Sun-drenched beaches, wild hills, century-old olive trees, parks and nature reserves rich in flora and fauna, the archipelago of the Tremiti Islands and not to forget the many fascinating historic towns, characteristic villages and traditional “trulli”: Puglia is a land to discover and explore.
Although it is the flattest region in Italy, the so-called “heel of Italy” offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year in a beautiful setting where culture, history and nature meet.
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Like all of Italy, Puglia is a region rich in art and culture. Not to be missed are the numerous archaeological sites, the castles of Frederick II. and Aragon (including the famous Castel del Monte), the lively towns and picturesque villages that bear witness to its history: Bari, with its Città Vecchia; Lecce, also known as the “Florence of the South”, with its numerous examples of Baroque architecture and its Roman amphitheater; Taranto, where the remains of an ancient temple and numerous terracotta figures of Greek origin can still be found; Brindisi, with its Castello Svevo.
But that’s not all: in Polignano a Mare, perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, you can admire one of the most beautiful old towns in the region, while in Otranto, the easternmost city of the boot, also called the “Gateway to the Orient”, you can visit the mysterious castle that inspired Horace Walpole to write his novel.
Also worth mentioning are the pretty Trani, Gallipoli, Monopoli and Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost city of Puglia.
The Itria Valley is an area in central Apulia that is part of the Murge Plateau. It is also known as the “Valley of the Trulli” because here you can admire the so-called “trulli”, one of the symbols of Puglia. They are stone huts with conical roofs, made of small slabs laid dry, that is, without mortar. Originally they were shelters for the farmers who worked the surrounding land. Nowadays, the walls are often painted white.
Most trulli are located in the municipality of Alberobello, especially in the district of Rione Monti. There are more than a thousand of them! Trullo Sovrano, the largest, houses a museum, while others have been converted into restaurants or vacation homes to offer visitors a unique experience.
In 1996, the trulli of Alberobello were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Itria Valley is not only Trulli and Alberobello. There are also other beautiful places to visit and explore, especially by bike. Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in the region and in Italy, is located on a small hill and is characterized by a row of white houses with particularly sloping pointed roofs, all close together. A walk through this white village with its peculiar circular layout is an unforgettable experience.
Cisternino, also built on a hilltop and characterized by white houses, is a little-known but pretty town with an incredible view over the entire valley. Romantic Martina Franca with its baroque buildings and narrow streets is also definitely worth a visit! However, the “white city” par excellence in the region is Ostuni, a small pearl between sky and sea.
Puglia is not only a vacation destination where you can enjoy the sea and the beaches, but also a region rich in natural parks and areas that can be discovered all year round while hiking, biking or horseback riding.
The Gargano National Park, which protects the “spur of Italy”, runs from the coast to the hinterland and allows you to reach and admire high cliffs, particular karst formations, crystal clear lakes and the Foresta Umbra, the “green lung” of the Gargano.
The Alta Murgia National Park is characterized by wide meadows, rolling hills, groves, rocky ridges and karst caves (especially the Grotta di Castellana), but also by masseries and the “jazzi”, ancient stone pens for sheep. Thanks to the numerous hiking and biking trails, it is possible to enjoy the area to the fullest and reach interesting destinations, such as the Castel del Monte, which fascinates and captivates its visitors with its octagonal layout.
Near Taranto, on the other hand, is the Terra delle Gravine Regional Natural Park, where you can admire the “gravine”, large karst gorges.
With its turquoise blue and crystal clear waters (according to the latest studies by the environmental offices of the regions and autonomous provinces, the Apulian sea is the cleanest in Italy!) and its coastline of about 900 km, alternating fine sand, rocky stretches and high cliffs, Puglia is one of the most popular vacation destinations for Italians and also for foreign tourists. Especially the lovers of water sports will be spoiled for choice in where to practice their favorite activity! The most famous area is undoubtedly Salento, especially Gallipoli (the most beautiful beaches are Spiaggia della Purità, Baia Verde, Punta della Suina – ideal for divers – and Punta Pizzo) and Pescoluse, nicknamed the “Maldives of Salento”.
