Puglie Italy. Apulia (Puglia). Sights and excursions in the region
The region of Apulia is located on the southeastern coast of the Apennine Peninsula, occupying the heel of the Italian “boot”. This traditionally agricultural region is also one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Italy. The world-famous trulli city of Alberobello and the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari, cozy seaside towns and sunny beaches, huge amusement parks and thermal springs, olive groves, wineries, castles, caves - all this will give travelers a lot of new discoveries and impressions.
Business card
Apulia has the longest coastline in Italy, washed by two seas - the Adriatic and Ionian.
What to see, where to visit
In the capital of the region, the city of Bari, where acquaintance with Italian Puglia most often begins, there is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept. Also noteworthy are the Gothic Cathedral of St. Sabino, the Church of St. George, the Pinacoteca located in the building of the Provinciale Palace, and Fort St. Anthony, within the walls of which a museum of modern art is opened.
No less famous is the town of Alberobello, where you can see trulli - small whitewashed houses with conical roofs. The main city temple, the Church of St. Anthony, was built in the same style.
In general, interesting sights can be found in every corner of Puglia. In Andria there are numerous churches, the Candy Museum and the famous “castle on the mountain” Castel del Monte; in Barletta - a white stone castle and a huge bronze colossus erected in honor of the Roman emperor; in Brindisi - Grande Castle and Forte Mare Fortress; in Ostuni - an amazingly beautiful historical center with intricate streets and snow-white houses; in Martino Franca (20 km from Ostuni) - the Ducale Palace, where Leonador da Vinci, Donatello and other Italian geniuses once lived; in Lecce - richly decorated baroque palaces, churches and mansions; in Gallipoli there are impressive architectural monuments of different eras and styles.
In addition, in the region there are several natural parks (Gargano, Pollino, Gallipoli Cognato, Alta Murgia, etc.), and 40 km south of Bari, in the town of Castellana Grotte, there is a unique complex of karst caves, through which a 3-kilometer excursion route.
Beaches
The coast of Puglia in Italy, stretching along the Adriatic Sea, is a long series of picturesque beaches, mostly sandy.
There are excellent beaches in the north of the region - on the rocky shores of the Gargano National Park (resorts of Matinatta, Vieste, Rodi) and on the Tremiti Islands. Towards Bari and further south there are a number of large seaside resorts (Barletta, Trani, Molfetta, Monopoli, Torre Canne, etc.) with well-equipped beaches stretching for tens of kilometers.
In southern Apulia, the most popular beaches are Brindisi, Ostuni, Marino di Odriano, Otranto, Galliano del Cape, Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli, etc. This part of the coast is characterized by expressive landscapes - grottoes, rocky bays and natural panoramic terraces.
Springs and healing
A holiday in Puglia can be combined with treatment at one of the local thermal resorts. The most famous are the Baths of Torre Canne (province of Brindisi), rich in healing mud, which are widely used for respiratory diseases, rheumatic and orthopedic problems; Margherita di Savoia (province of Barletta-Andria-Trani), famous for its salt lakes; Santa Cesaria Terme (province of Lecce) with hot sulfur springs that help in the treatment of rheumatism and dermatological diseases.
Entertainment and active recreation
Vacationers spend most of their time on the beaches - sunbathing, swimming, doing water sports and beach games. You can go for a walk through the vineyards and olive groves (on foot or by bike), go to a nature or entertainment park, or attend a cultural event: each town has its own traditional holidays. No less enjoyable are trips to shops, outlets and markets: antique markets in Gallipoli and Brindisi, craft markets in Alberobello, flower markets in Lecce. In the evenings, tourists will find restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos. The larger the city or resort, the higher their concentration.
Local cuisine and wines
The local cuisine is based on natural products grown (or mined) here in Puglia. The most famous delicacies are Tarantino oysters and mussels, octopus dishes, fish baked in salt, mozzarella and burrata made from the most delicate cream, lamb cooked in pots, orecchiette pasta with turnips, Apulian cauliflower, etc. Mandatory component - Apulian olive oil, considered the best in Italy.
