Puglia — the sun-soaked heel of Italy’s boot — offers some of the country’s best beaches, prettiest towns, and tastiest bites. We’ve explored this region twice now, and it’s easily one of our favorite summer destinations in Italy.

Many of Puglia’s beaches have soft sand and stay shallow for meters from shore, making them perfect for kids, relaxed swims, and even our dog. The water is crystal clear — cool against the hot sun — and full of surprises. I loved swimming out to the buoys to spot sea life (and yes, sometimes jellyfish!).

Between lazy days on the coast, wandering UNESCO hill towns, tasting the creamiest burrata of our lives, and escaping a Polignano cave via an unexpected escape room — this region keeps us coming back.

Here’s everything we loved — and what we think you shouldn’t miss.

🎧 Listen to our full Puglia podcast episode:

Locorotondo

Locorotondo is one of the classic white towns in Puglia. It’s small, quiet, and walkable, with curved streets and clean stone buildings.

We stayed in a trullo, one of the traditional cone-roofed houses. It was simple but comfortable and worth doing at least once.

The town feels lived-in but not overly touristy. There are small shops, easy dinners, and great light in the evenings. We found one of the best pizzas of our trip here in a random alley with no sign out front.

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is built into the cliffs above the Adriatic. The town feels like a mix of postcard charm and actual magic.

The beach, Lama Monachile, is wedged between cliffs with bright turquoise water and a Roman bridge overhead. In the summer, you’ll see cliff divers (and my son with a tiny floaty) jumping into the cove and swimmers floating below. It gets crowded but is worth the visit.

One of the most photographed spots in town is Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant inside a natural sea cave carved into the cliff. We didn’t eat there, but walking past it lit up at night is still a moment.

What we did have was the town’s signature drink, the Caffè Speciale from Bar Turismo, a small espresso layered with amaretto, lemon zest, and cream. Unexpected. Weird. Totally delicious.

Ostuni

Ostuni is called the White City because the buildings really are that white. They’re stacked up across the hill, and the whole place feels bright and dry under the sun.

We parked below the center and walked up through narrow streets that wind past restaurants, small shops, and houses with laundry strung across the path. You’ll find ceramic stores, solid gelato, and plenty of places to sit with a drink and take in the view toward the coast.

Bari

Bari is the regional capital and a working port city with a lot of character. It doesn’t try to be fancy, which makes it more interesting.

In Bari Vecchia, the old town, we saw women making orecchiette by hand outside their homes, passed bakeries tucked into side streets, and visited the Basilica di San Nicola. The waterfront is wide and walkable, and the markets are busy and loud.

It’s not as photogenic as the smaller towns, but it has good food and a lot of energy.

Lecce

Lecce is an inland city known for Baroque architecture. The buildings are full of carved details, but the city doesn’t feel like a museum. It’s lively without being loud.

We wandered through the old streets, visited a few churches, and stopped for coffee and gelato without a plan. It’s easy to walk, even in the heat, and the main piazzas are great for sitting and watching people go by.

At night, the streets are lit up and restaurants spill out into the squares. It’s not on the coast, but it makes a good stop if you’re exploring the southern part of the region. Plus you can buy these fantastic fish shoes.

Torre San Giovanni

Torre San Giovanni is a low-key beach town on the Ionian coast. We rented an Airbnb close to the water and stayed barefoot most of the time.

The beach is sandy and calm, with warm, shallow water. It’s ideal for families, especially with younger kids. There were a few jellyfish some days, but not enough to keep us out of the water.

It’s a good option if you’re traveling with a dog. The beaches are dog-friendly and not too crowded. Just be aware that leishmania is present in this part of Italy. We made sure our dog had the vaccine, plus flea and sandfly protection before the trip.

There’s not a lot to do in town, which worked for us. Swim, eat, relax, repeat.

Alberobello

Alberobello is where you’ll find the biggest concentration of trulli houses. It’s very touristy, but still a fun place to walk through.

The trulli zone is filled with souvenir shops, small cafes, and rooftop views. It doesn’t take long to explore, but it’s worth seeing. If you stay nearby, try to go early in the day or later in the evening when the crowds thin out.

Burrata and Everything Else

Food in Puglia is straightforward and excellent. We did a burrata tasting that pretty much ruined burrata for us anywhere else.

Some other standouts:

• Caffe Especiale (bar turisme)
• Grilled clams and mussels
• Orecchiette with broccoli rabe
• Local olives and fresh tomatoes
• Aperitivo with spritz and taralli
• Focaccia that’s soft, oily, and salty in the best way

Most places didn’t require planning ahead. Walk in, sit down, order what looks good.

Know Before You Go

Where is Puglia?
Puglia is in southern Italy, along both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. The major airports are Bari and Brindisi.

Do you need a car?
Yes. You’ll need to rent a car to get to beaches and small towns. Public transport is limited and slow.

When to visit:
Late spring and early summer are ideal. September is also a great time. August is packed and hot.

Is it dog-friendly?
Yes, especially in the off-season. Beaches, restaurants, and Airbnbs were mostly fine with our dog. Make sure you protect against leishmania with a vaccine and sand fly repellent.

Where to stay:

• Torre San Giovanni for a calm beach town
• Polignano a Mare for cliffside views and easy access to food
• Locorotondo or Alberobello for a trullo stay inland
• Lecce for a good city stop in the south

What to eat:

• Burrata
• Orecchiette
• Mussels and clams
• Focaccia
• Olive oil
• Caffè Speciale in Polignano

Planning more time in Italy?
Check out our other favorite regions:

• Summer in Sicily — cliff swims, island towns, and seafood
• Exploring Liguria — biking tunnels, snorkeling, and pesto
• The Italian Lakes — Como, Garda, and Bellagio on the water
• Best Beaches in Croatia — if you’re heading east next

Or listen to The Getawayz Podcast for more behind-the-scenes stories from our European travels.