7 Beautiful Towns in Puglia You Need to Visit

The white-washed town of Alberobello from a viewing point. Nearly every building is in the traditional trulli style with conical pointed roofs. There are green trees in the distance.

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Wondering what towns in Puglia to visit? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

On an incredible two-week road trip, we explored several beautiful small towns in Puglia, and know exactly which towns to include to make your vacation unforgettable.

In this post, we’ll explore the 7 most beautiful towns in Puglia, highlight what makes them unique, things to do, and the best places to stay.

This way, you can decide which towns and cities to include on your ideal Puglia itinerary.

So, grab a glass of wine, and let’s do this!

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7 Best Towns in Puglia

Here are the very best Puglia towns and cities to visit on your next trip.

Each town has a distinct vibe and architectural style, and we have included activities, dining, and accommodation options too.

1. Alberobello

An outdoor café shaded with large green trees in the town of Alberobello,

An empty street in Alberobello, one of the best small towns to visit in Puglia.

The most visited town in Puglia is the white town of Alberobello, home to the unique cone-shaped trulli.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly magical. Wandering through the iconic trulli, is like being in a fairy tale.

There are over 1,000 trulli, and many are used as churches, museums, shops, and cafes.

Alberobello is known for:
👉White Trulli houses
👉UNESCO World Heritage site
👉Rione Monti & Aja Piccola areas

Despite the crowds, there are corners of this Puglia town that are waiting to be explored.

✅HELPFUL TIP: Similar to a day trip to Venice, it’s best to arrive early in the morning to experience the town before the busload of tourists arrives.

Robyn and Gavin posing in front of a door on one of the famous trulli houses with a cone shaped roof.

A close up of two trulli houses side by side.

Exploring the neighborhood of Aia Piccola is a must. It has maintained its authentic charm, allowing you to observe everyday life surrounded by the historical trulli.

Enjoy a traditional Puglian dish at one of the small, family-run osterias tucked away on a side street. Or join a cooking class to learn to make pasta yourself!

➡️We recommend this private guided tour with free tasting!

If you are in the mood for wine tasting, and who isn’t when they’re in Italy… stop by Paco Wines Eco-Winery, to sample some delicious vino.

If you have the time in your 2 week Puglia itinerary, we recommend staying the night in one of these unique trulli homes!

The beautiful pool at the Abate Masseria hotel in Alberobello, Puglia. There are white loungers and umbrellas surrounding the pool and traditional trulli in the distance.

Where to Stay in Alberobello

🏨Abate Masseria & Resort
Experience a traditional Trullo with added luxury in the heart of the Valle d’Itria with tastefully decorated rooms and beautiful gardens.
✔️pool with loungers
✔️onsite restaurant
✔️free parking
✔️buffet breakfast

➡️Book your stay at Abate Masseria & Resort now!

2. Locorotondo

The view from high atop Locorotondo down to the Adriatic Sea.

A close up view of a white building with green shutters.

Perched on a hilltop, it’s no secret why Locorotondo is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia.

This white circular town is surrounded by breathtaking views of the valleys that stretch to the Adriatic Sea.

Locorotondo is known for:
👉Circular Historic Center
👉White-washed buildings
👉Locorotondo DOC Wine

We fell in love with the magnificent Baroque architecture, intimate cobbled streets, hidden cafes, and charming ambiance.

For a truly authentic experience, visit during the early evening when the town starts buzzing as residents head out for their evening stroll.

✅HELPFUL TIP: If you are renting a car in Puglia, there is parking outside the old town. Remember, Locorotondo sits on a hill, so the further down you park, the more you have to climb.

A romantic restaurant in a tiny alleyway, decorated with antiques and green plants.

Three bottles of wine in a wicker basket. Locorotondo produces some of the best wines in Italy.

This Puglia town is perfect for slow travelers.

Throw away your guidebook and wander the maze of flower-filled alleyways, relax at a cafe, and enjoy live music in the piazza.

Locorotondo is the place for wine lovers, producing some of the finest wines in the region, including the Locorotondo DOC, a dry white wine made from the rare Verdeca grapes.

