What to see in Puglia

Seeing Puglia and discovering its wonders are experiences that attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year.This region offers a myriad of natural, historical, and cultural beauties to explore.

Puglia is, in fact, one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, rich in natural and cultural wonders. Some areas, like Alberobello with its trulli, have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. And it is not the only city in Puglia to have received this prestigious recognition.

Lecce, with its Baroque architecture, will amaze you with majestic palaces and churches full of history. Gallipoli, on the other hand, is the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. And what about Ostuni, the “White City”? Here you can stroll through the alleys of the historic center and admire the beauty of the whitewashed houses.

Finally, you cannot miss Porto Cesareo, famous for its clear waters and wide golden beach.In short, Puglia is a well-rounded destination, capable of offering its visitors an unforgettable experience.

Alberobello is one of the most fascinating towns in Puglia, famous worldwide for its trulli, stone cone-shaped buildings typical of the area. This splendid town is located in the Itria Valley, in the heart of Puglia, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

The trulli, constructions with a truly curious origin and interesting history, date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
Even today they are used as homes and are studied by international engineers and architects, some of whom have tried to reproduce them elsewhere.
Those who decide to spend their holidays in Puglia, between Alberobello and its surroundings, can also choose to sleep in a trullo, fully immersing themselves in a history with distant and fascinating roots.
The best way to enjoy Alberobello is to wander through its alleys, guided by the scents and colors. You can see:

1. Territory Museum;
2. Sovrano Trullo;
3. Aia Piccola;
4. Trullo church.

It is also possible to take a trulli tour, perhaps with the help of a local guide like our Antoniana or independently. Finally, don’t miss the chance to visit the Puglian craft shops to buy souvenirs and unique items. Alberobello is a magical place that will leave you enchanted with its beauty and millennial history. To learn more about its points of interest, we recommend reading our article on what to visit in Alberobello.

If you are planning to see Puglia, you absolutely cannot miss the splendid city of Lecce.Located in the heart of Salento, Lecce is famous for its unique and unmistakable style, characterized by extraordinary baroque masterpieces, built with a local stone of characteristic blond color.

The historic center of Lecce is an open-air museum, where every corner tells the millennial history of the city. A must-see is the fantastic and scenic Piazza Duomo, where the Basilica of Santa Croce stands. Not far from the square is also the Roman Amphitheater of Lecce, an impressive structure dating back to Roman rule in Puglia.

Another historical gem is the Castle of Charles V, a massive building that testifies to the strategic importance Lecce had in the past. But Lecce is not only history and culture, it is also sea and beaches. A few kilometers from the city center are some of Salento’s most beautiful beaches, with their crystal-clear sea and wild charm.

But what truly makes Lecce special is the lively and sparkling atmosphere that can be felt at any time of the day. During the day, you can spend time in the sun on its beaches or stroll through the historic center, where elegant alleys seem timeless. In the evening, the area comes alive with bars, restaurants, and cafés, where you can taste the delights of Salento cuisine.

Lecce is a city that can win everyone over, thanks to its mild climate that characterizes all seasons and its fascinating monuments with elaborate yet refined style, a true gem of Baroque. There is no better time to visit, because this splendid city always awaits you with its wonders, ready to offer an unforgettable experience.For those who want to discover more about this Puglian gem, continue reading our article what to visit in Lecce.

Lovers of crystal-clear waters cannot miss, during a holiday in Puglia, the splendid Gallipoli, located on the Ionian coast of Salento.
This seaside town is famous for its Caribbean-colored sea and dreamy beaches, perfect for moments of relaxation and fun.

Among the must-visit beaches are:

1. Lido Conchiglie;
2. Rivabella;
3. La Puritate;
4. Lido San Giovanni;
5. Baia Verde;
6. Punta della Suina;
7. Punta Pizzo.

Just 8 km from the heart of Gallipoli lies one of Puglia’s wonders, Lido Conchiglie beach. In this initial part of the Gallipoli coast, stretches of fine sand alternate with smooth rocks and Mediterranean scrub, making the beach perfect for those seeking relaxation and, at certain times of the year, some privacy. It is an equipped yet free beach, ideal for all kinds of beachgoers.

Heading south, we find Rivabella beach, located about 5 km from central Gallipoli. Here, the nearby cool pine forest offers shaded moments away from the hot Puglian sun, while the beach resorts provide the right comfort to enjoy a day at the sea. This is the ideal spot for less experienced swimmers, thanks to shallow waters and crystal-clear sea. Moreover, the long beach of over 1 km is perfect for long walks, caressed by the sea breeze.

Just below the ancient walls of Gallipoli is a small golden beach of only 300 meters. Much loved by tourists and locals, the Purità Beach takes its name from the nearby Church of Madonna della Purità and is perfect for some sunbathing after a stroll through the white alleys, flowered balconies, and oriental gardens. The village of Gallipoli forms the backdrop to a wonderful crystal-clear sea, where you should not miss the chance to take a dip.

To the south stretches the long and bright Lido San Giovanni beach, famous for its golden sand and sea in many shades of blue, but also for hosting the first beach resort of the coast in the 1960s. This stretch of coastline offers a fairly calm sea, softened by the north wind, with shallow bottoms, smooth stones, and silky sand extending through suggestive dunes, a very charming feature of some Puglian beaches.

