The Caribbean of Italy, Puglia, the land of the olives, is a place where time appears to slow down and beauty is laid in layers, starting with the glitter of the olive trees in the infinite blue skies, and passing on to the whitewashed villages on the hills, which borders on the region’s two seas. Although many people might be interested in such cities as Bari and Lecce, the best part of Puglia is the villages, little charming spots where people live at a slower pace. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most beautiful villages in Puglia everyone should visit.
When To Visit Puglia?
Puglia has a Mediterranean climate, implying warm and dry summer and cold and drier winter. Shoulder seasons are the best times to visit; during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). It is a season of warm weather (around the low-mid 20s the C), the landscape is green and in blossom (particularly in spring), and the audiences at tourist sites are smaller than they are in the summer.
June through the beginning of September would be the best time to be at the beach in case you crave the sun and the sea. All major historical sites are still open, coastal towns are not so warm, sea temperatures are favorable and the summer atmosphere can still be felt here and there. The only difference is more crowds and heat and increased prices, mostly in July and August.
The most silent is the winter season (November to February). Smaller villages or seaside establishments might close down but provided you are not averse to cooler weather (10s to teens degrees) and to the occasional outpouring, you will be enjoying a more local atmosphere.
Where To Stay In Puglia?
Selection of a base in Puglia will also be based on the priorities of your visit, whether it be picturesque rural location, access to the coastline, or central location. The first option that comes in mind is Valle d’Itria (Itria Valley) which is located between the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisternino, or Ceglie Messapica are also very good bases if you plan to visit trulli villages, country scenes, and seaside towns which are within short driving distances.
You may decide to be based in a seaside village or small town (e.g. along the Adriatic or Ionian coast) in case you want to have a coastal base. This puts you right onto the beach, with a sea view, and a slow pace of life. Alternatively, you can split your trip with a stay inland at a masseria (traditional farmhouse) or small village, and a stay at the coast, that way, you can experience both the countryside atmosphere and the calmness of the ocean.
Do You Need A Car In Puglia?
Yes – a car is very much recommended (some even may say it’s a necessity) to travel to Puglia, in case you wish to visit lots of villages and countryside on your speed. Want to rent a car in Puglia? Use this special deal to save 20% on all car rentals.
There is some public transport (trains, buses) which serves most of the larger towns and certain stretches of the coast, but the smaller villages, hamlets of the hills and more isolated areas are commonly ill-served or involve a complicated network of transfers. There are a great number of small secondary roads, and schedules are few.
A car will provide the flexibility: you can leave in the morning, you can hang out as long as you want, you can go some of the places that are out of the way and you will be able to reach farther places with ease. Puglian driving is usually dodgeable: roads are usually well maintained, road signs are fair and the traffic is not as much as in the popular tourist destinations (unless during summer holidays along the coastal areas).
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Best Villages In Puglia
Now that we covered some basics, let’s get to the most important part of this article- the best villages in Puglia.
1. Alberobello
The most popular village in Puglia is Alberobello, and it’s the home of the fairytale trulli houses which are whitewashed stone huts and have conical roofs. These are world heritage structures that are one of Puglia’s UNESCO sites. The truly were originally built without mortar which was a clever idea by the farmers to avoid paying taxes on their properties centuries ago.
They form one of the most charming landscapes in Italy nowadays, sites like Rione Monti and Aia Piccola are like walking in a fairy-tale with their small lanes, souvenir stands, and rooftops over the overcrowded spires. Although it’s one of the main tourist attractions, it is better to spend the night there and see what the village is like once the day-tripper have gone and the trulli have been lit with lamplights in the nighttime.
Even to sleep in one of the renovated trulli, many of which have been converted into inviting homestays. In addition to the trulli, Alberobello also has little museums, classic restaurants and closeness to other jewels of the Itria Valley such as Locorotondo and martina franca.
Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso: Stay inside authentic trulli houses beautifully restored for comfort, right in the heart of the UNESCO zone.
2. Locorotondo
Locorotondo, located on a palm-shaped hill on the Itria Valley, is one of the officially declared Borghi più belli d’Italia (the most beautiful villages in Italy). The highlight of the village is the historic center that has almost perfect round shape. The houses that have been washed white shine in the sun, and the roofs are covered with tiles in the cummerse style peculiar to the neighborhood. A stroll through its mazes of lanes showcases flower-basked balconies, silent courtyards and little craft bazaars.
Locorotondo will not be as full of people as Alberobello, and that is why it suits the tourists who want to be more genuine and feel relaxed. The countryside around the hotel is full of vineyards that grow the crisp and perfect Locorotondo DOC white wine that goes hand in hand with the local cheeses and seafood. It is the type of destination that can be explored at a leisurely pace and have aperitifs at sunset and beverage over the eternal sceneries.
