The best things to do in Puglia

Over the past couple of years, Puglia has become one of Italy's trending destinations – but there is more to the region than just photo-worthy locations. When you describe Puglia, the list of synonyms is endless. It’s home to numerous folkloric traditions, ancient histories, ornate baroque architecture and a rich gastronomic scene deeply rooted in tradition, not to mention the picturesque landscapes, with silvery olive groves spilling out towards turquoise Mediterranean waters. Two coastlines surround the region, enveloping Italy’s heel with gently lapping waters and rocky shorelines. The region is home to numerous folkloric traditions, ancient histories and diverse landscapes, from the dramatic coastline along the Parco Nazionale del Gargano to the scattered trulli in the Valle d’Itria and the crystalline beaches of Salento. It’s truly difficult to narrow down the best things to do in Puglia, but the following are the most spectacular experiences you need to consider on your next trip.

1. Spend a day aboard a 90s speedboat

Set sail for an adventure along the Apulian coastline aboard the Margherita II, a sleek 15-metre Italian speedboat from the 90s. Departing after breakfast from Gallipoli, the experience promises a day of exploration along the picturesque west coast of Puglia, guided by an experienced captain and skipper. Throughout the voyage, you’ll be able to dive into the Mediterranean, sunbathe, soak up the views and savour local, rosemary-scented focaccia with a glass of chilled wine.

Website: masseriamoroseta.it

2. Soak up some sunshine at a beach club

Carved among the rocks of Santa Cesarea Terme, along the Adriatic coastline in the southern part of Italy’s boot, lies Bagno Marino Archi. Here, rows of red- and cream-coloured umbrellas line the shore, with steps leading down into emerald waters. Remember to pack your snorkelling gear – there’s a beautiful seabed filled with kaleidoscopic creatures – or book a pedalo for a little adventure to discover the neighbouring bays. Additionally, there’s a restaurant overlooking the shore, serving typical Mediterranean dishes of fresh fish, pasta and pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.

Website: instagram.com

3. Visit a contemporary art gallery in Lecce

US-born artist Jamie Sneider was fascinated by the Apulian history, culture and rituals, leading him to open his own experimental contemporary art project space. Situated within an 18th-century palazzo in the heart of the baroque city of Lecce, Progetto is a convivial, inclusive place for artists and curators to present and exhibit all forms of contemporary art, as well as offering an event space for symposiums, performances and readings. An exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist SoiL Thornton is marked for mid-July. You can visit Progetto by appointment only, so click here to book your slot.

Website: progettospace.com

4. Join a secret supper club

Founded by hospitality consulting studio Effe, Supper Segreta is an intimate experience that brings like-minded individuals around a beautiful tablescape, savouring excellent cuisine in unexpected, marvellous locations that are usually closed to the public. Imagine period buildings, sometimes palaces, with frescoed interiors and a dining room lit by a sea of candles. The concept, however, is not just the location; it’s also about shining a light on local farmers, producers and brands. With a few dates in the diary already from April to July, you can discover their next appointments on their Instagram.

Website: instagram.com

5. Visit the Radicenomade atelier

On the outskirts of Lecce in San Cesareo, Isabella Faggiano and her partner Emilio open the doors to their small wonderland. Located inside their home (in a merge of life and career traditionally known as “casa e putea”), delve into the workshop of their jewellery brand, Radicenomade. Isabella, with a background in architecture, styling and set design, has combined her three passions to create this space. This picturesque, 19th-century building encloses original frescoed ceilings, clementine-tiled floors and a beautiful Parisian-inspired winter garden is where the new collection of jewellery is exhibited and available to shop. Visits are upon request, and you can also book in for a jewellery-making workshop to learn the craft.