In addition, it is worth trying original desserts made from fruit and honey, as well as locally produced wines - for example, red Salice Salentino or white Locorotondo.
Family holiday
Puglia has several fun parks for the whole family. Thus, in Italy’s largest safari park Zoosafari (Fasano, 60 km from Bari) you can see dozens of species of wild animals, attend a dolphin show or ride a mini-train through a monkey village. The Miragica amusement park (Molfetta, 24 km from Bari) has an amazing “Land of Giants”, rides and a 4D cinema. Indiana Park (50 km from Bari) offers exciting adventures for all ages and skill levels. 20 km from Brindisi (the village of Cellino San Marco) there is a huge Carrisiland water park, and not far from Lecce there is the Splash water park.
Apulia (Pulia listen)) is a region located in the south. Its area is 19.4 thousand km², which is 6.4% of the entire territory of the country.
The population is 4.016 million people, which is 7.1% of the population of all of Italy. The population density is about 210 people per km². The administrative center of Apulia is the city and port. Geographically, the region consists of six provinces: Taranto, Foggia, Brindisi, Barletta, Lecce and Molfetta.
Geography
Apulia is bordered in the north by, in the west by and, washed by the Adriatic Sea in the east, and in the southwest by the Ionian Sea. The region is in the “heel” of the “boot” of Italy.
Provinces of the Apulia region
Climate
The climate of Apulia is dry and hot, typical of the Mediterranean. Average temperature in Bari: +9.1 °C in January and +24.8 °C in July. This region, the only one in Italy, has almost no mountains (they occupy only 2% of the territory of Apulia), so the relief of the entire area is hilly or flat. The seashore is low almost everywhere, with the only exceptions being the areas of Gargano and Salento. On the coasts of Apulia there are two large bays: in the north - Manfredonia and - in the south of the region. The region also includes two archipelagos: the Keradi Islands and the Tremiti Islands. There are few rivers in Puglia: Cervaro, Candelaro, Fortore and the Ofanto River, which is the largest. On the Gargano Peninsula, in its northern part, there are two lakes: Varano and Lesina, connected to the sea through canals. Near Bari there are the Castellana Caves, recognized as a unique natural phenomenon.
Transport
Puglia is connected with and by a well-developed network of railways and highways in the region. There are airports in Brindisi and Bari, the main port cities of the area are Brindisi and Taranto. Apulia is connected to the Balkan Peninsula by the Patras-Brindisi train ferry.
Services (buses and trains) for this region are provided by Ferrovie del Sud Est. Ticket prices for buses and trains vary from 1 to 16 euros, depending on the route. Weekly, monthly and annual passes are also sold.
Industry
The industry of this region began to develop not so long ago, but significant successes were achieved immediately. Funds for the development of industry in Apulia were allocated by the state assistance program for the southern regions and by private investors. There are 2 industrial districts in this region. The first is Brindisi and Taranto, with heavy industry (petrochemicals and oil refining, ferrous metallurgy, shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, aircraft manufacturing). And the second is Bari, with small and medium-sized businesses (food, clothing, paper, woodworking industries). Also, over the past few years, the industry of the cities of Foggia and Lecce has been actively developing (chemical industry, extraction of table salt and bauxite, agricultural engineering).
Agriculture
Agriculture suffered greatly from a lack of water resources. But relatively recently, this problem was solved thanks to the construction of a number of hydraulic structures that supply Apulia with water. The region's agriculture is currently one of the most promising and prosperous in southern Italy.
