There’s a reason Puglia is the region of the moment, or rather several: the excellent food, exuberant architecture dotted in the South, the breathtaking coastline and heaps more. Puglia is much bigger than you might first expect, but you’ll get both a wonderful and varied Italian experience here. Use our Puglia travel guide as a nifty sidekick to help you plan the holiday of a lifetime.
We’ve covered everything you need to know; indigenous hangouts, family-friendly adventures, the best restaurants, group activities and so much more. So, whether you’re looking for an authentic experience, or just hoping to relax – you can take as much as you want from our endless guide. And don’t forget we’ve got a selection of villas in Puglia that will add that extra special touch to your trip.
Italian holidaymakers have been basking in the sunshine here for an age, but only the savviest of UK travellers know it is a must-visit, making it a dream destination for those looking for an authentic taste of Italy away from the crowds.
Puglia shines in spring when wildflowers blanket the countryside and the typically mild weather is spot-on for hiking and cycling in the countryside. If you’re heading here for the beaches, time your trip for the height of summer in July and August, when the sea is toasty and the mercury lingers around 30 degrees Celsius.
Festivals and events are around every corner during the summer months, and the whole of southern Italy has more of a party atmosphere during this time. Puglia clings on to mild weather throughout the autumn and the accompanying lack of crowds make the latter part of the year a delightful time to visit the region.
Airport: Fly direct from the UK to Bari and Brindisi, where you can then rent a car to continue your journey.
Trains: Little Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) trains connect nearly all the major destinations in Puglia, including the likes of Lecce, Alberobello and Otranto, with scenic routes through the countryside that are perfect for day-tripping. Smaller, private train lines head into the remoter areas of Le Murge and Gargano.
Buses: Buses connect Puglia’s coastal towns during the summer and have various routes across the region throughout the year. Services to the more isolated villages, however, are often infrequent or scheduled very early, and the latest timetables can be near impossible to get your hands on. It is worth persevering though, as many of Puglia’s top sights can be reached by public transport and taxis are generally quite rare and pretty expensive.
Hiring a car: The roads linking Puglia’s main towns, Brindisi, Bari and Lecce, are pretty good and renting a car for your trip gives you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace and on a schedule that suits you. Puglia is a much larger area than most folks realise, and your own set of wheels puts all of its remote villages, coastal towns and beaches at your fingertips. Most visitors arrive in Puglia via one of its two international airports, Bari and Brindisi, and car hire from numerous international companies is available at both.
By Bike: Puglia has a wealth of beautiful bike routes, in fact, it’s one of the best ways to discover the region. With unspoilt coastlines, ruined castles and nearby villages, there’s never a dull moment in Puglia.
If you’re looking for more family friendly ideas, make sure to check out the best kid activities in Puglia.
If you’re looking for more activities to explore with your clan, visit our blog on the best group activities in Puglia.
Visiting a new holiday destination can be challenging – sometimes you wish you knew someone who could give you the genuine lowdown. Luckily, we’ve got the local’s guide to an authentic Puglia that will make your trip just that little bit more special.
Puglia has some remarkable festivals, each so distinct from each other, if you’re seeking more check out the yearly festival lineup.
Based on age-old peasant traditions, the region’s cuisine is earthy, unfussy and, in short, pretty superb. Simple cooking doesn’t mean limited ingredients though. In fact, the landscape of Puglia is rich in home-grown produce. There are some 60 million olive trees, for example, which produce the bulk of Italy’s olive oil in 1,000 different mills.
Plus, most of the country’s pasta is made from wheat grown in Puglia. The favourite variety locally is orecchiette, known as ‘little ears’ for their shape, which you’ll find paired with all sorts of things, from mussels to courgette flowers. Puglia also produces a lot of wine, with some hearty local reds that you can try while standing in the very vineyards where the grapes grow.
You don’t have to work too hard to find traditional cooking and winemaking in Puglia or local experts who are keen to share their knowledge and skills. But if you want some recommendations to get you started, a few of our favourites are listed here.
Looking for more recommendations, check out our blog with the best foodie experiences in Puglia.
Now you’ve tasted the flavours, it’s time to recreate them at Cucina in Masseria. Learn to cook cakes and hearty pasta dishes, and of course, no cooking class would be complete without eating the fruits of your labour. Buon appetito.
A glass of local wine never goes amiss, and in Brindisi, you can sample the delicate flavours of Tenute Rubino. This brand has charmed wine drinkers across the world and you’ll soon find out why. You can sample the wine alone or pair it with food, regardless you won’t have any complaints.
Featured villas: Villa Trullo, Masseria Crocevia, Villa Paringa, Trulli Fioritura, Villa Ciottolo, Villa Silva, Trulli Lagorio, Villa Ribezzo, Trullo Ava.
So there you have it, your ultimate Puglia travel guide! Take a look at all of our villas in this radiant region of Italy, and if you need any help, advice and loca knowledge, just contact our friendly concierge team who will be happy to help.
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