Sotto Le Cummerse Albergo Diffuso: Elegant suites scattered through the old town, combining modern amenities with traditional charm.
3. Cisternino
Cisternino is a tiny village on top of a hill, with whitewashed houses, tiny lanes and vibrant evening atmosphere. And on the Itria Valley of Puglia, it ranks as one of the most atmospheric places, in spite of its size. The old town within the walls of the medieval wall opens up to the perspective of olive trees and vineyards that lead to the Adriatic.
The greatest attraction in Cisternino is its fornelli pronti -local butcher shops where you can select your fresh meat, have it grilled there and then eat it with some local wine. It is a favorite tradition among natives. At dusk the central piazza is filled with laughing, chatting people and the scent of roasting bombette (pork rolls filled with cheese).
Borgo Canonica: A serene trulli retreat surrounded by olive trees, perfect for a romantic countryside stay.
4. Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica, a rustic oasis that lies close to the center of the city and is often neglected by first-time visitors, is known as the place of the culture of food and strong traditions. It’s one of the oldest settlements of Puglia built on a hill and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The historic core is an ad labyrinth of stone lanes, Melted Whitewashed houses, and fine palazzi, topped by the Ducal Castle of the 16 th century.
However, the true magic is in its revitalized taste of dishes, Ceglie is regarded as one of the culinary capitals of the Itria Valley. The village has trattorias and osterias, that are recommended by Michelin and family-owned and the recipes are handed on through generations. The pastry, biscotto cegliese, is of almonds and cherry jam. The surrounding rural area is also filled with trulli, and guests regularly spend their nights at reconstructed farmhouses with olive trees. Ceglie Messapica is quite real, it is a place where farmers, chefs and artisans live in complete harmony with the land that nourishes them.
Masseria Camarda: A stylish farmhouse owned by a famous Italian chef, offering farm-to-table dining and rustic luxury.
5. Ostuni
Ostuni, known as La Città Bianca (The White City) is a shining light on the Puglian plain. Its mazing, winding streets of bleached structures are mirrors of the sunlight to the point that native inhabitants refer to it as blindingly beautiful. After being fortified, the hill of Ostuni has breathtaking views over olive groves to the Adriatic Sea. At the core of the town lies Piazza della Libertà, in which the cafes spread on cobblestones under the baroque front of the Church of San Francesco.
Up to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, whose rose-window is among the most complex and beautiful ones in the south of Italy. Ostuni is artistic and also vibrant with boutique stores, rooftop terraces and romantic restaurants concealed in ancient arches. It’s bigger than most of the Puglian villages, but still has a small town air about it, especially at night, when the lamplight falls on its white walls making them golden.
La Sommità Relais & Spa: A 5-star boutique hotel within the whitewashed old town, featuring panoramic terraces and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
6. Specchia
Specchia, in the Salento peninsula, is one of the most beautiful villages in southern Puglia and it is a proud part of Borghi più belli d’Italia. Specchia, in contrast to the traffic of the coast, has its silent stone streets, its honey-coloured houses, which are perennial tranquillity. Piazza del Popolo is the center of the village with aristocratic palaces and the impressive Castello Rosiolto.
Strolling along its lanes is like going hundreds of years back, you will come across tiny chapels, old doorways and people sitting outside their houses and chattering in the evening breeze. Specchia is high to give panoramic views over olives groves towards the Ionian coast. It is also an ideal starting point to the local villages such as Presicce and Alessano or Montenegro beach in Marina di Pescoluse. Specchia has maintained its leisurely pace and attachment to tradition unlike other places that are more of a tourist destination.
Borgo Cardigliano: A restored rural hamlet turned hotel, blending tradition, tranquility, and Salento’s countryside beauty.
7. Presicce
Presicce has been referred to as one of the most beautiful villages of the south of Puglia, and quite justifiably. It lies secret in the Salento, and is an idyllic quiet labyrinth of baroque palaces, silent piazzas and underground olive mills hewn out of rock. These ancient frantoi narrate the history of the olive oil tradition in Presicce, which at some time was the core of its economy. The historic Palazzo Ducale along with the noble houses lining the village center, Piazza del Popolo are the remnants of a rich history.
Today Presicce still has a certain aristocratic allure, but it is undeniably very pleasant to sleep, and the people of Presicce go out in the evening to have an aperitivo or to take a stroll. The adjacent country is filled with olive-trees, dry-stone walls and peasant chapels. It boasts of its closeness to the Ionian coast, particularly the Marina di Pescoluse within a short distance, which is an ideal inland destination by tourists who want to immerse themselves in authenticity and at the same time enjoy the beach resorts easily.
Antica Masseria Pescu: A charming masseria with a pool and elegant stone rooms just minutes from the Ionian coast.
