10 Best Things to Do
Puglia stretches from the wooded Gargano peninsula to the harbours and beaches of Salento. Inland, olive groves surround whitewashed towns and the stone trulli of the Valle d’Itria; along the coast, Trani, Monopoli and Otranto reward time on foot. Lecce is the place for Baroque architecture, while converted masserie offer space to settle into the countryside. Choose two or more bases for a longer trip: the region is too extensive to explore comfortably from one hotel.
Walk through Alberobello’s trulli districts
Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello’s conical stone roofs are worth seeing beyond the familiar photograph. Walk through the busy Rione Monti, then continue into Aia Piccola, where the trulli remain a residential neighbourhood. The Museo del Territorio adds context to the building tradition, while the Belvedere Santa Lucia gives a wider view across the town. Allow time to explore on foot and keep voices low around private homes, especially away from the main shopping streets.
Distinctive local architecture
Explore Baroque Lecce
Lecce, Italy
Lecce rewards a slow walk between its churches, courtyards and pale-stone palaces. Start around Piazza del Duomo, continue to the richly decorated façade of Santa Croce, and leave time for the smaller streets between them. Piazza Sant’Oronzo adds another layer of the city’s history. Late afternoon is a particularly pleasant time to explore in warmer months; check individual church visiting arrangements if you want to go inside rather than simply admire the exteriors.
Architecture and city walks
Wander Ostuni’s old town
Ostuni, Italy
Ostuni’s old town climbs through whitewashed lanes towards its cathedral, with olive groves spreading across the surrounding landscape. Follow the smaller passages and stairways as well as the main route, stopping to look back through openings towards the countryside. The cathedral’s late-medieval façade provides a useful destination for the walk. Wear shoes suited to uneven paving, and plan a gentle pace: the appeal lies in the streets and changing views rather than a long checklist.
Whitewashed streets and hilltop views
See Polignano a Mare from the clifftops
Polignano a Mare, Italy
Polignano a Mare’s old streets open suddenly onto views of the Adriatic, with houses rising straight from the cliff. Enter through the Arco Marchesale and wander towards the overlooks before walking to the bridge above Lama Monachile. The small cove below is especially busy in summer, so an early visit gives more room to enjoy the setting. A separate boat outing can reveal the caves beneath the town when sea conditions and departures allow.
Coastal views and an old-town walk
Visit Castel del Monte
Andria countryside, Italy
Castel del Monte stands alone above the countryside near Andria, its octagonal plan repeated in the courtyard and corner towers. Built for Frederick II, it brings together architectural influences that make it unlike a conventional defensive castle. Walk around the exterior before going inside to appreciate the geometry and the surrounding landscape. Check the museum’s current admission arrangements before travelling, and consider a guide if you want help separating the documented history from the many theories.
Medieval architecture
Walk Trani’s harbour and cathedral quarter
Trani, Italy
Trani’s harbour walk leads towards one of Puglia’s most striking cathedral settings, with the Romanesque building standing beside the sea. Continue towards the Swabian castle, then turn into the historic streets to see another side of the town, including the former Jewish quarter. This is a rewarding place to explore without rushing between monuments. Combine the walk with a meal nearby, checking opening arrangements separately for any church, museum or castle interior you want to visit.
A coastal town with architectural depth
Discover Otranto’s old town and cathedral
Otranto, Italy
Otranto combines a compact fortified centre with sea views and an exceptional cathedral interior. Make time for the floor mosaic, whose branching Tree of Life gathers biblical scenes, animals and medieval stories into a remarkable composition. The small church of San Pietro adds a Byzantine layer to the visit, while the castle and waterfront complete a varied walk. Check church visiting hours and services before planning your day, and dress appropriately for places of worship.
Medieval art beside the Adriatic
Walk in Foresta Umbra
Gargano National Park, Italy
Foresta Umbra offers a different Puglia, with dense woodland replacing the region’s familiar olive groves and coastal towns. The national park’s marked paths provide several ways to explore, including routes around Laghetto d’Umbra and towards Falascone. Use the visitor information point and current trail maps to choose a walk suited to your time and ability. Bring suitable footwear and water, and treat this as a Gargano outing rather than a quick detour from southern Salento.
Woodland walks
Stroll around Locorotondo
Locorotondo, Italy
Locorotondo’s white houses gather around a rounded hilltop centre, their pointed cummerse roofs distinguishing them from the nearby trulli. Wander past flower-filled balconies and small churches, then follow Via Nardelli for views over the Valle d’Itria. Palazzo Morelli and the church of San Giorgio give the walk a few architectural landmarks without turning it into a hurried tour. Leave time simply to enjoy the lanes, particularly towards evening when the surrounding countryside changes colour.
A quieter Valle d’Itria village
Explore Gallipoli’s island old town
Gallipoli, Italy
Gallipoli’s historic centre occupies an island linked to the newer town by a bridge. Cross into the old streets and make your way between the castle, the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the church of Santa Maria della Purità, leaving time for the sea-facing edges of the town. It offers a rewarding contrast to the beach-focused coastline outside. Visit individual interiors according to their opening arrangements, then stay for dinner or an evening walk beside the water.
Ionian Sea views and historic streets