Puglia
Puglia is a sunny region in southeast Italy that forms the "heel" of the country's boot. It is famous for its long turquoise coastlines, ancient olive groves, unique conical stone houses called trulli, and rich local food like handmade pasta and burrata. Here is our guide to Puglia, Italy.
STAY
BORGO EGNAZIA
Borgo Egnazia is an exclusive, high-end luxury resort in Savelletri di Fasano, Puglia, Southern Italy. Designed to mirror a traditional 300-year-old Apulian village, the sprawling property is built entirely from local tuff limestone, featuring candlelit alleys, stone-walled piazzas, a Michelin-starred restaurant, multiple beach clubs, and a world-class wellness spa. Strada Comunale Egnazia, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; borgoegnazia.com
MASSERIA MOROSETA
Masseria Moroseta near Ostuni is a stunning, minimalist modern farmhouse set among 5 hectares of ancient olive groves. Built from local white tufo stone, it defines barefoot luxury with farm-to-table dining, a sleek turquoise pool, and quiet proximity to Puglia’s best Adriatic beaches. Contrada Lamacavallo, S/N, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; masseriamoroseta.it
VISTA OSTUNI
The next-generation grand hotel set within a five-story historic palazzo at the foot of Ostuni’s famous “White City.” The old town is right at the doorstep, while views stretch over ancient olive groves toward the Adriatic. No two rooms are alike, with marble and local Trani stone bathrooms, bespoke wood and rattan furnishings, Dedar fabrics and handcrafted Puglian details. The rooftop is the spot for a drink overlooking the city and surrounding countryside. Via Giosuè Pinto 60 A, 72017 Ostuni, Italy; vistapalazzo.com
CASTELLO DI UGENTO
At the highest point of the small town of Ugento, this beautifully restored palazzo combines original pietra leccese architecture with contemporary Italian design. The nine bedrooms retain historic details including star-vaulted ceilings and rediscovered stone vaults, while a museum wing, culinary school and restaurant make this much more than simply a place to sleep. Via Castello, 26, 73059 Ugento LE, Italy; castellodiugento.com
LA PESCHIERA
Settled directly on the water along the Monopoli coastline, La Peschiera is a meticulous restoration of an ancient fishing reserve turned into one of Puglia’s most refined seaside hotels. The interiors are deliberately pared back in whites and beiges, allowing the deep blue Adriatic to take center stage. There is a small private beach and a restaurant suspended over the water where seafood is the star. Contrada Losciale, 63, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy; lapeschiera.it
MASSERIA BORGO RITELLA
A family-led masseria in the heart of the Itria Valley, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees. The whitewashed property combines relaxed contemporary interiors with the character of a traditional Apulian farmhouse, while its 17 rooms and suites use earthy colors and natural materials. Expect home-style Puglian cooking, a lovely pool and a small spa. Contrada Sant’Elia, 50, 72015 Fasano BR, Italy; masseriaborgoritella.it
BORGO VALLE RITA
A sprawling 255-acre family-owned agricultural estate close to the Ionian Sea, with a restored 14th-century manor, rooms, apartments and villas surrounded by farmland. The restaurant focuses on seasonal Puglian cooking, while guests can make use of the pool, tennis court and hiking and biking trails. A particularly good choice for travelers looking for space and countryside. Contrada Girifalco, 72025 Ginosa TA, Italy; borgovallerita.it
TENUTA NEGROAMARO
Set among olive groves, prickly pears and almond trees in the Gallipoli countryside, this ten-room retreat is a quiet sanctuary with easy access to the villages and turquoise waters of Salento. The interiors mix natural materials, earthy colors and playful textiles, with some rooms offering private plunge pools or outdoor showers. The kitchen follows the same relaxed, local approach. Contrada Li Monaci, 73014 Gallipoli LE, Italy; tenutanegroamaro.com
MASSERIA MONTELAURO
A warm and wonderfully detailed masseria created by Elisabetta Massaro and her daughters from a once-run-down farmhouse. Sky-blue shutters, whitewashed walls, pastel ceramics, vaulted ceilings and traditional chianca stone floors give the property a distinctly Puglian feel. The on-site restaurant draws heavily from its own gardens and locally sourced produce. Strada Comunale Sant’Emiliano, 1, 73028 Otranto LE, Italy; masseriamontelauro.it