Website: radicenomade.it

6. Taste the original pasticciotto in Galatina

Many think (quite rightly so) that the pasticciotto Leccese was born in Lecce, but the legend says differently. This perfect little boat-shaped shortcrust pastry filled with lemon-tinted custard was actually born by chance; it was pastry chef Nicola Ascolone from Galatina who, during the celebrations of Saint Paul on 28th June 1745, decided to put together a few ingredients he had left over after a day’s work to create something sweet for those who came to celebrate the patron saint. The original Ascalone pastry shop is still standing in the historic centre of Galatina, with its unassuming façade, original furnishings and top-rated pasticciotto. It’s recommended to call in advance and put in an order because their average of 300 daily pasticciotti sell out in the blink of an eye.

Website: instagram.com

7. Stroll through the botanical gardens of La Cutura

The botanical gardens of La Cutura in southern Salento is one of the most spectacular spaces in the area. This former 19th-century rural country estate was renovated under the green thumb of estate owner Salvatore Cezzi, and it has now become one of Italy’s top-rated botanical gardens. A rich collection of plants, flowers and trees extends over 35 hectares of land; a fragrant, colourful path leads you through rose bushes and citrus groves, past grazing peacocks and neatly trimmed hedges until you reach the greenhouse, displaying over 2000 cacti and succulents from all over the world. There is also a little restaurant should you wish to stop for a bite to eat under the leafy trees.

Website: lacutura.it

8. Learn to make fresh orecchiette

It was ten years ago that Julia and Francesco met working at a cooking workshop in Puglia. She had just travelled over from Vancouver, and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love. With a shared passion for country living, art history and cooking they launched E.A.T, a cooking class and workshop format hosted at their home in Oria and, only a few years later, they built their very own cooking studio in Altamura. They host daily group and private classes, weekend workshops and bi-annual four-day workshops. Based on cuisine, culture and history, each experience unfolds with a walking tour of the city followed by ingredient shopping from their favourite local producers. There’s a social aperitif pre-class to enjoy before digging into a three-course meal, wines and homemade digestifs, will be savoured all together around the dinner table.

Website: everyone-at-the-table.com

9. Swim in Caribbean-like waters

The region is characterised by an extensive and diverse coastline (almost reaching 1,000 km) between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. From dramatic cliffs to the long swathe of sandy beaches passing through crescent-shaped rocky coves, finding the best beach can be daunting. But the formula is simple: catch the early morning sun along the east coast and golden sunsets in the south and west. One of the most enchanting beaches is Punta della Suina, in Gallipoli. Fringed by a dense pine forest, its rugged coastline descends into crystal clear, shallow turquoise waters. However, a true, hidden gem is Cala dell’Acquaviva – a small rocky cove among staggering rocks on the eastern coast between Santa Cesarea Terme and Tricase. The water, fed by both salt and spring water, is strikingly fresh, and there’s a small kiosk on site to stock up on cold drinks and snacks.

10. Go island hopping

Legend states that the Greek King Diomedes threw three rocks from the Gargano upon his return from the Trojan War, and these rocks created the Tremiti islands – one of the most fascinating archipelagos in Italy. The largest and greenest of the isles, San Dominio, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, including the secret sandy patches of Cala Matano and the rocky coves of Cala del Pigno. From San Dominio, you can take a motorboat to explore San Nicola, best known for its historical sites such as the monastery Santa Maria a Mare and the 13th-century Badiali Castle, and the island of Capraia, where you can swim in the beautiful inlets amidst the rocks. Cretaccio, the smallest of the islands, and Pianosa, a protected Marine Reserve, are also stunning places to visit if you have time.

11. Visit Puglia’s most cultural city

Also known as the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is a major attraction for culture-seeking travellers – the historic city feels like an open-air museum. Distinct Leccese limestone envelops the town, and its rich heritage is unveiled through numerous architectural styles. The most predominant is Baroque (hence the city’s reputation as the ‘capital of Baroque architecture’), with opulent decorations embellishing the façades of churches such as the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Cathedral dedicated to Maria Santissima Assunta. One of the best ways to truly embrace the southern lifestyle is to spend the afternoon in a café (we love the Caffè Alvino or Pasticceria Natale) and soak up the surroundings as you sip on your Caffè Leccese (iced coffee with fresh almond milk) and nibble on crema pasticcera filled pasticciotto.

