Top 5 Places To Visit in Puglia

It’s hard to overestimate the attractions awaiting at Puglia, Italy. For reference, Puglia is the “high heel” part of Italy’s famous boot shape. It’s one of the biggest regions in the country, which means there’s quite a lot to do and see there. Better still, everything seems unique about the place, from its landscapes to its globally famous foods and wines.

Where to Stay

Choosing the right location is half of the journey. It could be a luxury hotel or humble bed-and-breakfast accommodations. Still, it should be conveniently located so travelers can easily move across regional attractions. That’s why many of them choose to stay at Bari, the region’s capital and the city where most tourists arrive. Alternatively, it’s possible to start from Otranto, in the south, stay at one of Masseria Panareo Puglia quality hotels, and travel north, enjoying other cities on the way. 

Where to Go

For those arriving and staying at Bari, spending the first day there is advisable. One of the best things about Bari is that it’s not necessary to travel far to enjoy unforgettable moments. Cathedrals, museums, and world-class restaurants are all over the place, not to mention its charming old town.

Attractions include the Cattedrale di San Sabino, Via Sparano, and Svevo di Bari Norman castle. If travelers stay between Lungomari and the train station, they’ll be within walking distance of the city’s main attractions and have easy access to transportation to different parts of Puglia. Here are the other cities travelers must visit for a complete Puglia experience.

Grecìa Salentina

Those who love ancient history, particularly Hellenic culture, must visit the Grecìa Salentina. It doesn’t have views of turquoise seas like most places in the region,  but it’s the best spot for enjoying the Greek legacy of Byzantine times. The city is divided into 12 low-rise towns where a local Greek dialect is spoken by many. If there isn’t enough time to visit all of them, visitors should focus on Corigliano d’Otranto for its array of impressive castles. 

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare has some of the most recognizable landscapes from postcards, with dramatic cliffs stretching above the Adriatic Sea. The combination of sunny weather and turquoise waters attracts countless tourists every year, flooding the streets of its old town and the social media sensation Cala Porto Beach. Not many places have world-class restaurants nested in caves by the sea, like the Grotta Palazzese, featuring the best of Puglia’s wines and food.

Promontorio del Gargano

Leaving the Adriatic Sea behind is hard, but the Promontorio del Gargano is worth the effort. It has superb options for those who love hiking and biking in the woods, such as the Parco Nazionale di Gargano. Visitors will also find plenty of ancient mountain villages along the way, like the Monte Sant’Angelo, dating back to the 5th century. Legend has it that Archangel Michael appeared there many times during the medieval period. 

Otranto

An array of 800 skulls doesn’t sound like a very inviting ornament, but Otranto’s Romanesque cathedral is an exception. The grim ornaments date from 1480, when the Ottomans invaded the city, slaughtering hundreds of locals. The old town is a miscellany of influences: Turkish, Greek, Roman, and Napoleonic. From its fantastic coastline, it’s possible to see the Bakkan coast.

Lecce

Lecce is a baroque marvel. Not by chance; it’s known as the Florence of the South. The Basilica di Santa Croce, Palazzo Vescovile, and the Duomo are just some examples of the impressive “baroque leccesse”. However, the city is much older than that, and there’s even a pre-Christian Messapian tomb to visit.