CRITABIANCA
A six-room country house in the countryside of Cutrofiano, a town famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition. The property has lived many lives, from a Bourbon-era summer residence to a 19th-century tobacco farmstead, and retains its original stone vaulted ceilings and traces of frescoes. A wonderfully peaceful place to experience the quieter side of Salento. Strada Provinciale 278 km 1,57, 73020 Cutrofiano LE, Italy; critabianca.it
RELAIS MONASTERO SANTA TERESA
A 14th-century Baronial palace in the center of Nardò that was later converted into a monastery. Today the property spans four historic palazzi, with contemporary rooms set among frescoed walls, dramatic vaulted ceilings, Baroque details and ornate architectural elements. Two of the palazzi have swimming pools, making this an excellent base for exploring southern Puglia. Corso Garibaldi, 31, 73048 Nardò LE, Italy; monasterosantateresa.com
BORGO SAN MARCO
A romantic, whitewashed masseria whose history dates back to the 12th century. The 19 suites have a rustic, comfortable feel with four-poster beds and soft drapery, while the views stretch over centuries-old olive and carob trees toward the Adriatic. The restaurant serves home-style Puglian cooking, including the classic fave e cicoria, alongside the property’s own extra-virgin olive oil. Contrada Sant’Angelo, 33, 72015 Fasano BR, Italy; borgosanmarco.it
CASTLE ELVIRA
A wonderfully eccentric 20th-century castle set within 37 acres of gardens and orchards just outside Lecce. The original turrets and merlons have been carefully preserved alongside eclectic contemporary furnishings and art. There are suites within the castle, tower and ancient masseria, plus a huge swimming pool, hot tub, rooftop terrace and restaurant. Via Andrano, 73019 Trepuzzi LE, Italy; castleelvira.com
MASSERIA MONTENAPOLEONE
An atmospheric masseria in Pezze di Greco created from an ancient cave settlement and surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, fruit trees and herb gardens. Vintage finds and upcycled pieces give the interiors a collected feel, while the property’s restaurant cooks from its own gardens. The Herbarium spa and botanical bar are especially lovely, as is an aperitivo among the vineyards at sunset. C.da Bicocca (Via delle Croci), 8, 72010 Pezze di Greco BR, Italy; masseriamontenapoleone.it
MASSERIA LE TORRI
A charming family-run masseria surrounded by olive groves outside Polignano a Mare. The rooms are simple and farmhouse-inspired, while breakfast is a real highlight, with homemade cakes, ricotta, focaccia and other local specialties. The small details make this feel more like a beloved private home than a hotel. Strada Comunale Le Torri, 591/D, 70044 Polignano a Mare BA, Italy; masserialetorri.com
MASSERIA GALETA
A small, intimate farmstay near Nardò occupying a 16th-century watchtower and farmhouse. The property has just a handful of rooms and retains an authentically rural character, with antique furnishings, a working farm and a long communal breakfast table. An excellent choice for getting away from Puglia’s more polished hotel scene. Contrada San Lorenzo, 73048 Nardò LE, Italy; masseriagaleta.it
PALAZZO DANIELE
A six-room property in Gagliano del Capo, housed within a 19th-century family palazzo at the southern tip of Puglia. The interiors have been stripped back to reveal frescoed ceilings, bare walls and original architectural details, creating an elegant, almost monastic atmosphere. A lemon-filled garden and swimming pool complete the experience. Via Scipione Ammirato, 1, 73034 Gagliano del Capo LE, Italy; palazzodaniele.com
MASSERIA TORRE MAIZZA
A beautifully restored 16th-century masseria set among ancient olive groves on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. Part of the Rocco Forte family, the property strikes a lovely balance between the rustic character of the original farmhouse and a polished contemporary aesthetic. Rooms and suites open onto private terraces and gardens, while the property has a swimming pool, nine-hole golf course, private beach club and Irene Forte Spa. Contrada Coccaro S.N., 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; roccofortehotels.com
MASSERIA SAN DOMENICO
