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Puglia – in the sunny heel of Italy – is a place of whitewashed towns, ancient olive groves and long coastlines on the Adriatic and Ionian seas. This region is famous for the Trulli of Alberobello, the baroque beauty of Lecce and hilltop Ostuni with its gleaming white streets. Beaches range from quiet coves to wide, sandy bays – perfect for lazy days and sunset strolls.
Summers here are hot and dry, with dazzling blue skies, while spring and autumn are delightfully mild – perfect for unhurried exploring. Pugliesi (local residents) are famously welcoming, with a strong respect for tradition and a wonderfully relaxed way of life.
A Puglia holiday is all about simple pleasures done well. Enjoy simple and seasonal food – think hand-shaped pasta with garden greens, creamy burrata and freshly caught seafood. Taste some of Italy’s best olive oil and sip local Primitivo and Negroamaro wines.
Puglia tours make exploring easy. Guided itineraries can include olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations, and visits to Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce and the prehistoric houses carved into Matera’s hillsides. With expert guides and relaxed schedules, you’ll see more without rushing. Puglia offers sunshine, flavour and timeless charm – an Italian guided tour you’ll remember long after you return.
These two spectacular regions in Italy’s heel abound with incredible sights. Look out for traditional Trulli houses, Sassi cave dwellings and ornate Baroque buildings.
UNESCO-listed Alberobello resembles a scene from a fairytale with its limestone, cone-roofed buildings, known as ‘Trulli houses’, which have been built since the 14th century. Its narrow lanes lined with tiny chapels and craft shops invite visitors to wander slowly, pausing to taste local olive oils and liqueurs. Stay for sunset to see the rooftops glow.
Known as the ‘Florence of the South,’ Lecce dazzles with its complex 17th-century Baroque architecture. See the Roman amphitheatre, ornate churches and elegant palaces, then relax in its café-lined squares to soak in the ambience. Watch artisans make traditional papier-mâché figures and enjoy bold local wines and custard-filled pasticciotti pastries.
Nicknamed the ‘White City’, Ostuni crowns a hill above silver-hued olive groves and the Adriatic Sea. Its maze of whitewashed alleys and sunlit terraces invites leisurely wandering. Shop in small boutiques, relax on nearby sandy beaches, and enjoy an aperitivo with sea views.
Trani charms everyone with its curved harbour and pale limestone buildings. Visit the historic Giudecca quarter, eat fresh seafood in small trattorias and walk the marina as fishing boats gently bob in the water.
In the heart of the Valle d’Itria, Martina Franca is known for its elegant Baroque palaces and pretty piazzas. Wander arcaded streets, sample the famous capocollo and local wines and admire pastel doorways framed by romantic wrought-iron balconies.
Locorotondo is a serene base amid vineyards and trulli-dotted countryside. Its circular old town is a pristine tangle of whitewashed lanes and flower-decked balconies, offering travellers the opportunity to get lost in one of Puglia’s prettiest towns. Look up to spot its distinctive pointed and sloping ‘cummerse’ roofs, then relax in a quaint café to sip crisp white wine.
While not strictly in Puglia – it’s located in nearby Basilicata – Matera is well worth a visit. This UNESCO city lets you step into the past. Explore ancient Sassi districts – cave dwellings carved into a ravine – and see rock-hewn churches with faded frescoes. The cave homes, transformed into stylish restaurants, offer a glimpse into history, and the sweeping views of the wild Murgia landscape are stunning.
Visitors to the regional capital can explore the Basilica of St Nicholas, stroll the seafront of Lungomare for a sense of Bari’s maritime heritage, and watch grandmothers hand-roll orecchiette pasta in the lanes. You could never be bored in this bustling Adriatic port, with theatres, galleries and seafood restaurants seemingly at every turn.
Direct flights from the UK to Bari or Brindisi take around three hours. On the Puglia and Basilicata guided tour, you’ll fly from London directly to Bari.
Your Holiday Director will be on hand to manage all the transfers so you can relax knowing the journey to your hotel will be smooth and hassle free.
Expect long, bright days and a gentle sea breeze. Summer is hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 33 °C. Spring and autumn are warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 25°C – perfect for unhurried exploration. Winter is milder and quieter, with cooler evenings and the chance of showers.
Puglia is in the Central European Time zone, which is one hour ahead of the UK. It switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST) in the summer and stays one hour ahead of British Summer Time.
The style of cuisine Puglia is best known for is cucina povera, a style of cooking that focuses on simple flavours and seasonal, local ingredients.
Hand-crafted orecchiette is a must-try, especially when served with cime di rapa, a slightly bitter green that resembles broccoli. Silky burrata and stracciatella cheeses served with fresh focaccia, rustic friselle, and cheese-stuffed bombette – small, flavourful meat rolls – from the Valle d’Itria are delicious as a light lunch. For dinner, indulge in grilled Adriatic seafood for an authentic taste of Puglian life.
In Puglia, no meal is complete without a splash of limoncello or almond liqueur at the end.
Puglia is particularly well-known for its red wines, specifically Primitivo and Negroamaro. Primitivo is rich and ripe, with dark fruit notes, a hint of sweet spice, and a smooth, full-bodied character. Negroamaro is darker and more savoury, with bramble berry flavours and gentle herbal notes.
Puglia is full of memorable experiences and sights that bring the region to life. They include:
Trullo Sovrano, Alberobello – Step inside the only two-storey trullo to see how these conical homes were built and furnished, then climb for a charming rooftop view.
Basilica di Santa Croce, Lecce – Feast your eyes on exuberant Baroque design, with lions, cherubs and garlands carved in warm stone, paired with a grand rose window that glows at golden hour.
Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, Matera – In nearby Basilicata, this furnished cave-home reveals daily life of the Sassi – compact, ingenious and atmospheric.
Included in our optional excursions, you might also choose to visit:
Ostuni viewpoints – Follow whitewashed lanes to the hilltop terraces for sweeping Adriatic panoramas and a perfect spot for sunset photos.
Castel del Monte, Andria – A UNESCO-listed, perfectly octagonal castle on a hill with wide views over the Murgia.
Trani Cathedral – A pale limestone landmark by the sea; step inside for cool Romanesque calm and see the detailed bronze doors.
British passport holders can visit Italy visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your entire Travelsphere trip and meets the current UK and EU entry requirements.
Check the latest FCDO guidance before you travel.
The euro is used throughout Puglia. Cards are widely accepted in towns and sights, but it's a good idea to carry some cash for cafés, markets, and tips. ATMs are easy to find.
Tipping isn’t required, but it’s appreciated.
In restaurants, round up the bill or leave about 5–10% as a tip for good service. At bars and for porterage, a euro or two is a nice gesture of thanks.
When packing for a tour of Puglia, consider your comfort. You may want to pack comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones and uphill streets, as well as light layers and sun protection.
Bring swimwear for your time by the coast, as well as a scarf or light cover-up for visiting the region’s beautiful churches. A light jacket for breezy evenings by the sea is also a good idea.