A lovely terrace with a small table, single chair and colorful flowers overlooking trulli houses at the Sotto le Cummerse Albergo Diffuso, one of the best places to stay in Locorotondo,

Where to Stay in Locorotondo

🏨Sotto le Cummerse Albergo Diffuso
This elegant hotel, in the historic center, features fully equipped apartments with spacious bedrooms in a traditional design.
✔️amazing views
✔️free parking
✔️buffet breakfast
✔️wheelchair accessible

➡️Book your stay at Sotto le Cummerse Albergo Diffuso

3. Martina Franca

A view of the baroque gate leading into the town of Martina Franca.

A close up of a green shutter on a white building with a decorative iron railing.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside dotted with olive groves and vineyards, Martina Franca was our favorite town in Puglia.

We used this town as our base while we explored the Valle d’Itria during our 14-day Puglia road trip.

The town is encircled by fortified walls. Once you pass through the towering gate, an elegant display of beautiful Baroque architecture and colorful flowers awaits you.

Martina Franca is known for:
👉Baroque Architecture
👉Center of Valle d’Itria
👉Capocollo (local cured pork)

Just like the small towns of Northern Italy, Martina Franca is a photographer’s dream!

Make sure your camera is ready as you stroll the narrow alleyways, and quaint piazzas decorated with intricate balconies, wrought iron gates, and stone arches.

✅HELPFUL TIP: The historic center of Martina Franca is small, flat, and easily walkable, making it an ideal base if you travel with chronic pain or fatigue, or struggle with mobility, like me.

A circular plaza in Martina Franca with beautiful archways, homes to a couple restaurant patios.

Martina Franca is also known for its high-quality olive oil and homemade pasta.

Make sure you stop by a local market to pick up fresh olive oil or enjoy a lunch of homemade orecchiette pasta at one of the many restaurants.

Being in the heart of the Valle d’Itria, Martina Franca offers some tasting tours if you prefer.

➡️We recommend this Wine & Local Products Tasting!

A bird's eye view of the pool at the Park Hotel San Michele in Martina Franca. Red concrete surrounds the pool and there are white loungers spread about and lots of huge green trees.

Where to Stay in Martina Franca

🏨Park Hotel San Michele
This farmhouse turned villa is now a beautiful 4-star hotel that offers a peaceful retreat with large rooms and a great location.
✔️outdoor pool
✔️impeccable service
✔️buffet breakfast
✔️lovely gardens

➡️Book your stay at Park Hotel San Michele!

4. Polignano A Mare

A pathway that leads down to the Adriatic Sea and the most popular beach in the area.

The town of Polignano a Mare is built on the edge of the cliffside. The gorgeous turquoise water with people swimming underneath.

Polignano a Mare is a gorgeous seaside town in Puglia known for its stunning cliffs and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.

Grab a cone of famous gelato from Bar Turismo before making your way through the adorable, narrow streets of the old town.

The historic center is full of charming buildings adorned with poetic quotes, beautiful flowers, and friendly locals.

Polignano a Mare is known for:
👉Dramatic Cliffside Views
👉Lama Monachile Beach
👉Cliff Diving

A visit to Lama Monachile Beach is a must! Tucked between cliffs, it is famous for its crystalline waters and natural beauty.

And yes, it gets very crowded in the summer, something to consider when planning your trip.

One of the best ways to enjoy this impressive town is by boat. You can explore the beautiful coastline, discover hidden caves, and go swimming in the clear turquoise waters.

➡️Book this 5 star boat tour of the caves here!

A bird's eye view of the stunning cliffs and white buildings of Polignano a Mare, one of the prettiest towns in Puglia to visit. there is a restaurants with white tables and chairs cut into the rockface above the sea.

Thanks to its towering limestone cliffs, Polignano a Mare has hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series since 2009.

This event is insane! Join 45,000 spectators as they watch these talented individuals dive off platforms at least 26 meters high!

A stunning view of Polignano a Mare, one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia to visit. The town sits on limestone cliffs that tumble into the ocean and the view is from a private patio with a rock wall at dusk.

Where to Stay in Polignano a Mare

🏨Hotel Covo dei Saraceni
With beautiful ocean views, this 4 star waterfront hotel offers a romantic stay with a private terrace and in-room jacuzzi.
✔️free parking
✔️buffet breakfast
✔️rooftop terrace
✔️amazing sea views

➡️Book your stay at Hotel Covo dei Saraceni!

5. Ostuni

The beautiful hilltop, white washed city of Ostuni with the vibrant blue sea in the distance.

