There is a wealth of things to do and see in Puglia; whether you’re a couple on a romantic trip away or a family looking for a bit of sunshine, copious beaches and delicious food for you and the kids. I’ve pulled together my top suggested things to do while in the area from a recent trip in September, which is by no means an exhaustive list. During our 6 days in the region we were luckily enough to really explore and discover some beautiful places but know we certainly only scratched the surface; I can’t wait to be able to return to explore more of this incredible part of the Italian coast…
Get lost in the streets of Alberobello
Alberobello is a magnificent little village that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Characterised by its striking trulli buildings, these are ancient stone houses with cone-shaped roofs that are typical of this rural area of Italy. Many historians argue its origins are linked to religious beliefs but their exact genesis is largely unknown but they make for such a striking sight. We spent a lovely couple of hours wondering around this small town, just getting lost amongst the winding streets (keep your eyes peeled on the roofs of the buildings too, as many have curious symbols painted on them – a mixture of pagan, magical and Christian symbols). It’s a small place and so you don’t really need more than a morning or afternoon visiting, before heading off for a cold beer and to explore the next beach!
Dinner at Masseria Moroseta
Masseria Moroseta is ‘peak Puglia’ by way of high-end, luxe, exquisite design. The property has been featured in countless travel and interior magazines and it’s easy to see why as soon as you drive into the stunning property, flanked by Olive groves and vegetable gardens. We chose not to stay at the property, but instead to book into one of their tasting menu dinners (which is open to book for external guests); soaking in our surroundings at sunset, we were treated to a welcome cocktail overlooking the pool and got chatting to some of the other diners before the first course was served. The idea is that it’s a communal dinner table with strangers, so don’t go expecting to have a cosy and intimate date, this is all about great conversation, great wine and even greater food. The multi-course suppers are curated by chef Giorgia Eugenia Goggi and not only absolutely delicious, they feel like a true culinary experience, with the recipes changing daily with the seasons. If you’re an overnight guest of the farm, you can also book on to bespoke cooking courses too. Oh, and don’t forget to snoop around the hotel lobby lounge at its stunning range of ceramics – all of which are available to buy. Highly recommend a visit.
Visit the beaches of Monopoli and Polignano et Mare. This stretch of beaches are Pinterest-worthy beautiful – as such, they can get pretty crowded so I recommend popping along in the morning to set up shop, where you can alternate between reading your book and taking a dip in the Mediterranean sea, before the sun gets too hot and you can duck in for lunch and a cool glass of rose overlooking the beach goers. We wanted to do a boat trip but didn’t have the chance this trip, but there are lots of companies who do this and this would be a stunning way to see the coastline.
Wander the streets of Ostuni at sunset and drink prosecco on the steps.
This tip does what it says on the tin…! We were blown away by the beauty and charm of Ostuni. It’s sand-hued cobbled streets, labyrinthine alleyways that are peppered with people drinking cocktails and watching the sunset… we stopped off at a little spot called Gipas 111 and then tucked into Osteria Del Tempo Perso for dinner – a magnificent, cosy little spot in the middle of a cave with a hearty menu, full-bodied wine and great service.
Eat dinner in a vineyard at Masseria Montenapoleone
We chose to stay at this sprawling and charming masseria on the recommendation of a friend and we were not disappointed. The rooms are traditional, spacious and functional and the grounds meander every which way, so you can stroll down to the beautiful pool area to relax or take a walk around the numerous gardens draped with all the seasonal flowers, planted to perfection. Perhaps the most magical thing about this property though, is that you can book in to dine under the stars in the property’s vineyard. To celebrate our anniversary, we worked alongside the hotel’s wonderfully friendly manager to set up a meal amongst the vines, with our own playlist playing over speakers and welcome champagne on arrival; truly one of the most magical dining experiences and I can’t recommend it enough! You can explore prices to book into Masseria Montenapoleone here.
Finally, I also recommend a visit to Borgo Egnazia. Perhaps best known for being the wedding venue of Mr and Mrs Timberlake, it’s a venue like nothing we’d ever experienced and as you would expect, this level of luxury comes with a hefty price tag if you’re looking to stay at the property. However, a little tip is that you can go down a far more affordable route and book in for a dinner or lunch at one of their onsite restaurants. This way, you get to still experience this unusual and vast property, designed in imitation of a traditional village (borgo) but with everything you can want by way of a luxury hotel – there is a championship golf course, two beach clubs with private beaches, a Michelin-starred restaurant and, by all accounts, an incredible spa. We walked around the grounds with a champagne before settling down to dinner at their La Frasca restaurant, feasting on orecchiette (the distinctive type of pasta known to the Puglia region) and gazpacho cod, all washed down with a delicious bottle of red. This feels like a bucket-list spot and if you like the sound of this, make sure you pop along and explore if you’re ever in Puglia.
