A handpicked list of the dreamiest, most beautiful and best places to visit in Puglia, Italy.
Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot, is a place even Italian always mentioned with a sense of wonder.
Tell anyone you have been to Puglia and the reaction invariably is ‘Ah, Puglia. Bellissima!”, usually accompanied by a slight sense of surprise, as if this was a secret place, once they did not expect you to know about.
Puglia is no hidden gem (it is a gem, but it is not hidden!), however, it is true that compared with other parts of Italy it tends to see less international tourism and retain a more local feel.
I personally love Puglia: we went last time with the kids a few months ago and it was the perfect family vacation (you can find our Southern Italy itinerary here).
Puglia has something for everyone.
The kids adored the beaches, the crystal clear water and the fairytale village, we adults loved the architecture and historical cities in this area and we all adored the food.
Puglia has wonderful, varied food that is sure to woo the fussiest of foodies (big and small).
These are the best places to visit in Puglia and some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Puglia.
You will quickly see why I consider this area one of the very best places to visit in Italy!
This is my handpicked, shortlist of the most beautiful places to visit in Puglia for a perfect Italian escape.
Table of Contents
The Gargano Peninsula
Gargano is the promontory stretching from the north of Puglia into the Adriatic sea and it is one of the most beautiful places in Puglia for nature lovers.
The area is part of the Gargano National Park and it is famous for beautiful carsic white rocks and stunning marine landscapes.
The park is perfect for executions and cycling and it is also a wonderful place for sea and sun lovers.

While the inland part of the park is covered in forests, on the coast Gargano has stunning beaches and also beautiful islands, Isole Tremiti, which are a gem of Mediterranean splendor.
Things to see in Gargano are:
- The National Park itself
- The Santuario di San Michele al’Agelo (Sanctuary), Unesco world heritage site
- The dreamy Tremiti Islands
Trani and Castel del Monte
Trani is a small seaside town on the Adriatic coast an incredibly duomo perched on the town pier.
It is in a position usually reserved to a lighthouse, Trani’s duomo has a peculiar cream color given to it by the local stone used for its minimalist facade

As well as the church, the town has a pretty marina and pleasant park with stunning sea views (there is also a nice playground for kids).
This is one of Puglia’s prettiest coastal towns and one not to be missed.
Nearby you can also visit unique Castel del Monte, with its mysterious shape and memories of the ancient Kingdom of Emperor Federico II
Read here >> our Guide to Trani
Polignano a Mare
A little farther South of Trani lies instagram famous Polignano a Mare.
Polignano is a small historical town said to be among the most important ancient settlement in this part of southern Italy however, this is not what attracts visitors.

Rather, they come for the spectacular position of Polignano, perched on a vertical ravine, dotted with caves and plunging into the Mediterranean!
Polignano is easy to visit by train from bari and only takes a handful of hours for experiencing the town center and seeing the famous view in person!
Alberobello
Alberobello is one of the prettiest towns in Puglia and the whole of Italy as well as one of the most famous.
It is the place where you have the Trulli, peculiar houses with whitewashed walls and pointy roofs that resemble fairy houses or hobbit houses even.

Alberobello Is pretty and unique and one of the most beautiful places in Puglia however, it does get busy.
We loved staying here for one night so you can see it after the day trippers have gone.
Find here >> our guide to Alberobello
Locorotondo
Just 10 minutes by car from Alberobello, Locorotondo is one of the most pleasant towns we have seen in Puglia and a world apart from its famous neighbor.
A true Italy hidden gem!

Here, you do not have a city center made of trulli but you do have gorgeous whitewashed alleys that hide stunning churches and picture-perfect courtyards.
Clean, beautiful and quiet, Locorotondo Is like someone’s living room: a welcoming, beautiful place to relax.
Something special: Locorotondo Is known for its white wine, perfect to taste chilled on a summer day!
Locorotondo is a great base to explore Val D’Itria, a part of Puglia characterized by wonderful olive groves (Puglia is an important producer of olive oil) dotted with traditional trulli.
Find here >> our guide to Locorotondo
Martina Franca
Martina Franca is a small historical town in Puglia surrounded by tall walls that hide a wonderful city center.
Here you have small whitewashed winding streets, pretty squares but also something very special: a series of baroque churches so distinctive and unique they belong to a special type of baroque called Barocco Martinese’.

Martina Franca Is beautiful and bigger than Locorotondo and, like its neighbors, makes a great base to discover Puglia or a wonderful destination for a day trip.
Find here >> our guide to Martina Franca
Salento
Salento Is the southernmost part of Puglia, the very end of the heel of Italy’s boot and is famous for Lecce, a city so rich of art it is called the Florence of the south, and for its beaches, among the most beautiful not just in Puglia big in the whole of Italy.
When you see photos of Puglia with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, they are usually from here!

The whole area has stunning sandy beaches, perfect for a sea and sun vacation.
Among the best Puglia beaches, there are Punta Prosciutto, Porto Selvaggio, with is a natural reserve, and the incredible beach of Pescoluse, Torre Lapillo,and Maldive of Salento with a beach and water so clear, you won’t believe you are in Italy!
Closer to Gallipoli worth seeing are also Punta Suina and farther north Baia dei Turchi.
Worth seeing in this area are the cities of Lecce, Ostuni and Gallipoli, all with lovely town centers and a stone throw from stunning nature.
I hope you found this overview of the best places to visit in Puglia useful. Happy travel planning!
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