The 10 prettiest towns in Puglia, Italy
In a rustic corner of southern Italy, Puglia is known for its pretty towns and beautiful beaches. Traditional trullo houses, gnarly olive groves and clifftop villages perched above the Adriatic dot the region. These are our 10 favourite towns to add to any Puglia itinerary – with insider tips on where to find the best coffee, the loveliest hotels in Puglia and most incredible views.
Sophie KnightAlberobello
Best known for its traditional domed trullo houses, this tiny whitewashed town is a classic road-trip pit-stop in Puglia, about an hour south of the capital, Bari. The village is small enough to explore in a day, or there are plenty of converted houses to spend the night in.
Sophie KnightThe steep, narrow roads in the centre are lined with trulli that have been made over as restaurants and sweet stores selling trinkets. And on the outskirts of town, most of them are still lived in by locals.
Sophie KnightPolignano a Mare
Along limestone cliffs on the Valle d'Itria coast, this town has winding streets leading to centuries-old churches and chalky houses covered with climbing vines and cacti. In the centre, clusters of buzzing aperitivo bars are packed with locals on their passeggiata. Don’t miss the famous coffee from Bar Turismo, easily identifiable thanks to the customers sitting on the steps outside with its signature pour: made with a shot of amaretto, cream and lime zest.
Sophie KnightPolignano a Mare is also home to what may be Italy’s most photographed beach – a pebbly cove sitting below the Ponte Borbonico di Lama Monachile bridge. For the best views, head into the old town and find La Balconata sul Mare.
Sophie KnightOstuni
Also known as the white city, this hilltop town has olive groves stretching to the Adriatic Sea, about 40 minutes down the coast from Polignano a Mare. Get lost in the narrow streets that climb up to restaurant La Piazzetta Cattedrale, before stopping in one of the bars serving perfect Negronis that line the cobbled alleys.
Sophie KnightThe region’s prettiest sundowner spot can be found just outside town: walk away from the centre just before dusk to watch the sky change colour over the rooftops.
Sophie KnightMonopoli
Just along the coast from Polignano a Mare, the quiet medieval port town of Monopoli has a sandy beach and plenty of authentic pizzerias. There’s a promenade to stroll along while admiring the traditional blue fishing boats bobbing in the Porto Vecchio harbour.
Getty ImagesBari
In Puglia’s capital Bari, laundry hangs from balconies and local nonnas handcraft regional orecchiette pasta on the doorsteps of family-run restaurants.
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Sophie KnightThe little ear-shaped shells dry out on wooden trays are left in the sun.
Getty ImagesTrani
Pretty seaside Trani has one of the smartest marinas in Puglia, where yachts dock in the harbour and a beautiful Romanesque duomo is set right over the sea. This little village is about an hour’s drive north of Bari, with a web of streets that make up the old town and a thrumming Jewish quarter.
Getty ImagesLecce
Near the southern tip of Puglia, in Italy’s heel, sits baroque Lecce. Nearly all of its many churches – there are more than 40 dotted across the city – were built in the 17th century, which gives the place a real sense of architectural symmetry. The relaxed feel stems from the fact that this is a university town, buzzing with young students.
Getty ImagesVieste
On top of the Gargano Promontory in the north-east corner of Puglia, Vieste seems to rise out of the sea, with dramatic streets and old buildings clinging to the cliffs. It sits between two yellow-sand beaches, and the surrounding area is greener and more wild than elsewhere in Puglia – the Parco Nazionale del Gargano is brilliant for hiking.
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Getty ImagesMartina Franca
Lesser known than neighbouring Alberobello, this is the biggest village in Valle d’Itria. The pretty old town is separated from the new town by baroque gates which, when Martina Franca was a completely walled fortress, acted as entry points. The piazzas are home to grand duomos and palazzos: don’t miss Basilica di San Martino.
Sophie KnightMatera
Not strictly in Puglia, but just outside – we named Matera in the Basilicata region one of our destinations to watch in 2019. The ancient city is full of history and visitors are drawn in by the Sassi di Matera – two districts known for their cave dwellings converted into hotels, such as Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, as well as upscale restaurants.
Sophie KnightJames Bond even took to the streets of Matera in car-chase scenes for 2020’s No Time to Die.
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Sophie KnightA swimming pool carved into the rocks in Polignano a Mare
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Sophie KnightA view of Sassi di Matera taken from the popular viewpoint, Convent of Saint Agostino
Sophie KnightSassi di Matera, taken from a Belvedere di Murgia Timone
Getty ImagesDuomo di Pietrasanta in Locorotondo
Getty ImagesWhitewashed buildings in Locorotondo
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Getty ImagesA pretty side street in Locorotondo
Sophie KnightA local food truck selling seafood in Polignano a Mare
Sophie KnightThe old town of Polignano a Mare
Sophie KnightThe most photographed door in Ostuni
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Sophie KnightAn outcrop in Matera
Sophie KnightMonopoli's cathedral bell tower
Sophie KnightA traditional trulli converted into a guesthouse in Alberobello