7 Best Towns in Puglia (+1 That’s Overrated)
Puglia might just be Italy’s best-kept secret. And the towns in Puglia? Many of them are downright magical.
With so many incredible cities in Puglia, how do you choose? Caleb and I spent 10 days road-tripping and eating (emphasis on eating because the food in Puglia is seriously taste-bud BLOWING), and there were many cities we loved and some that we didn’t think were worth the hype.
Our guide to the best towns in Puglia shares the places that we think are *actually* worth your time and one of the cities that everyone else tells you to go to, but we were totally let down. We’ll also give you some insider info on each city and where to eat because isn’t that the best part of traveling?
When deciding on the best towns in Puglia, we focused on three things: the food scene (because, priorities!), how touristy it felt, and the overall vibe of the city. Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? We’re breaking it down so you can easily choose the perfect towns for your Puglia itinerary—whether you’re after hidden gems or foodie hotspots.
Here’s a video we made with some of our favorite towns in Puglia to visit
1. Ceglie Messapica: Puglias Hidden Gem For Foodies
Why we loved it
It’s no secret that Italy is one the best places in Europe for foodies, and Ceglie Messapica is known as the gastronomic capital of the Valle d’Itria, which is why we visited it. We didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be our favorite city in Puglia.
It had the most authentic, local, and small-town feel that we may have *ever* experienced in Italy. One of our hotel hosts told us it had the most authentic, historic center in the region, and he was NOT lying – it was so charming with its narrow streets and colorful doors.
It was one of the only towns in Puglia where we didn’t see many tourists, and there were zero cheese tourist shops selling magnets and spoon rests that you really do not need.
What you should know before going:
English can be a little harder here since it’s not as popular of a tourist destination yet! We still got by, okay?, just know it’s different from the rest of Italy. You should know about the local cookie, Biscotto di Ceglie. It’s a jam and almond cookie, and we loved it at Forno San Lorenzo!
What to do:
Visit Masseria Fragnite for the most epic cheese-making experience of your life. This has been one of our favorite experiences to date because the staff is so kind, and we learned so much about Puglia cheese….plus we got to eat A LOT of it with amazing local wine.
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
Where to stay:
We stayed at Masseria LoJazzo, which is a short drive outside Ceglie Messapica and it was so worth it. We got to stay in one of the traditional trulli houses on a farm with the most STUNNING and delicious fresh breakfast in a garden. I mean, JUST LOOK AT IT.
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
NOTE: I and Caleb’s travel style is “bougie backpacker,” where we try to find the cheapest option that is still clean and in a good location since we’re never in the hotel anyway. These are the kinds of suggestions you’ll find throughout this post!
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
The antipasti at Osteria Da Giuseppe was next level, and Giuseppe himself even came out to talk to us and help us figure out the menu.
2. Lecce: Puglia’s Prettiest Architecture
Why we loved it:
Lecce is usually known as “the Florence of the South” for its Baroque architecture, which was STUNNING. We’ve been to Florence and agree that it has the same vibe but without a lot fewer tourists. It’s also a university city, so we liked the younger vibe and lots of hip restaurants and cocktail bars.
COUPLES TIP: Caleb and I thought Lecce was one of the most romantic cities because of the architecture and abundance of cozy cocktail bars and restaurants! Our favorite moment was cozying up on the outside patio of the funky cocktail bar, Quanto Basta
What you should know before going:
The region is famous for its sweet dessert, Pasticciotto, a custard inside a cookie-like crust. We had the best ones at Natale Bakery, and you NEED TO EAT THEM.
What to do:
We really LOVED the cooking class we did with The Awaiting Table. We tasted amazing wine and cooked pasta from scratch with an ex-American, so there were no language barriers. By the end of the night (and once the wine was flowing), everyone in the class was BFF.
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
Where to stay:
BnB Fico was the perfect location, just outside the main old town gate. The host even stood in a parking spot for us for 20 minutes while we got stuck in traffic so it would not get taken. We LOVED the outside space, and the rooms were beautiful and spacious!
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
Antica Pucceria Giannone dal 1941 to try the local, traditional Puccia sandwiches that will knock your taste buds off your head.
