Apulia Travel Guide

Peschici is a picturesque village in the Gargano region. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Peschici offers visitors the unique opportunity to witness both sunrise and sunset over the water. Peschici's historic center is a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed buildings, creating a charming Mediterranean atmosphere. The town is dominated by a Norman castle built around 1000 CE, which now houses a museum featuring a macabre "Torture Room". Peschici is also known for its traditional fishing structures called trabucchi, which have been transformed into unique dining locations where visitors can enjoy aperitifs or dinner with spectacular sea views. Peschici's coastline is dotted with impressive sea caves and hidden coves, best explored by boat tours that reveal natural wonders like the Grotta Sfondata and Grotta dei Contrabbandieri. The town is also famous for its local cuisine, including a traditional dish called "Panmbuss pu cefl," a mullet soup served on stale bread.

Castel del Monte is a 13th-century fortress with several intriguing features. It was built using a combination of limestone, white marble, and coral breccia, creating a striking appearance. Its unique octagonal design, with eight octagonal towers, reflects Emperor Frederick II's interest in mathematics and astronomy. The castle's design incorporates elements from various architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Islamic influences. Castel del Monte features an advanced plumbing system that used rainwater for toilets and bathrooms, which was highly innovative for its time. The fortress was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996, recognized as a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. The castle's silhouette appears on the Italian 1-cent euro coin, showcasing its national significance. Unfortunately the castle was looted and stripped of its firnishings and marbles after being abandoned in the 17th century, so there is almost nothing left to see inside.

Bari is among the ten largest cities in Italy and serves as a key port for trade and maritime transport in the Adriatic. Bari's old town, known as Bari Vecchia, dates back over 2,000 years and features a maze of narrow streets where you can watch local women making traditional orecchiette pasta by hand. Bari boasts Europe's longest seafront promenade, offering spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea. The city is home to the Basilica di San Nicola, which houses the relics of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), making it an important pilgrimage site. The city hosts the annual Fiera del Levante, an important Occidental-Oriental trade fair that has been held since 1930.

Perched dramatically atop a 20-meter-high limestone cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Polignano a Mare boasts a rich history dating back to prehistoric times and is believed to be the site of the ancient Greek city of Neapolis of Apulia. Polignano is famous for three main attractions: its stunning crystal-clear waters perfect for cliff diving, its outstanding gelato, and as the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang the international hit "Volare". The town's historic center, accessed through the 16th-century Arco Marchesale (also known as Porta Grande), features charming whitewashed streets, beautiful old churches, and panoramic terraces offering breathtaking sea views. A unique feature of Polignano a Mare is its "poetry trail," where verses in Italian and dialect decorate the walls of houses and streets, adding a touch of literary charm to the architectural beauty. Polignano a Mare is also renowned for its sea caves and caverns, many of which can only be explored by boat. The most famous of these is the Grotta Palazzese, which houses a renowned restaurant inside a natural cavity overlooking the sea. The town's iconic beach, Lama Monachile, is a small pebbled cove surrounded by towering cliffs and is the site of the annual Red Bull cliff diving competition.

The city's origins date back to the Bronze Age, and it later became an important port during the Crusades. Monopoli's strategic location made it a target for various civilisations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and Venetians, each leaving their mark on the city's culture and architecture. One of the most fascinating aspects of Monopoli is its successful resistance against a three-month siege by Spanish forces in 1529, which led to the city being granted free status. Monopoli's old town is a maze of narrow alleys and whitewashed buildings, creating a picturesque setting that attracts thousands of tourists annually. The city is home to several notable landmarks, including the imposing Castle of Charles V, which overlooks the sea, and the Baroque-style Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia.

Alberobello is a charming town renowned for its unique trulli houses. These distinctive dwellings, characterised by their conical roofs, date back to the mid-14th century and were built using a prehistoric dry-stone technique still in use today. The town's name originates from the Latin "silva arboris belli," meaning "forest of the tree of war," referring to an oak forest that once stood in the area. Alberobello boasts over 1,500 trulli structures, concentrated mainly in two districts: Rione Monti and Aia Piccola. These remarkable buildings earned Alberobello UNESCO World Heritage status in 1996, recognising their exceptional architectural and historical value. Interestingly, the trulli were originally constructed without mortar to avoid property taxes, as they could be easily dismantled during royal inspections.