One of Puglia’s original luxury masserias, a 14th-century fortified farmhouse set among ancient olive groves just steps from the Adriatic. The property feels wonderfully rooted in its surroundings, with whitewashed stone buildings, arched courtyards, a huge seawater pool and a private stretch of coast. Strada Provinciale 90, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; masseriasandomenico.com
MASSERIA TRAPANÀ
A quietly beautiful 16th-century masseria set in the countryside outside Lecce, with just nine suites and the feeling of staying in a very chic private country house. The architecture is simple and beautifully preserved, with vaulted rooms, pale stone, four-poster beds and an atmospheric underground spa carved into the old storage rooms. Come for the privacy, the pool and the long lunches beneath the lemon trees. Strada Vicinale Masseria Trapana, 9, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy; trapana.com
MASSERIA CALDERISI
A relaxed, contemporary take on the Puglian masseria, set between olive groves and the Adriatic near Savelletri. The atmosphere is warm and unfussy, with beautiful rooms, a lovely pool, private beach access, a farm kitchen, excellent local food and a little boutique filled with ceramics, olive oil and Italian resort pieces. Contrada Sarzano 12, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; masseriacalderisi.com
PARAGON 700
A wonderfully eccentric red-stone palazzo in the heart of Ostuni. The 11 rooms combine frescoed ceilings and stonewashed linens with the owners’ more theatrical taste, while the underground spa occupies a series of atmospheric caves. The real appeal is being able to walk straight into Ostuni for dinner and then return for a swim, cocktail and dinner at Restaurant 700. Largo Michele Ayroldi Carissimo 14, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; paragon700.com
MASSERIA MUZZA
A sprawling 17th-century masseria outside Otranto overlooking Lake Alimini, with a polished resort experience that makes it particularly appealing for a completely relaxing Puglia escape. There is a huge infinity pool, spa, several restaurants and easy access to Baia dei Turchi. Via Muzza 7, 73028 Otranto LE, Italy; baglionihotels.com
LA FIERMONTINA LUXURY HOME
A sophisticated 16th-century retreat tucked inside the historic walls of Lecce. The 16 rooms and suites combine the city’s creamy limestone architecture with mid-century furniture, contemporary art and a lush garden surrounding the pool. Piazzetta Scipione De Summa, 4, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy; lafiermontina.com
LA FIERMONTINA PALAZZO BOZZI CORSO
A smaller sister property to La Fiermontina, occupying a historic palazzo in the very center of Lecce, steps from Basilica di Santa Croce. Behind its traditional façade is an atmospheric courtyard and beautifully proportioned rooms filled with art, color and historic detail. Via Umberto I, 38, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy; palazzobozzicorso.com
PALAZZO PRESTA
A stylish little hotel in the heart of Gallipoli’s old town, with interiors that feel more like a collected private house than a traditional hotel. Bold colors, vintage pieces, maritime references and an eclectic mix of influences fill the rooms, while the rooftop terrace is the place to go for sunset cocktails. Via Garibaldi 29, 73014 Gallipoli LE, Italy; palazzopresta.it
IL CONVENTO DI SANTA MARIA DI COSTANTINOPOLI
One of the most unusual places to stay in Puglia: an old convent in Marittima restored into a deeply personal house filled with books, folk art, sculpture, textiles and collected furniture. With only eight bedrooms, a communal kitchen, gardens and pool, it feels much more like being invited into someone’s extraordinary home than staying at a hotel. Marittima di Diso, 73030 Diso LE, Italy; ilconventopuglia.com
DINE | DRINK
ACQUASANTA DISPENSA E VINO
A natural-wine spot tucked into the backstreets of Ostuni, with a menu of small, beautifully presented sharing plates built around local ingredients. Come for the wine, stay for the excellent food and atmosphere. Via Francant Arc Zaccaria, 2, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; instagram.com/acquasanta_dispensaevino
PASSAPORTO ALCHIMIA & CUCINA
A convivial Ostuni address combining Puglian cooking, cocktails and a relaxed old-town atmosphere. The menu moves between traditional dishes and more playful combinations. Via Roma, 7, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; passaportoalchimia.it
OSTERIA DEL TEMPO PERSO
