Sitting pretty on the heel of mainland Italy, Puglia boasts rugged coastlines, turquoise waters and sprawling countryside dotted with olive groves and orchards. And, as if that’s not inviting enough, Puglia is home to numerous postcard-perfect villages that perfectly encapsulate ‘la dolce vita’ (the sweet life). Whether you’d like to learn about age-old culinary traditions, admire medieval architectural masterpieces or simply wander through the cobbled streets in the sunshine, Puglia’s got you covered. Feeling inspired? Read on for our rundown of the most beautiful villages in Puglia…
1
Matera
Does the name sound familiar? We’ll give you a clue: picture a sleek Aston Martin winding along a coastal road, before cruising into a picturesque white-stone city set in the emerald Italian countryside. Yes, that’s right – Matera was the setting for the 2021 James Bond film No Time To Die. This seriously romantic village boasts sun-soaked buildings and a spaghetti bowl of cobblestone streets perfect for a high-speed car chase (though hopefully you won’t be doing any of that). Matera is also a big hit among history buffs keen to admire the Sassi Rock Churches, which are made up of incredible monasteries, houses and cisterns built in limestone rock since the Middle Ages. If it’s good enough for Bond, it’s certainly good enough for us.
Image by ronnybas/stock.adobe.com.
2
Polignano a Mare
Next up on our list of the most beautiful villages in Puglia is Polignano a Mare, a pocket-sized coastal village perched precariously on the edge of rugged sandstone cliffs. Overlooking the aquamarine waters of the Valle d'Itria coast are a network of chalky white buildings that house everything from quaint seafood restaurants and boutique hotels to Romanesque churches and vibrant art museums. The village is also home to Lama Monachile beach, a tiny pebbly cove framed by the dramatic Ponte Borbonico di Lama Monachile bridge. To truly experience the village’s beauty (away from any peak season crowds), we recommend a private boat trip to admire the crystalline turquoise waters, earth-toned cliffs, and dramatic sea caves punctuating Polignano’s captivating coastline.
Image by Lucy Laucht.
3
Ostuni
Characterised by idyllic white-washed houses dotted up the hillside, Ostuni boasts beautiful details on every corner. Think pink roses lolling out of wood-framed windows, baby-blue Vespas lining cobbled streets and artisan markets selling handcrafted ceramics. Ostuni also features incredible historic sites, including a Gothic white stone cathedral and a Baroque church, which are best explored alongside a local guide.
Image by Bogdan Dada / Unsplash.
4
Alberobello
As well as being one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia, Alberobello is also one of the most distinctive. The village features a vast collection of trulli houses: whitewashed cottages with a conical roof that transform this Italian landscape into a fairytale scene. The tiny trulli houses have been standing since the 16th century (we have to hand it to those medieval architects), and their distinctive look and historical significance led to Alberobello being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
Image by Nuria Val/Coke Bartrina.
5
Conversano
Tucked away in the heart of rural Puglia is the pretty village of Conversano. Punctuated by olive groves and fruit-tree orchards, Conversano has retained its medieval beauty and deep-rooted traditions, making it one of the best towns in Puglia to experience traditional Italian life. After a relaxing few hours exploring the village, we recommend you visit a masseria (fortified farmhouse) in the heart of the surrounding countryside. Here, you can learn about local culinary traditions during a hands-on cooking class, such as ancient Italian culinary techniques and the history of family recipes.
Image by milla1974 / Getty Images.
6
Lecce
If you like a wander through a pretty city, then Lecce is the place to be, as this gorgeous town is chock-full of winding streets and pretty squares. While not technically a village, we couldn’t resist sneaking it onto our list of our favourite villages in Puglia. Lecce grew exponentially in the 16th century, leading to the development of a Baroque architectural style and the building of over 40 churches. In the daytime, stroll through the squares and admire the traditional buildings before stopping in a café for a pasticciotto, a traditional pastry filled with a perfectly sweet vanilla cream. Once night falls, the village lights up, so head to Lecce Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo to admire its intricate façade as it's illuminated in the warm glow of the lights.
Image by EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images.
Written by Emma Begley | Header image by Lucy Laucht.