Vineyards of the Apulia region, photo: Flickr.com
Story
In the 7th century BC. The very first Greek colonies appeared on the territory of Apulia. Taranto became the main settlement. , who gave the name to this area, came to Apulia in the 2nd century. BC. The conquest of Apulia from the Romans took more than a hundred years, due to the resistance offered by the local population. The city of Brundisium was the largest Roman harbor located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. The Romans built two roads - Via Traiana and Via Appia, they connected Apulia and the central part of the empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Apulia experienced a long period of decline, which was caused by barbarian invasions, the Lombard-Byzantine War, revolts and pirate raids on the coast. The Lombards, Goths, Saracens and Byzantines visited here. A new flourishing of trade and agriculture was facilitated by the Normans who conquered Apulia in the 11th century. Apulia was a bridge between the East and Europe, through which pilgrimage, migration and trade flows passed.
In the XV-XVI centuries. Spanish rule slowed down the economic progress of the region, which led to a crisis in many areas of activity. The capital of Apulia was moved by the Spaniards from Bari to Naples. The region was the scene of struggle between Venice and Turkey. In 1861 Apulia joined the Italian state.
The territory of modern Apulia has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. Many megalithic monuments have been preserved.
Tourism and attractions
The city of Lecce, today with 83 thousand inhabitants, is the economic, cultural and spiritual center of the province of Salento. The city is located near two seas: the Ionian (23 kilometers) and the Adriatic (11 kilometers). The city has preserved quite a few architectural monuments from the Renaissance, the Middle Ages and antiquity. The most interesting architectural monuments date back to the 17th–18th centuries. The architects and sculptors who worked here knew the secret of how to process the local stone so that it remained soft the entire time they worked with it and hardened in the open sun. The Central Cathedral Square leaves an unforgettable impression. In addition to the bell tower and the Cathedral, which were built according to the design of the famous architect Giuseppe Zimbalo (1617-1710), you can also see the Archbishop's Palace and the Seminary Palace on the square. You should also definitely see the Basilica of Santa Croce, a building that cannot leave indifferent even a person far from art, the churches of Sant'Anna, Sant'Irene, the Prefectural Palace, the churches of San Matteo, Santa Chiara and many others.
The ancient city of Bari, which is the administrative center of Puglia, is of great interest to tourists. The city is conventionally divided into two parts: the new and the old city.
Palazzo Fizzarotti Bari, photo: Flickr.com
In Bari there is the famous Basilica of San Nicola, in which the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker have been buried for more than 9 centuries.
Saint Nicholas is a Christian saint who became famous for his miracles both during his life and even after death. He is revered not only by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, but also by pagans and Muslims. Saint Nicholas is one of the most beloved saints of ecumenical Orthodoxy in Russia and Ukraine, he is the patron saint of travelers and traders, a defender of piety and chastity, and a helper to the poor.
Opposite the Basilica of St. Nicholas, on the corner of the square, sculptor Zurab Tsereteli erected and donated to the city of Bari a monument to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (2002)
Basilica of St. Nicholas
Also among the attractions of Bari are the grandiose Norman Castle and, of course, the Cathedral of San Sabino. The construction of the Norman castle in 1131 was started on the orders of Roger II of Normandy, who was the first king of the Kingdom of Sicily. He united the Norman possessions of southern Italy and Sicily under his rule.
It is also worth visiting the small town of Alberobello. There you can see amazing houses with unusual conical roofs called trulli. Not far from Alberobello, a few kilometers away, is the town of Castellana, with its unique complex of caves (Grotte di Castellana).
Every first Sunday of the month, Gallipoli hosts an antique market. In August you can visit the craft markets in Alberobello and Grumo Appula. In Lecce there is a flower market for 10 days in May, and every last Sunday of the month there is a flea market in Piazza Libertini.
In Piazza Teresa in Brindisi you can visit a large monthly market where unique items and antiques are sold at very low prices. Acquarica del Capo has one of the best markets, where you can buy various handicrafts made from straw, bamboo and other materials.
Kitchen
In Puglia, three dominant elements can be distinguished in the preparation of traditional dishes: considered one of the best in the world, durum wheat and vegetables.
Cuisine of the Puglia region with a modern twist by chef Pietro Zito
Photo: Flickr.com
Pasta dishes are an important component on the table of local residents. Orecchiette is Puglia's most unique pasta, traditionally prepared with turnips. An equally popular dish is tiella (translated as terracotta pot) of vegetables with potatoes, rice and mussels.
