Being the 7th largest region in Italy in terms of size, there are so many things to do in Puglia that we can think of. Let’s go pick the best ones, though.
Puglia is in southeastern Italy, on the part often referred to as the “heel.” The region is also called Apulia in English. It is famous for its whitewashed hill villages, centuries-old farmlands, and a seemingly endless Mediterranean coastline.
As the “Florence of the South,” the city of Lecce in Puglia is noted for its Baroque architecture, while Bari is a bustling port and university town. Meanwhile, the trulli, or stone cottages with conical roofs, can be found in Alberobello town and the Itria Valley.
Make the most of your time in Puglia by visiting more than just the most popular spots. Do not simply follow your guide if you do not wish to be surrounded by masses of tourists at crowded tourist attractions.
14 Best Things To Do in Puglia, Italy
We’ve compiled a selection of the best places to visit and the top things to do in Puglia to make the most of your visit to this beautiful southern Italian region.
1. 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. You’ll be drawn in by the trulli as you make your way through this beautiful valley — they give it an almost fairytale-like atmosphere.
If you spend some time here, you’ll discover a beautiful region with quaint towns, delicious food, and breathtaking scenery.
The beehive-shaped roofs on these traditional Apulian houses give them a charming appearance, but the stones used to construct them were gathered by the peasants from their stony fields. Structures like these were simple to make and dismantle, and they provided both warmth in the winter and coolness during summer.
Set in the tranquil Apulian countryside, these refurbished trulli are now holiday residences with individual pools. They are definitely among the must-see attractions in Puglia that you should put on top of your itinerary.
2. Experience the old and modern Bari
Bari is the Puglia region’s capital and a popular starting point for most travelers, thanks to the city’s international airport, which is the largest in the region. Both the modern Murat neighborhood and the more traditional Bari Vecchia have their distinct personalities. They are among the best places to visit in Puglia.
One of Puglia’s most important retail and entertainment districts is located in the Murat area, which is also home to several exquisite 19th-century palaces, including the Teatro Petruzzelli and Teatro Piccinni.
Meanwhile, there are several noteworthy historic structures in the maze-like old town of Bari Vecchia. This part of Bari has the longest seafront in Italy and is home to some of Italy’s most significant historical landmarks. Some of these structures are the magnificent Castello Svevo as well as the Basilica San Nicola and the Romanesque Basilica Cattedrale di San Sabino.
3. Explore the hidden fairy-tale towns
Since Puglia has so many beautiful fairy-tale towns, a lot of them hidden, it’s a great destination to visit. Each one of the quaint white villages from Ostuni to Cisternino is worth an exploration.
If you want to discover these hidden gems, get off the main road and wander. Get lost in cobbled alleys and tiny neighborhoods with colorful houses that seem to be frozen in time.
If you’re looking for a beautiful town to visit in Italy’s Valle d’Itria, head towards Martina Franca and Cisternino. Meanwhile, San Vito dei Normanni, a little town in Puglia known only to the locals, has beautiful Salentino architecture and is a true gem.
Exploring these towns are truly among the best activities in Puglia you shouldn’t miss.
4. Stay in a trullo in Alberobello
One of the best places visit in Puglia is Alberobello, a unique and medieval village in the Metropolitan City of Bari. The trulli – the characteristic mortarless limestone huts with domed roofs that are emblematic of the Valle d’Itria – is why Alberobello was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Check out our easy guide to seeing the trulli in Alberobello here.
These Puglia huts date back to the 16th century. They were built to be readily destroyed in the case of a royal inspection to escape paying property taxes to the King by the region’s rulers.
Since it is one of the most famous tourist destinations and must-see attractions in Puglia, Alberobello’s old center will nearly always be crowded no matter when you go. Staying the night in Alberobello is the ideal way to experience all that the town has to offer. You’ll be able to explore the town during the quieter evenings, when the town is attractively lit up with little rows of fairy lights, then again in the early morning light before the hordes of day-trippers descend upon the small town.
In terms of the top activities in Puglia, staying in a trullo is unquestionably one of the best options.
5. Admire the architecture of Lecce
The hilltop village of Lecce still amazes even in Puglia’s abundance of hilltop towns. Lecce is best known for its predominantly Baroque architecture, which includes palazzi, chapels, and piazzas designed by the best Italian 17th-century architects.
In addition to the Basilica di Santa Croce, the city’s most well-known landmark, you’ll also see gryphons, dodos, biblical characters, cherubs, and even a few lambs carved into the stonework.
A must-see is the Museum Faggiano in Lecce’s historic center. This place has been transformed into a living history classroom using artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs dating back to the Roman times. There is also a Roman amphitheater in the city.
6. See the mosaic in Otranto
The medieval cathedral in Otranto houses the marvelous 12th-century mosaic which covers the nave’s floor. This mosaic, depicting both biblical and pagan figures, as well as animals and mythical beasts, is believed to be a creation of a monk named Pantaleone from 1163 to 1165.
7. Visit Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous places to visit in Puglia. Its name literally means “Castle of the Mount.” It is in a perfect octagonal shape seen from miles away.
