In this article about The most beautiful towns of Apulia, we will uncover the rustic corner of southern Italy. Apulia, or Puglia, is renowned for its beautiful villages and beaches. The traditional houses of Trullo, the olive groves, and the villages perched at the top of the Adriatic are even more fascinating. We have selected a few of our favorite towns to add to any Puglia itinerary.
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Listed as one of “I Borghi più Belli d’Italia” (the most beautiful small Italian towns of historical interest), off-the-radar Locorotondo is primarily famous for its white, gently sparkling wines. At the same time, the humble hilltop town in the heart of the Valle d’Itria is a beautiful place to wander around. With its round-shaped historical center of quiet ivory streets and typical white houses adorned with pots of fuchsia-geraniums, it is the place with whom you can easily fall in love.
Furthermore, you will find equally charming countryside around Locorotondo with quiet vineyards, olive groves, and Hobbit-like Trulli houses around the town.
Lecce
Here, the masterpieces of Baroque architecture stand alongside charmingly crumbling balconies in Lecce, one of the most attractive cities in Italy, let alone Puglia.
At the heart of Florence of the South stands a half-buried 2nd-century Roman amphitheater. And everywhere, you can admire elaborately decorated churches and palaces made of local honey-hued stone, which form a splendid backdrop for the evening “passeggiatta” or other outdoor pursuits.
Good looks aside, this Baroque gem in Puglia’s Salento peninsula is a pleasantly relaxed university town with an enjoyable nightlife scene, hip-hop shopping, and endless restaurants serving cordial “Cucina povera” (traditional peasants’ food).
Sant’Agata di Puglia
The pcituresque village is definitely worth visiting. Therefore, if you have enough time, you should put it into your ininerary.
Trani
Located 40 km north of Bari, on the Adriatic coast of Apulia, Trani stands out for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and wonderful pink cathedral by the sea. Furthermore, the colorful fishing boats share the space with gleaming white yachts in the well-equipped harbor, while medieval buildings and palazzi decorate the polished limestone streets of its fancy old town center.
The beautiful seaside town also boasts fantastic bars, restaurants,, public gardens, chic boutiques, and plenty of lively festivals.
Located on the edge of a steep ravine on the Adriatic coast, Polignano a Mare is prettier than a postcard. The picturesque seaside village embraces a small Blue Flag beach, shielded by two cliffs and Centro Storico. In addition, its atmospheric labyrinth of winding streets, sun-bleached buildings, and ancient churches reveals fascinating glimpses of the sparkling blue sea at each turn.
More importantly, thanks to its spectacular setting, Polignano a Mare is widely renowned for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which occurs here each summer. Last but not least, Domenico Modugno, the winner of the first Grammy award, was born here. We are sure we all know his famous song “Nel Blu dipinto DI blue” or, more popularly, “Volare.”
Specchia
One of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia (the most beautiful village in Italy), Specchia, lives up to its standards.
Just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, the town’s hilltop position tells us much about its history. Namely, for centuries, the east coast of Puglia was subject to raids from Saracen invaders, Ottoman marines, and other raiders. Consequently, those near the sea sought refuge inland, preferably at a safe altitude. For this reason, small towns emerged along the backbone of the Salento Peninsula. The village flourished from the 12th until the 18th century.
Wandering the streets of Specchia is a pleasure reserved for those in the know. Elegant lanes, lined with imposing noble palaces and historic churches, are crisscrossed by narrow, shady streets.
You can admire olive groves in the countryside, an essential aspect of the local economy and profoundly influenced the town’s architectural heritage. We recommend you visit one of these underground wonders (with a guide from the Pro Loco tourism office). You’ll get close to the secret core of life, not only of Specchia itself but of Puglia as a whole.
Vieste
Vieste’s splendid coastline is lined with sea caves, caverns, and secluded sun-drenched coves waiting to be explored. Otherwise, the resort has the same labyrinthine historic core of cobblestone streets, colorful little squares, and blanched buildings with flower-filled wrought-iron balconies.
More importantly, the easternmost town of the Gargano peninsula enjoys a jaw-dropping position on a promontory that juts out into the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. Whitewashed limestone walls encircle the city. Ultimately, a wide sandy beach extends on each side of its iconic 25m limestone monolith, Pizzomunno.
One of the most attractive towns in southern Italy, Ostuni is a gleaming white jumble of houses, churches, and charming piazzas spread over a hilltop surrounded by quaint countryside and endless olive groves.
La Città Bianca, as it is locally known, is home to a spellbindingly beautiful fortified old town packed with medieval architectural treasures and dazzling views of the Adriatic coast. And while the old-world allure primarily draws visitors here, Ostuni is no stranger to chic hotels, hip cafés, and excellent restaurants.
Tucked away in Italy’s heel, in the province of Lecce, the picturesque seaside town of Otranto means different things to different travelers.
Art and history enthusiasts come here to admire its Romanesque cathedral’s gorgeous 12th-century mosaic floors. Secondly, gourmets come here for the seafood restaurants lining the scenic waterfront promenades. And lastly, incurable romantics like to get lost in its postcard-perfect old quarter. In the height of summer, however, everybody fights for beach space along its stunning ten km-long coastlines kissed by dazzling aquamarine waters.
Monopoli
Though lesser known than Alberobello and Ostuni nearby, Monopoli is a delightful coastal town with ancient churches and winding alleys lined with whitewashed façades. Adding to the charm are a lovely cathedral, an old fishing port, and fortified seafront walls.
A golden sandy cove with crystalline waters, it’s no wonder the beach of Monopoli is one of the most popular along the Apulian coast.
With its maze of hilly cobblestone paths lined with charming conical-roofed Trulli, the white town of Alberobello seems straight out of a children’s storybook. , these peculiar ancient structures protected by UNESCO house everything from bars and boutiques to churches, museums, and B&Bs, giving the town’s historical center a whimsical fairytale look.
If you like this article, be sure to check out our related article below or leave a comment in the thread. Namely, we are very curious, which was your favorite village in this lovely region.
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