Things To Do
Martina Franca
This is where our wedding venue is so you may as well take a little look around :) There's a very impressive church (pictured) and a little square. It's less touristy and a very typical Apuglian town.
Cisternino
One of Lizzie's favourite places of the trip - it is tiny but very authentic, clean, pretty and hardly any tourists. We didn't stay here but just travelled in for one day trip and one evening. We highly recommend Giardini 36 for dinner - but you have to book or you're unlikely to get in!
Cantine Semeraro
A must if you're in the area! One of our trip highlights! A very interesting, fun and value for money winery tour and wine tasting. It's small family run but book in advance - some days it's empty and other days they're fully booked.
TEDI Tour Operator
Not staying in Puglia that long? Want to explore a bit but don't want to hire a car or don't fancy too much driving? Check out this company for half day and full day excursions.
Ostuni
We stayed a bit outside of Ostuni in Fumarola and drove into Ostuni to visit it on one day and also two nights for dinner. It's the largest of the 'white towns' and the most touristy but it's still not too touristy. Parking is a nightmare! Expect to park quite a way out either on the roads or in one of the few car parks, and then walk up the hill into the old town. We can recommend Vicolo 43 for dinner. If you are really desperate for a sandy beach you can go to LullaBay.
Locorotondo
Similar to Ostuni but much smaller! We wandered around one afternoon but it's a very sleepy place. We found somewhere for lunch but a few of the bars were closed. It's nice if you have time but miss-able if not.
Alberobello
The most touristy place in Puglia - it's a small town of traditional trulli houses - some are still occupied, others are tourist shops and BnBs. If you want to visit try to get there before 10am as it gets really busy!
Monopoli
A bigger version of Polignano (albeit still small!). A really pretty town with winding lanes and a small waterfront you can walk along (Polignano doesn't have this in the centre really even though it's on the sea). We recommend: Dinner/Drinks - Tamborr - nice view of the castle, sometimes they have live music
Polignano a Mare
Loved it here! Beautiful cliffs (note the beaches are small and mostly pebbles). We highly recommend: Accommodation - Cinquevite apartments, Suite Novecento (AirBnb), Musae Relias & Spa Food - Mozzerella bar (just off the square), Fratelli Fratelli Cucina di Mare (fish), Primi Vini (pasta), Da Luciano (focaccia), Casa Mia Drinks - La case del Mojito Ice cream - Martinucci Laboratory Activities - boat trip to see the caves (much better than the famous overpriced cave restaurant!)
Lecce
The biggest town we visited on our trip we spent 5 days here. It is a beautiful Baroque city that's had some money thrown at it to clean the buildings. Here we found the biggest variety of bars and restaurants. If you visit Lecce we highly recommend: - The Airbnb we stayed in - it was by far the best accommodation of our whole trip - roof terrace, freshly baked cake waiting for you on arrival, nespresso with unlimited pods, washing machine, 5 min walk to the old town. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/27695435?sharer_id=32006039&s=67&unique_share_id=f894a749-1964-4a5f-8b43-b54c8b43615b - Vico del cuciniere - the best food we had - we went twice! If it's still on the menu go for the meatballs - you won't regret it! - La Bottega del Corso - graze on one of their platters over a few hours, trying their local wines and people watching opposite the Church of Saint Teresa. - Colonial cocktail bar on Guglielmo Paladini - Bicycle city tour
Cave of Poetry
Really fun cave jump if you're brave enough!
Otranto
Good for a day trip from Lecce if you want a bit of variety. There's a nice harbour much bigger than Monopoli's but don't bother paying to go up the castle tower.
Kalé cora
A really nice sandy beach with beach bar. Makes a good day trip from Lecce.