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.
Why visit?
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.
When to visit
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.
Typical sights
- Lecce – Gorge on a whole town’s worth of Baroque architecture.
- Parco Nazionale del Gargano – Hike through the lush forests of this giant national park.
- Bari – Dine out at the best of the region’s traditional trattorias.
- Castel del Monte – Explore the striking 13th-century grandeur of Puglia’s finest castle.
- Vieste – Fill your Instagram feed with medieval alleyways and white sandy beaches.
Getting around
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.
I loved Italy when last over there in particular the Amalfi Coast and would love to return and of course the Italian people.
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Loved it here, first time in that area & will return. Really enjoyed Bari, somewhere you wouldn;t think of but was really ‘buzzing’.
Food good & wine even better!
We went in October 2019 & the weather was superb.
Nothing better than finding somewhere with great weather as late as October
fewer crowds means more space to appreciate it all!