6 Charming Towns in Puglia, Italy

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Lanes to get lost in, like stepping back in time, timeless in lifestyle and (other than Alberobello and Ostuni) relatively undiscovered. These towns in Puglia are located in the central region of Puglia in Italy. These places are all very easy to drive between and ideal for a three-day exploration of the region, especially when you spend some time for lunch at any one of the traditional trattorias.

Although Puglia is the least mountainous region of Italy, these towns stand out for their elevated locations. White buildings, most built from ivory stone, dominate the skyline and are beautiful Italian landmarks to photograph. The best way to discover what is special to each town is to visit the farmer’s markets and every town has a market day, some twice a week.

This is the place for the locals to keep in touch and somewhere the elders will be sitting, probably around a bocce game discussing life in the village. Freshly baked bread from the Prodotti da Forno, cheeses made for consumption within 24 hours from the local Casaro are on display, mushrooms gathered and piled high. Tomatoes so red and delicious, it’s a feast for the eyes.

Puglia, Italy

6 Charming Puglia Towns

1- Martina Franca 

places to see in puglia
Left to right: Puglia Martina Franca, Puglia Martina, Puglia markets, Puglia cheese.

With its walled old city has a labyrinth of incredible lanes and walkways all linked to and around the Piazza Plebiscito.

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Don’t rely on GPS tracking, the walls are solid here, but every corner you turn offers a new experience, with trattoria in the most obscure places.

Try to find out which ‘la macellaria’ (butcher shop) is doing their BBQ night, it’s hard to find but it’s a tradition worth looking for.

Wednesday is market day, and the farmers market is at the far end of the market space which dominated by clothing and appliances.

2- Locorotondo   

places to see in puglia

If you need a specific reason to visit Loco, your reason would be the charm of the town itself, which looks so dominant from a distance, with its white buildings.

Located between Martina Franca and Alberobello, this town draws you in with its presence.

The town has been classified as one of the most beautiful in Italy, (Borghi più belli d’Italia) and is a serene hilltop town.

There are many trattorias to sample local cuisine and the DOC Locorotondo wine (made from Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano) can be enjoyed in many of the cellars throughout the town.

Wine from the Itria Valley around Locorotondo has helped Puglia become one of the most popular wine regions in Italy. 

My choice, a slow food ristorante called Perbacca which looks completely nondescript from the street, but once inside, its Slow Food Heaven.

It is recognised in the Slow Food Bible, (The Osterie de Italia guide) as being one of the best Slow Food restaurants in Italy.

The markets in Locorotondo take place on Friday and are predominantly locavore produce.

3- Alberobello 

puglia italy
places to see in puglia: Puglia Alberobello Trulli, Puglia locavore, Puglia market.

Famous for the limestone Trulli houses and probably the most well-known of all the towns in the Valle d’Itria.

To avoid the truly touristy area when visiting the Trulli, head for the area known as Rione Aia Piccola, it portrays a far more peaceful Italian lifestyle.  

Finding the best places to eat, if you are looking for really good local cuisine, ask a local where they eat, it will be in the main part of the town.

Maybe Trullo Doro, or La Cantina, wonderful to mix and drink with the locals.

Markets here are on Thursday.

4- Noci

puglia italy
Puglia Ostuni

Heading west from Alberobello, yet another old town that typifies a time gone by, well worth exploring, as you will see the Italian lifestyle in this quaint little town.

There are some remarkably good Masseria to stay at, like Masseria Abate, or Villa Cappelli both offering cooking schools and surrounded by Olive groves, and vineyards.

5- Putignano

Home to the oldest carnival in the world, apparently, the first one being staged in 1394, and running for 2 months each year!

So if you are visiting between the end of December and February, you can be assured of watching or participating in some type of celebration.  

The best part of Putignano is inside the old city, around the Centro Storico.

Many little places to eat and wonderful walking on cobbled streets.

6- Ostuni

puglia

The White City, 8 kilometres from the coast in the commune of Brindisi can be seen from miles away due to all the whitewashed buildings in its elevated location.

A rich tapestry of history dating back to the 1st Century and now a charming representation of Mediterranean architecture this city must be on your bucket list of places to visit.

Built on different levels over periods of time it now makes for wandering alleyways, winding steps leading to new levels and building style.

Ostuni is very busy during the peak period of August, so to enjoy the best of this wonderful city travel in other months.

Looking for more ideas on what to do while in Italy? On your way back to Rome, stop at the seaside town of Sperlonga. Here’s a guide to visiting Sperlonga with the kids.

Puglia

Puglia

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Bruce White
Bruce White has been visiting Italy since 1999. He returns every year to a different region with pre-planned wine and food experiences. Some have been with food and wine tour operators in small groups and others have been planned directly with local specialists to ensure local and very special experiences. With this network of contacts and a desire to return as often as possible, Bruce launched Wine and Food Traveller to share experiences with those who have a passion for the Italian lifestyle.