Puglia Review
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  • Things to see in Puglia
    • Cities of Puglia >
      • Bari
      • Lecce
      • Brindisi
      • Taranto
      • Foggia
      • Trani
      • Barletta
      • Andria
    • Scenic Towns of Puglia >
      • Seaside Towns of Puglia >
        • Polignano A Mare
        • Vieste
        • Otranto
        • Gallipoli
        • Santa Maria al Bagno
        • Peschici
        • Santa Caterina
        • Rodi Garganico
        • Castro
        • Manfredonia
        • Torre dell'Orso
        • Santa Maria di Leuca
        • Campomarino
        • Mattinata
        • Santa Cesarea Terme
        • Porto Cesareo
        • Margherita di Savoia
      • Historic Towns of Puglia >
        • Alberobello
        • Altamura
        • Martina Franca
        • Conversano
        • Gravina in Puglia
        • Bitonto
        • Ruvo di Puglia
        • Lucera
        • San Severo
        • Cerignola
        • Massafra
        • Gioia del Colle
        • Canosa di Puglia
        • Castellaneta
      • Puglia's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Locorotondo
        • Cisternino
        • Bovino
        • Vico del Gargano
        • Specchia
        • Presicce
        • Pietramontecorvino
        • Roseto Valfortore
        • Alberona
      • Towns of Salento >
        • Galatina >
          • Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
        • Tricase
        • Nardo
        • Cavallino
        • Copertino
        • Ugento
        • Avetrana
        • Manduria
        • Maglie
        • Acaya
        • San Pancrazio Salentino
        • Muro Leccese
        • Oria
        • Andrano
        • Grottaglie
        • Soleto
      • Fishing Towns of Puglia >
        • Giovinazzo
        • Bisceglie
        • Monopoli
        • Molfetta
      • Hill Towns of Puglia >
        • Ostuni
        • Monte Sant'Angelo
        • San Giovanni Rotondo
        • Selva di Fasano
      • Orange Flag Towns of Puglia >
        • Corigliano d'Otranto
        • Troia
        • Rocchetta Sant'Antonio
        • Orsara di Puglia
        • Sant'Agata di Puglia
    • Beaches of Puglia >
      • Salento Beaches >
        • Torre Sant'Andrea
        • San Foca
        • Mulino d'Acqua Bay
        • Roca
        • Porto Selvaggio
        • Porto Badisco
        • Costa Merlata
        • Baia dei Turchi
        • Grotta della Poesia
        • Marina Serra
        • Punta Prosciutto
        • Cala di Grotta Monaca
        • San Pietro in Bevagna
        • Pescoluse
        • Torre Lapillo
        • San Cataldo
        • Punta Pizzo
      • Gargano Beaches >
        • Baia delle Zagare
        • Vignanotica Beach
        • Baia San Felice
        • Pugnochiuso
        • Isola di Campi
        • Arco di San Felice
        • Portogreco
        • Cala Campi
        • Scoglio di Portonuovo
        • Spiaggia di Mattinatella
        • Torre Mileto
    • Tremiti Islands >
      • San Domino
      • San Nicola
      • Capraia
      • Cretaccio
    • Natural Sights of Puglia >
      • Cava di Bauxite
      • Alimini Lakes >
        • Alimini Grande Lake
        • Alimini Piccolo Lake
      • Lake Varano
    • Parks of Puglia >
      • Gargano National Park
      • Alta Murgia National Park
      • Torre Guaceto
    • Archaeological Sites of Puglia >
      • Roca Vecchia
      • Cannae
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puglia >
      • Castel Del Monte
  • Travel
    • Puglia Airports >
      • Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport
      • Brindisi Salento Airport
    • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
  • Puglia Hotels
  • Puglia
    • Provinces of Puglia >
      • Metropolitan City of Bari
      • Barletta Andria Trani
      • Brindisi Province
      • Foggia Province
      • Lecce Province
      • Taranto Province
    • Regions of Puglia >
      • Salento
      • Gargano Peninsula
      • Tavoliere delle Puglia
      • Valle d'Itria

Puglia​

Puglia


Affectionately referred to as the "heel of Italy" if we think of the country as a shape of a boot, Puglia is a sun-kissed land of beaches, history and breathtaking scenery. 

Apulia, to use its anglicised form, occupies the south-east corner of Italy, with the Adriatic coast to its east, and a verdant hinterland bordering Molise, Campania and Basilicata to its west. 

