How to get there:

The closest airport is in Brindisi, slightly further away you also find Bari airport.

We reccomend renting a car as it is the easiest way to explore the area. And you should explore it when you´re already here, there are so many beautiful things to see.

Puglia travel tips:

The northern part of Puglia:

• Bari - a bigger, main city with a very pretty old town where you also find the famous via Delle Oricchiette where Italian grandmas make Oricchiette (the local parta) right in front of you!

• Polignano a mare  - a very unique place to visit, the beach in the old town « La Monachile» is rocky but the view is stunning! You cannot not taste the Panino col Polpo (octopus) in Pescaria Monopoli (5 mins with train away from Polignano a Mare, less touristy and I think also nicer), great for an aperitivo at sunset. 

• Alberobello - A small, striking town in the region of Bari, famous for its unique Trullo buildings. They are dry stone huts with cornical roofs, originally constructed as temporary field shelters, however many are still standing several hundred years later. Absolutely worth a visit!

• Locorotondo - another gorgeous city to visit!

• Ostuni - gets in nickname «the white city» from the ancient white-washed walls on the buildings of its historic center. Perfect for a romantic dinner and has a very active night life on summer days.

Salento: 

• Otranto - Italy´s eastermost city with a very rich history. 

• Grotta della Poesia, «Cave of poetry» near the fishing village San Foca. A natural swimming pool known for its crystal clear, turquoise water surrounded by limestone cliffs.

• Cava di Bauxite - in former times a quarry, these days a cool viewpoint of emrald green water surrounded by red rock. Its a nice walk around the lake, a very unique landscape. 

• Lecce - A very charming city with Baroque architecture, nicknamed «the Florence of the South», built entirely from a special kind of local limestone, giving it quite a striking look. It is filled with cosy cafes, bars and restaurants, it also has a rich history and a number of historical buildings and churches worth visiting - something for everyone.

• Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea, spectacular rock formations, perfect for a nice walk if you wanna take a break from just beaches!

• Santa cesarea terme - a spa town built around thermal springs and natural caves with mineral-rich waters. 

• Castro marina - a rocky, seaside town nestled within a picturesque bay. A lovely place to rent a boat.

• Santa Caterina and  Santa Maria al Bagno are another two cute cities worth visiting.

• Santa Maria di Leuca - the southernmost part of Puglia. 

The ionic side:

More known for its sandy, white beaches. Compared to the Adrianic sea it is also much more calm and generally much better for swimming. 

A couple really beautiful beaches are Torre lapillo and Punta prosciutto. There are also several nice hotels by the sea here, linked under «Accomodations - At the Beach»!

Porto Cesareo and Gallipoli are a cute little cities with a beaches right in the middle of them.

Bonus (not in Puglia):

Matera - not exactly in Puglia but very close if you decide to stay around Bari. It is a town built completely into the stone, where you can stay or eat literally inside caves.