Conversano offers visitors a genuine Italian experience away from mass tourism, combining notable historical landmarks with cultural traditions. The imposing Norman Castle stands alongside the 11th-century Romanesque Cathedral and 6th-century Benedictine Monastery, while the historic centre features charming cobbled lanes and quaint courtyards. Several museums house archaeological finds and artwork, with the town's cultural scene enhanced by initiatives like the 'Streets of Art' project. Famous for its cherries, Conversano boasts countryside filled with orchards, vineyards and olive groves, and a culinary tradition celebrating local produce. This combination of history, culture and gastronomy creates an authentic Puglian experience that rewards exploration.

Bitonto offers a genuine Italian experience with its outstanding medieval architecture and remarkable Romanesque Cathedral, widely regarded as one of the finest in Italy. The historical centre features stone-paved streets lined with important churches, elegant palaces, and valuable archaeological sites revealing Roman foundations. Known as the 'City of Olives,' Bitonto produces exceptional olive oil celebrated at its annual festival. Visitors can explore the Diocesan Museum's religious artworks, enjoy performances at the Opera Festival, and savour authentic cuisine and traditional crafts that showcase the region's cultural heritage.

Locorotondo, a medieval village founded around 1000 CE, is distinguished by its circular structure that gave the town its name meaning "round place." The historic centre showcases white-washed houses with unique "cummerse" (pointed roofs) found only in this region, alongside architectural treasures such as the Baroque Palazzo Morelli and the 18th-century Mother Church of San Giorgio. Vibrant flowers adorn wrought-iron balconies throughout the white limestone buildings, creating picturesque streets. The town celebrates rich cultural traditions, including the August festival of San Rocco with its famous fireworks competition, and is recognised for its quality wines. From panoramic terraces, visitors can appreciate the beautiful countryside with olive groves, vineyards and the distinctive trulli dwellings that dot the landscape.

Brindisi has been a busy port city since ancient times. It served as a crucial Roman port, marking the end of the Via Appia, one of ancient Rome's most important roads. Brindisi's strategic location made it a major departure point for pilgrims and crusaders heading to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages. Nowadays its port remains a significant hub for trade with the Balkan Peninsula, Greece, and the Middle East. The city's name, derived from the Messapic word "Brention," means "deer's head," reflecting the shape of its natural harbor. The city briefly became the capital of Italy from September 1943 to February 1944 during World War II. The city is home to the Tempio di San Giovanni al Sepolcro, one of Southern Italy's finest examples of Romanesque architecture, built in the 11th century.

Lecce, often called the "Florence of the South," is renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture, characterised by intricate ornamentation and the use of local "Lecce stone," a soft limestone that's easily workable for sculptures. Lecce's origins are steeped in legend, with some attributing its foundation to around 1200 BCE, immediately after the fall of Troy. The city flourished under Roman rule, becoming an important centre for trade and commerce, as evidenced by the well-preserved Roman Amphitheater in the city centre. Lecce experienced a golden age during the 17th century when many of its most iconic Baroque buildings were constructed, including the breathtaking Basilica of Santa Croce and the expansive Piazza del Duomo. Interestingly, Lecce is home to a hidden river called Idume, which flows for 7 km and traverses the city center. Beneath Palazzo Adorno, there's a water-bearing layer that was once used as a natural swimming pool for the palace's inhabitants. The city is also an important agricultural centre, known for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial hub specialising in ceramics.

Otranto is the easternmost city in Italy, serving as a bridge between the East and West throughout its history. The city boasts an impressive 11th-century Cathedral, featuring an exquisite 12th-century mosaic floor that depicts the Tree of Life. Otranto's historic center is enclosed within defensive walls and is home to the imposing Aragonese Castle, built in the 15th century. The town witnessed a tragic event in 1480 when Turkish forces invaded, resulting in the martyrdom of 800 citizens who refused to convert to Islam. The nearby I Laghi Alimini, two interconnected saltwater lagoons, are home to diverse flora and fauna, including migratory birds like flamingos.