Celebrities of the Apulia region
Puglia is proud of many of its natives. Among them: Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro (1916-1978); film actors Michele Placido (b. 1947) and Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926); singer Tito Skipa (1889-1965); composers Niccolò Piccinni (1728–1800) and Umberto Giordano (1867–1948); singer-soprano Farinelli (1705-1782); the famous monk, miracle worker and healer Padre Pio (1887-1968); sculptor and architect Nicola Pisano (1220 - 1278).
, Taranto, Foggia.
How to get there
Bari Airport has direct flights from many international airlines from the UK, Belgium, Germany, as well as from Italian cities including Rome and Milan. Charters are often launched from Russia to Bari during the season.
Brindisi International Airport has flights from Switzerland, the UK and some Italian cities.
Search for flights to Bari (the closest airport to Puglia)
By train
Puglia can also be reached by train (Trenitalia) from Rome. From the main railway From Bari station, trains depart to Milan (travel time 7.5 hours, fare 79-120 EUR) and Rome (travel time about 4 hours, fare 45-70 EUR).
Prices on the page are for April 2019.
On a ferryboat
Bari (Porto di Bari) and Brindisi (Porto di Brindisi) have regular water connections with Greece - the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Patras and the city of Igoumenitsa.
Transport
Ferrovie del Sud Est provides public transport services in the region (buses and trains). The cost of tickets for both bus and train will vary from 2-3 to 16-20 EUR, depending on the route. Weekly, monthly or annual passes are also sold.
Weather in Puglia
The climate is Mediterranean, the average temperature in winter ranges from 6 °C to 16 °C, in summer - from 28 °C to 33 °C.
Views of Alberobello
Shopping
The antique market in Gallipoli opens every first Sunday of the month. The craft markets in Grumo Appula and Alberobello can be visited in August. In May, the flower market in Lecce runs for 10 days. Here in Lecce, on every last Sunday of the month, a flea market opens in Piazza Libertini.
In Brindisi, you can visit the large monthly market in Piazza Teresa, where antiques and unique items are sold at low prices. One of the best markets is located in Acquarica del Capo, where in May you can buy various handicrafts made from bamboo, straw and other materials.
In September, during the Madonna del Ponte festival, a large market opens where you can buy souvenirs and locally produced products.
Kitchen
In the cuisine of Puglia, there are three dominant elements in the preparation of traditional dishes - olive oil, considered one of the best in the world; vegetables and durum wheat.
Pasta dishes are an important part of every local table. The most unique pasta in Puglia is orecchiette, traditionally made with turnips. Also popular is the vegetable dish tiella (translated as terracotta pot) with rice, potatoes and mussels.
Orecchiette is a typical homemade pasta from the Apulia region. The name of the pasta translated from Italian means “small ear” - these pasta really look like ears in shape.
The landscape of Ostuni is stunning, where silver olives, topped with a green crown, grow on the red soil, and the city itself stretches under the feet of fascinated sighing tourists. The heart of ancient Ostuni is a labyrinth of twisting corridors and staircases.
Puglia produces unsurpassed olive oil, as it is in this region that some of the oldest olive groves are located. Fish is especially loved here: the most delicious dish is Ciambotto seafood sauté, cooked with tomatoes, onions and peppers, and mussels from Taranto are considered the best in Italy.
You should definitely try the lamb baked in a clay pot with potatoes and wild onions. In Puglia, the ancient tradition of cheese making is carefully preserved, and juicy mozzarella and burata from Andria have no equal in Italy.
Mediterranean desserts, often based on dried fruits, honey and syrup, will satisfy even the most discerning palate. The most popular wines are red Primitivo di Manduria and Salice Salentino, white Martina Franca and Locorotondo. The Taralli appetizer is considered very tasty.
Hotels
Tourists will not have problems with accommodation in Puglia. It is only worth booking hotels in Bari in advance during major religious holidays (for example, St. Nicholas Day in early May): this city is very popular among pilgrims, and deservedly so, I must say.
