Over the past couple of years, Puglia has become one of Italy's trending destinations—but there is more to the region than just photo-worthy locations. Puglia is home to numerous folkloric traditions, ancient histories and diverse landscapes, from the dramatic coastline along the Parco Nazionale del Gargano to the scattered trulli in the Valle d’Itria and the crystalline beaches of Salento. It’s truly difficult to narrow down the best things to do in Puglia, but the following 11 are the most spectacular experiences you need to consider on your next trip.
Swim in waters that rival the Caribbean
The region is characterized by an extensive and diverse coastline (nearly 600 miles long) between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. From dramatic cliffs to the long swath of sandy beaches passing through crescent-shaped rocky coves, finding the best beach can be daunting. But the formula is simple: catch the early morning sun along the east coast and golden sunsets in the south and west. One of the most enchanting beaches is Punta della Suina, in Gallipoli. Fringed by a dense pine forest, its rugged coastline descends into crystal clear, shallow turquoise waters. However, a true, hidden gem is Cala dell’Acquaviva—a small rocky cove among staggering rocks on the eastern coast between Santa Cesarea Terme, and Tricase. The water, fed by both salt and spring water, is strikingly fresh, and there’s a small kiosk on site to stock up on cold drinks and snacks.
Go island hopping
Legend states that the Greek King Diomedes threw three rocks from the Gargano upon his return from the Trojan War, and these rocks created the Tremiti islands—one of the most fascinating archipelagos in Italy. The largest and greenest of the isles, San Dominio, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, including the secret sandy patches of Cala Matano and the rocky coves of Cala del Pigno. From San Dominio, you can take a motorboat to explore San Nicola, best known for its historical sites such as the monastery Santa Maria a Mare and the 13th-century Badiali Castle, and the island of Capraia, where you can swim in the beautiful inlets amidst the rocks. Cretaccio, the smallest of the islands, and Pianosa, a protected Marine Reserve, are also stunning places to visit if you have time.
Visit Puglia’s most cultural city
Also known as the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is a major attraction for culture-seeking travelers—the historic city feels like an open-air museum. Distinct Leccese limestone envelops the town, and its rich heritage is unveiled through numerous architectural styles. The most predominant is Baroque (hence the city’s reputation as the ‘capital of Baroque architecture’), with opulent decorations embellishing the façades of churches such as the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Cathedral dedicated to Maria Santissima Assunta. One of the best ways to truly embrace the southern lifestyle is to spend the afternoon in a café (we love the Caffè Alvino or Pasticceria Natale) and soak up the surroundings as you sip on your Caffè Leccese (iced coffee with fresh almond milk) and nibble on crema pasticcera filled pasticciotto.
Go shopping
When you think of Puglia, two things come to mind: food and ceramics. Travelers should always bring home taralli (ringed bread snacks), caciocavallo, and cacioricotta (Southern Italian cheese), but purchasing the iconic Ceramiche Pugliesi is a way of permanently remembering the region's beauty long after your trip has ended. Grottaglie is the ceramics district of Puglia, where many ateliers have been for generations, each with countless years of history and stories to tell. Franco Fasano has been in the Fasano family for 18 generations, selling a large collection of tableware, vases and amphorae. The method of production is traditional, but Franco Fasano’s visionary approach with bold colours and creative patterns has caught the eye of notable clients from Francis Ford Coppola to Giorgio Armani. Visit the shop and ask to pop into the nearby workshop to see the magic happen.
Visit Trulli
Some people say that trulli look like little gnome houses scattered throughout the region. Driving through the Valle d’Itria, you can see a few trulli around, but visit Alberobello for the real experience. This small village is sprinkled with quaint restaurants, bars and shops, all housed inside this UNESCO-protected trulli. The conical roofs and thick stone walls keep the interiors cool (you are not allowed to install air conditioning in the trullo). To get the full experience, book a stay overnight—there are many masserie and B&Bs that offer rooms in trulli across Puglia.
Try Puglia’s most delicious coffee
With its crescent-shaped sandy beach between two spurs of rocky, narrow whitewashed streets, Polignano a Mare steals the heart of many travelers. It is here, in Piazza Garibaldi, where you’ll find the best ice cream place in Puglia. While the ice cream at Il Super Mago del Gelo is exceptional, travelers should also try the Caffè Speciale—created by Mario Campanella, who has been working alongside his father at the gelateria since he was seven. This unique recipe is espresso with panna, lemon peel, and homemade Amaretto.
Feast on fresh seafood in converted fishing platforms
As you drive through the Gargano coastline between Peschici and Vieste, you’ll notice large wooden structures suspended above the sea. These are trabucchi, centuries-old machines used by fishermen to optimize their work. Today a few trabucchi have been restored and converted into restaurants, where guests can feast on fresh seafood with a view of the Adriatic. Al Trabucco da Mimì was founded by Mimì and Lucia, who decided to turn their family’s trabucco into a thriving, exciting restaurant where diners can eat local catches of the day on a wooden veranda. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of working trabucchi in action as it brings up fresh mullet and bluefish from the sea.
Visit one of Puglia’s natural wonders
Puglia is home to some extraordinary landscapes, but one of the most jaw-dropping sites is located just below Otranto. The Cava di Bauxite is an old quarry lake once used to extract Bauxite for the production of aluminium. From the parking lot, follow a rocky path that leads you to a shallow, emerald-colored lake surrounded by red rocks and Mediterranean scrub. It’s truly beautiful—visit at golden hour to watch the sun reflect intense, deep red hues from the rocks.
Go to the antique markets
In Italy, Sundays can mean one of two things: long, lazy and wine-infused lunches with family and friends, or spending the morning rummaging through unique finds at antique markets. Every so often, there will be a market in the Valle d’Itria where you can purchase beautiful homeware, clothing and collector's items. The most popular is in Ceglie Messapica, which runs on the last Sunday of every month, and Fiera dell’Antiquariato in Martina Franca, which only lasts for seven days in August each year.
Experience a local sagra
Paper plates, long tables, live music and Cucina Casereccia are the key staples of La Sagra, a culinary festival that rolls out in squares or fields across Italy. Upon arrival, guests are handed a piece of paper with a scribbled menu (usually limited to a couple of starters, some options for primi courses and a few main dishes), and there are typically funfairs, small markets and post-dinner entertainment. The best ones in Puglia to try and visit are the Sagra delle Orecchiette nelle ‘Nchiosce in Grottaglie on Tuesday August 8 and Wednesday 9 2023, and Sagra del Fico Mandorlato in Piazza Marconi, San Michele Salentino from Monday 21 August to Sunday 27 August 2023.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller.