One of Ostuni’s most atmospheric restaurants, carved into the rock beneath the white city. Traditional Puglian ingredients are given a more contemporary treatment. Via Gaetano Tanzarella Vitale, 47, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; osteriadeltempoperso.com
IMPASTO NAPOLETANO
A straightforward local favorite for Neapolitan-style pizza, with properly charred crusts and a relaxed atmosphere. Good for an easy dinner when you’ve had enough of long tasting menus. Via Tenente Specchia, S/N, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; impastonapoletano.it
PIZZERIA DA MICCHIO
A typical rural pizzeria in the countryside around Ostuni, recommended by Alessandra for good pizza. An unfussy, local-feeling stop away from the historic center. Contrada Pascarosa, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
IL CORTILETTO
A charming family-run trattoria in Speziale, with a pretty internal courtyard and orange grove. The cooking celebrates traditional Puglian flavors using carefully sourced local ingredients. Via Lecce, 91, 72015 Speziale BR, Italy; trattoriailcortiletto.it
QUINTESSENZA
A refined family-run restaurant in Trani, housed in an elegant palazzo overlooking the cathedral and Swabian Castle. The cooking is rooted in Puglian traditions, with beautifully executed seafood and pasta dishes. Via Lionelli, 62, 76125 Trani BT, Italy; quintessenzaristorante.it
BRO’S
Floriano Pellegrino and Isabella Potì’s irreverent take on fine dining, with highly technical, experimental cooking and a distinctly contemporary point of view. Via degli Acaya, 2, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy; brosworld.it
GIARDINI 36
A tiny, farm-to-table restaurant in Cisternino, with a menu dictated by the owners’ organic farm. The food is simple, seasonal and contemporary. Via dei Giardini, 36, 72014 Cisternino BR, Italy; dfood.it
SINODIA
Set inside a 14th-century underground olive mill in Corigliano d’Otranto, Sinodia is one of Salento’s most exciting contemporary restaurants. The menu changes with the seasons and is built around produce from the surrounding countryside. Via Capiterra, 5, 73022 Corigliano d’Otranto LE, Italy; sinodiarestaurant.com
TAVERNA DEL PORTO
A rustic seaside restaurant in Tricase Porto with an unbeatable view from the terrace. The cooking is centered on exceptionally fresh local seafood. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, 121, 73039 Tricase Porto LE, Italy; tavernadelporto.com
OSTERIA DA GIUSEPPE
A classic casareccio restaurant in Ceglie Messapica, with generous antipasti, local cheeses and cured meats, handmade pasta and a proper mixed grill. Via Malta, 12, 72013 Ceglie Messapica BR, Italy; osteriadagiuseppe.it
TRATTORIA DELLE RUOTE
A wonderfully old-fashioned trattoria in Martina Franca where the menu and recipes have barely changed in decades. Expect homemade pasta, local salumi and formaggi, mozzarella and farmhouse-style cooking. Strada Monticello, 1, 74015 Martina Franca TA, Italy.
CIBUS
Inside a 15th-century convent in Ceglie Messapica, Cibus is deeply rooted in the local landscape. Work your way through the antipasti and primi, then save room for the rabbit porchetta and traditional biscotto cegliese. Via Chianche di Scarano, 7, 72013 Ceglie Messapica BR, Italy; ristorantecibus.it
OSTERIA CAROSENO
A rustic neighborhood restaurant in Castellana Grotte, set in a stone-walled dining room with handmade ceramics. Traditional Puglian cooking is given a light modern touch. Via Santomagno, 18, 70013 Castellana Grotte BA, Italy; ilcaroseno.com
L’ALTRO BAFFO
One of Otranto’s essential seafood restaurants, run by chef Cristina Cante. Her cooking gives traditional Salento recipes a contemporary edge. Via Cenobio Basiliano, 23, 73028 Otranto LE, Italy; laltrobaffo.com
FARMACIA DEI SANI
A family-run restaurant in Ruffano where traditional Salento cooking is given a modern energy. The homemade pasta and house-made botanical liqueurs are particularly good. Piazza del Popolo, 14, 73049 Ruffano LE, Italy; farmaciadeisani.eu
LE ZIE TRATTORIA
One of Lecce’s great old-school trattorie, with chequered tablecloths, mosaic floors and an all-female kitchen making traditional Salento dishes. Via Colonnello Archimede Costadura, 19, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy.
RISTORANTE DA SILVE
A tiny, family-run restaurant in Fasano that feels like a well-kept local secret. The menu is rooted in Fasano tradition, with handmade pasta, burrata and slow-cooked meats. Via Tinella, 18, 72015 Fasano BR, Italy.