At its southernmost point, the seaside town of Santa Maria di Leuca, the Adriatic gives way to the Ionian Sea. 
It's on the Adriatic Coast that most of Puglia's bigger cities lie, including its capital: Bari. One of the most important port cities in Italy, Bari is the maritime departure point for crossings to the Balkan countries of Croatia and Albania, or further south to Greece. Bari Vecchia, the old town, is a tantalising web of narrow streets housing its most famous sight, the Basilica di San Nicola. 

South of Bari is another port, one that's been an important trade-post since Roman times when it was called Brundisium. Modern-day Brindisi now sees ferries cross to and from Greece and is also known as the southernmost point along the Appian Way, the Via Appia which led all the way to Rome in Ancient times. 

For many people, the most beautiful city in Puglia is Lecce. It stands at the heart of the southern section of Puglia, an area known as the Salento. Lecce is famed for its Baroque architecture and historic sights which include a Roman Amphitheatre and the beautiful Basilica di Santa Croce. Its main square, Piazza del Duomo, is considered among the finest in Italy. 

The Salento is a firm favourite among holidaymakers, not only because of beautiful Lecce, but for its multitude of beaches where the water dazzles in shades of blue and turquoise. Its main seaside towns include Gallipoli on the Ionian coast, and Otranto on the opposing Adriatic, while smaller towns such as Castro and Santa Maria al Bagno are just two of many that merit exploration. Using any of Lecce, Gallipoli or Otranto as a base, you can take one of the most scenic drives in Italy exploring the towns and beaches of the Salento's coastal roads. 

Further north, in the Province of Foggia, the Gargano Peninsula is one of Italy's national parks but also one of its main tourist destinations, offering a beautiful coastline and a range of seaside towns. Most eye-catching among these is Vieste with its charming promontory, flanked by expansive beaches of golden sand on either side. Rodi Garganico and Peschici represent two nearby alternative seaside towns as well as a route across to the Tremiti Islands. Consisting of four tiny islands, the Tremitis are a favourite destination for Italians who are attracted by their crystalline waters. perfect for cooling down in the hot summers. 

There are six provinces in Puglia, one of which is an amalgam of three cities: Barletta-Andria-Trani. The first of those, Barletta, is a coastal town full of history with a large Swabian castle and one of the finest cathedrals in Puglia. The city of Andria is less-heralded but enjoys close proximity to the intriguing Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The third city, Trani, is a beautiful fishing port with its own famous cathedral and one of the most picturesque locations in the region. 

​South of Trani, a clutch of smaller fishing villages arrive one after the other: Bisceglie, Molfetta and Giovinazzo, each one a postcard image of Puglia where little fishing vessels glide above colourful seas. Continue south, past Bari and you find another of Puglia's favourite seaside towns: Polignano a Mare. The town's characteristic centro storico (historic centre) combined with its tiny bay where the water glows blue, make it one of the must-see locations in the region. 

Away from the seaside and coastal areas, another UNESCO site and one that uniquely captures the essence of Puglia, is Alberobello. In an area known as the Valle d'Itria, Alberobello is the main town and the focus of its charming Trulli houses. The Trulli can be seen throughout the immediate area but not in quite the dramatic way as in Alberobello which also offers the possibility of accommodation in the traditional homes. 

Another firm inland favourite is the hill town of Ostuni. Situated in the Province of Brindisi, it's known as the "White City", Città Bianca in Italian. The attractive white-washed streets and houses of the town offer a glimpse of life in Puglia back to its Greek roots when it was one of the most important regions of the wider, Magna Graecia, which also included neighbouring Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily.

​Puglia welcomes visitors with two international airports: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport serves the capital, while the best option for those heading south is the Brindisi Salento Airport. One of the best ways to explore Puglia is by renting a car, or indeed brining your own, which allows you the freedom of reaching some of the smaller towns and beaches of the Salento and the Gargano Peninsula for example. Trains and buses do also run but are more efficient in and around the larger cities. 

