland stand the last traces of the Umbra Forest, the only remaining area in Italy containing the ancient oak and beech trees that once covered much of Central Europe.

The park offers good walking trails and cycle routes; a glimpse of hundreds of species of animals including deer, foxes and birds; the religious sites of San Giovanni Rotondo and San Marco in Lamis; the castles of Monte Sant’Angelo and Manfredonia and the majestic beaches at Peschici and Vieste. The variety of natural habitats, interspersed with expanses of cultivated fields, olive groves and vineyards, guarantees an ever-changing landscape and a path rich in unforgettable views and panoramas.

Best Beaches

Some of the finest stretches of beach curl around the southernmost tip of Puglia between the charming towns of Otranto and Gallipoli.

Local cuisine

Puglia is predominantly an agricultural region, producing around 40% of Italy’s olive oil. This agricultural nature means that the region’s cuisine is home-country inspired, using the abundant local produce such as durum wheat, fava beans, artichokes and lamb.

Burrata di Andria

A fresh, creamy soft, cow’s cheese that has to be eaten within 24 hours of production - absolutely delicious!

Festival - La Notte della Taranta

Salento’s lively and graceful folk dance – the dance of the Tarantula. Experience this age old tradition during August in the towns of Grecia Salentina, south of Lecce and Melpignano.

Festival - La Notte Bianca

The town of Lecce throws an all-night party every April, with museums, entertainment and art exhibitions lasting until dawn.

Trani

A pleasant and lively port town, Trani has a well maintained historic centre with ancient palaces and churches, narrow roads and alleyways, a Swabian Castle built in 1233, a 59m high bell tower and a colourful harbour area and promenade.

Otranto

Visit the C11th Cathedral with its C12th mosaic floor of the ‘tree of life’, intertwining Norman, Greek and Byzantine ideas of fate. The Chapel of the Dead displays a ghoulish sight of skulls and bones of martyrs neatly arranged in tall glass cases.

Castel del Monte

This C13th citadel and castle stands on a promontory in Andria. It was constructed for the Emperor Frederick II – its purpose is unknown as no-one actually ever lived there. A fascinating hexagonal-shaped castle which is protected as a World Heritage site.

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Puglia has two cultural sites listed: the Castel del Monte in Andria and the Trulli houses of Alberobello.

Alberobello

This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a dense concentration of trulli limestone cottages with cone-shaped roofs built between the mid-15th and late-18th centuries. It is one of the best preserved urban areas of its type in Europe. Why not stay in one of these unique buildings during your stay in Puglia.

Lecce

Affectionately known as the ‘Florence of the South’ due to its many Baroque buildings, Lecce has a Roman amphitheatre, more than a hundred churches and palaces and several designer boutiques. The city’s heyday was when it was part of Spain in the 17th century and the noblemen, merchants and religious orders of the city competed with each other as to who could built the most palaces. Carved from the local golden sandstone the exuberant architecture looks like a sumptuous theatrical set. Lecce is also a great place to people watch from outside a bar sipping iced coffee with almond syrup, or go shopping along the fashionable Corso Vittorio Emanuele.