RISTORANTE ALBACHIARA
A wonderfully no-frills seafood restaurant on the Adriatic in Savelletri. Come for the raw seafood, sea urchins and spaghetti ai ricci di mare. Via del Porto, 1, 72015 Savelletri BR, Italy; albachiarasavelletri.com
ROSTICCERIA ANTICO BORGO DI MENGA PIERO
The place for bombette in Cisternino. Choose your meat at the butcher’s counter, then take a seat in the rustic dining room while everything is grilled over a wood fire. Via Tarantini, 9, 72014 Cisternino BR, Italy; rosticceria-lanticoborgo.it
MOROSETA KITCHEN
The restaurant at Masseria Moroseta, where chef Giorgia Goggi creates an ever-changing communal dinner using produce from the property’s gardens. Expect a seasonal tasting menu that takes Puglian traditions somewhere more unexpected. Contrada Lamacavallo, S/N, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; masseriamoroseta.it
BABY DICECCA
A tiny cheese bar hidden in the Mercadante forest, run by fourth-generation cheesemaker Vito Dicecca. Come for a long tasting of his cheeses, local bread and low-intervention wines. Foresta Mercadante, 70020 Cassano delle Murge BA, Italy; vitodicecca.it
PRIMO
An intimate restaurant in Lecce where chef Solaika Marrocco reworks the flavors of Salento through highly technical contemporary cooking. The tasting menu is one of the region’s most ambitious. Via 47 Reggimento Fanteria, 7, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy; primorestaurant.it
LE STANZIE
A magical farmhouse restaurant near Supersano, with fireplaces, stone walls, hanging chillies and candlelit rooms. The meal is a long Masseria-style feast of vegetables, salumi, cheeses, legumes and slow-cooked meats. Strada Provinciale Supersano-Cutrofiano, 73040 Supersano LE, Italy; lestanzie.com
IL PRINCIPE DEL MARE
A tiny seafood restaurant right on the water in Porto Cesareo, with a simple local atmosphere and a menu built around the day’s catch. Go for the raw seafood, spaghetti alle vongole, sea urchins and prawns. Porto Cesareo, Lecce, Italy.
LA NASSA
The beachside restaurant at Masseria San Domenico, serving beautifully simple Puglian seafood directly on the Adriatic. A particularly good choice for a long lunch after a morning swim. Strada Provinciale 90, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; masseriasandomenico.com
CALA MASCIOLA
Borgo Egnazia’s seaside restaurant and beach club, where the setting is as much a part of the experience as the food. Come for seafood and a long lunch directly beside the water. Strada Provinciale 90, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; calamasciola.it
MASSERIA IL FRANTOIO
A destination dinner outside Ostuni set within a working olive farm. Start with a tour of the property before settling in for a long tasting menu built around vegetables, herbs and produce grown on the estate. S.S. 16 Km. 874, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; masseriailfrantoio.it
IL TEMPO NUOVO
The restaurant at Castello di Ugento, where traditional Salento cooking is given a more modern treatment. Worth pairing with a visit to the castle and its restored interiors. Via Castello, 13, 73059 Ugento LE, Italy; iltemponuovo.com
LA CORTE
The restaurant at Masseria Calderisi, set around the gardens and designed for long, convivial meals. The cooking is seasonal, local and unfussy. Contrada Sarzano 12, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano BR, Italy; masseriacalderisi.com
RESTAURANT 700
The restaurant at Paragon 700, with an elegant contemporary menu served inside Ostuni’s atmospheric red-stone palazzo. Largo Michele Ayroldi Carissimo 14, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; restaurant700.com
TERRA MADRE
A vegetable-driven restaurant inside a trullo in Alberobello, with much of the produce coming directly from the organic garden. Simple, seasonal cooking with a strong sense of place. Contrada Barsento, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy; terra-madre.it
DOPPIO ZERO
A casual Lecce stop for burrata, crispy artichokes, honey and other simple Puglian dishes. Good for an unfussy lunch before an afternoon wandering the Baroque center. Via Guglielmo Paladini, 2, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy
AGRICOLA
A tiny Lecce favorite for goat’s-milk gelato. A perfect afternoon stop after lunch and before an evening passeggiata. Viale Francesco Lo Re, 28, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy
GUSTO CARUSO
The essential gelato stop in Polignano a Mare. Order the almond flavor and eat it while wandering through the old town. Via Martiri di Dogali, 27, 70044 Polignano a Mare BA, Italy; gustocaruso.it