Beaches and resorts of Puglia
The historical region and subregion of Italy Gargano attracts tourists with its sunny resorts, in particular, for example, the town of Vieste. It is distinguished by the beauty of its coastline, formed by numerous grottoes and arches carved by water into the limestone rocks.
The resort of Marina di Andrano, located in the province of Lecce, is considered a popular tourist destination due to its picturesque landscapes with rocky coves. The two main beaches are Zona Botte and Zona Grotta Verde, the second boasting one of the most beautiful karst caves of the entire coast located here.
The Adriatic coast in the area of Castrignano del Capo (province of Lecce) is characterized by wild rocky terrain and magnificent views of the sea. The Adriatic and Ionian seas meet at Cape Santa Maria di Leuca. On the cape there are beautiful grottoes that were previously refuges for Byzantine monks.
In Puglia, the ancient tradition of cheese making is carefully preserved, and juicy mozzarella and burata from Andria have no equal in all of Italy.
The resort town of Galliano del Capo (still in the province of Lecce) is located at an altitude of 147 meters above sea level. The coast is characterized by rocky shores and numerous grottoes. Gallipoli (province of Foggia) is famous for its clear sea and white beaches, and also hosts international sailing competitions. Lido San Giovanni beach, located 2 km south of the city, is ideal for families with children.
The resort of Margherita di Savoia (province of Barletta-Andria-Trani) is located in the southernmost part of the Adriatic coast and boasts magnificent natural beauty and thermal baths. The coast of Monopoli (in the province of Bari) stretches for 13 km and consists of 25 beaches.
The sea around Ostuni (province of Brindisi), combined with its beautiful beaches, is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Puglia. And the coastline of Polignano a Mare has a large number of grottoes, and above the shore there are amazing panoramic terraces.
The coastline of Porto Cesareo (province of Lecce) is characterized by a rocky coast, panoramic terraces overgrown with dense bushes, dunes, bays, and spurs. There are 53 underwater karst caves, which are home to a large colony of red corals and sponges. The most interesting places for diving are the areas near the coast of Neretina.
The resort of Santa Cesaria Terme has been known since ancient times for its sulfur waters.
Views of Lecce
Guides in Puglia
Entertainment and attractions of Puglia
Trulli from Alberobello - traditional houses built using dry masonry with a conical roof - are perhaps one of the favorite attractions among tourists in Puglia. In 1996 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The old town in Bari is a beautiful old quarter with many churches. Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas; Church of St. George; Gothic Cathedral of St. Sabino; Fort St. Anthony, now a museum of modern art, is a must-see not only for the entire region, but also for the south of Italy.
Matera (although located in the neighboring region of Basilicata, it is often visited from Puglia) is certainly the most unusual city in Italy. Thanks to the rock settlement of Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important attractions of Southern Italy, preserved on its territory, Matera has gained international fame.
5 things to do in Puglia
- Venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who have rested in the basilica in Bari for almost a thousand years.
- Stay at least one night at the Trulli Holiday Hotel (as the name clearly indicates, the main attraction of which is that the hotel is located in a trulli house). For what? To feel like a gnome or an elf, of course!
- Stop by the town of Barletto and enjoy the perfectly preserved Romanesque nave of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore.
- Take a chance and go on a 3 km journey through the intricate karst caves of Castellana.
- Take your children on a zoo safari in Fasano, where for 24 EUR you can show them tigers, rhinoceroses, baboons, bears, and even prehistoric monsters (alas, not real).
Also worthy of interest is the picturesque system of karst caves Castellana, located in the town of Castellana Grotte (province of Bari). The caves were discovered in 1938, their length is about 3000 m, and the natural entrance is a 60-meter vertical shaft. This is one of the most visited natural attractions in Southern Italy.
Castel del Monte, located 16 km from the city of Andria (province of Bari), is an outstanding building from the time of Emperor Frederick II and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1240-1250. The castle is a two-story building with a flat roof in the form of a regular octagon, at the corners of which octagonal towers are built.
