8 Must-Experience Activities in Puglia, Italy

Puglia captures the allure of southern Italy with its rolling landscapes filled with almond and olive trees, striking turquoise coastlines, charming whitewashed villages, and leisurely lunches accompanied by fine local wines.

Bordered by two seas and spanning 432km (268 miles) from north to south, Puglia showcases a variety of stunning landscapes, from the sun-dappled forests of the Gargano promontory to the Greek-influenced, pizzica-celebrating towns of distant Salento. Will you bike through the bougainvillea-covered villages of Valle d’Itria, dive in the waters around the Tremiti Islands, or indulge in pasticciotti (creamy pastries) in the extravagant baroque city of Lecce?

The list of amazing activities here is as extensive as the region itself. If you’re uncertain about where to begin, continue reading for these highlights that will inspire your own journey through Puglia.

1. Explore the Tremiti archipelago by hopping between its islands

You’ll have a far more enjoyable experience on the Isole Tremiti (Tremiti Islands) than Julia the Younger, who was exiled here by her uncle, Emperor Augustus, for alleged adultery in the 1st century CE. About 20km (12 miles) off the Gargano Promontory, this small archipelago of five islands—San Domingo, San Nicola, and the uninhabited Capraia, Crettaccio, and Pianosa—offers a stunning paradise of white cliffs, Aleppo pines, and crystal-clear waters filled with starfish, lobsters, and rare black coral. Relax on the lively, green San Domingo or the time-forgotten San Nicola; the latter features a medieval abbey showcasing 11th-century floor mosaics worth seeing. Boat and diving excursions from San Domingo take you to the wild, small Capraia, where its clear inlets are ideal for snorkeling.

Tip for Planning: To enjoy pleasant beach weather without the July and August crowds, consider visiting in June or September. Ferries to San Domingo operate from Vieste, Manfredonia, and Peschici during the summer, and from Termoli year-round. Most tourist facilities on the islands shut down in winter.

2. Trek through the Parco Nazionale del Gargano

If the Gargano promontory in northern Puglia evokes images of the Dalmatian coast, it’s not by chance. Eons ago, the “spur” of Italy’s boot was linked to present-day Croatia. Today, much of this rugged, mountainous region is encompassed by the 1181-sq-km (456-sq-mile) Parco Nazionale del Gargano, one of Italy’s most stunning national parks.

Well-marked hiking trails wind through the park, varying from easy strolls to challenging climbs. Strap on your boots and explore the serene Foresta Umbra (“Forest of Shadows”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with ancient trees, roe deer, wild boar, elusive wildcats, and over 65 orchid species. For breathtaking coastal views, take the trail from Vignanotica to Mergoli, a moderately challenging hike showcasing Gargano’s lush, dramatic shoreline.

Tip for Planning: Vieste not only ranks among Puglia’s most charming coastal towns, but it also serves as an excellent base for exploring Gargano National Park. Be sure to book your accommodation well in advance during the summer months.

3. Indulge like a local at a masseria

Will you relax by the pool under a fragrant orange tree, taste exquisite olive oils with a sommelier, or learn how to make pasta? These delightful dilemmas await at a masseria, the fortified farmhouses dotting the Puglian countryside. Some offer a cozy rustic charm, while others boast a chic atmosphere and are renowned for their farm-to-table restaurants and cooking classes. A standout is Il Frantoio in Ostuni, a 500-year-old olive farm celebrated for its exceptional olive oils. Enjoy them during an olive oil tasting or, even better, at Il Frantoio’s multi-course locavore dinners. Also featured are refined interpretations of Puglia’s cucina povera (peasant cuisine) at the upscale Masseria Torre Coccaro in Fasano, where you can learn to roll orecchiette (“little ears” pasta) like a local expert.

