Where to stay in Puglia?

Bari, Puglia's main entry point

Bari is the region's most important coastal city. But beyond its size and the fact that it is designated as its capital, it is above all served by an airport. As such, it is the general point of arrival for a stay in Puglia, and therefore a good place to stay. If only for a few nights, to discover the surrounding area.

To visit this capital, it's best to target the Bari-Vecchia district for accommodation. This is the historic heart of the city, home to such landmarks as San Sabino Cathedral, San Nicola Basilica and the Norman Castle. It's also the liveliest area, where you'll most easily find restaurants.

Other accommodation options can be found in the surrounding area, more or less off the beaten track. You can even stay close to the beach, at Pane e Pomodoro to the east. However, you don't usually come to Bari to enjoy the sea. It's a port city first and foremost. For a seaside holiday, it's best to opt for small towns further east, such as Polignano a Mare or Monopoli. We'll come back to these later in this guide.

Another advantage is that it's just an hour's drive from Alberobello, the famous trulli village. You're bound to visit it during your stay. In short, Bari is usually the first stop on a road trip through the region. It's a good place to stay in Puglia to explore the surrounding area. For 2 or 3 nights, for example.

Salento, around Lecce in the far southeast

The Salento region is at the eastern end of Puglia, at the heel of the "boot" that is Italy. The main town in the area is Lecce. It's a good place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding area.

Highlights include the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Cathedral and its Campanile, Palazzo Vernazza and Piazza Sant'Oronzo, home to the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. But what really stands out is the city' s Baroque architecture, which has earned it international renown. It's even referred to as the"Lecce Baroque" style. In short, it's a pleasant place to stay. There are a number of hotels in the historic center, as well as apartments for rent and bed & breakfasts. There are also plenty of restaurants to enjoy in the evening.

Apart from this administrative capital, there are many other places to visit in Solento. If you choose to stay in this part of Puglia, you can take a day trip to visit several of them. But you can also choose to stay overnight to diversify your experience. The most important places to see are

• the port towns ofOtranto (to the east), Santa Maria di Leuca (to the south), and Gallipoli (to the west). They all have pretty historic centers, and even if there isn't much in the way of accommodation, it's still a pleasant place to stay.
• Specchia, inland this time, is famous for its Palazzo Risolo. It is often considered one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia. However, apart from a few rentals, it's difficult to stay here.

To give you an idea of distances, it's about 1 hour's drive from Lecce, which is generally in the north of the area, to Santa Maria di Leuca in the far south. As you can see, it's quite feasible to take a single accommodation in this region of Puglia and visit it over 2 or 3 days.

Other port cities to stay in on the East Coast

Beyond Bari, Puglia's east coast boasts a number of port towns where to stay. These include Monopoli, Poligagno a Mare and San Vito, heading south. And Barletta, this time to the north.

Polignano a Mare seems to rest on immense, impressive cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Its focal point is the piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Lined with a variety of stores and restaurants, it's known for its large, beautiful buildings and its palace adorned with a clock. But you can also see the white-stone Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria Assunta church.

What also attracts travelers here is the pretty beach of Lama Monachile, in a kind of cove. The scenery is superb, but it's all pebbles. Another point of interest is a boat trip to discover the sea caves at the edge of the cliffs. There are many in the area.

Monopoli has a different geography, but remains particularly charming. Among the things to see:

• the old town, with its narrow streets and beautiful cathedral
• the Charles V castle, on the waterfront
• the port, where numerous small blue boats are moored.

To the south is the main beach, Cala Porta Vecchia. But it's not very wide and not necessarily suitable for landing. For that, it's best to go further out. You'll find a number of them, some small and wild, others larger and generally of fine sand.

The village of San Vito is also in this area. Still on the seafront, it's best known for its beautiful abbey overlooking a small fishing port. It's one of the most beautiful places in Puglia. Whether you want to stay there or not, it's a must-see.

Finally, heading north this time, on the other side of Bari, is Barletta. This can be an interesting stopover before heading north into Puglia, towards the Gargano region. There are a number of points of interest to discover in the surrounding area, including the octagonal Castel del Monte castle and the village ofAndria. It was here that the recipe for burrata cheese was invented in the early 20th century!

Stay in the Itria Valley, to discover authentic Puglia

This region of Puglia lies slightly inland and is made up of typical small villages. This is where you'll see the famous trulli, whitewashed stone houses with cone-shaped roofs covered in flat gray stones.

The main village to visit is Alberobello. Considered the most beautiful of all, it is also the one that attracts the most tourists. So, in addition to seeing them from the outside, in some places you can stay in Puglia in a trulli. Their owners have converted them into a guest house or gite, giving you the opportunity to enjoy this rather unusual experience. As you'll have gathered, however, the number of rooms is limited, so book well in advance!

But don't confine yourself to this one, as the valley is home to many other treasures. Typical houses as always, but also other magnificent villages to discover. They're usually perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. These include

• Ostuni, nicknamed the "white town" for its many whitewashed facades. Its northern part is lively in the evening (bars, restaurants), so if you need a minimum of entertainment, this is the place to stay.
• Locorotondo and the characteristic development of its historic center, in the shape of concentric circles.
• Cisternino, where the color white is also very present.

As well as being pleasant and quieter than the coast, the Itria Valley is also well-situated for exploring the surrounding area. From your accommodation, you can explore the valley's villages, but also easily reach the coastal towns.

Lodging around the Gargano highlands in the north-west

Gargano is a mountainous area in north-western Puglia. To give you an idea, if you look at the map of the country, it's the large peninsula that juts out into the Adriatic Sea to the east. Some say it looks like an "ergot".

It is home to a number of places of interest, including :

• Vieste, the main town in the area, nestled between land and sea at the very tip of the peninsula. It boasts a pretty historic center, but what really sets it apart are its white cliffs and the Pizzomunno rock that stands on its wide, sandy beach.
• Peschici, a village further north.
• Monte Sant Angelo, inland and high up. Dominating the surrounding area, it is also known for its sanctuary.

The best place to stay in Puglia's Gargano region is undoubtedly Vieste. This is where you'll find the most evening entertainment and the most things to do. What's more, there are more accommodation options here than elsewhere, both hotels and rentals.

However, given its remoteness from the center of Puglia, this region is generally visited for stays of more than a week. For stays of a week or less, travelers prefer the southeast.

Brindisi, the other big city where to stay in Puglia

Less well known than Bari, Brindisi is nonetheless one of the region's main cities. Also located by the sea, it is an important gateway to Puglia. It has its own airport, served by low-cost airlines in particular. You may even arrive via this airport.

So, if you're landing in Puglia, it might be worth staying at least one night, either at the beginning or end of your stay. Or include it as a stopover before descending further into the Solento region. In fact, the heart of the town is packed with small restaurants serving Italian cuisine and seafood. A pleasant place to stay during your stay in Puglia.

With a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, the town's historic center contains several traces of that era. These include the portico of the Templars, or the Roman column. The latter marked the end of the Via Appia, the long cobbled road of almost 500km that crossed Italy from Rome!

Apart from this, you can also discover the Alfonsino castle, stroll along its fishing port, or visit its archaeological museum. In short, you can spend a day here, or stay for a night or two.

In terms of accommodation, there are a few hotels in Brindisi. But it's mainly rental apartments and guest houses that are available.