A Guide to the Pretty Towns of Puglia

The cities and towns of Italy are known throughout the world, but there’s one corner of Italy that remains a hidden gem. After visiting the likes of Rome, Milan, Naples, Tuscany and The Amalfi coast, I decided it was time to go in search of a lesser-known, more rustic Italy. Puglia is a region of Italy I have been longing to discover for some time, and with the help of Classic Collection Holidays, my dream recently came true. My friend Katie and I hired a car for our Puglia adventure and explored 4 towns over 4 days. Here is my guide to the picturesque towns of Puglia.

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Puglia in a Nutshell

Puglia is a rural region on the south coast of Italy. Imagine rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards and olive trees alongside a stretch of spectacular coastline. The beaches in Puglia have soft white sand and the colours in the ocean range from aquamarine to azure blue. Rustic farmhouses and quaint towns remain frozen in time and feel a world away from the cosmopolitan Italian cities.

In a nutshell, Puglia has all the charm of Tuscany but with the added element of being by the coast; queue the incredible seafood and picturesque ports. The food I ate in Puglia was the best and freshest I’ve ever tasted in Italy, making it a dream destination for foodies.

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Ostuni

First up on our hotlist was the iconic whitewashed town of Ostuni. It’s located about 8km from the coast and offers beautiful panoramas of the ocean. Head to the Commune di Ostuni (a central square) and grab a freshly made pizza at Restaurant Garabaldi. We dined on fresh pizza and a caprese salad, washed down with 2 glasses of Aperol Spritz in the sun. It was bliss.

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If you’ve still got room after lunch, cross the square and pick up a gelato for your climb up to the Catherdral of Ostuni. The route up to the Catherdral is lined with interesting (tourist geared) boutique shops selling everything from sandals to fresh pasta and olive oil. Beyond the Catherdral, walk under the arch, take a right and you’ll find yourself in the narrow backstreets of Ostuni. The white stone pathways and buildings feel incredibly historic and it feels like a little journey back in time.

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Ostuni did feel extremely quiet when we visited on a Tuesday, but I can imagine it gets much busier at the weekend. I would recommend allowing half a day or a few hours to visit Ostuni, factoring in a leisurely lunch and a stroll around the backstreets.

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Locorotonda

Next up is the enchanting town of Locorotonda. Navigate your way into central old town, which has narrow streets enclosed by tall white stone buildings. The maze of winding streets sporadically open up into pretty piazzas and you’ll find a handful of charming wine bars.

It was in Locorotondo that we had the most amazing pizza of the whole trip. Our hotel Masseria Montanepoleone made us a reservation at Casa Pinto, which is a tiny pizzeria located beneath the streets of Locorotondo. It has to be the most authentic and romantic pizzeria I’ve ever dined at, and it was extremely reasonable in price too. Visit Casa Pinto for an evening meal to get the best experience, but be sure to make a reservation. I’d recommend visiting Locorotonda in late afternoon and staying for dinner at Casa Pinto. It’s very small so you don’t need to allow a full day.

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Monopoli

Monopoli was the largest town we visited in Puglia and is located right on the sea. The newer and more developed areas are not that remarkable, but it’s the historical centre that draws in the crowds. Plan your own mini walking tour and visit the Old Harbour, The Cathedral and Castello Carlo V, all of which are nestled away in the historical centre. The Castello Carlo V clings to the waters edge and visitors can explore the historical stone interior. It’s a spectacular sight overlooking the blue water.

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Add a touch of luxury to your time in Monopoli by going for a drink on the rooftop of the 5-star Don Ferrante Dimore di Charme. Katie and I came here to rest tired feet and sip on Aperol spritz in the most fabulous of settings.

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Alberobello

The iconic Truli houses of Alberobello are a must for anyone visiting the region of Puglia. These circular homes with slated dome roofs have become synonymous to the region but can only be found within a 10km radius. The biggest concentration of Truli houses in Alberobello, but you’ll find them spread around the countryside of this area. The village has become increasingly more touristy over the past few years, but it’s still totally worth a visit. There are plenty of places to stop for lunch or a refreshing gelato before hitting the road again.

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Further Afield

If you still have more time to spare in Puglia, consider pairing a trip to Monopoli with the nearby Poligna a Mare. Lecce is another beautiful town with great food and restaurants and Bari is a larger town right on the coast. I didn’t visit these places but they were all recommended to us by locals.

How to Get Around

To put it simply, a hire car is the only option in Puglia if you’re looking to travel independently. I was quite apprehensive about driving in Italy before this trip, but the roads are quiet and well sign posted. The freedom of driving definitely added to the fun of our trip, and our routes took us through the most beautiful landscapes and green rolling hills.

