Bari, the capital, is a city of contrasts. Its old town, with the Basilica of San Nicola, smells of freshly baked bread and Adriatic salt. Women still knead pasta in the streets, and the murmur of cafés fills the squares as evening falls. From there, the journey inland leads to Alberobello, Puglia’s most famous postcard image. The trulli—those conical white stone houses—stand aligned as if part of an ancient tale. Sleeping in one, beneath a dry-stone roof, feels almost magical.
The route continues through Locorotondo and Cisternino, whitewashed towns that seem to float above the hills. On their terraces, the air is pure and the silence broken only by the peal of church bells. Along the coast, Polignano a Mare surprises with its cliffs over turquoise waters and narrow alleys where the scent of fresh fish guides the way. Further south, Lecce—the “Florence of the Baroque”—dazzles with its churches carved from golden stone, a stage that transforms each night under the warm glow of street lamps.
The charm of Salento and its blue horizon
Salento is a promise fulfilled: beaches that change colour with the hour, hidden coves among cliffs, and small villages where summer seems eternal. In Torre Sant’Andrea, rock formations rise from the sea like natural sculptures. In Santa Maria di Leuca—the point where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet—the horizon stretches endlessly.
Here, days are measured by light. Slow mornings by the sea, long siestas, and sunsets that tint the walls a soft orange. Along the coast, nightlife keeps its local soul: bars facing the harbour, open-air concerts, craft markets. Everything unfolds without hurry, without artifice.
Flavours that tell the story of a land
Speaking of Puglia without mentioning its cuisine would be impossible. Its food is anextension of the land: simple, honest, and full of nuance. Olive oil, fresh vegetables, handmade pasta, and wine are the protagonists of a story told through every dish.
One of the most complete experiences for discovering this connection between landscape and flavour is the wine tours in Puglia with PugliadeiTrulli, which combine tastings in restored trulli with walks through the vineyards of the Itria Valley. It’s a slow way to understand the region: a glass of local wine, a piece of bread with freshly pressed olive oil, and the sound of wind through the olive trees.
In the trattorie, orecchiette con cime di rapa, polpette al sugo, or parmigiana di melanzane speak of a humble cuisine that preserves the taste of home. On the coast, fishermen still set the daily rhythm with their nets and boats, ensuring that the sea continues to reach the tables fresh every day.
A southern land that invites you to stay
Puglia doesn’t need grand speeches to charm. A walk through a market, an afternoon by the sea, or an impromptu chat with someone offering coffee on a terrace is enough. In its towns, time is measured differently; beauty isn’t sought—it simply appears.
Perhaps that’s why so many travellers return. Because, deep down, what Puglia offers isn’t just rest, but a different way of seeing the world. A place where travel becomes an experience that doesn’t end when you return home—it keeps echoing, like a song you never forget.
