Puglia is a region in Italy that is often overlooked by travelers to Italy. Most trudge the beaten path of Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany and might add-on an Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre or Lake Como leg at the end. Often times it is added to the bucket list once ‘all of the above’ have been explored and repeatedly we get asked ‘why didn’t you tell us about this before!?’.
Puglia has over 800 kms of coastline with some of the best beaches in Italy encompassing powdery sand and crystal clear water. Puglia is really popular with Italians and so over summer, especially August, the beaches can get crowded. However, because Puglia is in the south of Italy where the weather is warmer, visiting Puglia in Spring and Fall (Autumn) one can still swim in the sea.
The people are warmer in the south and things move at a far slower pace making this a truly relaxation vacation for the whole family. Puglian cuisine has its roots in ‘cucina povera’ (a more simplistic type of cooking) and its main focus is on vegetables rather than meat, but that should never put you off.
We recommend spending 7 -10 days in Puglia and staying at the the following three locations to allow you to optimise your exploration: Bari for 3 days (allowing you to visit Alberobello, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli); Ostuni – 2-3 days (gives you the opportunity to visit Brindisi) and Lecce – 2-3 days (allowing you to explore Otranto).
Here are some articles and resources that will help you….
What to do in Puglia with kids
Puglia is a particular popular vacation spot for those who have already traversed the well beaten track of Rome, Florence, Venice and want something a little more authentic, more immersive, more relaxed with minimal crowds. This is not to say that there is less to do in fact there is lots to do in Puglia …