Also worth visiting is Baia Verde, the most known and popular area of Gallipoli. It is a very wide stretch of coast, reachable by car in just 10 minutes from the city center. The beach is famous for its crystal-clear sea and white sand, similar to the Maldives. During summer, this place becomes very crowded but never loses its beauty. The beach clubs offer dancing sunsets and trendy aperitifs, while the famous Samsara venue organizes unforgettable beach parties.

If you want to discover paradise on earth, go further south and stop at Punta della Suina, one of the most beautiful beaches not only in Puglia but in all of Italy. This jewel, set like a shining diamond, is part of the Sant’Andrea Island and Punta Pizzo Regional Natural Park, which preserves it from human invasion and keeps it intact.

This protected area offers a corner of wonder where you can immerse yourself in a perfectly blue sea and take dreamy photos. We recommend staying until sunset, when the sky turns unique colors that you absolutely must see to make your visit even more unforgettable.

We conclude Gallipoli’s wonders with Punta Pizzo, part of the wonderful Regional Natural Park already mentioned. While strolling along the golden beach dotted with rocks and shells, you will be accompanied by the scent of Mediterranean scrub. Here you will find one of the most beautiful seas in Italy, whose crystal-clear intense blue waters wash the coast. Don’t forget to visit the ancient 16th-century Torre del Pizzo before leaving.

But Gallipoli is not only sea and beaches; it is also history and culture. In the city, you can see numerous testimonies of the past, such as:

1. Basilica Co-Cathedral of Sant’Agata;
2. Church of Purità;
3. Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli;
4. Angioino Castle, overlooking from above;
5. Greek Fountain, of debated Greek or Renaissance origin;
6. beautiful historic palaces including Palazzo del Seminario and Palazzo Venneri.

Moreover, Gallipoli is famous for its nightlife, with many bars, pubs, and clubs animating the summer evenings. Here you can dance until dawn and sip delicious drinks. There is no better time to visit because Gallipoli always welcomes you with its wonders, ready to offer an unforgettable experience.

For those who wish to see Puglia, Ostuni is a must, one of the most charming villages in the region.

We are in the province of Brindisi, on a hill of the Murge, where this wonderful village stands dominated by the Cathedral. Ostuni’s historic center is a small gem to explore slowly. The city must be visited on foot in a day, before discovering the most beautiful beaches in the area.

In Ostuni, white dominates: the white of the houses and streets, a color derived from lime used since the Middle Ages, because it was easy to find and gave light to the narrow streets of the ancient city. It was also the only solution to prevent the plague from spreading in the town.

Among the things to see in Ostuni, don’t miss:

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the highest part of the town, built in the 15th century by the orders of the rulers of the Kingdom of Naples Ferdinand of Aragon and Alfonso II, featuring a Gothic exterior with a magnificent rose window;
• Church of the Holy Spirit, in Piazza della Libertà, which houses a 17th-century statue dedicated to Sant’Oronzo.
• Church of San Francesco, built in the early 1300s in Gothic style, deeply modified in the 1600s and in the second half of the 1700s, with a façade now harmonized with the convent, which is the seat of the City Hall;
• Church of Santa Maria della Stella, next to the city walls, from whose terrace you can see the sea;
• Church of San Giacomo in Compostela, considered the second most important sacred monument after the Cathedral.

For a walk in the historic center, visit Piazza della Libertà, the heart of Ostuni, where you will find:

• City Hall;
• former Franciscan convent with the Church of San Francesco;
• Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo.

Archaeology enthusiasts cannot miss the Museum of Preclassic Civilizations of the Southern Murge, an archaeological museum housing artifacts from almost the entire southern Murge area. Among the most interesting artifacts is the cast of the Ostuni Woman, a pregnant woman dating back about 27,000 years.

Ostuni also offers some of the most beautiful seaside locations in Puglia and all of Italy, known for their variety of entertainment activities and, above all, their beauty. Among the main ones, we recommend taking a dip at least in some of these beaches:

• Torre Guaceto;
• Pilone Beach;
• Torre Pozzelle;
• Rosa Marina Beach;
• Costa Merlata;
• Creta Rossa;
• Torre Santa Sabina;
• Lido Morelli;
• Gorgognolo.

Finally, while discovering Puglia, we dedicate space to Porto Cesareo, a seaside town in Salento, characterized by crystal-clear water and fine white sandy beaches, so much so that it is nicknamed “Maldives of Salento“.

The Salento area including Porto Cesareo and Torre Lapillo is therefore one of the most popular among tourists during summer holidays.

This area offers long stretches of free beach. The coastline changes quickly: near the port the sea is very shallow, suitable for long walks, while a few kilometers north or south you can find beaches surrounded by sand dunes and Mediterranean scrub. Here lies the famous Rabbit Island and the renowned Punta Prosciutto.

The center of Porto Cesareo is full of shops, bars, restaurants, and pizzerias where you can taste Salento specialties, such as fried fresh fish and stuffed “pucce”. Here follow white houses, ancient Salento buildings, and the watchtower dating back to the 16th century, one of the main symbols of the city.

North of Porto Cesareo is Torre Lapillo, which retains the charm of a small Puglian village despite the presence of tourist-residential buildings and prestigious beaches. Here the beaches are long and the sea is clear, ideal for families with children thanks to the shallow water extending many meters from the coast.

In short, Porto Cesareo is a place you must see if you want to enjoy the beauties of Puglia and Salento. You can rent a bike or rickshaw to see the historic center, walk along the coast, and in summer evenings watch street performers animating the city streets. Don’t miss the numerous patron saint festivals, such as Santa Cesaria in August.