IL SUPER MAGO DEL GELO
A Polignano institution known for its caffè speciale, an espresso-based drink made with amaretto and cream. Best after a gelato at Gusto Caruso. Piazza Garibaldi, 22, 70044 Polignano a Mare BA, Italy; ilsupermagodelgelo.it
AL CORTILETTO – VINO&BIRRA
A relaxed Ostuni wine-and-beer spot with a casual atmosphere and a menu designed for easy sharing. A good option when you want something informal in town. Ostuni, Brindisi, Italy
LO SCALO
A legendary seaside restaurant at Marina di Novaglie, built directly into the rocky coast. Come for a long lunch of beautifully prepared fish and seafood, then linger over wine with the sea directly below you. Via A. Vespucci, 73031 Marina di Novaglie LE, Italy; loscalonovaglie.i
A CASA TU MARTINU
A deeply traditional Salento restaurant in Taviano, known for rustic cooking, local ingredients and the sort of old-fashioned dishes that make this part of Puglia worth driving for. Via Corsica, 95, 73057 Taviano LE, Italy; acasatumartinu.it
PIZZERIA DI COSIMO
A Bari Vecchia institution for a simple, inexpensive slice of pizza eaten standing up or wandering through the old city. Largo Albicocca, 19, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
LA UASCÉZZE
A tiny, atmospheric cellar in Bari Vecchia serving traditional Barese cooking in an intimate stone-walled setting. Come for handmade orecchiette, burrata, local antipasti and classic dishes such as patate, riso e cozze. Corte Sant’Agostino, 2/3/4, 70122 Bari BA, Italy; uascezze.it
BISTROT GARIBALDI
A pretty, relaxed address on Piazza Plebiscito in Martina Franca, ideal for sampling local specialties in the middle of an evening wandering the historic center. Piazza Plebiscito, 13, 74015 Martina Franca TA, Italy
BORGO ANTICO
A charming little bistro in the heart of Ostuni, worth knowing for a casual meal or aperitivo between wandering the whitewashed streets. Via Cattedrale, 23, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
TRICASE BAR BALBOA
A lively bar and bistro in the center of Tricase, perfect for an aperitivo after a day swimming along the southern coast. Piazza Giuseppe Pisanelli, 23, 73039 Tricase LE, Italy
IL CORTILETTO
A relaxed, countryside-style address where the setting is as important as the food, with a traditional Puglian atmosphere and a focus on local ingredients. V. Lecce, 91, 72015 Speziale BR, Italy; trattoriailcortiletto.it
L’OSTERIA PIZZERIA DA MICCHIO
A typical rural restaurant in Ostuni, with a wonderfully local atmosphere and good pizza. Alessandra’s recommendation for an unfussy meal away from the more polished restaurants in town. Contrada Pascarosa, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
GROTTA PALAZZESE Polignano a Mare (spelled polígagno amare in your query) is a famous coastal town in southern Italy, in the region of Puglia. Grotta Palazzese is a breathtaking, world-famous restaurant built inside a natural vaulted limestone sea cave right on the cliffs of that town, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Strada Monticello, 1, 74015 Martina Franca TA, Italy
BEACH + SWIM
LIDO LA SORGENTE
A simple, local-feeling lido in Castro that Vogue’s Madeline Fass calls her favorite swimming stop of the trip. Arrive early for a chair and umbrella, then spend the day swimming, reading and buying fresh figs from the nearby fruit stands. Castro, Lecce, Italy; lidolasorgente.it
LIDO LA CASTELLANA
A tiny beach cove with a shaded pergola and restaurant right behind the beds and umbrellas. Vogue recommends reserving ahead for lunch—the sort of place where you can come straight from the sea for lobster spaghetti, then spend the afternoon on your chaise with a spritz. Castro, Lecce, Italy; lidolacastellana.com
BAGNO MARINO ARCHI
A casual beach club built into the cliffs around Tricase Porto, with umbrellas, chaises and easy access to the sea. A good choice when you want a full beach day rather than simply stopping for a swim. Tricase Porto, Lecce, Italy; bagnomarinoarchi.it
BEIJA-FLOR
A laid-back beach lido in Santa Caterina with loungers on the rocks, food and drinks throughout the day and a beautiful sunset atmosphere. Via Cantù, 30, 73050 Santa Caterina, Nardò LE, Italy; lidobeijaflor.it
ACQUAVIVA
A dramatic rocky swimming spot on the Salento coast, best experienced as part of a day of swimming around Castro and Tricase Porto. Goop includes it among its favorite southern Puglia swimming stops. Marittima, Lecce, Italy.