Also, the Gargano with its “trabucchi”, ancient and imposing wooden fishing boats, widely spread along the coast between Vieste and Peschici, and the enchanting Baia delle Zagare with its white chimneys and natural arches attract many vacationers and are fascinating not only in summer! The Baia di Campi is an ideal place for those who love diving, while the many secret coves and sea caves can be reached and explored by boat.
For those who want to take a boat trip or dive into a sea that rivals the Caribbean, just a few kilometers from the northern coast of Puglia lies the beautiful Tremiti Archipelago – the only one in the Adriatic – which consists of five islands of different sizes: San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Pianosa and Cretaccio. In the past they were known as the “Diomedes Islands” because, according to legend, Diomedes, the hero of Homer’s Iliad, was buried here.
San Domino, the largest of the Tremiti Islands, is home to an impressive forest of Aleppo pines, the Pagliai rocks and some wonderful caves, in particular the 70-meter-deep Grotta del Bue Marino (so called because monk seals used to live there) and the Grotta delle Viole, which is covered with a special type of red-purple calcareous algae.
On the other hand, in San Nicola, the historical and administrative center of the Tremiti, you can visit the monumental fortified Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, so large that it has been nicknamed “Montecassino in mezzo al mare”, the Tower of the Cavaliere del Crocefisso, the Castle of the Badiali and the legendary Tomb of Diomede.
The shallow island of Capraia is home only to a large colony of seagulls and attracts diving enthusiasts in particular. Worth seeing is the sunken statue of Padre Pio by Domenico Norcia. Pianosa, as its name suggests, is also flat. It is located about 20 kilometers from the other islands and is almost completely devoid of vegetation, but its waters are rich in marine flora and fauna. For this very reason, it has been classified as an “Integral Marine Protected Area”, so visiting and diving there is possible only with prior permission. The smallest island, the Cretaccio, on the other hand, is a large rock.
The beaches on the Tremiti Islands are few and small, but beautiful. Particularly worth mentioning are Cala delle Arene, the largest and the easiest to reach, Cala degli Inglesi and Cala Matano, all three in San Domino. For those who want to snorkel and dive in the turquoise waters to explore the spectacular seabed of the archipelago, Punta Secca and Cala dei Turchi in Capraia are definitely recommended.
Se i misteri di Castel del Monte, i curiosi trulli e gli spruzzi in spiaggia non sono abbastanza, la Puglia offre molte altre esperienze didattiche e divertenti per la famiglie con i bambini. Per chi vuole fare un tuffo in piscina nel più grande parco acquatico del sud Italia, la risposta è l’Aquapark Egnazia, che oltretutto si trova vicino a un’interessante area archeologica. In alternativa ci sono l’Acquapark Ippocampo di Manfredonia e Splash Acquapark di Gallipoli, con un gran numero di acquascivoli e altre attrazioni divertenti per tutta la famiglia. Gli amanti della natura possono godersi il parco avventura Indiana Park di Castellana Grotte, con emozionanti percorsi sospesi tra le querce.
Poche cose piacciono ai bambini quanto gli animali, no? A Fasano si possono godere il parco divertimenti Fasanolandia e lo zoo safari nello stesso giorno, mentre possono rimanere a bocca aperta di fronte a un Tyrannosaurus Rex nei Parchi dei dinosauri di Castellana Grotte e Borgo Celano, frazione di San Marco in Lamis. Grazie allo Jonian Dolphin Conservation, i bambini più grandicelli e i ragazzi possono diventare ricercatori per un giorno e avvistare i delfini a bordo di un catamarano. Nel Centro Visite di Lesina, grandi e piccini possono scoprire il primo acquario con acqua salmastra d’Europa e conoscere il territorio del lago salato di Lesina. Pensato proprio per i giovanissimi è il Museo Archeologico dei Ragazzi, dove si possono toccare con mano oggetti e costruzioni preistorici.
The Apulian cuisine is simple but authentic and delicious. The main ingredients of the dishes are oil, wheat, inland vegetables and fresh fish from the two seas. Traditional dishes that are a must-try when visiting Puglia include:

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