What to see in Puglia: the 10 unmissable places in the heel of the boot

Sun, sea, beaches, trulli, and olive trees that are centuries old. Puglia, a treasured province and popular summer vacation in Italy and abroad, is unquestionably all of these things. However, the heel of Italy has an additional, intangible worth.

It is the significant experience component that it provides to all of its guests. It is, in fact, an area that must be experienced with all five senses in order to completely comprehend the traditions associated with this territory's art, history, and culture.

There are several locations to visit in Puglia (cosa vedere in Puglia per Italiani), however if you want to get a sense of??

We will assist you regardless of what it has to offer. This world of a thousand faces will take you on a diverse trip via a variety of scenarios. From the idyllic beaches of Salento to the untamed hills of the Itria Valley, passing through the lush Foresta Umbra and the Tremiti archipelago, these are the ten must-see destinations in Puglia.

1. Bari

Your visit to Puglia must begin at the region's capital, Bari.

The Basilica of San Nicola, the city's patron saint, is the first stop in the old center. Magnificent example of Romanesque-Apulian architecture, it preserves the saint's remains in its crypt and is a pilgrimage site for the Christian and Orthodox faithful: it is, in fact, one of the few Italian places of worship where both rituals are conducted.

Enter the small alleyways of Bari Vecchia, the city's pulsing heart, from the Basilica of San Nicola.

Stroll through this labyrinth of streets where, particularly in via Arcobasso, ladies armed with water, semolina, and pastry boards stand at the doors of homes focused on producing the famed "stracinet" (orecchiette).

Many churches, including the Cathedral of San Sabino, may be found when strolling on the "chianche," the large stones that cover the streets of Bari Vecchia.

Every year on June 21 (the summer solstice), the sun's rays flow through the rose window of the front and light the corresponding marble rose window with 18 petals on the floor of the nave: a really unique scene.

Do not miss the Fortino di Sant'Antonio Abate with the wall, one of Bari's favorite gathering locations for strolling along the Lungomare, where you can observe late Art Nouveau structures while enjoying an incredible perspective of the Adriatic.

But Bari is more than that: it is a city that will captivate not only your sights, but also your tongue with its delectable cuisine: You will be spoilt for choice between panzerotti, fava bean puree, orecchiette with turnip tops, and other specialties.

2. Lecce

Lecce, dubbed "the Florence of the South," is undoubtedly one of the most popular places for visitors planning a vacation of Puglia.

One of Italy's most remarkable open-air museums, rich in monuments and pieces of art from the Roman, medieval, and Renaissance eras.

Above all, the city of aesthetic extravagance and Lecce baroque reaches its pinnacle in the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Its flamboyant front is a profusion of ornamental designs and embellishments that are unlike anything else in the world. Admire the big central rose window, which is framed with bay leaves and berries, as well as the lavishly painted altars and exquisite coffered ceiling: you will be awestruck!

Following your visit to the Basilica, go to the picturesque Piazza Duomo to see the other gems of the Lecce Baroque: the Duomo (Cathedral of SS. Maria Assunta) with its 72-meter high bell tower, the Bishop's Palace, and the Seminary.

From Baroque to Roman art: there are two important monuments from this period, the Roman theater and the Roman amphitheater, both from the 2nd century, which could seat up to 14,000 spectators thanks to its circular layout.

Both the amphitheater and the cathedral are situated on Lecce's most prominent plaza, piazza Sant'Oronzo, which has the patron saint's column.

Buildings from many centuries and styles coexist nicely in this plaza, including the Palazzo del Seggio, also known as Sedile, and the churches of San Marco and Santa Maria delle Grazie.

3. Peninsula of Salento

Salento, located in the southernmost section of Puglia, is a favorite beach resort for the people of the lovely country, as well as a popular summer vacation destination for thousands of Italian and non-Italian visitors each year. A conglomeration of gorgeous old structures and paradisiacal beaches that have nothing on the Caribbean's.

The Salento peninsula is also an excellent destination for road trips: the best way to see it is by automobile, allowing you to stop in the most picturesque locations. Santa Maria di Leuca is a must-see on a visit to Salento. Located in the peninsula's southernmost region, it is a popular destination for tourists looking to relax on pristine beaches and shoreline and provides magnificent sights such as the Devil's Cave and the Three Doors Cave.