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Where to Stay

I stayed in two hotels during my trip to Puglia, both of which were perfectly located to visit all of the towns listed in this post (all the towns were between a 15 and 35 minute drive). Although both hotels were luxurious and boutique in style, one was on the beach and the other was in the countryside. It’s a personal choice which style you’d prefer, but I would highly recommend both of them.

Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel & Spa, Torre Canne

Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel & Spa is a beachfront boutique hotel close to the small town of Torre Canne. It’s whitewashed walls and bright rooms give it the feel of a stylish beach house and has an aura of wellness and calm throughout. The pool area is incredibly chic and has immediate access to the sandy beach. It’s also home to a spa, a bar and has one a la carte restaurant. Expect to dine on fresh seafood, local wines and delicious homemade pasta.

Stay at Canne Bianche with Classic Collection from £869 per person based on 7 nights B&B with flights from Gatwick and private transfers

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By staying at Canne Bianche, you can combine busy days of exploring the towns with days of poolside bliss, which I think is a perfect combination for any holiday in Puglia. From the reception to the restaurant, the staff were incredibly helpful and couldn’t do enough to help us plan our stay. If you’re craving ocean views, great food and laid-back Italian living, Canne Bianche is an amazing choice.

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2) Masseria Montanepoleone, Pugila

Masseria is the Italian words for farmhouse and this incredible boutique hotel was once a 17th century farmhouse. With only 21 individually designed rooms and suites, Masseria Montanepoleone oozes rustic charm. From the tomatoes on the freshly baked focaccia bread to the olive oil on the tables, everything here is home-grown with love. Masseria Montanepoleone sits on its own private estate, and has a chic pool area for relaxing. For a rustic yet luxurious Italian base, this hotel is a perfect find.

Stay at Masseria Montanapoleone with Classic Collection from £909 per person based on 7 nights B&B with flights from Gatwick and private transfers.

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SHOP THE POST

What did you think of my guide to the picturesque towns of Puglia? Are you visiting Puglia soon or has this post inspired you to go? If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, please leave me a comment in the box below. Jess x

Want more Inspiration? Watch my Puglia video diary below.

Need help with your summer holiday wardrobe? Find out What I Wore in Puglia

Many thanks to Hilton Manchester Airport for our comfortable 1 night stay after arriving back from Puglia. Prices start from £100 when booking direct at hilton.com

This post has been sponsored by Classic Collection Holidays. All views and photos are my own.

Jessica Ruth Gibson is the Founder and Editor of Travelista and an award-winning travel content creator of 10 years. She lives in York, UK with her son and has travelled to over 50 countries; her favourites being Italy, Canada and Vietnam.

18 Comments

  • Awesome Pictures! Keep it up! Great post! I’m definitely going to bookmark this for when I visit Puglia. Thank you so much for the posts; reading your blog was very informative! You obviously put a lot of effort into it.

  • Angie Silver

    I seriously need to visit Puglia!!

  • It looks like such an incredible region, beautiful photos.

  • Oh wow that looks absolutely amazing! Italy is such a gem, isn’t it? x

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

    • Thanks Kerstin! Glad you share the love for Italia! ❤️❤️

  • This has definitely excited me for our trip to Puglia! It looks so beautiful. Is it possible to get around without a car rental?

  • Oh love, this looks like the absolute DREAM!! I loved following your trip on social and will be placing Puglia on my travel bucket list ASAP! Really enjoyed the vlog too love – so well edited!

    Hayley xo
    http://www.frockmeimfamous.com

  • Madeleine

    Fantastic guide. Have visited all these places and adore them. We have a stunning trullo for hire near locorotondo. Get in touch!

  • Thanks for the excellent guide. Just a small correction: Polignano a Mare (not Poligna a Mare).

  • I have read so many great things about Puglia and your post proved it yet again. Love the hotel!

  • Your post couldn’t have come at a better time for me! My husband is a ‘Pugliesi’ and has all of his mother’s side still living there (his father’s side has all dispersed around the world). We will be visiting the region for 10 days as part of a bigger trip exploring Italy with our 2 young children and I am currently making final plans. We are very excited! Will definitely try to visit Casa Pinto and I also plan on sampling an Aperol Spritz or two…or three 😉

  • Oh wow, all of these destinations look incredible! You’ve definitely convinced me that I need to put Puglia on my bucket list… x
    Sophie Cliff

    • Thanks lovely! So glad you’re sold on Puglia! Thanks for the comment xxx

  • It looks like you had an amazing time Jess! Puglia is so high on my Italian wish list – you have me sold on the Truli houses of Alberobello – such a pretty name for a town too! Maggie xx

    • Hi Maggie! We did have an amazing time, I was so looking forward to Puglia and it exceeded all my expectations. We couldn’t stop saying Alberobello – it’s so fun to say in an Italian accent! 😀 x

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