Puglia / Apulia

(Southeastern Italy)

Alberobello - 50 minutes south of Bari

This delightful small town in the Valle d'Itria of northern Puglia is home to 10,000 inhabitants and most notable for its trulli- limestone structures with domed roofs built without mortar. These unique structures date back to the mid 14th century when the then ruler of this region wanted to utilize a building technique that would construct temporary dwellings that could easily be taken down to avoid taxation by the king.

Alberobello is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,000 trulli in the town - both for residential and commercial purposes. Make sure to visit Trullo Sovrano (the only two story trullo in the town and a National Monument), Alberobello in Miniature, Church of St Anthony, and explore the Rione Monti.

Ostuni - 1 hour south of Bari

This whitewashed city with its commanding hilltop position overlooks the Valle d'Itria and has views eastward to the sea. Ostuni's old town is the perfect place to wander around getting lost in the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and narrow staircases. Known as "La Citta Bianca" or "The White City", most of the architecture you see today actually was built with the idea that the reflection of the sun off of of the limestone buildings would blind their enemies. Ostuni passed under many regimes from the Romans, to the Ostrogoths, to the Lombards, to the Normans, and to the Bourbons.

Make sure to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, relax in Piazza Liberta, and see the famous blue doors of Ostuni.

Polignano a Mare - 35 mins south of Bari

This coastal town built atop limestone cliffs features one of the most famous and photographed beaches in all of Italy - Lama Monachile, also known as Cala Porto with an ancient Roman bridge as a backdrop. History here dates back to the 4th century BC when it was under Greek control and then later became occupied by Romans when the bridge was built.

Polignano a Mare is famous for being a host city of the annual Red Bull cliff diving competition. While walking around the historic center, make sure to meander into Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele and take in the sights from the photo-worthy Terrazza Vista Mare and Belvedere Terrazza Santo Stefano. Nearby you can find the popular "poetry staircase".

Monopoli - 40 minutes south of Bari

This quintessential southern Italian city features a walled historic old town with a Baroque cathedral, a 16th century castle, and an expansive seaside promenade perfect for an evening stroll to capture the magic of this Puglian gem.

Similarly to other seaside cities in Puglia, Monopoli was founded by the Greek in the 5th century BC before coming under Roman control and then changing hands many times from the Goths to the Byzantines to the Normans before Venice took control in the 15th century utilizing its strategic position as a prosperous trading port for agricultural products.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral with its archaeological museum, check out Castello Carlo V, and stroll along the "lungomare".

Lecce - 1 hour, 45 mins south of Bari

The second largest city in Puglia (next to Bari) and referred to as the "Florence of the South", this incredible city is a must-see on any trip through Puglia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Lecce rose to prominence under the Norman regime when many of the impressive limestone structures were built. In fact, Lecce's main export is its malleable pale yellow limestone. Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries there were conflicts with the French and Spanish until Venice seized control of the city.

This cultural hub of southern Italy features impressive Baroque architecture, most notably the Basilica di Santa Croce (built in 1695) and within the Piazza del Duomo. The belltower in the square is one of the most recognizable structures in Lecce. You can ride the elevator to the top for 360 degree views. Below the adjacent magnificent Cattedrale Maria Santissima you will be able to enter the crypt which houses extensive ruins and human remains. As you meander through the historic center of the city, you should also find the old doors of the city (portas) and the Roman Amphitheatre dating back to the 2nd century AD which was only recently discovered in 1901.

Otranto - 35 minutes from Lecce

Another picturesque Italian coastal town characterized by a mediaeval walled city overlooking the turquoise Adriatic Sea. Otranto's seaside position made it susceptible to attackers with the most notable being in 1480 when a Turkish armada of 150 ships laid siege to the city. After a two week long battle, the Turks eventually stormed the castle murdering many of Otranto's locals. There were 800 survivors who barricaded themselves inside of the cathedral with the bishop to pray. Eventually they were captured and asked to renounce their Christian faith- not one of them gave in and they suffered a bloody fate. In 1771, by papal decree, these 800 people were beatified and now known as the Blessed Martyrs of Otranto.

Today, Otranto is a relaxing and beautiful place to visit. The important sites include the Cathedral & Aragonese Castle. Wander the historic center and stroll along the lungomare.

Santa Maria di Leuca - 1 hour from Lecce

In the far south of the Salento peninsula, nearby the scenic Capo Santa Maria with its iconic 1860s lighthouse, Santa Maria de Leuca is a tourist hub for those looking to explore the dramatic Puglian coastline and nearby white sand beaches. By taking a boat excursion you will be able to visit the stunning caves and arches on the and swim in the turquoise waters. A short drive westward towards Marina di Pescoluse you will experience the gorgeous white sand beaches that are commonly referred to as the "Maldives of Italy".

Make sure to visit the lighthouse- Faro di Santa Maria and go inside of the adjacent monastery- Santuario di Santa Maria. Grotta Grande del Cioli is an amazing sea cave to swim in.

Gallipoli - 45 minutes from Lecce

On the west side of the Salento peninsula facing the Ionian Sea, this coastal gem has Greek origins from 3rd century BC. Legend goes that a king from Crete founded the city and that it sides with nearby Taranto in 265 BC against the Romans, but were defeated. In the Middle Ages, much like other seaside cities in Puglia, Gallipoli was conquered by the Byzantines when it was most prominent and later by the Normans. In the late 15th century, the Venetians tried to occupy the city but failed. Eventually, in 1861 it was part of the unification of Italy.

Walk around the historic center and visit the 13th century Aragonese Castle. There are stunning cathedrals and churches to visit such as Saint Agatha & St Francis of Assisi.

Matera - 1 hour from Bari

Although technically not in Puglia, but in the bordering region of Basilicata, Matera is a highlight of any southern Italy road trip and is easily reached within 1-2 hours from Bari or Salento. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world dating back to 9,000 years ago. Across from the town, you can visit ancient cliff dwellings in the Murgia National Park which are traced back to the Paleolithic era.

In the mid 20th century, Matera was deemed as uninhabitable by the Italian government and the 15,000+ residents living in the "sassi" were evicted. By the 1990s people started returning to the Sassi and renovating the structures transforming this town to a cultural masterpiece. In 1993 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has seen a boom in tourism.