4. Discover Your Ideal Puglian Beach

You’ve likely admired pictures of Cala Porto beach, surrounded by crystal-clear waters, cliffside homes, and an ancient bridge. However, Polignano a Mare’s famous cove is just one of many stunning coastal retreats in Puglia. In Mattinata, creamy cliffs drop to white sands and turquoise waters at Baia delle Zagare, a regular feature on “Best Beaches in Italy” lists. Further south in Salento, a path meanders through lush pine forests to Baia dei Turchi, where shallow, clear waters rival those of the Caribbean. On hot summer days, cool off at the picturesque Cala dell’Acquaviva, a cove where saltwater and spring water blend refreshingly. This beach is located on Puglia’s Ionian Coast, which also features Punta della Suina, a favorite summer destination for LGBTIQ+ travelers enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of sun-soaked Gallipoli.

5. Embrace Coastal Traditions at a trabucco

As you journey along the Puglian coastline between Peschici and Vieste, you’ll encounter large, whimsical structures reminiscent of a Tim Burton film, rising from the sea. These stilted wonders are trabucchi, traditional fishing apparatus used by fishermen to lower nets into the water through a sophisticated system of winches.

Once left to decay, the trabucchi are experiencing a revival thanks to nonprofit organizations like Vieste’s La Rinascita dei trabucchi storici del Gargano, which carefully restores these vital cultural symbols of the lower Adriatic. The association hosts various activities year-round, ranging from traditional fishing outings to olive oil tastings (email for details on upcoming events). Other trabucchi along the coast have been transformed into restaurants serving the freshest seafood. A notable example is Al Trabucco da Mimì, situated just east of Peschici.

6. Bike Through the trulli-dotted Valle d’Itria

The Valle d’Itria is a dream for anyone craving a tree-change, stretching from Putignano to Ostuni across rolling vineyards, olive groves, and whimsical trulli (traditional limestone huts with cone-shaped roofs). Like barocco leccese, trulli are exclusive to Puglia, with the highest concentration found in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello.

While the town’s enchanting streets are worth wandering, venture further by renting a bicycle or e-bike to explore the Valle d’Itria’s scenic backroads. These paths can lead you to the intriguing rupestrian church of Santa Maria di Barsento and to wineries like I Pàstini. The Ciclovia dell’acquedotto pugliese, a picturesque cycling route, also runs through the Valle d’Itria, tracing the path of an aqueduct that extends from Campania to the southernmost part of Puglia.

Planning tip: Several operators in the Valle d’Itria provide e-bike rentals and guided cycling tours, with e-Bike Puglia coming highly recommended.

7. Be Enchanted by the pizzica

Legend has it that Puglia’s pizzica was originally created to cure women considered “hysterical” or “obscene” under the dark influence of the tarantula spider. Today, this folk dance remains a captivating performance, its lively and rhythmic movements both mesmerizing and liberating.

The ideal place to be enchanted by the pizzica is in Salento, Puglia. This peninsula is not only the dance's spiritual home but also hosts the Notte della Taranta in August, a festival dedicated to celebrating traditional Salento dances. Events occur in various towns across Salento, culminating in a grand concert in Melpignano, located in Grecìa Salentina, an area known for its Greek dialect (Griko). You don’t have to wait until August to practice your pizzica moves; dance instructors, including the esteemed Serena D’Amato in Lecce, offer classes throughout the year.

8. Indulge in Baroque Splendor in Lecce

When it comes to architectural extravagance, Lecce, a university city, takes the cake. Its baroque architects transformed the local limestone into strikingly ornate structures, giving rise to a unique style known as barocco leccese (Lecce baroque). Visitors are left awestruck by the Basilica di Santa Croce, whose facade bursts with allegorical griffins, wolves, lions, flowers, and fruits. Massive male figures, or telamons, dressed in Turkish garb, bear the weight of a grand balustraded balcony, all overshadowed by an exquisite rose window.

The basilica’s facade was partially crafted by the 17th-century Leccese master architect Giuseppe Zimbalo, who also reconstructed the city’s imposing cathedral. This cathedral towers over the cinematic Piazza del Duomo, another baroque marvel that glows beautifully during the golden hour.

Local tip: Lecce is famous for its pasticciotto, a delightful shortcrust pastry filled with rich crema pasticcera (Italian pastry cream). One of the best places to try it is Caffè Alvino, just a short stroll from both the basilica and the cathedral.