Itineraries for Your Trip to Puglia
3 Days in Puglia for First Timers
The heel of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula, Puglia burst onto the tourism scene relatively recently as word spread about its unspoiled beaches, fairy-tale hill towns, lavish architecture, and cuisine that rivals that of more famous Italian regions. Today, Puglia is a favorite destination among in-the-know Italophiles, but it retains an inviting hidden-gem atmosphere.
Puglia’s Salento Peninsula has long been one of my favorite holiday haunts, so I’ve experienced this southern region before and after its discovery by world travelers. Though there are certainly more sunbathers and sightseers now than in years past, the crowds haven’t managed to dull the sheen of one of Italy’s most enchanting corners. Experience the best of Puglia in three days with my insider tips.
Puglia is scorchingly hot from June to September, so avoid sightseeing during the searing midday hours.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the ornate Barocco Leccese architecture in Lecce.
Begin in Puglia’s largest metropolis, Bari. Dive into the Bari Vecchia historic center to admire the Romanesque architecture and narrow pedestrian alleyways, some lined with locals hand-rolling orecchiette pasta.
In the afternoon, head inland to visit the 13th-century Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous attractions in Puglia. For sunset stroll through the seaside town of Trani to admire its medieval churches and synagogue and to feast on fresh seafood at the waterfront. Public transportation around Puglia is sparse, so you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour that includes transportation.
The countryside and coastline south of Bari are among the most beautiful in the region. This morning drive through the hill towns in the Valle d’Itria, including Alberobello with its unique trulli dwellings and the whitewashed old town of Locorotondo. Stop for lunch at a local cellar to sample wines paired with gourmet specialties.
Spend the afternoon in the fishing villages along the Adriatic coast. Begin with stops in Polignano a Mare and Monopoli to explore the old towns and their waterfronts. End at Savelletri di Fasano, home to some of Puglia’s most fashionable beach clubs and top seafood restaurants.
Delve into Puglia’s Salento Peninsula today, beginning with the lavish Baroque historic center of Lecce. Marvel at the old town’s 17th-century Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce, and Church of Santa Chiara, plus browse local artisan workshops where traditional papier-mâché and pietra leccese limestone is worked by hand.
End your time in Puglia by exploring the Salento coastline, stopping to meander through historic resort towns and bask on beaches from Otranto on the Adriatic coast and Gallipoli on the Ionian coast to Santa Maria di Leuca on the peninsula’s southernmost point.