BAIA DEI TURCHI
One of the most beautiful beaches near Otranto, with clear turquoise water and a more natural setting than many of the region’s developed lidos. It is particularly easy to pair with a stay at Masseria Muzza. Otranto, Lecce, Italy.
SEE + DO
ALBEROBELLO
The trulli are the reason to come, but the best way to experience Alberobello is to wander beyond the most photographed streets and actually look inside these extraordinary conical-roofed houses. EyeSwoon recommends exploring with a local guide, particularly one who can introduce you to the history, crafts and people behind the architecture. Alberobello, Bari, Italy.
POLIGNANO A MARE
The famous cliffside town is worth seeing despite its popularity. Walk the old town, look out over Lama Monachile and then spend the afternoon swimming or eating seafood. It is particularly good as a half-day stop between Monopoli and Ostuni. Polignano a Mare, Bari, Italy.
OTRANTO
A beautiful fortified Adriatic town with a historic center that tumbles toward the sea. The cathedral, Aragonese castle and Bastione dei Pelasgi are the essentials, while the nearby coast offers some of the region’s best swimming. Otranto, Lecce, Italy.
LECCE
The essential city stop in southern Puglia. Come for the extraordinary Baroque architecture carved from honey-colored pietra leccese, but stay for the restaurants, galleries, cafés and lively evening atmosphere. It is also the best base for exploring the Salento peninsula. Lecce, Puglia, Italy.
OSTUNI
The White City remains one of Puglia’s most beautiful places to wander, particularly in the late afternoon when the light hits the whitewashed walls. Come without much of a plan—walk the stairways, stop for an aperitivo in Piazza della Libertà and stay for dinner. Ostuni, Brindisi, Italy.
TRICASE + CASTRO
This stretch of the southern Adriatic is where I would send anyone looking for the more rugged, less polished side of Puglia. Spend the day moving between small coves, rocky swimming spots, seaside lunches and tiny ports rather than trying to check off traditional sights. Vogue and Goop both make this area a major part of their southern Puglia itineraries. Lecce, Puglia, Italy.
PORTO SELVAGGIO
A beautiful natural park near Nardò where pine forest comes almost directly down to the sea. It is a good antidote to Puglia’s more developed beaches and makes an easy addition to a Salento road trip. Nardò, Lecce, Italy.
GROTTA DELLA POESIA
One of Salento’s most dramatic natural swimming holes, where a circular pool carved into the rock connects to the Adriatic through a sea cave. It is popular, but the setting is spectacular and worth seeing if you are already exploring the Otranto coast. Roca Vecchia, Melendugno, Lecce, Italy.
GROTTE DI CASTELLANA
A spectacular underground cave system in the Valle d’Itria, formed over millions of years and filled with stalactites, stalagmites and enormous chambers. An excellent stop when driving between Bari, Alberobello and Ostuni. Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy; grottedicastellana.org
CASTEL DEL MONTE
The extraordinary octagonal 13th-century castle in northern Puglia, built by Frederick II and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the region’s most interesting architectural detours if you are heading north toward Bari or Gargano. Andria, Puglia, Italy.
MONTE SANT’ANGELO
A mountain town in the Gargano with a beautiful historic center and an important sanctuary dedicated to Saint Michael. Vogue España includes it among the region’s lesser-visited towns worth seeking out. Monte Sant’Angelo, Foggia, Italy.
VIESTE + PESCHICI
If you want to extend the trip north, these are the two towns I would add. The Gargano peninsula feels markedly different from the flatter, whitewashed Puglia most visitors know: dramatic cliffs, forest, hidden coves and winding roads along the Adriatic. Vogue Spain specifically highlights both as essential stops in the north. Gargano, Foggia, Italy.