A simple, yet gorgeous church narrowly built between two buildings.

Known as the “White City”, Ostuni is a stunning hilltop town with white-washed buildings that glisten in the sunlight and overlooks the Valle d’Itria sprinkled with traditional trulli homes.

It doesn’t take long to see why Ostuni is one of Puglia’s most charming towns.

Ostuni is known for:
👉Whitewashed Old Town
👉Ostuni Cathedral
👉Olive Groves & Countryside

Overlooking the Valle d’Itria, fields of olive groves surround the town, stretching to the Adriatic Sea. This Puglia town is known for its olive oil production.

So once you’ve appreciated the incredible views, you may want to consider joining a tour to learn more about this long-standing tradition.

➡️Book this top rated Wine Tour & Tasting here!

One of the archways over a pedestrian only street in Ostuni.

Gavin's mother, dressed in pink, matches the pink flowers on the trees of the main street in Ostuni.

Its historic center is a jigsaw puzzle of narrow alleyways lined with boutique shops, cafes, hidden stairways, and elegant piazzas adorned with colorful flowers and plants.

Medieval masterpieces are dispersed throughout the town including the 15th-century Cathedral of Ostuni, prestigious palaces, and ornate archways.

After a full day of exploring, enjoy an evening aperitif at the Gipas 111 Bar, complete with bean bag chairs and a cathedral view!

A clean, modern room at Monte Sarago hotel with a white comfortable bed, two side tables and sliding doors that lead out to a huge patio. You can see Ostuni in the distance, one of the best towns in Puglia to visit.

Where to Stay in Ostuni

🏨Hotel Monte Sarago
This 4-star hotel has an excellent location just minutes from the old town with clean comfortable rooms and an excellent restaurant.
✔️breakfast buffet
✔️rooftop terrace
✔️city & sea views
✔️Traveler’s Choice 2024

➡️Book your stay at Hotel Monte Sarago!

6. Lecce

One of many ornate churches in the town of Lecce.

Lecce is full of beautifully detailed buildings and churches, making it a must see on any trip to Puglia.

Located in the heart of Puglia, Lecce is a city bursting with delicate Baroque architecture.

Dubbed the “Florence of the South”, the city’s intricate buildings, stunning facades, and impressive artwork rival some of the most beautiful cities in Italy.

Lecce is known for:
👉Baroque Architecture
👉Golden Limestone
👉Roman Amphitheater

The historic center is overflowing with exquisite churches and monuments, all built using the golden-colored stones found in Lecce itself.

Taking a tour is one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of this incredible town!

➡️We recommend this top rated guided walking tour!

The Piazza del Duomo is a must-visit, home to the impressive Basilica di Santa Croce, adorned with intricate carvings and figures.

✅HELPFUL TIP: To see a whole new level of beauty, wander the streets at night when the buildings are romantically lit up.

Lecce is also a foodie’s paradise. Make sure you try “pasticciotto,” a delicious pastry filled with custard cream.

You can actually learn from this local Orecchiette Cooking Class… and yes, there will be wine!

Or learn about Lecce’s history and culture on this food tour.

➡️We recommend this 5-star Lecce History and Street Food Tasting Tour!

A quiet street in Lecce, with bicycle leaning against a yellow wall. There is a green bush hanging over the wall with pink flowers.

Robyn standing at the corner of two streets in Lecce.

Lecce is truly enchanting and romantic, with its intimate cafes and hidden piazzas.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Lecce. When the sunlight hits the buildings, the town bathes in golden light, unlike any other town in Puglia.

Lecce also makes a great base for exploring the region. Staying longer in one location is a great way to spend less money when traveling.

A classically designed room at the Grand Hotel di Lecce. There is a queen bed with a regal, elegant headboard, and a door leading to a spacious, marble bathroom.

Where to Stay in Lecce

🏨Grand Hotel di Lecce
Close to the train station, this 4-star hotel offers comfortable, spacious rooms with classic decor and parking for a fee.
✔️outdoor pool with loungers
✔️breakfast buffet
✔️professional staff
✔️Traveler’s Choice 2024

➡️Book your stay at Grand Hotel di Lecce!

7. Matera

A view of the city of Matera from above. A very unique place to visit in Puglia,.

The town of Matera is shades of pink as the sun starts to set.