​Regional capital: Bari

Regional population: 4,029,053

Size: 19,358 km²

Provinces: 6

Highlights: ​Salento, Gargano Peninsula, Alberobello, Ostuni

Regional borders with: Molise, Campania, Basilicata


Provinces  of  Puglia

Picture
Manfredonia, Foggia Province

Regions  of  Puglia

Picture
Olive Groves in the Salento

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Puglia Review is part of the Italy Review network of websites, aimed at making life easier for English-speaking people travelling throughout Italy.
For advice on other locations in Italy please visit my websites below:
Ischia Review
Basilicata Review
Capri Island Review
Veneto Review
Amalfi Coast Review
Abruzzo Review
Sorrento Review
Procida Review

Picture

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Puglia Review logo are the property of Puglia Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is the property of Puglia Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
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  • Things to see in Puglia
    • Cities of Puglia >
      • Bari
      • Lecce
      • Brindisi
      • Taranto
      • Foggia
      • Trani
      • Barletta
      • Andria
    • Scenic Towns of Puglia >
      • Seaside Towns of Puglia >
        • Polignano A Mare
        • Vieste
        • Otranto
        • Gallipoli
        • Santa Maria al Bagno
        • Peschici
        • Santa Caterina
        • Rodi Garganico
        • Castro
        • Manfredonia
        • Torre dell'Orso
        • Santa Maria di Leuca
        • Campomarino
        • Mattinata
        • Santa Cesarea Terme
        • Porto Cesareo
        • Margherita di Savoia
      • Historic Towns of Puglia >
        • Alberobello
        • Altamura
        • Martina Franca
        • Conversano
        • Gravina in Puglia
        • Bitonto
        • Ruvo di Puglia
        • Lucera
        • San Severo
        • Cerignola
        • Massafra
        • Gioia del Colle
        • Canosa di Puglia
        • Castellaneta
      • Puglia's Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia >
        • Locorotondo
        • Cisternino
        • Bovino
        • Vico del Gargano
        • Specchia
        • Presicce
        • Pietramontecorvino
        • Roseto Valfortore
        • Alberona
      • Towns of Salento >
        • Galatina >
          • Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
        • Tricase
        • Nardo
        • Cavallino
        • Copertino
        • Ugento
        • Avetrana
        • Manduria
        • Maglie
        • Acaya
        • San Pancrazio Salentino
        • Muro Leccese
        • Oria
        • Andrano
        • Grottaglie
        • Soleto
      • Fishing Towns of Puglia >
        • Giovinazzo
        • Bisceglie
        • Monopoli
        • Molfetta
      • Hill Towns of Puglia >
        • Ostuni
        • Monte Sant'Angelo
        • San Giovanni Rotondo
        • Selva di Fasano
      • Orange Flag Towns of Puglia >
        • Corigliano d'Otranto
        • Troia
        • Rocchetta Sant'Antonio
        • Orsara di Puglia
        • Sant'Agata di Puglia
    • Beaches of Puglia >
      • Salento Beaches >
        • Torre Sant'Andrea
        • San Foca
        • Mulino d'Acqua Bay
        • Roca
        • Porto Selvaggio
        • Porto Badisco
        • Costa Merlata
        • Baia dei Turchi
        • Grotta della Poesia
        • Marina Serra
        • Punta Prosciutto
        • Cala di Grotta Monaca
        • San Pietro in Bevagna
        • Pescoluse
        • Torre Lapillo
        • San Cataldo
        • Punta Pizzo
      • Gargano Beaches >
        • Baia delle Zagare
        • Vignanotica Beach
        • Baia San Felice
        • Pugnochiuso
        • Isola di Campi
        • Arco di San Felice
        • Portogreco
        • Cala Campi
        • Scoglio di Portonuovo
        • Spiaggia di Mattinatella
        • Torre Mileto
    • Tremiti Islands >
      • San Domino
      • San Nicola
      • Capraia
      • Cretaccio
    • Natural Sights of Puglia >
      • Cava di Bauxite
      • Alimini Lakes >
        • Alimini Grande Lake
        • Alimini Piccolo Lake
      • Lake Varano
    • Parks of Puglia >
      • Gargano National Park
      • Alta Murgia National Park
      • Torre Guaceto
    • Archaeological Sites of Puglia >
      • Roca Vecchia
      • Cannae
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puglia >
      • Castel Del Monte
  • Travel
    • Puglia Airports >
      • Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport
      • Brindisi Salento Airport
    • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
  • Puglia Hotels
  • Puglia
    • Provinces of Puglia >
      • Metropolitan City of Bari
      • Barletta Andria Trani
      • Brindisi Province
      • Foggia Province
      • Lecce Province
      • Taranto Province
    • Regions of Puglia >
      • Salento
      • Gargano Peninsula
      • Tavoliere delle Puglia
      • Valle d'Itria