Did you know that you don't have to go to the other side of the planet to get to the Maldives? They are a short distance from Santa Maria di Leuca, more specifically in Pescoluse. This stretch of beachfront is known as the Maldives of Salento, with beautiful white sand, crystal blue sea, and a limitless horizon to immerse yourself in. What more could you ask for?

Continue your trip by ascending towards Gallipoli, the "jewel of the Ionian," a popular destination, particularly among young people, as the indisputable queen of the Salento nightlife. All you have to do to alternate moments of rest with unfettered enjoyment is visit one of the city's numerous beaches. They are true natural marvels, and they are consistently ranked at the top of the Legambiente rankings. Baia Verde, Punta della Suina, and Punta Pizzo are among the most well-known beaches.

four. the Tremiti Islands

San Domino, San Nicola, Cretaccio and Pianosa, and Capraia - not to be confused with the eponymous islands of the Tuscan Archipelago - are the five wild souls that comprise the Tremiti. Turquoise seas, unspoilt environment, and breathtaking scenery are the essential elements of the Adriatic's lone Italian archipelago. The only inhabited islands are San Domino and San Nicola; Cretaccio and Capraia may be visited on foot, while Pianosa is part of an Integral Marine Reserve and can only be accessed with special permission.

Dive and snorkeling enthusiasts believe the seabed surrounding the islands to be a veritable paradise: it is filled with fish of all races and sizes and offers fascinating scenarios made up of underwater caves, inlets, and even wrecks. Several underwater routes snake through the waters of the archipelago, which is a Protected Marine Reserve of the Gargano National Park, although some of the most outstanding diving destinations, such as Punta Secca and Cala dei Turchi, are focused near Capraia.

Most Tremiti beaches are built of stones and rocks, so carry sun protection, shoes, and a hat before going for a dip amid the steep slopes of the Mediterranean scrub. And why not bring a camera to record the most breathtaking views?

Cala Matano and Cala dei Benedettini are two of San Domino's must-see beaches, whereas San Nicola has few rocky spots for sunbathing. Cala dei Turchi, Cala di Sorrentino, and Cala Pietra del Fucile are three picturesque coves accessible by boat or raft from Capraia. The Tremiti's coves and beaches all overlook Caribbean seas, and the optimum time for a dip in the sea of?? The archipelago is open from May to the end of September; however, August is not suggested since it is quite busy.

Alberobello is number five.

Alberobello is located in the province of Bari, in the Itria Valley, and is well worth a visit during a trip in Puglia. Because in this arcane town, you may breathe a timeless aura.

Trulli and Alberobello are inextricably linked. UNESCO designated this area as a World Heritage Site in 1996, and the structures here create a world-class agglomeration. They are made out of a limestone cylinder base that has been whitewashed and is topped with a stone conical roof. The pallet of hues that will appear before your eyes will take your breath away: white buildings and gray roofs that stand out against the blue sky.

The majority of the trulli are situated in the Rione Monti: there are 1030 of various sorts, all lined up along the streets. Stop at one of the city's trullo-restaurants between districts to enjoy the region's distinctive goods. If, on the other hand, you want to immerse yourself in the actual character of the place, you may spend the night in a trullo.

6. Ostuni

Set like a white pearl between the sky and the blue sea, Ostuni captivates tourists with the whiteness of its residences that line its streets. Among the most popular places on the Salento peninsula, it is known as the "white city" because to the lime roofs that define the majority of its residences.

Stroll through the historic center, a maze of twisting streets and squares that ascend the slopes of a hill, until you reach the lower section of the hamlet, which is enclosed by an old wall with two portals that have survived intact: Porta Nova and Porta San Demetrio.

Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, one of Ostuni's main attractions, in the upper portion of the city. It was built around 1400 and has a beautifully ornamented front as well as the second biggest rose window in Europe. Ostuni is also connected with water and relaxation: Torre Guaceto, Torre Pozzelle, Rosa Marina, and Creta Rossa are only a few of the city's and its environs' beaches.

7. Castellana Caves

We go to the south-eastern Murge to see the Castellana Caves, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Apulian hinterland. They are one of the most remarkable karst caving systems in Italy, located in the eponymous town of Castellana Grotte, a few kilometers from Alberobello.

The entrance to the caverns, known as Grave, is a 60-meter-deep cavern constructed around 100 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. Puglia was buried by the sea at the time, and what we see now are the rocky strata that were formerly on the surface and were molded by precipitation over the years.