Castel del Monte was founded by the Emperor Frederik II, who was known for his love of justice and peace but also for his pride and ambition. The emperor ordered its construction on a hilltop in Andria in 1240, only to leave it abandoned a few years later. No one knows why he had it built. It was not to defend anything as it has neither a moat nor a drawbridge, no arrow slits, and no trapdoors used for pouring oil on invaders as was the custom back in the day. There are strategic crossroads or towns nearby.
The baffling Castel del Monte is definitely one of the most talked about landmarks in southern Italy.
8. Visit the Roman Ampitheatre in Lucera
Photo Courtesy: Tripadvisor
If you want to see an ancient Roman theater, this place is a must-visit in Puglia. This amphitheatre was built for gladiatorial combat back in the Augustan days of the Roman Republic.
Located in Lucera, in the province of Foggia, this Roman Ampitheatre, which could accommodated up to 18,000 people, is the largest in Southern Italy. Uncovered in 1932, much has been restored since.
9. Hike Gargano National Park
Gargano National Park is located in northern Puglia and resembles the toe of an Italian boot projecting into the Adriatic. Many different landscapes can be found in this relatively small area: rocky mountains and pine woods, sandy and pebbly beach areas, and an Aleppo pine forest.
There are a couple of well-known Italian seaside settlements here called Monte Sant’Angelo and Peschici. The Tremiti Islands, located 22 kilometers (14 miles) from the mainland, are an excellent place to go snorkeling or scuba diving on a sunny day.
Hiking Gargano National Park is definitely one of the best outdoor activities in Puglia.
10. Spend a day at the beach
The coastline of Puglia is the longest on the Italian continent. That means a lot of sunbathing time for those who live there since there is a sea on every corner. If you’re coming to Puglia, you’ll probably wind up spending the majority of your time at the beach.
Head to Polignano a Mare, a small seaside town perched on a rocky ledge high above the Adriatic Sea. You may also make your way to Lama Monachile, a white-pebble beach that is nestled in a rocky cove that is surrounded by a Roman-era bridge.
You may also want to visit Gallipoli is a great stop for anybody visiting the Salento Peninsula’s Ionian coast.
Meanwhile, the beaches in the town of Rivabella and Padula Bianca are popular for those who want to spend hours sunbathing and swimming.
- MUST-READ: 10 Best Beaches in Puglia, Italy
11. Visit Ostuni, Puglia’s White City
One of the most interesting places to visit in Puglia is the beautiful city of Ostuni. To get here from either Bari or Lecce, you just need to hop on the major train route that travels between the two cities.
Ostuni is a one-of-a-kind town since it rises from the flat plains near the southern coast of Italy like a brilliant cap. Visiting the old town, with its whitewashed protective walls and homes, can give the impression that you’re in Greece. It’s easy to get lost in the old town’s maze of streets, steps, and colorfully-decorated window frames.
12. Explore the caves of Grotte di Castellana
The Grotte di Castellana, one of the most peculiar and fascinating attractions in Puglia, is another must-experience in the region.
Located in the Valle d’Itria, the Grotte di Castellana is a 90-million-year-old karstic cave system near Alberobello in the town of the same name. Stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, and fossils abound throughout the system’s caverns and canyons, which are loaded with stunning formations.
The Grotte di Castellana is a breathtaking contrast to the region’s medieval port cities and pristine Puglia beaches.
A guided trip of the Grotte di Castellana’s 3-kilometer-long route, complete with all the appropriate safety gear, is available.
13. Join an olive oil tour
Nothing characterizes Puglia quite like the region’s countless olive groves. The extra virgin olive oil produced here is of the highest quality, and a tour will give you a better understanding of how it’s made. After a stroll through the historic olive groves, you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the region’s beautifully fruity and aromatic oils and other delicacies.
Taking a guided tour of an organic olive oil farm and learning about the process of making it is definitely one of the best things to do in Puglia. You can take a tour of an old olive grove and the olive oil mill while you’re there. Consider booking an olive oil tour in advance, such as this Olive Oil Mill Walking Tour with Tastings in Miggiano.
14. Taste Pugliese food
Photo by Giuseppevalvano via Wikimedia Commons
More than just the standard Italian pizza and spaghetti, Apulian cuisine is unlike anything else in Italy. It is, in fact, one of the best attractions in Puglia.
Orecchiette pasta, shaped like an ear, is so popular in Bari that an entire street is devoted to its production. Some of the freshest and most delicious vegetables you’ll ever taste may also be sampled in restaurants here.
- Also read: 14 Best Restaurants in Bari, Italy
With the slow pace of life in Puglia and the incredible passion that goes into preparing the food, dining here is much more than just a refueling experience. Mealtime is a special time for friends and family to get together and share some of Puglia’s delectable cuisine.
It’s a must to try a classic four-course lunch at a lively osteria, complete with local Primitivo wine. You should also take advantage of the opportunity to sample the local olive oils, cheeses, and wines. It’s a sure bet that this will be a high point of your journey.