3. Ostuni: Puglia’s Iconic Whitewashed Walls
Why we loved it:
The white walls and charming green and blue doors give Ostuni the name “white city,” which Caleb and I think makes Ostuni one of the prettiest cities in Puglia! It’s also situated on a hill, so you have AMAZING views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding olive groves.
What you should know before going:
It is one of the most popular cities in the region, so you will find more tourists and tourist shops. We found it the most magical when the sunset and a lot of the day-tripping tourists left.
What to do:
Visit on of the unique cocktail/aperitivo restaurants tucked in some of the little side streets with amazing ocean views (WE LOVED this at Sunset!) If you don’t drink, just head to the top of the hill because the pinks and oranges in the sunset over the Adriatic were one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever seen.
Where to stay:
We stayed a little outside Ostuni at Relais Trulli Le Icone and loved it! A huge parking lot, huge grounds to walk, beautiful rooms, and a nice, cooked-to-order breakfast. Did you see that pool?!
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
Casa San Giacomo has an amazing vibe in a cave with great food!
4. Casamassima: Puglia’s Secret Blue Streets
Why we loved it:
Everyone has heard of the blue city in Morocco, but not in Italy! This small town has the most CHARMING old town, and all the walls are various shades of blue. We even saw a local touching up the paint, so you know it’s something they are proud of!
It’s also a hidden gem, so we loved that there were very few tourists!
What you should know before going:
The reason for the blue color isn’t just aesthetic! Some say it was painted this way to ward off evil spirits, while others believe it was influenced by Sephardic Jewish settlers centuries ago. Some say it was to ward off a plague! So many stories are in the blue walls!
PRO TIP: To get to the blue area of the city, route to “Centro Storico I’ll paese Azzuro” on Google Maps.
Where To Stay
Casamassima is best visited as a day trip from Bari since it’s small and not very tourist; there isn’t a ton to do for an overnight stay. But we loved it for the morning and afternoon!
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
La Fornarina was the cutest bakery and had some of the best Bariese Focaccia we had on the whole trip!
5. Monopoli: Puglia’s Ultimate Seaside Escape
Why we loved it:
It was once a fishing village, so now it’s got a super cute port, sandy beaches, and a good vibe with a nightlife that felt more romantic and less “we’re worried a teenager might throw up on our shoes,” you know? It’s also one of the best beach towns in Puglia if you need some unwinding on the sandy shores.
What you should know before going:
Head to the Porto Antico (Old Port) in the evening for the best sunset in the city!
What to do:
Visit the Grotto churches, get lost in the old town, hit the beach, and eat some seafood!
Where to stay:
We personally did not love our stay and wish we had stayed a little outside the city center on another Masseria (working farm). This would be a more local experience, and it would be easier to access other beaches.
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
Caffe Letterario had a great breakfast on a lovely, big patio. It’s busy, so go early! We tried the traditional Puccia sandwich in a breakfast version and it was DREAMY.
6. Polignano a Mare: Puglia’s Most Breathtaking Clifftop Views
Why we loved it:
We loved the cliffside views and dramatic setting above the Adriatic Sea. The town’s whitewashed buildings and winding alleys have stunning views, and the seafood here is incredible!
What you should know before going:
Since it’s been named a place that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list, it’s one of the most visited towns in Puglia, so expect quite a few people! We loved it in the early mornibg and after dinner when the day trippers had left!
What to do:
Explore the old town or take a boat trip. If you want a less visited beach, we walked about 45 minutes to Spiaggia di Porto Cavallo, one of the most local and secluded beaches in the area. We LOVED it.
PRO TIP: check the weather forecast before going! It was SUPER bright and sunny when we did this long walk….but when we got there, a storm rolled in unexpectedly. It made the long walk a little pointless!
Where to stay:
B&B Casa Laforgia Soffio Mediterraneo was the BEST location, enough outside town that parking was easy (and we had a free, dedicated spot) but only 10 10-minute walk into town. The room was super spacious and clean with a lovely porch, and the host had great food recommendations, being a chef!