8. San Vito dei Normanni
San Vito dei Normanni, only a few miles inland of Brindisi, is a small-town place with a great history. Its name is of Norman origin because the town was established by Norman settlers who built its beautiful historic center that firmly stands even today, concentrated around the Castle Dentice di Frasso whose strong towers dominate the central piazza. San Vito gives us an idea of a true Puglian lifestyle it has fewer tourists, no fake trattorias, and the streets are peaceful with cobblestone pavements.
It is especially distinguished by folk traditions such as the joyful pizzica dance festivals, open air summer events that make the streets resonant and full of laughter. The rural areas near San Vito are full of masserie, old farmhouses converted into luxurious apartments. Here it is visionary to visit the Adriatic coast and other local villages such as Carovigno and Ostuni.
Masseria Incantalupi: A refined 17th-century farmhouse offering horseback riding, olive oil tastings, and relaxed luxury.
9. Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare is a postcard in itself, set on the top of limestone cliffs that overlook the Adriatic. It has an all-whitewashed houses, which are clung to the cliffside, only broken by terraces where sea view is amazing. The old town at the centre of the village is a maze of tiny streets, poetry-covered walls, and small piazzas that lead to picturesque balconies. Lama Monachile, a small pebble beach between cliffs and surrounded by the old Roman bridge is the most iconic location.
Birthplace of Domenico Modugno, singer, also stands with an open arms statue over the sea in Polignano. Although it has been rising in popularity over the last few years, the village has not lost its authenticity. During early morning or sunset go and see the view without reaching a crowd.
Grotta Palazzese Hotel: Iconic cliffside hotel featuring the world-famous cave restaurant overlooking the Adriatic.
10. Marina di Pescoluse
Marina di Pescoluse has been dubbed as the Maldives of Salento because the village/town has some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Crystal-clear water, soft golden sand and gradient seabed make this small coastal village perfect with regard to swimming. Pescoluse is home to a small resort vibe – beach bars, wooden decks, umbrellas gently fluttering on the sea breeze, and long strolls at sunset unlike bigger resorts.
The village is small, and there are only several restaurants and shops but its environment, the presence of olive trees and old stone farm houses, contributes to its picturesque nature. It is the best destination for people who would want to have a clean seaside vacation without the hustles. It is very easy to get to the southernmost tip of Puglia, called Santa Maria di Leuca, in this point. It really feels like paradise whether you are just lying on the sand or swimming in the clear waters of the Marina di Pescoluse.
Le Cinque Vele Beach Club Hotel: A chic seaside stay with private beach access and modern, minimalist design.
11. Torre Sant’Andrea
Torre Sant’Andrea is a small fishing village that transformed into the favorite seaside resort in the Adriatic coastline. The spectacular aspect of it is its limestone sea stacks – high rocky structures which come out of blue water like the sculptures of nature. Le Due Sorelles or The Two Sisters, the most popular, forms a spectacular backdrop of swimming and photography. Torre is the name of an old watch tower, one of several that were constructed to protect the coast of Puglia against invaders.
The tower is still standing tall today closer to the shore. The environment, here, is blissfully relaxed as small cafes are located above the sea, boats are floating in the cove, and citizens are cliff diving during the summertime. It is also near other jewels such as Otranto and Sant’Andrea di Melendugno and therefore, one can easily combine a sightseeing trip with visiting the beach. Torre Sant’Andrea is a prime showcase of the wild beauty of the Puglian coast in the naturalest possible manner.
Hotel Belvedere: Cozy, family-run hotel perched above the cliffs with stunning views of the sea stacks.
12. Santa Cesarea Terme
Santa Cesarea Terme is one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia but what makes it different are its thermal springs, which have been around since the 16th century and have been said to have medicinal properties. The village, dramatically perched above the Adriatic, with its Moorish-looking villas and their pastel houses, echoes the sophistication of the Belle Epoque in Italy. Villa Sticchi, an exotic palace building with the sea view, is the most impressive, and one of the most photographed landmarks in Puglia.
Tourists visit it to bathe in the thermal pools, to swim in the natural sea pools or just to view the beautiful cliff side scenery. There is something quiet and refined in Santa Cesarea Terme; it is peaceful even in summer, calm and calm, whereas its neighbors Otranto or Castro are livelier. It’s the best place to visit when a tourist wants to discover the alternative side of Puglia, and add some wellness and Mediterranean charm to their holiday.
Grand Hotel Mediterraneo: Elegant seaside hotel with thermal spa access and sweeping Adriatic panoramas.
