Puglia & Alberobello
When exploring the Puglia region, be sure to make a stop in the enchanting town of Polignano a Mare. Its captivating allure can be found in the breathtaking cliffside houses that gracefully overlook the shimmering, crystal-clear waters. This picturesque setting creates a scene of unrivaled beauty and serenity that will leave you in awe. Equally noteworthy is the charming whitewashed village of Ostuni, often referred to as the "White City." Additionally, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello, famous for its iconic trulli houses, is an absolute must-see.
Venture further south to the city of Lecce, in the heart of the Salento Peninsula. From here, you can easily visit beautiful beaches, such as Porto Cesareo and Gallipoli, or explore the charming coastal towns of Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca.
Helpful Information
Puglia has a temperate Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers and averaging more than 300 sunny days a year making this a destination for all seasons.
Apr–Jun Spring brings the pure produce on which Puglia's famous cucina is built, strawberries and peaches will be ripening!
Jul & Aug Puglia's beaches come into their own, temperatures soar, busy with food festivals, concerts and other spectacular music events. You may even learn the local dance such as the tarantella or pizzica!
Sep & Oct The crowds have gone, the warmth lingers, best time to visit Lecce!
The main Airport in Puglia are Bari Airport (called Palese Airport) and the international airport of Brindisi, called Brindisi Casale. These are connected by bus to the centre of town and from Brindisi Airport there is also a fast coach service to Lecce, which runs several times a day and stops just outside the centre of Lecce.
Most visitors hire cars to make it easy to travel around Puglia and visit smaller destinations. Take a good road map and ask directions when in doubt.
Some of the more remote sights, particularly beaches, are not connected by public transport; bus services are scanty and it can be difficult to find information about public transport.
The little railway lines run by FSE (Ferrovie Sud Est) are one of the most scenic ways to view the countryside, and link together some of Puglia's top tourist towns including Alberobello, Lecce and Otranto. There is another private railway line to the north of Bari, and one crossing the border into Basilicata, connecting Bari with the cave-town of Matera. In addition there are national FS train services which connect most of the major towns with the rest of the Italy.
