Puglia, located in southern Italy, is a region rich in history, culture and natural beauty. With its varied landscapes, magnificent beaches and picturesque villages, this region is a destination of choice for lovers of authentic discoveries. Here is our selection of the 15 most beautiful villages in Puglia, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
1. Otranto
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the Orient" because of its position at the very tip of the Adriatic, Otranto is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Puglia. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, it has a very special charm and is bathed in the atmosphere characteristic of the ancient trading towns that lined the Mediterranean. To discover its old town center, you need to lose yourself in the maze of alleyways leading up to the ramparts overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Its monuments bear witness to the city's past grandeur, and its cathedral boasts a floor covered with an exceptional 12th-century mosaic, adorned with fantastic animals, mythological beings and holy images. Despite its tourist appeal, the town retains a family dimension, aided by a delightful seafront, with high cliffs and splendid beaches.
2. Lecce, one of Italy's most beautiful villages
Lecce is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and a must-see: what can we say about the amazement of a traveler discovering Lecce for the first time? Indeed, it's unthinkable to visit Puglia without stopping off in this magnificent town, just as it would be inconceivable to discover Tuscany without a visit to Florence. A veritable open-air museum protected by its monumental gates, the capital of Salento is a faithful reflection of a golden age in Puglia, that of Leccese Baroque, which in the 17th century breathed new life into medieval monuments. All Lecce's buildings bear the stamp of this refined style, far removed from Roman monumentality, whose irony and taste for whimsical ornamentation lend the city a fascinating lightness. All this is enhanced by pietra leccese, the blond limestone used in the construction of churches and palaces, whose color changes with the day, from dewy at dawn to honey-colored at dusk. Lecce is like a stage set, at once frozen and alive, seductive and surprising.
3. Ostuni
Nicknamed the "whitest city in the world", Ostuni is, according to its inhabitants, the "città bianca", a mirage of light and lime. Perched on three hills, Ostuni is surrounded by a vast countryside of olive groves, fig trees and vineyards, just a stone's throw from the Adriatic Sea. The town has no shortage of historical treasures : an ancient Stulnium mentioned by Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy, a town of Messapian origin, its monuments reflect its different periods: from the Messapian acropolis to the surrounding walls built by the Angevins, not forgetting the beautiful cathedral and rococo-style churches. Ostuni can be visited in half a day at most, but you'll probably want to stay longer, just for the pleasure of getting lost in its white streets. Plan to spend at least one evening here, to admire the sunset over the golden city and the sea of olive trees that surrounds it and disappears into the horizon.
4. Alberobello, one of Puglia's most beautiful villages
Alberobello is one of Europe's Unesco World Heritage Sites. Considered the "capital of trulli", Alberobello is a surprisingly small town. Listed as a World Heritage Site since 1996, it looks like something out of a film set, with hundreds of trulli forming a village. Since 1996, tourism has grown steadily, and the atmosphere is no exception: the trulli have been converted into restaurants, hotels and souvenir stores selling products typical of the region. At the height of summer, the atmosphere can turn a little amusement park-like, but the charm of the little conical roofs continues to work in these steep alleyways. Despite its caricature, you're sure to come away from your visit enchanted.
See also our article on What to do and see in Bari 13 must-sees
5. Locorotondo
Like Alberobello, Locorotondo is famous for its trulli andis one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia. The town is built in the shape of a circle (hence its name), perched on a plateau 410 meters above sea level. It is characterized by its pointed dry-stone roofs, the cummerse, its narrow streets paved with chianche (local stone) and its low whitewashed houses, creating a picturesque landscape emblematic of the towns in the valley. Locorotondo is less affected by mass tourism than its neighbor Alberobello. And yet, this is where you'll find the largest number of trulli, but here they're scattered throughout the contrade (rural settlements on the outskirts of towns).
6. Monopoli, one of Puglia's most beautiful villages
What a surprisingly charming town, with its old town, ramparts and winding cobblestone streets! Of Greek origin, Monopoli means "unique city". Under Venetian rule since 1484, the city has enjoyed an economic boom and has distinguished itself as a port city, alongside Bari and Brindisi. The historic center is characterized by its churches, which appear unexpectedly in the heart of the alleyways, and whose yellow tufa stone contrasts with the whiteness of the houses. A stone archway leads to the small port with its red and blue boats, bordered by a palace with an elegant neo-Gothic loggia and Charles V's castle.
7. Vieste
Vieste is a cliff-hanging fishing village that has become one of the Gargano's most popular tourist destinations. Today, this small town is referred to as the "capital of the Gargano", and is an important center for commercial activities (fishing and agriculture) and tourism. The historic center, with its narrow arcaded streets and staircases, is very picturesque in some places, modern and airy in others, thanks to wide avenues. Dominated by its castle, built under Frederick II, Vieste is today a renowned fishing port and seaside resort. Its wide sandy beaches and top-class facilities cater to a rather upscale tourist clientele. It's advisable to visit Vieste in mid-season, with May and late September being the most pleasant times.