12. Go shopping

When you think of Puglia, two things come to mind: food and ceramics. Travellers should always bring home taralli (ringed bread snacks), caciocavallo and cacioricotta (Southern Italian cheese), but purchasing the iconic Ceramiche Pugliesi is a way of permanently remembering the region's beauty long after your trip has ended. Grottaglie is the ceramics district of Puglia, where many ateliers have been for generations, each with countless years of history and stories to tell. Franco Fasano has been in the Fasano family for 18 generations, selling a large collection of tableware, vases and amphorae. The method of production is traditional, but Franco Fasano’s visionary approach with bold colours and creative patterns has caught the eye of notable clients from Francis Ford Coppola to Giorgio Armani. Visit the shop and ask to pop into the nearby workshop to see the magic happen.

13. Visit Trulli

Some people say that trulli look like little gnome houses scattered throughout the region. Driving through the Valle d’Itria, you can see a few trulli around, but visit Alberobello for the real experience. This small village is sprinkled with quaint restaurants, bars and shops, all housed inside this UNESCO-protected trulli. The conical roofs and thick stone walls keep the interiors cool (you are not allowed to install air conditioning in the trullo). To get the full experience, book a stay overnight – there are many masserie and B&Bs that offer rooms in trulli across Puglia.

14. Try Puglia’s most delicious coffee

With its crescent-shaped sandy beach between two spurs of rocky, narrow whitewashed streets, Polignano a Mare steals the heart of many travellers. It is here, in Piazza Garibaldi, where you’ll find the best ice cream place in Puglia. While the ice cream at Il Super Mago del Gelo is exceptional, travellers should also try the Caffè Speciale – created by Mario Campanella, who has been working alongside his father at the gelateria since he was seven. This unique recipe is espresso with panna, lemon peel and homemade Amaretto.

15. Feast on fresh seafood in converted fishing platforms

As you drive through the Gargano coastline between Peschici and Vieste, you’ll notice large wooden structures suspended above the sea. These are trabucchi, centuries-old machines used by fishermen to optimise their work. Today a few trabucchi have been restored and converted into restaurants, where guests can feast on fresh seafood with a view of the Adriatic. Al Trabucco da Mimì was founded by Mimì and Lucia, who decided to turn their family’s trabucco into a thriving, exciting restaurant where diners can eat local catches of the day on a wooden veranda. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of working trabucchi in action as it brings up fresh mullet and bluefish from the sea.

16. Visit one of Puglia’s natural wonders

Puglia is home to some extraordinary landscapes, but one of the most jaw-dropping sites is located just below Otranto. The Cava di Bauxite is an old quarry lake once used to extract Bauxite for the production of aluminium. From the parking lot, follow a rocky path that leads you to a shallow, emerald-coloured lake surrounded by red rocks and Mediterranean scrub. It’s truly beautiful – visit at golden hour to watch the sun reflect intense, deep red hues from the rocks.

17. Go to the antique markets

In Italy, Sundays can mean one of two things: long, lazy and wine-infused lunches with family and friends, or spending the morning rummaging through unique finds at antique markets. Every so often, there will be a market in the Valle d’Itria where you can purchase beautiful homeware, clothing and collector's items. The most popular is in Ceglie Messapica, which runs on the last Sunday of every month, and Fiera dell’Antiquariato in Martina Franca, which only lasts for seven days in August each year (in 2023 it will run from Saturday 12 August until Sunday 20 August).

18. Experience a local sagra

Paper plates, long tables, live music and Cucina Casereccia are the key staples of La Sagra, a culinary festival that rolls out in squares or fields across Italy. Upon arrival, guests are handed a piece of paper with a scribbled menu (usually limited to a couple of starters, some options for primi courses and a few main dishes), and there are typically funfairs, small markets and post-dinner entertainment. The best ones in Puglia to try and visit are the Sagra delle Orecchiette nelle ‘Nchiosce in Grottaglie on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 August 2023, and Sagra del Fico Mandorlato in Piazza Marconi, San Michele Salentino from Monday 21 August to Sunday 27 August 2023.