In the ancient Roman town of Conversano you can visit the medieval castle of the counts, the Romanesque cathedral, the Benedictine monastery, the Franciscan church and the castle of Marcione. The ancient city of Martina Franca, surrounded by fortified walls, invites you to explore the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), built in 1290-1708. as the residence of the Dukes of Gonzaga (an ancient Italian princely family). Nowadays it is a museum. Many famous Italian artists lived and worked in the palace: Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano, Pisanello, Leon Batista Alberti.
The landscape of the town of Ostuni is stunning, where silver olive trees crowned with green crowns grow on the red soil, and the city itself stretches under the feet of spellbound sighing tourists. The heart of the ancient city is a labyrinth of twisting corridors and stairs.
Events
The city of Martina Franca hosts the annual summer opera festival (Festival della Valle d'Itria) in the Pallazo Ducale. From May 6 to 8, a grand celebration takes place in Bari in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city. Historical re-enactments are staged, shows are held and fireworks are displayed. These days, a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world flock to the city.
Apulia (Italy) occupies the extreme southeast on the map of the country, being the “heel” of the famous boot. The main cities of this region are Bari, Brindisi, Taranto, Lecce, Foggia.
Apulia region on the map of Italy
Taranto on the map
Taranto is located in the extreme south of the region on the shores of the Gulf of Tarentum (Ionian Sea). It is called the city of two seas because it is located on two peninsulas, between a small bay (Mar Piccolo) and the bay itself (Maar Grande), separated by a narrow channel.
Bari on the map
Bari, the administrative center of Puglia, is located on the Adriatic Sea in the heart of the region.
Puglia on the map
Length of coastline
In terms of coastline length, Apulia ranks first in continental Italy - 865 km. This is a region with a rich history, culture and wonderful climate, which attracts many tourists.
Main attractions, resorts
If you travel from north to south, the first place you must visit is the Gargano National Park, located on the peninsula of the same name. The park's forests contain 17 species of wild orchids and are home to 170 of the 234 bird species that breed in Italy, including peregrine falcons, red herons and sparrowhawks. In addition, there is the largest karst sinkhole in Europe, the so-called “Pozzatina funnel”, 600 meters long, 400 meters wide and 100 meters deep. In the park there is the Palicchi Cave from Paleolithic times, in which drawings of prehistoric man have been preserved. In addition, Gargano has some of the best beaches in Italy - sandy Cala Lunga and Cala dela Sanguinara, as well as rocky Ponente and Levante with crystal clear water of incredible colors and shades. They are all free.
Important! No special permission is required to visit the park. Entrance to its territory is free. There are also no operating hours, but basic precautions must be taken so as not to end up in the wild forest at night.
To the south, in the city of Bari, the main religious attraction of the region is located - the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, resting in the basilica of the same name. Also interesting is the 13th century castle, which protected the approaches to the city. There is also a Russian church in Bari, which has recently become a major center hosting Orthodox pilgrims heading to Italy to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas. That is why the Russian language is familiar to local residents and in a difficult situation they are able to understand what the problem is and help with all the goodwill characteristic of the south of Italy.
Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Beaches
Not far south of Bari, in the area of the town of Polignano a Mare, there are several beautiful pebble and sandy free beaches - Porto Contessa, Cala Porto and Porto Cavallo.
Apulia is also home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Castel del Monte and Alberobello.
The first was built in the 13th century by the Sicilian king, mystic and astrologer Frederick II. The unusual location of the castle (flat terrain), the octagonal shape, which is not typical for structures of this kind, and the fact that the king never lived in it, make some historians think that it was built for another purpose - to attract universal energy. At least the king himself spent a long time engaged in mystical calculations in search of such a place.
As for Alberobello, this town is famous for its unique traditional buildings, which have no analogues in the world - trulli, with conical roofs that make them look like the homes of some fairy-tale creatures. In this case, no mortar was used when laying the stones.