Peschici
Located on a cliff with a view of the Adriatic Sea, Peschici is one of the gems of the Gargano Peninsula located in northern Puglia. It has whitened houses, pouring down into a crescent bay, where the golden sand mingles with the turquoise water. The ancient city is a labyrinth of small streets, secret passages, and arches covered with bougainvillea. The perspective of the castle ramparts, particularly at sunset, is one of the most wonderful of southern Italy.
The fishing tradition can be traced back in Peschici by the presence of the traditional trabucchi, which are wooden buildings used in the fishing business extending to the sea. Most of them have been transformed into beautiful restaurants where you can eat on top of the waves. The other attraction is the nearby Gargano National Park, which provides forest-lined walks and breathtaking seashores. Peschici is a small village that is more serene than Vieste and is perfect to just enjoy some beauty of the coast, history, and experience the village atmosphere without all the summer similarities.
Hotel Incanto: A hillside retreat with breathtaking sea views and an infinity pool overlooking the bay.
14. Vieste
The pearl of the Gargano, Vieste is a fascinating combination of dramatic cliffs, white beaches, and medieval beauty. It’ s another whitewashed old town, thrust juttily into the Adriatic, upon a ledge of rock, separating two long sandy beaches. Strolling around its streets one notices baroque churches, concealed steps, and the sea with ancient walls. The Vieste is represented by the Pizzomunno, a high limestone monolith that grows out of the beach below – the theme of local myth of everlasting love.
The town is bustling but not too chock-a-block, cafes, boutiques, and trattorias are present offering ultra-fresh seafood. The Gargano National Park and the Tremiti Islands are also accessible at Vieste and they also have the chance to hike, take boat trips, and dive. During day time, visit the sea caves on the boat; during night, take wine as the old town is lit in gold over the sea. Vieste is the ideal image of the rugged romanticism of the north of Puglia.
Forte Hotel: Beachfront property offering modern rooms, a rooftop pool, and easy access to Vieste’s historic center.
15. Giovinazzo
Giovinazzo is a tiny seaside village north of Bari, that managed to keep its rural vibe despite being so close to the city. It is surrounded with an old town wrap that is compact and built in a beautiful harbor where fishing boats arms are of bouncing off the medieval stone walls. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the centre of Giovinazzo, is where people can stand and have an espresso or gelato in the open air in the evening.
The village is full of history -the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the 12th century, the old defensive bastions that defended the village against pirates are just a couple of its main highlights. A walk through the lungomare (seafront promenade) is a wonderful way to experience the sea breezes, with the view of the Adriatic in its most serene state. Giovinazzo is not a town of sightseeing but one of easy delights, swimming around off rocky coves, sea food taken that morning and local life leisurely rolling on. It is a pure flavor of the old Puglian charm, still relatively unspoiled by mass tourism.
Hotel Mediterraneo: Simple yet comfortable stay just steps from the old harbor and the village’s lively promenade.
16. Molfetta
Molfetta is an old fishing port, which is a blend of sea tradition and modest sophistication. It has an old town, surrounded by thick medieval walls and located on the peninsula which sticks out into the Adriatic. In the middle of it is the Cathedral of San Corrado, a masterpiece of Romanesque-Puglian architecture, and its twin towers overlook the sea. Strolling through the small lanes of Molfetta, you will encounter artisan stores, fish stalls, and peep into the life of ordinary people, which will make you feel like traveling in the past.
The harbor is the heart of the village; there are colourful boats, fishermen working on their nets, and restaurants that offer freshly caught octopus or mussels. Molfetta is also an ideal choice to visit when one is on the way between Bari and Trani, where one can find something quieter and more true-to-life than its popular neighbours. Although it is a small town, it boasts of a strong identity proud, coastal and well connected to its fishing roots, perfect for a peaceful vacation in Puglia.
Dogana Resort: A beautifully restored 17th-century customs house turned luxury hotel overlooking the fishing port.
17. Casamassima
Last but not least we conclude this list of villages in Puglia with Casamassima, also known as Il Paese Azzurro -the Blue Village. It’s unique with its few houses in turquoise color, constructed in honor of the Virgin Mary. The outcome is a labyrinth of cool, pastel alleyways giving the illusion of the Greek islands and North Africa. Casamassima is tiny, but photogenical town with its arches, courtyards, and little shrines, crowded together in every corner.
Piazza Aldo Moro is the central square of the village and people meet there, particularly during the evening, to talk and have gelato. Not so famous as the coastal stars of Puglia, but still as bracing as a breath of fresh colour and character, Casamassima will win you over with its tranquility, original style, and verisimilitude that make it an ideal destination for travelers looking for a peaceful, artistic retreat in the very core of rural Puglia.
Amber’s House: Peaceful countryside trulls hotel with spacious rooms and a golf course nearby, perfect for exploring inland Puglia.
How did you like this guide to the beautiful villages in Puglia? Did you ever visit any of them before? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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