I’ve got images of the Puglia saved in my phone for years. You know, I’ve always dreamed of that Italian summer, just staying at the beach and eating gelato and pasta every day, and repeat. Just lay back and relax, and enjoy the scenic view of southern Italy.
I packed my bag and spent 5 days exploring beautiful Puglia. I feel like 5 days are perfect enough to see most of the Puglia. To name a few popular Pelignano cities that I wanted to visit - Polignano A Mare, Bari, Matera, Monopoli, Alberobello, Ostuni and Lecce. I managed to visit 5 cities and the logistics worked out fine without renting a car. So don’t be defeated if you can’t drive, it’s absolutely fine to travel around Puglia without a car.
For my vacation, I normally would plan out what areas I want to go to, and then I will go with the flow, strolling around the neighbourhood like a local.
credit: Pinterest UK
Bari
This time, I chose to stay in Central Bari. I lived in the heart of Bari where I can walk to the Central train station when I need to travel to other cities, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that I can try. Recommend you guys stay in Central Bari, it is just convenient and time-saving.
La Tana del Polpo
local seafood restaurant serving homemade northern Italian dishes including pasta & seafood plates. Optopus is their signature food - would recommend ordering the seafood platter and pasta! Everything is so fresh and tasty, the portion is huge.
La Cantina dello Zio
local restaurant in a hidden little corner in old town Bari. Nice home-cooked pasta and grilled seafood. Tiramisu is a must!
La Cecchina
Beautiful Italian diner in the heart of old town Bari. The Stone-walled interior is stunning, and they offer a fine dining-like experience, at a reasonable price.
Mamapulia
Only tried one dish, the 'Polpo'. first time eating octopus in this way and it was heavenly. Unforgettable dish.
Matera
How to get there
Marino Bus, it takes 1.5 hours to get to Matera. You can buy the bus ticket at a stop near the Central Bari Train Station.
It’s a charming small town on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. A complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside, it has gained international fame for its ancient town. There are tons of cafes and restaurants for you to sit down and relax.
Polignano A Mare
How to get there
Polignano A Mare was the nearest town to me, It takes 40 minutes to get there from Bari Central by train.
Polignano a Mare Beach
Famous for the stunning beach with white pebbles called Cala Porto, this town is definitely a must-see. The pebbles are painful to walk on, wear your comfy shoes! I would recommend you bring your own towel, flip flops, suncream and most importantly, wear your bikini before you head to the beach. Because there are no changing room/ shower facilities.
Grotta Palazzese
I didn't eat here because I feel like it is a super boogie touristy spot but I saw a lot of good reviews online (took people about a month to get a reservation, so make sure you book it in advance).
Monopoli
How to get there
Train ride, Monopoli is right next to Polignano A Mare.
Monopoli has a lot of gelato shops, cafes and restaurants, it is less touristy, a lot slower and more relaxing. It's perfect for you because it won't be too crowded with tourists and it is located by the seaside.
Alberobello
How to get there
A 2-hour bus ride via Viale Europa, You can buy the bus ticket at a cafe called 'La Brasserie sous les Arcades' near the Central Bari Train Station.
This beautiful town was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1996. It has a view of the beautiful white trullis. Each trulli has different symbols on its conical roof, which represent the status of the family. It's very interesting to see how people lived and created back in the 18th century.
Ostuni
Masseria Moroseta
A modern farmhouse with views to Ostuni and the sea, set in 5 organic olive fields. It's a trendy farmhouse, especially in the summertime. so make sure to book in advance. They also offer dinner in their beautiful restaurant, and lunch and cooking classes are for guests only. I think it's worth it to enjoy the southern Italian food and visit this wonderful farmhouse.
Salento
I didn't get to visit Salento, but I know there are plenty of self-styled boutique vacation homes in the beautiful baroque town of Nardò in Salento. If you have time to travel further south, definitely spend some time in Salento. You can also check out https://www.instagram.com/nardosalento/, they share Puglia’s southern travel tips from a local POV.
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