Interesting! According to legend, this form of construction was due to the fact that the feudal lords who owned this city took a tax from the roof. Therefore, when tax collectors approached Alberobello, the residents only had to remove one stone from the building for the entire roof to collapse.
Castle of Castel del Mont
If you return to the Adriatic coast and continue south towards the city of Brindisi, then one after another there will be a series of wonderful wild beaches, among which the snow-white sandy beach of Torre Santa Sabina stands out. By the way, Brindisi itself is of considerable interest to tourists - in addition to several baroque temples, there is a Roman column built in the 2nd century. n. e. It marks the end of the famous Appian Way, which ran from Rome to the Adriatic coast.
Even further to the south begins the famous area, which is not marked in any way on the map of Italy or Apulia. However, this area has its own name - Salento. It is there that some of the best beaches of the Apennine Peninsula are located - Maldive di Salento with pink sand, snow-white Punto Prosciutto and a four-kilometer white sand beach - Baia di Tore Lapillo. They are all wild, so there are no services in the form of changing cabins, sun loungers, umbrellas or coastal bars, so as not to disturb the pristine beauty of nature.
What seas wash Apulia
Puglia is washed by two seas at once - the Adriatic and Ionian. At the very end of the heel on the cape is the town of Santa Maria di Leuca, where the confluence of these two seas occurs. From the city's sandy beaches you can watch the turquoise water of the Adriatic collide with the dark, almost purple water of the Ionian Sea.
Important! When going on a summer holiday to Puglia, you should keep in mind that there are no large hotel complexes there and therefore almost all beaches are free. The tourist has two choices. The first is to rent a house near any wild beach, since such services are widely offered by local residents, and spend time in peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle. The second is to rent a hotel room in one of the Apulian towns and visit the municipal beach. In this case, most likely the beach itself will be worse than a wild one, but with proper infrastructure and leisure.
Just on the shores of the Ionian Sea in the town of Gallipoli there is another popular beach - Baia Verde. It is a favorite summer vacation spot for Italian actors, singers, show business figures and other celebrities. As a result, there is good infrastructure for both entertainment and recreation.
Baia Verde beach
Taranto is the last stop on the journey along the Puglia coast. A city founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC. e. famous for its numerous monuments. Among them it is necessary to highlight the remains of Dorian columns, the Greco-Roman necropolis, the famous Aragonese castle built in the 15th century and locking the Bay of Tarantino, as well as the magnificent San Cataldo Cathedral, the construction of which continued for 700 years, and therefore elements can be seen in the building different eras. In addition, the city is home to the National Archaeological Museum with one of the richest exhibitions in the world of works of art dating back to the period of Magna Graecia (6-4 centuries BC).
The most popular places in the region on the map
The attractions of Puglia are not limited to the places mentioned above. Puglia is a very rich and diverse region for versatile people. There you can see historical and cultural sights of different eras, relax on beautiful beaches untouched by mass tourism, join the spirituality of early Christianity and simply live surrounded by wild nature, getting away from the bustle and monotony of modern cities.
Popular places of Puglia on the map
The most difficult thing in this diversity is to make your own choice. After visiting these unforgettable places, pleasant impressions will stir your soul for a long time. Many tourists have a desire to travel to this wonderful corner of paradise again.
The region of Puglia is still little explored by tourists, but you can simply relax there.
The fertile lands of Apulia have been a hospitable home to many civilizations and peoples. From the 8th century BC e. The ancient Hellenes began to build colonial cities here, and for centuries Apulia was part of the great ancient Greek civilization. But the Greeks did not come out of nowhere - before them, various nationalities already lived here, and the region got its name from the name of one of them - the Apulians. However, the origins of the settlement of the region are much older: archaeologists have found the remains of settlements dating back to the Stone Age.
In the era of Ancient Greece, Taranto and Brindisi were major trading and cultural centers, and they also flourished later - during the times of Ancient Rome. As part of the ancient Roman Empire, the region was the main granary and agricultural region, and transport and trade developed.