The Castellana Caves include two separate itineraries: one that is roughly a kilometer and a half long and one that is three kilometers long. Along the route, you may see several additional caverns, all with amazing names, offspring of the tales that are recounted about these sites, in addition to the immense chasm known as the Grave. You will travel through the Black Grotto, the Cavern of the Owl, the Cavern of the Precipice, and many more while walking amid stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone concretions with the most strange forms. The crystal pond, the Grand Canyon chamber, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa cave, which features a stalactite shaped like the Tuscan structure, are well worth viewing.

Gargano (8)

The Gargano, commonly known as the " Sperone d'Italia ", stretches out into the Adriatic in the northern portion of Puglia. The incredible range of sceneries in this region is most noticeable, with woods, hilly areas, lakes, a coast full of white cliffs, long sandy beaches, and settlements facing the sea.

The Gargano National Park was formed to safeguard the region, and it is encompassed by a complex network of routes and sites suitable for excursions and hiking. There are also two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area: Monte Sant'Angelo and the Umbra Forest. The latter is a symbol of the Gargano, the park's green lung, which covers around 10,000 hectares at an elevation of 800 meters. In this nature reserve, you may see lush flora, mostly beeches and oaks, as well as local animals such as roe deer, foxes, badgers, wild boars, owls, and many other species.

Monte Sant'Angelo, on the other hand, is a town in the southern Gargano renowned mostly for the Sanctuary of San Michele. Do not be deceived by appearances: by going down a few flights of stairs, you will be able to access one of the most beautiful sacred caves in the world, the vault of which acts as a ceiling for the great nave and on the sides of which there are several altars, including "The altar of the footprint," whose stone would bear the Archangel's footprint.

9. Itria Valley

Expanses of centuries-old olive trees on red dirt, cactus sprinkled with prickly pears, dry stone walls, rows that stretch as far as the eye can see: this is the Itria Valley. It is located in central Puglia, between the cities of Bari and Brindisi and Taranto. The region, which includes Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Martina Franca, roughly corresponds to the southern section of the Murge plateau.

Locorotondo, a true beauty with white cottages with pointy roofs (called cummerse), is perched on a ridge overlooking the Itria Valley. Visit the Villa Comunale for a breathtaking vista of trulli and olive groves, and the grand Church of San Giorgio Martire with its almost 50-meter-high bell tower.

Cisternino is one of Italy's most intriguing villages. The municipal mansion, too, provides an amazing perspective of the valley, while the Mother Church of San Nicola and the clock tower in the main plaza are not to be missed on the other side. Having an aperitif at the Piazza dell'Orologio is a necessity, as is stopping for dinner: virtually all butchers have been converted into tiny restaurants, and avoiding the heady fragrance of roasted meat is almost difficult. The Apulian bombette and local sausages must be tried.

Martina Franca is the last must-see destination in the Itria Valley. The church of Sant'Antonio is the first thing one see before arriving in the historic town, which is dominated by the Baroque style ducal house and the Basilica of San Martino. Before you go, don't forget to try Martina Franca's signature dish, the capocollo.

Finally, for an even more genuine experience, we propose staying in one of Puglia's distinctive buildings: the historic walled farms that are often converted as hotels. Throughout reality, in the Itria Valley, there is just one watchword: masseria. You may choose between a magnificent masseria and a more rustic one: both will immerse you in utter serenity amid figs, cactus, and olive gardens.

ten. Otranto

Otranto is the boot's easternmost city. This picturesque beach village's strength is its great blend of art, history, culture, and environment. Let's go investigate! The Aragonese Castle is surely one of the reasons to stop at Otranto. It may be viewed in the interior components, which include the ramparts, cellars, and towers, and is surrounded by defensive walls that defended the city from attackers.

Stroll around the historic district, which is comprised of white homes leaning against one other and overlooking the cobblestone lanes lined with hanging clothing and stores. Allow some time while in the city to see the Cathedral, which dates from the second part of the year one thousand. It is dedicated in part to the remembrance of the 800 Christian victims who were slaughtered during the Turkish invasion in 1480 - Otranto is also known as the "city of martyrs."

Reach the Alimini lakes a few kilometers from Otranto and be enchanted by the natural splendor of this protected natural park. Many types of migrating birds and other creatures that frequent the lakes may be seen here. Moving down the shore, you'll come upon one of Otranto's most renowned beaches: the Baia dei Turchi, so named because it seems to be where the Turks landed before conquering the region in the 15th century. This uncontaminated region has incalculable landscape value, so much so that it has been included in the Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano's list of the 100 locations to be protected in Italy.