Best places to stay in Puglia

After having virtually explored the architectural, naturalistic and gastronomic beauties of Puglia, it is time to think about the accommodation for your trip to Puglia.

As we have seen in the previous articles, this region has a lot to offer and it all depends on what you are looking for. At this point, the fundamental question that many ask themselves is: which location to choose as a base for a trip to Puglia?

The answer to this question is fundamental, especially if your intention is to come in the summer, the busiest period and therefore the one that requires more time to waste moving from one location to another. In this article, I will guide you through 5 strategic locations, in my opinion, where to stay, immersing yourself in the authentic culture, enjoying the crystal clear sea and treasuring every moment spent in this wonderful region of Italy.

We will start from the South of Puglia, the area called “Salento”, to move increasingly towards the North.

1. Gallipoli: between Caribbean beaches and Salento fun

Gallipoli is the first place I recommend as a base for your trip to Puglia, especially if you come in the summer and plan to relax on the most beautiful beaches on the Ionian side of Puglia and enjoy the nightlife. Porto Cesareo, Torre Lapillo, Porto Selvaggio, Punta Prosciutto, Baia Verde, are just some of the splendid and most beautiful seaside resorts in the region. Gallipoli also has a wide choice of nightclubs and events of great cultural interest: in the summer, numerous concerts of the greatest Italian and non-Italian artists are organized, which act as a great attraction for young people. We cannot fail to mention the gastronomic offer: the Gallipoli Fish Market offers a wide choice of very fresh local fish that can be tasted in the many restaurants in the Old Town, such as the famous Gallipoli purple shrimp.

2. Lecce: in the heart of the Baroque Salento

Also known as the “capital of the Baroque”, Lecce is the second location that I recommend for your trip to Salento as it is located in a privileged and strategic position to visit both coasts of Puglia: it is halfway between the Ionian and Adriatic coasts.

On the Adriatic coast there is the city of Otranto, with the beautiful locations of Baia dei Turchi and Laghi Alimini, and the marinas of Melendugno such as San Foca and Torre dell’Orso. Going south, instead, there are Castro Marina and Santa Maria di Leuca.

On the Ionian side, as mentioned above, it is possible to visit the beautiful seaside resorts of Porto Cesareo, Porto Selvaggio and Gallipoli.

It should be noted that in both cases, Lecce is about 30 minutes by car from all the destinations mentioned above: it is therefore an ideal choice if you intend to combine a relaxing trip with the cultural aspect thanks to important buildings and numerous sites of interest characterized by churches, monuments and historical buildings that the city enjoys.

3. Ostuni: exploring the countryside of the Itria Valley

Known as “the white city”, Ostuni is a splendid town in Puglia that has managed to preserve its historic center of medieval origin, with buildings built in white lime. Staying in Ostuni can be a truly pleasant experience and the city can also be chosen as a base for visiting the Itria Valley, a region characterized by rolling hills and olive groves, famous for its characteristic trulli as well as for the typical fortified masserie converted into structures where visitors can be welcomed for a truly special experience in contact with nature.

Locorotondo, Ceglie Messapica and Alberobello, the capital of the trulli included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, are some of the gems present in this territory.

Moving towards the province of Taranto, a special mention for Martina Franca, famous for the production of fine wines such as Primitivo.

4. Bari: a journey of taste in the heart of the Region

Moving from the south to the north of the region, I cannot fail to recommend Bari, the capital of the Region. In addition to being a city rich in history and culture, it also offers a lively gastronomic scene that will allow you to taste the typical dishes of this part of the region such as orecchiette with turnip tops and the typical focaccia barese.

This city is certainly the ideal choice for a strategic stay to discover the center of the region. History and architecture lovers can visit places such as Castel del Monte, Trani and Barletta, while those who want to relax under the sun can reach the areas of Polignano a Mare or Monopoli. For a stay that combines relaxation at the spa and beaches, instead, we recommend Margherita di Savoia, a town famous for its salt pans.

Finally, for an unforgettable food and wine experience, we recommend heading to Gioia del Colle, famous for its Norman castle and the production of fine wines, including the renowned Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, and Altamura, famous for its IGP bread.

5. Vieste: exploring Gargano between history, nature and sea

Last but not least, Vieste, in the Gargano area (FG). If you are looking for an authentic and experience-rich destination in the North of Puglia, this is a perfect choice.

The Gargano peninsula is a natural paradise that extends between ancient forests, imposing mountains and the blue sea. The Gargano National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, perfect for nature lovers and those who want to explore breathtaking views. From Vieste, you can easily reach places such as Monte Sant’Angelo, nestled between the rocks of Gargano, as well as the beautiful towns of Peschici, Rodi Garganico and Mattinata with which Vieste shares the coastline.

Vieste is perfect for those who want to visit this area of ​​Puglia by sea: from here, in fact, numerous ferries depart for the beautiful Tremiti Islands.

When it comes to gastronomic products, Vieste is no exception: here you can taste fresh fish dishes, such as mussels au gratin and cod Gargano style, as well as traditional desserts, such as the typical cartellate and pistachio desserts from Monte Sant’Angelo.