Puglia

Southern Italy forms the lower boot of the Italian peninsula, containing the ankle (Abruzzo and Molise and southern Lazio), the toe (Calabria), and the heel (Apulia). On the eastern coast is the Adriatic Sea, leading into the rest of the Mediterranean through the Strait of Otranto. On the Adriatic, south of the spur of the boot, the peninsula of Monte Gargano, the Gulf of Salerno, the Gulf of Naples, and the Gulf of Gaeta are each named after a large coastal city. Holidaymakers are attracted to its sandy beaches and clean seas.

Made into a national park in 1991, the Gargano peninsula in Puglia boasts a diverse landscape of beaches, lagoons, forests and mountains. Up in the hills is the town of Monte Sant’Angelo. Home to one of the earliest Christian shrines in Europe, it attracts pilgrimages from all over the country. Further inland is the Forest of Shadows, an area covering 11,000 hectares with a variety of wildlife, ideal for walking. The seaside towns of Vieste, Rodi Garganico, Péshici and Manfredonia are popular with tourists, as are the Trémiti Islands – including San Nicola, San Domino and Capraia – off the Gargano coast. 

Heading south is Trani, one of the most important medieval ports with an ornate cathedral, and Bari. Ferries to Greece depart from Bari, as well as from Bríndisi. At the southern tip of Puglia is Lecce, renowned for its Baroque architecture, and the Salentine peninsula. Good beaches can be found along the western coast of the peninsula around Gallipoli.

Puglia has five provinces: Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto.

Places of interest

Alberobello: Home to white-washed circular buildings with conical roofs known as trulli,  there are trulli restaurants, shops plus a cathedral.

Galatina: Important wine-producing town, famous for its tarantella dance performed on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul in June.

Lucera: Ruins of Roman amphitheatre, 13th-century castle with fortified walls and towers.

Mattinata: Popular, small resort in Gargano.

Metaponto: Roman ruins, museums.

Vieste: Holiday capital of Puglia with excellent beaches.

Cuisine of the region

The cuisine of Puglia is known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. The region is home to a variety of pasta dishes, including orecchiette, cavatelli, and troccoli. These pastas are often served with simple sauces made with tomatoes, olives, and vegetables. Puglia is also known for its fresh seafood, which is often grilled or baked. Popular seafood dishes include grilled octopus, baked mussels, and sea urchin pasta.  It also produces some of the country’s best olives and is famous for its almonds, tomatoes, figs, melons and grapes.

Other popular Puglian dishes include:

Focaccia: A flatbread that is often topped with tomatoes, olives, and herbs.

Taralli: Hard, crunchy bread rings that are often flavored with fennel seeds or other herbs.

Burrata: A fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It is often served with tomatoes and basil.

Pasticciotto: A custard-filled pastry that is often dusted with powdered sugar.