Although not technically part of the region, Matera is unlike any other town in Puglia.

Clinging to the edge of a beautiful ravine, this ancient and mind-boggling city is full of history and authenticity.

Matera is known for:
👉Sassi di Matera
👉Rock Churches
👉Unique history & architecture

Famous for its “Sassi” or cave dwellings, Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Italy.

Dating back to 7000 BC, these caves have been transformed into cozy hotels, restaurants, and museums, allowing visitors to experience life as it was centuries ago.

The intricate, haphazard layering of cave dwelling of Matera.

Just like a 3 day visit to Venice, Matera deserves more time. There is just nowhere like it in the entire world!

To fully appreciate this unique city, we recommend learning all about Matera’s interesting history on a guided tour.

➡️This 5-star Discover Matera Guided Tour received a Badge of Excellence!

Robyn and Gavin sharing a kiss among the unique buildings of Matera.

A shaded staircase leading to a quiet street.

Explore the winding streets and alleyways. Get lost in the intricate patchwork of buildings.

Admire the unique architecture and breathtaking ravine views.

Visit the ancient Rupestrian churches carved into the rock that showcase beautiful frescoes and paintings.

There are truly no words to capture the awe and wonder of Matera… you just need to come to experience it for yourself!

👉If you’re exploring Naples, Matera is less than 3 hours away!

A view of the Basiliani Hotel in Matera, one of the most unique towns in Pugia to visit. Set in the historic center, this hotel is made of rock and built into the earth and lit with pretty lights at dusk.

Where to Stay in Matera

🏨Basiliani Hotel
This affordable 3-star hotel in the heart of Sasso Caveoso offers spacious rooms with a unique design that blends historic and modern elements.
✔️stunning views
✔️delicious breakfast
✔️free off-site parking
✔️Traveler’s Choice 2024

➡️Book your stay at Basiliani Hotel!

An old, yellow antique convertible car parked in front of a mustard colored Avis building. Renting a car is the best way to visit the beautiful Puglia towns.

How to Get Around Puglia

With so many quaint towns and beautiful beaches to explore, Puglia is the perfect destination to rent a car.

Renting a car allows you to explore the entire coastline of Puglia’s sun-kissed heel at your own pace.

We recommend Discover Cars because they consistently offer the best selection for price, comfort, and customer service.

Discover Cars compare prices between local and international companies. You can also add features like insurance, GPS, or car seats to your booking.

🚗Find the Best Deals with Discover Cars
✔️compare prices
✔️easy booking process
✔️offers comprehensive insurance
✔️excellent 24/7 customer service
➡️Reserve your rental with Discover Cars here!

We also recommend using a GPS on your trip. You can download a map of Italy before you arrive. That way, all maps are ready to go!

A waterfront spot in Marina di Novaglie in Puglia with blue sun loungers and umbrellas set up close to the cobalt water.

FAQs: Towns in Puglia

What is the prettiest part of Puglia?

Arguably, it is the charming coastal town of Polignano a Mare with its stunning cliffside views and crystal-clear waters.

What is the most beautiful seaside town in Puglia?

Again, Polignano a Mare takes the win on this one.

What is the best town to base in Puglia?

Due to its size, we would say you need two bases. Polignano a Mare in the north and Lecce in the south.

What month is best to visit Puglia?

Typically May, June, and September: when the weather is pleasant, and the tourist crowds are relatively smaller.

How many days do you need in Puglia?

We would recommend two weeks or 14 days.

Where is the village of love in Puglia?

Locorotondo, a beatiful stop in Puglia.

A beautiful view of the bay near Otranto. The walled city is in the distance and several boats are in the water as the sun is beginning to set.

Final Thoughts: Beautiful Towns in Puglia

Puglia is a beautiful region with a dramatic coastline, charming countryside, and towns that are close in proximity. So staying in one town to visit all is a great way to save money for travel.

Whether you are interested in the trulli houses of Alberobello, a beach holiday in Polignano a Mare, or wandering Lecce’s romantic alleyways, Puglia has it all. It’s a wonderful addition after a visit to Rome.

We promise these 7 beautiful towns in Puglia will fill your itinerary with unique architecture, stunning views, and memorable experiences.

With its delicious food, friendly locals, and more affordable price tag, Puglia will steal a piece of your heart and leave you wanting more!