A tale as old as time, a captivating charm, and a gateway into la dolce vita, let Puglia whisk you away to a land that fills the hearts of those who get lost in the romance of an Italian escape.
Culturally rich with a tumultuous past, the heel of Italy is said to be one of the most beautiful and enchanting regions in the country. Known for its vast coastline, Puglia boasts whitewashed villages with pretty cobbled streets, and pristine sands that meet the clear blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Fall in love with the hauntingly beautiful medieval towns as you meander down the ancient streets or relax to the sound of the waves as they fall on the shore. Olive trees as far as the eye can see makes Puglia famous for its olive oil production supplying around half of the country’s olive oil. This hidden gem really is a destination not to be missed.
Puglia’s Prize-winners
The ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is the epitome of splendour. With an array of architectural delights, this city is one to admire. Gaining its presence under Roman rule, it showcases a spectacular blend of culture and commerce. There are plenty of little shops hidden around every corner just waiting to be discovered.
Picture perfect Polignano a Mare is a sight to be cherished. Perfectly poised on a cliff overlooking the sea, the old town is rich in history. Take a visit to Cala Porto, the pristine white pebble beach that meets crystal clear waters facing the intense cliffs.
Discover the real Italy with Citalia
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We have over 90 years’ experience in the industry so our Italy experts are on hand to help you find your dream Italian adventure and will go above and beyond to make your next escape unforgettable.
We have been helping our guests discover the very best Italy has to offer for over 90 years now. Whatever you are looking for, we will help you to create memories to last a lifetime.
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Whilst staying in Alberobello take a visit to the Trattoria Amatulli. This quaint and rustic family-run restaurant is located just behind the Trullo breakfast room for Trulli Soave. There are lots of tasty local dishes to try and all very reasonable prices too (the best steak I’ve ever tasted), a handy location for both visitors to the area and guests staying in the trulli houses of Alberobello.
The small town of Alberobello nestles in the peaceful countryside of the Itria Valley. Its star attraction is its trulli – round, whitewashed dwellings with slate-grey conical roofs.
The ‘Florence of the South’ is one of Puglia’s undeniable gems, offering more than 2,000 years of history and an array of architectural delights. Lecce gained its name under Roman rule and has occupied the same setting ever since, resulting in an outstanding mix of ancient sights throughout the city.
Monopoli edges right up to the cliffs and coves south of Bari. Its eastern edge looks more like a fortress than a town, thanks to the cannon-topped walls and Adriatic-view castle. They‘ve been fighting back everyone from marauding pirates to the Spanish Armada since the 16th century.
Visible for miles around, Ostuni is a gleaming tumble of painted buildings and dramatic brick-built palaces, perched almost entirely on a steep hilltop.
Polignano a Mare is a postcard town settled on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. Its old town clusters on a clifftop, with the newer part of town unfolding behind.
Holidays in Savelletri di Fasano, a tiny village which is officially part of the town of Fasano, give you the tranquillity of a tiny village with the larger town of Fasano nearby.
Located on the hill with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside towards the sea, Selva di Fasano is a pleasant town, surrounded by woods and pristine nature. Known as the 'Italian balcony of the Orient', the town is dotted by famous 'Trulli' houses, a collection of characteristic old stone buildings.
Torre Canne di Fasano is a small fishing village and one of the Puglian coast's hidden gems. The main feature of this sleepy town is a long sweep of sandy beach, but the remainder of the town is a wonderfully traditional scene of peaceful streets scattered with a handful of authentic restaurants.
8 day suggested trip
8 day suggested trip
Find the hidden gems of Puglia with Citalia, including the Museo Faggiano. This astounding place was once simply just a family home, but when they excavated it to fix a pipe, two thousand years’ worth of history was discovered underneath, from the Romans to the Knights Templar.
Today, you’ll be able to witness tombs, cisterns, underground escape routes, and rich symbology. If you’re interested in history, Museo Faggiano is not to be missed!
If you want to explore Italy by car, then Puglia is an ideal region to start.
The roads are mostly quiet and scenic, taking you through gorgeous landscapes and into pretty villages, such as Locorotondo and Cisternino, which are recognised as two of Italy’s ‘most beautiful villages.’
Only accessible by road, drive into the mountains to Vico del Gargano, known as the village of love due to a tiny narrow alley within the winding streets that nudges lovers to touch and perhaps even kiss!
For that truly rustic feel, stay in one of the region’s many masseria, fortified farmhouses filled with character.
Through the countryside you’ll find clusters of trulli, the distinctive limestone houses peculiar to the area, as well as the endless olive groves that give Puglia that classic Italian vibe.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site town of Alberobello to see the biggest collection of trulli, which look like they come straight out of the pages of a fairytale.
Travel further south and visit the Salento peninsula, which is home to the Baroque city of Lecce. Dubbed the Florence of the South, Lecce is well worth a visit for the Church of Santa Croce, an elaborate relation of its namesake in Florence.
Discover the real Puglia while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels
Torre Canne di Fasano, Puglia
Ostuni, Puglia
Selva di Fasano, Puglia
Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia
Lecce, Puglia
Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia
Flights to Puglia arrive into Bari (BRI) from London Gatwick and London Stansted or Brindisi (BDS) from London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester and take approximately 3 hours. Please call our Italy Experts in order to book flights to Brindisi.
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
You don’t have to leave a tip in Italy – most Italians don’t tip for restaurant meals, bar drinks, taxi rides or hair and beauty treatments. However if you do leave a tip, you might receive quicker service.