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Puglia travel guide

Trulli houses, whitewashed towns and long sandy beaches

The trulli of Alberobello. Photo: ParisTaras, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2h 45mflight from London
BRInearest main airport
27° in Augwarmest month
9° in Jancoolest month

Puglia is the heel of Italy's boot, a flat, sunny region of olive groves, white towns and two long coastlines. The cone-roofed trulli of Alberobello and baroque Lecce are its most famous sights.

It's laid-back and less touristy than the Amalfi Coast, with great food and good-value masserie, farmhouses turned into hotels.

Good forFoodBeachesRoad tripsRelaxing

What Puglia is known for

  • Trulli

    Whitewashed houses with cone-shaped stone roofs.

  • Olive oil and orecchiette

    Ear-shaped pasta and some of Italy's best olive oil.

  • Two coasts

    Sandy Adriatic beaches and Ionian coves.

  • Baroque Lecce

    The "Florence of the south", in golden stone.

Top things to do in Puglia

  1. 1

    Alberobello

    A town of more than 1,000 trulli, a UNESCO site.

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  2. 2

    Lecce

    Ornate baroque churches and lively piazzas.

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  3. 3

    Polignano a Mare

    A cliff-top town with a famous beach in a cove.

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  4. 4

    Ostuni

    The "white city" on a hilltop above olive groves.

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  5. 5

    Matera

    Ancient cave dwellings just over the border in Basilicata.

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See all tours and tickets in Puglia

Where to stay in Puglia

Find a hotel in Puglia

Best time to visit Puglia

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. May, June and September: warm and sunny with a warm sea, before the crowds of August.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
8.8 C9°J9.1 C9°F11.3 C11°M14.2 C14°A18.6 C19°M23.4 C23°J26.6 C27°J26.7 C27°A22.4 C22°S18.1 C18°O13.9 C14°N10.1 C10°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Puglia, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h 45m from London to BRI, and flights from most UK airports.

A hire car is best. Trains link Bari, Polignano, Ostuni and Lecce.

Find flights to Puglia (BRI)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • August is when Italians holiday here: book ahead.
  • Many beaches are lidos, but there are free sections too.
  • Stay in a masseria for a taste of rural Puglia.
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Puglia FAQ

Which airport for Puglia?

Bari for the north and Itria Valley, Brindisi for Lecce and the south.

Do I need a car in Puglia?

It's much easier with one, especially for masserie and beaches.

More places in Italy

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