In the Middle Ages, Apulia was ruled in turn by foreigners: Normans, Germans, French, Aragonese... From each era, the cities of Apulia have their own architectural evidence: Romanesque temples, fortresses and castles.
Cities and attractions of Puglia
Bari
Foggia
Mysterious Chiesa del Calvario, Foggia The center of the northernmost province and the tomato capital of Italy (half of the country's total tomato crop is grown in the province), Foggia is a beautiful town with many historical monuments. More of them would have been preserved if there had not been earthquakes and bombings of World War II. Of the buildings that have survived and been restored, the most noteworthy are the majestic cathedral, the mysterious Church of Golgotha (del Calvario), and the ancient palazzos of Arpi and Dogana.
Lecce
Amphitheater, Lecce The architecture of “southern Florence” is dominated by the Baroque style. The main Baroque ensembles are grouped around the Duomo and Sant'Oronzo squares. The well-preserved ancient Roman amphitheater is amazing.
Andria
Castel del Monte, Andria In the 13th century, it was the favorite residence of Emperor Frederick II, next to which he built the Castel del Monte fortress. Today this mysterious octagon-shaped castle is one of the most famous in Europe and is protected by UNESCO.
Taranto
Castel Sant'Angelo (Castello Aragonese), Taranto Founded by the Spartans, Taranto has always retained the significance of an important port. The entrance to the harbor is guarded by the formidable fort of Castel Sant'Angelo, the calling card of the city. It is called Aragonese because it was significantly expanded during Aragonese rule, but the very first fortifications on this site belong to the Byzantines. An extensive network of dungeons and catacombs dates back to the same era.
Matera
City of Matera In the famous cave city, not only the churches, monasteries and houses carved into the rocks, shrouded in the indescribable mysticism of the underground, are interesting. The city also has many original museums (peasant life, history of the city, olive oil, etc.) and more than a hundred temples.
Resorts of Puglia
A popular tourist area is the Gargano Peninsula in northern Apulia. Most of the mountain range washed by the Adriatic Sea is occupied by a national natural park with ancient deciduous forests, and the picturesque coastline is full of bays, caves, and cozy beaches. The villages of Vieste, Peschici, Mattinata are world famous seaside resorts.
The small town of Monopoli in the province of Bari attracts with excellent beaches with clear water - there are more than 20 of them in the immediate vicinity.
And next to Barletta is the best thermal resort in southern Italy, Margherita di Savoia, whose springs have been known since ancient times and effectively treat many diseases.
Hotels in Margherita di Savoia
Salento
Marina di Pescoluse, Salento Travelers have chosen the tourist area of Salento, located in the southern part of Puglia.
The most striking places to visit: major cities and attractions, popular beaches and hotels.
There is an atmosphere of serenity and carelessness. Walking along the clean streets, you can admire dancers performing the tarantula dance, with the help of which in ancient times they healed people bitten by a tarantula. The resort usually hosts a festival called “Night of Taranta” in August. This tourist area has many historical monuments and architectural monuments. Looking at the sights, you will be imbued with the spirit of Italy.
Cuisine of Puglia
Sample local seafood and fish dishes. You will be offered sea crucian carp, crabs, sea bream, and shrimp. Italian chefs are excellent cooks, so you shouldn’t give them any recommendations on how to cook.
Burato Order the local Burato cheese, which is a small bag of cheese and delicate cream. To prepare the dish, two types of cheese are used - mozzarella and stracciatella.
Try the Apulian wine Primitive di Mandura. It goes well with grilled cheese and lamb dishes.
Transport in Puglia
There are airports in three cities of Puglia: international - in Bari and Brindisi, for domestic flights - in Foggia.
The main transport hub is, of course, Bari - it regularly receives flights from Rome and many European cities, and trains and buses depart from it to the cities of Italy and Puglia.
There are good road connections between the cities of Puglia, and water transport also runs between some ports. For intercity travel, it is more convenient to use trains or regular buses. It is also quite easy to rent a car.