Ranked #13 of 130 Restaurants in Alberobello. I am a Tourism Management Graduate with a passion for traveling. Aim to arrive at the headland of Santa Maria di Leuca for dusk its Puglias top spot to watch the sunset. A unique place, a cave absolutely to see in its special things. Got any questions or tips, let me know in the comments below. The system is made up of a series of large canyons and caves filled with incredible formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, concretions and fossils. It is a protected marine reserve and it is an ideal location for snorkeling and diving. If you want to taste the local delights, book this Olive Oil Tasting Tour in Ostuni. Puglia has several different faces and Cisternino is one of them. Surprisingly, if you are on a lookout for a new and original Christmas snack, Italy, in particular, Puglia, also has something to offer. In fact, you can take your other half to the narrow street of Vicolo Del Bacio, famous throughout the ages as the rendezvous street. Puglia is a delightful region in southern Italy that borders the Adriatic Sea. This is a perfect region to cycle around as it is relatively flat. Alberobello is a strange and picturesque destination, which is becoming an important fixture on the travel itineraries of tour operators as well as independent travelers. The citys old town sits on a tiny limestone island connected to the mainland by a 16th century bridge and surrounded by defensive walls dating back to the 14th century. There is more to Apulia than the traditional tourist destinations, especially for those who love to explore and are looking for unusual itineraries. Explore the streets filled with Baroque buildings in Lecce. With a half-day boat tour, you can visit amazing spots like Lovers Cave, Palombara Cave, Blue Cave, Zinzulusa Cave and Romanelli Cave. Locals make it out of sheeps or cows milk and you can immediately recognize this type because of its tear-drop shape. Nice town as well, i suggest to visit the castle . The main beach might be crowded in the summer months, but when I also visited in March, it was basically empty. Alberobello is without question one of the most characteristic towns in Italy and is famous for its traditionally built ancient stone houses called trulli, (which since 1996 have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site). It is very different, yet authentic and surprising part of Italy. The most compelling sight is Trani Cathedral teetering on the brink of the land, overlooking the deep blue of the Adriatic sea. Take a walk along the beautiful beaches while admiring the unique coastline. For more information visit here. The second stage of the trip takes you to the Gargano, a land of centuries-old devotion and pilgrims of unparalleled beauty. While the city can get particularly crowded with both tourists and locals during. Cime di Rapa, or simply turnip tops, is a very popular vegetable in Southern Italy during the winter. It has been broadly organised by location so you can use it to plan your Puglia itinerary, heading south east from Bari and travelling in a clockwise loop. Celebrate Christmas in Polignano a Mare (Bari), 9. This architectural curiosity stands on a hilltop 20km south of Andria. Uncovered in 1932, Luceras Roman amphitheatre is the largest in southern Italy. Admire orchids in the Gargano National Park, Best place to visit in Puglia: Top 10 not to miss. This town is called The Ionian Pearl for its elegance, its sandy beaches, and its ancient and picturesque Old Town district built on an island. With these attractions and the stunningly beautiful city itself, Vico Del Gargano is one of our strongest recommendations in Puglia region. All Ways Puglia Tour in Alberobello. Visit outside of the peak summer months and you can explore its hilltop towns, castles, clifftop villages, beaches and olive groves in peace and quiet. Things to do in Puglia Explore the Trulli of Alberobello The town of Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Panzerotti are made with the same pizza dough and then deep fried for a crispy taste! Puglia is a paradise of slow food culture, and at Epicwander there are locations that you might especially enjoy. Best things to do in Puglia Enjoy fresh marmalade, some olive oil and also the organic nuts. The largest is called Il Duomo (the cathedral) due to its church-like proportions. In this artistic tendency in Italy there is nothing that can be compared. One of the best things to do in Bari, especially early in the morning or at sunset is to walk along the seafront promenade- the lungomare - more specifically Lungomare Nazario Sauro in Bari. Castellana Caves (author: ReMagio ) Framed against the sparkling blue Adriatic, Tranis creamy white buildings have earned it the local nickname of la perla di Puglia (the pearl of Puglia). All the caves have evocative names like Wolf Cave, Owl Cave, Precipice Cave or Desert Corridor. Mt. Full access tickets are 18 per person and can be purchased on their website. The centrepiece is the monumental Basilica di Santa Croce, celebrated for its ornate and bizarre faade: look out for griffins, dodos, biblical figures, cherubs and even a few sheep in the stonework. 8. Baia dei Turchi. Evo Ristorante. There are festivals all over the Salento area, to the south of Puglia, during the summer: check the local magazine Qui Salento for listings. Would you like to learn about the most authentic experiences to be had in Italy, stay up to date on the most interesting events, discover our special offers and receive lots of insider hints and tips? Visit Ostuni You see Ostuni long before you reach the town, sitting there on its little hill all white and shiny. How to do it: You can book a masseria dairy tour here. You'll find a lungomare in most Italian seaside cities and Bari is no different. Italy is a country rich in cuisine and no matter where you go there is an interesting set of dishes. This striking historic place hosts many events like concerts, shows, opera, plays, or ballet. So where do we start? Brindisi is another port city in Puglia. Farms, vineyards and oil mills offer the ideal opportunity