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
La Rotellina is a grab-and-go place for the local Panzerotti (like a calzone), but it changed our lives.
7. Bari: Puglia’s Best City Vibes + Home Base
Why we loved it:
It’s the capital of the Puglia region and the biggest city in the area, so there are TONS of restaurants, bars, and lots to see and do. The old town (Barivecchia) feels less touristy, and we love the lungomare (boardwalk), especially at sunset.
We don’t see it on many lists of the best places in Puglia, and that’s a total miss!
What you should know before going:
We have to be honest, it’s not the PRETTIEST town in Puglia, so don’t expect it to look like other cities on this list, but it’s worth the visit! It also makes a great base for exploring cities around it.
This is also the home to the famous “pasta grannies,” but we were so disappointed. They were rude and tired to make Caleb pay to just take a photo of them. We were told by our Lecce cooking class host that most don’t even know what they are doing, and it’s just for tourists. Italy is starting to crack down on them too!
What to do:
Walk the lungomare at sunset and do this street food tour at some point! You’ll eat some of the best food in the city without spending precious time researching (more time for eating!) Plus, it’s such a fun and local way to learn about Bari and meet other travelers!
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
Where to stay:
We stayed in BariVera rooms and loved how spacious the room was and that there was a parking garage (paid) just 2 minutes up the street. It’s about a 20-minute walk into town, and I felt super safe with a very responsive host!
>>Click here to see photos, read reviews, and check prices and availability <<
If you eat at one restaurant, make it this one:
Al Sorso Preferito is where the famous “Spaghetti All’Assassina” was invented!” Make a reservation!
Honorable Mention: Matera – A Must-See Just Outside Puglia
When we rented a car and made our road trip around Puglia, we also went to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matera, which is Italy’s oldest city and one of the oldest cities in Europe! It was SO unique being nestled among rocks and caves.
It was one of our FAVORITE cities on our trip, BUT it’s not *technically* in Puglia; it’s in the Basilicata region. If you do have a car, DO NOT MISS MATERA. It is SO worth visiting.
We stayed at the most AMAZING apartment right in the old area. It was a MASSIVE and beautiful historic apartment with a patio and a view to DIE FOR. One of our favorite stays ever!
>>Click here to read reviews, see pictures, prices and availability <<
The City We Wanted To Love But Didn’t: Alberobello
Chances are, if you’ve seen any photos of Puglia, you’ve seen the white trulli homes of Alberobello because it’s one of the most photographed and visited cities in Puglia. We went there for the morning and were SO turned off by the hordes of tourists and large tour groups that we walked around for an hour and left.
It’s pretty to see, but the crowds really took away the magic for us. If you go, we recommend parking, taking a quick stroll, and leaving.
Do You Need a Car in Puglia?
Yes, we think you absolutely need a car in Puglia if you want to experience some of the best cities on this list. The bus and train system is not like the rest of Italy, and using public transportation would be very difficult. If you only want to stay around Bari, you could get away with it, but we LOVED having a rental car.
To go on a road trip, make sure you book your rental car early so they don’t run out! We love Discover Cars as they show all options and prices in one area to save you time!
>> Click here to check prices and availability! <<
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The Best Towns in Puglia (According To Us) On A Map:
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu, and go to ‘Your Places/Maps.’ If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
Navigating the Best Towns in Puglia: Where Will You Go First?
Whichever town you visit, one thing is for sure—Puglia’s charm, incredible food, and history make it one of Italy’s most unforgettable regions.
Still deciding? Here’s our quick breakdown to help you choose:
🥂 For a romantic getaway – Head to Lecce for stunning architecture and a lively atmosphere.
🍷 For food lovers – Ceglie Messapica is a must for its authentic, underrated dining scene.
🏝️ For beach time – Monopoli offers the perfect mix of coastal relaxation and vibrant nightlife.
🚗 For hidden gems – Casamassima is a beautiful, lesser-visited city.
If you’re road-tripping through Puglia, this guide will help you maximize your time and experiences. And if you’re skipping the rental car? Check out our Puglia Without a Car Guide to build an itinerary that works for you.
👉 Ready to plan your perfect Puglia trip? Check out all our related posts below
