Looking for hidden gems in Italy? Here’s why you need to book a tour to Puglia now
Puglia is the stunning hidden gem in Italy you need to visit now.
If you’re looking for hidden gems in Italy, look no further than Puglia. The southern paradise sits at the heel of Italy’s boot and offers it all—rich culture, stunning nature displays, cuisine to dream about. For years, Puglia, Italy, has been on the list of places to travel in the summer that are popular for Europeans—and we can see why. Now, it’s catching the eye of travelers looking beyond the typical tourist trail. With its fascinating villages, incredible culinary scene, storied history, and diverse geography, it’s easy to see why Puglia travel is on the rise, and why this southern gem should be at the top of your bucket list. We’ll look at a few of our favorite places in Puglia that you can visit on one of our tours of Italy, but first, here’s a primer on the heel of Italy’s boot.
Where is Puglia, Italy?
Southern Italy travel is vast, featuring famous locales like Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. But these are all on the west side of the region, with many facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tucked away in the country’s southeast, occupying the heel of the Italian boot, Puglia faces the Adriatic Sea to its east and the Ionian Sea to the south and west. Fun fact: The Puglian coastline is the longest in mainland Italy.
Home to ancient vineyards, Roman ruins, medieval castles, and Baroque cities, Puglia combines the very best of every Italian region into one stunning location. Some of its most well-known cities include its capital Bari, Lecce, and Brindisi. But smaller, stunning destinations like Ostuni are gaining popularity thanks to the growing buzz around Puglia. It’s no wonder our Puglia tours are spotlighted in our Southern Italy Travel Guide.
How do you pronounce Puglia?
Now that you know where Puglia, Italy, is, you may want to tell people where you’re planning on going. It’s a soft “g” and the “l” comes after, so while you might unintentionally say Puglia "pul-ghee-a" or “pug-lee-a”, the proper pronunciation is “poo-lee-uh”. Things from the Puglia region can be referred to as either Pugliese (the Italian version) or Apulian (the English version).
What makes Puglia a hidden gem of Italy?
A trip to Puglia, Italy, offers a less crowded take on the inimitable la dolce vita—which is just the Italian experience many travelers are craving at the moment. While Italians have long adored this region (considering it one of the best hidden gems in Italy), Puglia’s unspoiled landscapes, quiet villages, and warm hospitality have only more recently reached international renown.
With each passing year, the hot spot lands on more people’s travel bucket list—making now the perfect time to check out our A Week in Puglia & Southern Italy: Bari, Lecce & Matera tour. After all, what’s better than exploring a place that blends the rocky cliffs and sandy beaches of the Italian Riviera and the whitewashed villages of the Greek Islands? Plus, getting to delight your tastebuds with Puglian specialties like creamy burrata and some of the best olive oil in Italy? That’s a mix you won’t find in more established Italian destinations, like Venice, Florence, and Rome.
With incredible cliffs along the beach in Polignano a Mare, the natural cave pool of Roca, and the Beach of Purity in Gallipoli, the soft sands and gentle waves of the Apulian coastline are among the best in Italy. If you’re going to visit Puglia, know that the months of June to September are busiest. The warmth of the summer sun means that when shoulder season arrives in October it’s still comfortable enough to swim. And as a bonus, you can explore the cultural and natural wonder of the region without the summer crowds.
In addition to its natural beauty, what makes Puglia one of the hidden gems of Italy is its incredibly vast history. It was once part of Greece back in the 8th century B.C. And, of course, the Romans were here, too. Other historic powers, like the Normans and the Byzantines, have helped shape Puglia, as well. For instance, in Bari, the imposing Castello Normanno-Svevo was a 12th-century relic of Puglia’s Norman era. It’s obvious that Puglia is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes and rich heritage. Now’s the time to join a Puglia tour and see what one of the hidden gems of Italy is all about.
Must-see towns in Puglia
Every visit to Italy should be a mix of big cities and charming villages, art and aperitivo, castle wineries and coastal towns—you get the idea. The same goes for all of our Puglia tours. If you’re asking yourself where to visit in Puglia on our tours of Italy, here are a few of our favorite places to explore.
Alberobello
Alberobello is a true travel lover’s dream. If history is one of your primary reasons for traveling on one of our Italy tours, then you have to head to this stunning spot. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello, Italy, is famous for its unique homes, called trulli, which are conical-shaped and have symbols painted on the roofs to bring luck to the inhabitants. On our A Week in Puglia & Southern Italy: Bari, Lecce & Matera tour, you’ll visit the famous homes, which date back to the 16th century, and were built without mortar so the residents could avoid taxes.
Ostuni
It’s hard to find more majestic scenery than that in Ostuni, a hilltop town that overlooks the olive groves and vineyards of the Itria Valley. No wonder it’s one of Italy’s most picture-perfect towns. Known as “the White City,” you might confuse this small town in Italy with a village in Greece because of its whitewashed homes. The medieval charm of the town continues throughout the narrow streets, which lead to small, hidden courtyards, terraces overlooking the nearby vineyards, and local landmarks, like the 15th-century Ostuni Cathedral. Plus, thanks to its proximity to the sea and easily accessible 12 miles of coastline, Ostuni, Italy, is also a popular base for exploring the best of Puglia’s beaches.
Bari
Watching the sunlight shimmer on the ocean as you meander along coastal roads in Bari is what travel dreams are made of. As the region’s capital and the ninth most populous city in Italy, the port city of Bari is one of those places where culture has quite literally built up over time. Exploring the city on our Food & Wine: Campania, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast tour will take you to the Bari Cathedral, which is built atop the ruins of an Imperial Byzantine church that was destroyed in 1156. Castles, medieval courts, and Piazza del Ferrarese—the charming town square surrounded by Roman arches and leading to the sea—are all on the agenda during a walking tour of Bari. This is also when you’ll get the opportunity to sample Puglia’s food, which is famous in Italy. Bari is known for a specific style of focaccia called focaccia Barese, which has mashed potato in it giving it a distinctly fluffy texture. You’ll get to try it on tour!
Lecce
Often called “the Florence of the South” because of its abundant art and architecture, Lecce, Italy, is a can’t-miss on any of our Puglia tours. People have been living on the grounds of what is now modern-day Lecce since at least the time of the Trojan War. This has created a unique mix of architectural styles throughout the town, which is located at the tip of the boot heel on the Salento Peninsula. One of the city’s numerous gems is the large, sunken Roman amphitheater in the main square, Piazza Sant’Oronzo. The amphitheater once sat up to 14,000 people. Now, the site plays host to frequent summer concerts.
Why you should travel to Puglia now
Many of the most stunning hidden gems of Italy don’t stay hidden for very long. And we know that the same will be true for Puglia. Because in addition to the fantastic landscapes, pretty beaches, and inspiring heritage, Puglia is a fantastic culinary destination, too—among so many other things.
But, perhaps the most important reason you should travel to Puglia now is its value. The region’s hidden-gem status means there are still great deals to be had on a trip to Puglia, especially when you compare it to other tours of Italy. Plus, you still have access to authentic experiences and with much fewer crowds. Puglia travel is on the rise so if you’re eager to soak in a special part of Southern Italy, hop on one of our Puglia tours before it hits the mainstream.
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