to sample the irresistible flavours of the area. Lecce may be called the Florence of the Baroque. Visit the Ceramic District with its many craftsmens shops to see these local artists at work. Primitivo is a Puglia wine youve probably never heard of but then Italy does tend to keep its best wines to itself (case in point: Italys premium Prosecco doesnt make it onto supermarket shelves. Located on Puglia's east coast, Torre Sant'Andrea is a beach and overlook, with high cliffs made of unique rock formations. This historical seaside resort has an ancient tradition to celebrate Christmas: the Living Nativity Scene. Alternatively, you can book a Street Food Tour in Bari or even take an orecchiette pasta making class (pasta making classes can be very expensive in Italy so, at under 35, this is amazing value). Visit the Old town of Gallipoli Known as the pearl of the Ionian Sea, its name derives from the original Greek name 'Kal polis' meaning 'beautiful city'. Dont just follow your guide, unless you want to be among crowds of tourists in packed sites! Bonus: Primitivo Puglia has recently become available in some UK supermarkets. One of the best ways to understand the architecture of Lecce is to let a guide show you around. This huge cave network extends inland for hundreds of metres beneath the coastal town of Castro, and has numerous stalactite-filled galleries. Apart from the town itself and its 15th-century cathedral, Ostuni is known for the local DOC Collina di Brindisi olive oil, which is sold in various strengths (delicate, medium or strong) by numerous producers around town. See the top things . In Altamura and Gravina, you will be fascinated by two of the largest karst sinkholes in the Murgia, the Pulo and the Pulicchio: intriguing chasms created by the underground erosion of rocks that create incomparable scenery. In Soleto, take a break to admire the Raimondello Spire, an admirable example of Gothic architecture in the Salento. Top places to see in Puglia include Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the unique conical houses found in the area around Alberobello. See Tripadvisor's 2,986,328 traveler reviews and photos of kid friendly Puglia attractions I swear I had the best burrata in Puglia (and Italy). Even in a region as blessed with hilltop towns as Puglia, Lecce still astonishes. As you may see, there is a lot to enjoy in Puglia. Puglia holidays offer up a magnificent array of beaches, inimitable history and architecture and natural wonders that provide a superb break for the whole family. Unusual Things to Do . Read on for our collection of Puglia's top things to see and do 1. They serve delicacies from local organic products and each weekend they also organize a farmers market if you consider buying any local ingredients. The town has a handful of good restaurants and cafs; sit down for a coffee on Piazza XX or Piazza Roma and watch the world go by. Here are some of the places you absolutely must visit in Puglia. 1,196 photos. Weddings & Honeymoons . Thus was born Puglia Fuori Rotta (Apulia Off Route), a documentary centred on a 30-day journey that, thanks to little-trodden paths, reveals a region with a mysterious and surprising side. Its also a city with two very different sides; the modern, The Murat district is the newer part of the city which is home to the major shopping and entertainment district, as well as several elegant 19th century palaces such as the, But the most fascinating part of Bari has to be the maze-like old town of Barivecchia which stretches along the Adriatic Sea, the longest seafront in all of Italy, with many important historic buildings including the grand, Coastal Polignano a Mare is most famous for the picturesque. Attend a play or a concert at the Roman amphitheater in Lecce, 22. While most people visit Polignano a Mare for Cala Porto, one of Puglias most popular destinations also has another hidden secret , Another of the best places in Puglia is the unusual, historic town of Alberobello. This snack is very similar to the German pretzel and it can be either sweet or savory, with very different flavorings. For more information visit here. Not only can you experience staying in a trulli, but youll also be able to wander through the town during the quieter evening when the whole place is beautifully lit up with little rows of fairy lights, and again in the glow of the early morning sun before the hoards of day trippers descend upon the small town. Thats my guide to the best things to do in Puglia, Italy. Known as Puglias White City due to its whitewashed old town, Ostuni is an enchanting labyrinth of steep staircases, narrow alleyways and small squares perched on three hills in the Itria Valley. All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. Also dont miss the local speciality, Capocollo a large, marbled cured meat that melts on the tongue. . COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this property is taking. But Cisternino has another quirky offering the towns macelleria, meat markets. Masserias are some of the most beautiful places to stay in Puglia. Used as a venue for hosting extravagant banquets and parties since the 1700s, the magical Grotta Palazzese Restaurant is located in a natural cave carved into the cliff face with spectacular views over the sea below. Originally seen as a poor food, Frisellais today very popular on the tables of Puglia as well on the street food markets. This ballet is surrounded by religious believes and something mythological which has always fascinated people since old times. Now a Unesco world heritage site, Monte San Angelo centres around the Santuario di San Michele, a complex of churches, chapels and buildings built on top of a holy shrine where St Michael is said to have left his footprint. In fact, if you are looking for a destination with the best water, Polignano is a place to go. The Gargano promontory is mostly entirely occupied by the National Park of Gargano. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Covid-related restrictions may be in place. In some towns you can even combine visits to cathedrals and castles with dips in the sea just steps from the historic centre. Look out for the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-levelled house. Its most striking buildings are the 17th century Palazzo Ducale and 18th century Basilica di San Martino, dedicated to the towns patron saint. A pioneer of the slow food movement, where the simple life dominates, Puglia is the real dolce vita; yet it remains relatively untrampled by international tourists. The tour continues to the Alta Murgia National Park, amidst expanses of steppes, barren pastures and karst rocks that will connect you completely with nature. Focus on the Old Town (Bari Vecchia) & the Murat (Centro Storico). Spend the evening at Fabilandia, an amusement . cave system running 60 meters below ground. This Unesco world heritage site is one of the most popular places to visit in Puglia and can get uncomfortably busy in high season. Youll find the citys history is well explored at the Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica, which has exhibits dating back to Bronze Age and Roman times. You can have a walk in the city center and discover many small craft shops or places selling typical products or local food. Best Things to Do in Bari Visit Santa Claus at Basilica San Nicola. All ending on Shrove Tuesday with a funeral procession in which a paper-mache sacrificial pig is lead to Putignanos main Piazza by masked priests where it is ritually burned. Enjoy silence and peace at Olivetani Monastery (Lecce), 10. Bari is the capital of the Puglia region and a popular starting point for most tourists, given that its home to the largest international Puglia airport. Covid travel restrictions explained, See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, 2023 Croatia Island-Hopping Private Yacht and Magical Montenegro Experience. +39 320 848 1230. Ostuni is also known as White City (Citt bianca) because its historiccenteris entirely painted with white lime. Puglia is an amazing region on Adriatic Sea coast that allows you to enjoy entirely unusual landscapes. Its one of the oldest coastal settlements in Puglia, and the setting is dramatic: buildings teeter precariously over the cliff tops, offering glorious vistas over the Adriatic. Bari has a thriving street food scene, but to find the best spots youll need a guide. Grotte di Castellana is one of Puglias most amazing natural wonders and very different from the historic port towns and beautiful sandy Puglia beaches the region is more often associated with. Puglia is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. Chef Silvestro Silvestori offers a range of cooking classes at his culinary school in Lecce, The Awaiting Table. Entirely white city of Cisternino embraces a feeling of regional accent. Whether youre staying in nearby Masseria Torre Coccaro or youre simply in the area, the old town of Fasano and nearby coastal Savelttri are worth a quick stop. All rights Reserved The park hosts the largest number of orchids species, anamely 90, which makes a record for a single region. Its connected to the sea by an underground canal: you can swim through it or you can explore it with a small boat. Thank you for supporting me. Enjoy a panoramic drive along Gargano coast (Foggia), 6. Discover the hidden gems of this Italian paradise in this in-depth travel guide to Puglia! Another of the best places in Puglia is the unusual, historic town of Alberobello. Discovering the best of Puglia in a Small Group 6 Days 5 Nights. Give a billion thumbs to you. However, Trani has taken its dining clientele in a traditional direction, becoming one of Italys Slow Food Movement cities. A great way to explore is on this Alberobello walking tour (includes olive oil tasting). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); IndianaJo features some links (e.g. Getting to Bari The city of Bar is well connected by train, buses and flights. What it? Its much less touristy for one thing. If you like hiking, there are numerous trails off-the-beaten-track that you can explore, including the historic Umbria Forest. Have a guided tour to admire its architecture and its artistic decorations and have a stop in the peaceful cloister. The city of Monte SantAngelo is famous in particular for local Sanctuary. Secondly, you might want to try Orecchiette Cime Di Rapa, which is perhaps the most popular dish from Bari. How to get to Puglia:There are two main international Puglia airports; Karol Wojtyla Airport in Bari and the Airport of Salento in Brindisi. 2. This part of the city is surrounded by the sea on 3 sides and its connected to the modern districts by a bridge. Ops! This is why a stop is planned in Cagnano Varano, with its famous cave that conserves the footprints of Saint Michael the Archangel. A very appreciated tour is held in Bari and it will let you taste locals favorite products while visiting the city center at the same time. Have also a walk through the surrounding alleyways, where you can stop in several pubs and bars and enjoy the local nightlife. Have a walk in the Old Town of Gallipoli (Lecce), 4. The historic centre is full of atmosphere buy a gelato or a pastry from one of the cornetteria and just soak up the atmosphere as you stroll around. No matter what time of year you visit, the historic center of Alberobello is almost guaranteed to be busy, being one of the most popular places to visit in Puglia. The guides are very well prepared, and there is not only culture in our tours: the relationship that is created between organizers and guests is authentic and the friendships that arise ensure that wonderful memories remain at the end of the holiday. Otrantos medieval cathedral is known for the incredible 12th-century mosaic that covers the entire floor of the nave. This clifftop coast road provides the best road trip in Puglia. Today, wander the seafront and youll find the port is home to luxury yachts. Clifftop Vieste has a rough-and-ready charm that feels more authentic than some of Puglias prettified towns. Castellana Caves - La Grotta di Castellana. Check our panzerotti recipe to prepare them any time you wish! 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