See also our article "Italy's 15 most beautiful villages".
8. Peschici
This is one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia. Perched on a rocky promontory, Peschici, smaller and less frequented than Vieste, but just as captivating, is a fishing village that shelters the ruins of a Norman castle and its tower (Rocca Imperiale). Founded in 970 by Sueripolo, chief of the Slavonic tribe, the village's historic center is made up of low, domed houses. Successive invaders have occupied these fortifications, leaving behind vestiges such as walls and arches. Peschici boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the coast, punctuated by the silhouettes of the trabucchi: Calenella cove, San Nicola bay, Manaccora bay...
9. Gravina in Puglia
Gravina, which means "crevasse" in Italian, offers an astonishing backdrop: a canyon dotted with caves. The entire area, visible from the terrace in front of the city's cathedral, is carved out by torrents from the Basilicata region. At the center of the crevasse is one of Puglia's largest underground churches, the Church of San Michele. The town itself seems to have been carved out of the rock, so omnipresent is it between the facades of the houses. The town is dominated by the cathedral, which dates back to Norman times, but was rebuilt with a Renaissance facade in the 15th century.
10. Matera, the pearl of Puglia
For a trip away from the crowds in Italy, we recommend a stopover in Matera, located in the south of the country and unquestionably one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia. Nestled in the heart of the Basilicata region, Matera is said to be one of the oldest towns in the world. A stroll through the town is an opportunity to admire its unmissable sassi, troglodyte dwellings carved into the cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Matera is also home to superb rock churches and other more classical clerical buildings. For unforgettable memories, it's a good idea to find the perfect spot in the area for a bird's-eye view of the town and its illuminated windows.
Discover our articles dedicated to What to do and visit in Matera? The 19 must-sees and What to do and see in Basilicata? The 13 must-sees.
11. Lucera
Lucera is a remarkable town in the Tavoliere region, distinguished by its Angevin fortress overlooking the plain. One of its particular features is that all its streets are entirely cobbled, giving it a unique charm. In the early afternoon, when the streets are empty, Lucera resembles a stage deprived of its actors. Despite the absence of life, the beauty of the scenery remains intact, creating a peaceful, picturesque atmosphere.
We also recommenda visit to Troia, 20 km south of Lucera, for its 11th-centuryByzantine-influenced cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful in Puglia!
12. Altamura
A town of agriculture, art and history, Altamura was marked by the fate of Emperor Frederick II. After the destruction wrought by the Saracens, he had the town rebuilt, bringing together Latin, Greek and Jewish populations. He also endowed the city with an imposing cathedral, which still dominates the site. Nicknamed "the lioness of Puglia" for its historical acts of resistance, Altamura is also world-famous for the production of a wide variety of breads, which can be tasted in one of its panetterie (bakeries). Nearby is the Lamalunga cave, where the Altamura man, who lived 200,000 years ago, was discovered.
13. Martina Franca
From the hinterland of Bari, the Itria Valley stretches into the province of Taranto, culminating in the beautiful Apulian village of Martina Franca. In a region where trulli are the main attraction, Martina Franca elegantly reveals its Baroque and Rococo palaces. The scenery is made up of strollable stone streets, offering an impression of grandeur that evokes a noble past. The old town can be explored on a stroll, with unexpected discoveries of sumptuous Baroque facades. A lively shopping center and gourmet stopover, Martina Franca is a baroque introduction to Lecce.
14. Cisternino
Along with Locorotondo, Cisternino is one of the most authentic of the Itria Valley's small villages, despite the summer tourist crowds. You'll come without prejudice, but you'll want to stay. Indeed, the town is enchanting, with its small whitewashed houses and streets alive with jazz bands in summer. The village has remained virtually untouched for centuries, with its Torre Amati, a Norman tower (via San Quirico), hidden courtyards, narrow streets and little staircases leading to terraces. At the entrance to the village, piazza Garibaldi offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, with its hills and conical trulli.
15. Polignano a Mare, one of Puglia's most beautiful villages
Built on the ancient Greek city of Neapolis, Polignano was a county that became Venetian in 1506. It's a charming seaside resort whose medieval center is perched on a rocky peak 25 meters high. The panorama is spectacular, with the white stone of the steep streets, the bluish transparency of the sea and the ochre cliffs from which a succession of caves can be seen. In the 1960s, Domenico Modugno's song Volare, dedicated to the town, paid it a fitting tribute. As soon as the first fine days arrive, the whole of Bari comes out to stroll through this relaxing and enchanting town. It's an essential stopover, easily accessible by train from Bari.
And to help you prepare for your stay, take a look at our article on What to eat in Italy? 20 culinary specialities to discover.
We also recommend our article Holidays in Italy: where to escape the crowds?
