Sophia & Ben
Our Puglia Guide
Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare made us fall in love with Puglia and is a gorgeous little town by the sea. For a special, upscale experience, dine in the iconic cave restaurant, Grotta Palazzese. Go for a swim in the crystal blue water in Lama Monachile. Take a boat tour of the caves.
Alberobello
Alberobello is a town that feels like you got dropped into a fairytale and is full of the iconic Trulli Houses. Start in the center of the town and wind through the little streets filled with pottery shops and cafes. This one is a must!
Monopoli
Monopoli is a beautiful fishing town on the sea, and is a great home base that is within 30 minutes of a lot of the main towns in the area. Wander it's cobblestone streets and enjoy the little shops, delicious food, and walk along the sea wall. Our favorite restaurant there for dinner is called Condominio 60 (it has some of the best carpaccio we've had!). For an incredible prosciutto crudo sandwich on fresh focaccia, go to Gustavo.
Ostuni
Ostuni is an iconic white city on the hill closest to our venue. It has incredible views of the sea and hills of Puglia and is a perfect place to wander at sunset.
Bari
Bari is the most bustling of the towns in Puglia, and has wonderful shopping, restaurants, and historical sites. Wander the old town and you will find streets lined with nonnas hand making fresh orecchiette pasta out front of their houses! We had an incredible meal at La Uascezze (it was recommended to us by a local!).
Martina Franca
Martina Franca is another beautiful cobblestone town in the hills. It is centered around the Piazza Maria Immacolata centered around a stunning church with surrounding shops and restaurants.
Matera
Matera is a city in the region of Basilicata, about a 3 hour drive from our venue, so could be a day trip or you could choose to spend a couple of nights there. With a history of continuous occupation dating back to the Palaeolithic (10th millennium BC), it is renowned for its cave houses carved into the rock, whose twin cliffside zones are known collectively as the Sassi. You may recognize it if you've seen the Bond movies! Matera is truly an incredible and unique place - highly recommend adding it to your list.