Italy is often described as a country shaped like a boot and Puglia is based on its heel. With varying hues of green and the deep shimmering blue of the sea, the spectacular landscape makes Puglia an interesting place to visit. As you apply for an Italy visa and plan your Italy trip, include a visit to Puglia to enrich your sojourn.
Puglia produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil and is also called the breadbasket of Italy, for its large production of pasta and bread. It is also one of the largest wine-making regions in Italy. Famous for its beaches, it has the longest coastline in all of Italy. Some of the places to visit in Puglia are given below.
Ostuni:
Called the white city, Ostuni is known for its whitewashed old town. It is built on a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Wander around the town’s lanes consisting of a maze of alleyways, staircases, arches, and houses built upon houses. Reach the town center on the tip of the hill. Visit the 15th-century Gothic Cathedral. Stroll around Ostuni’s defensive walls and watch the beautiful sunset. Explore its beautiful beaches and Piazza della Liberta, Ostuni’s largest square. See the Town Hall and the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi.
Brindisi:
This is a city on the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. It is also one of the two airports in the region. Walk and explore the thriving port and admire the views. Visit the historic Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi that served as a defensive fort and protected the entrance of the port of Brindisi. The Church of Santa Maria del Casale is beautiful with stunning frescos on the walls of the interior of the church. Explore Brindisi Cathedral located in the heart of the old town. Relax on the Azzurro Beach.
Polignano A Mare:
This little old town is on a 20-meter-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. Stroll the charming, white-washed streets and explore the beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You will reach the terrace offering breathtaking views of the beautiful sea and coastline. Then walk down to the Blue Flag beach with crystal clear waters and flanked on two sides by cliffs. Visit the caves on the cliff. Relax and have a coffee on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the main square of the town.
Alberobello:
This is a small town famous for its unique trulli buildings. These curious conical-roofed whitewashed houses, built without any mortar, are only found here. UNESCO has declared Alberobello, a World Heritage site. Take a walking tour to discover the history of the Trulli buildings. Go to the Rione Monti quarter where you can see over 1,000 trulli. Enter some of the commercial trulli and observe the building yourself. Visit Trullo Sovrano, a two-story trullo converted into a museum. Sant’Antonio Church is the town’s church built in the trullo style.
Lecce:
Lecce is a city known for its baroque buildings and has the nickname Florence of the South. A large number of beautiful historical buildings like Basilica di Santa Croce and Basilica di Santa Croce prove this to be true. Wander leisurely around the beautiful squares like the Piazza del Duomo that feature gorgeous architecture. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre in the Piazza Sant’Oronzo. Lecce Castello of Charles V is a typical four-cornered defensive structure with most of its walls and towers intact. The castle has a Papier-Mache Museum and seasonal exhibitions.
Otranto:
A coastal town, Otranto is Italy’s easternmost town. The Castello Aragonese in the middle of the town, with its towering walls, is an interesting place. The Punta Palascia Lighthouse is a popular destination for the locals and tourists. The Bauxite Cave of Otranto, now a bird reserve, was an old, disused quarry. With green pond water and red soil, the landscape is unique here. The pretty harbor also has a beautiful beach.
Bari:
Bari, the capital of Puglia, is a port city. The Basilica di San Nicola, a stunning, white-limestone church, is an important pilgrimage center. Its crypt contains the remains of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, travelers, and children. Castello Svevo, which served as a renaissance for Isabella of Aragon and her daughter Bona Sforza, houses a small museum. The Cathedral of San Sabino is Bari’s main church and its facade features fascinating decorations and a gorgeous rose window. Bari Vecchia is a fascinating weave of narrow, winding alleyways.
Taranto:
Taranto is a huge commercial and military port and one of the most important cities in this area of Italy. The Aragonese Castle is one of the finest sights in Taranto and is entered via a raised walkway. The Chapel of St. Leonard is situated within its walls. The Taranto Cathedral, the Taranto Spartan Museum, and the National Archaeological Museum are all interesting places. Ponte Girevole is a bridge that stands on two large stone bases and can swing outwards to create a gap for ships to pass through. Visit the Temple of Poseidon and marvel at this remnant of the previous eras.
Locorotondo:
Called one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Locorotondo is a village of narrow rectangular townhouses with pointed gable roofs, arranged in a circle on top of a hill. Visit the historical center. You will find a maze of gorgeous whitewashed alleys with the ground paved with slabs of local cream-colored stone. The buildings are bright white and blooming flowerpots decorate the windowsill and doors. Go around the beautiful churches and spend a few hours in this beautiful village.
In Puglia, discover culinary delights, unique museums, beautiful villages, and pretty towns. While leaving the place, you will be happy that you spent these days in gorgeous Puglia.