Puglia: Exploring the Coast & Beautiful Towns of Southern Italy
Updated: Sep 16
Puglia had been on my list for a while, and after finally visiting, I can see exactly why this corner of southern Italy has become such a popular destination.
If you're planning your own trip to Puglia, here's how we spent our time, and a few things I wish I'd known before we went.
Contents
Staying in Monopoli: The Perfect Base for Exploring Puglia
We stayed in an Airbnb in Monopoli, and I would highly recommend staying here if you're visiting Puglia. It makes a particularly good base for exploring the surrounding area. There are regular trains to other towns along the coast, while various tours and day trips also operate from here.
I'd recommend staying in the old town around the harbour. It puts you right in the middle of the atmosphere and makes it incredibly easy to explore on foot. The old town is exactly what I'd imagined when I thought about southern Italy, beautiful stone cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, little balconies and colourful doors, all sitting right on the Adriatic coast. The old town dates back over 2,500 years, named monos polis by the Greeks meaning 'only city' or 'unique city'.
The old town is exactly what I'd imagined when I thought about southern Italy, beautiful stone cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, little balconies and colourful doors, all sitting right on the Adriatic coast.
We used Airbnb to find the perfect small apartment in the Old Town, just a few streets away from the coastline. There's something particularly lovely about being able to wander out in the morning and immediately find yourself by the harbour, surrounded by fishing boats and locals going about their day.
Check out the Airbnb we stayed in here.
Getting to Monopoli from Bari Airport
If you're flying into Bari, there are a couple of options for getting to Monopoli but due to pricing I would recommend the trains as Puglia is well connected.
The train journey involves taking the airport train into Bari Centrale, and then catching another train from Bari to Monopoli.
The last trains from Bari Airport leave at 10 -11pm so I would recommend catching an earlier flight into Italy if possible. If you are on a late flight though, a taxi may be your only option and I would budget around 100 - 140 Euros for this trip if you're staying in Monopoli.
Once you're in Monopoli, the train network makes it relatively easy to visit some of the other towns in Puglia too. Several of the places we visited have their own train stations, and the tickets are incredibly cheap compared with what we're used to paying for travel in the UK.
The Beaches of the Monopoli Coastline
One of my favourite things about staying in Monopoli was how easy it was to reach the coast.
You can simply walk along the coastline from the old town and discover a series of little beaches tucked into rocky inlets.
The sea can be a little choppy, but that honestly adds to the fun. There's something very satisfying about jumping around in the waves when the water is warm and the sun is shining.
The main thing to be aware of is that the beaches can get very busy.
You might arrive at one inlet and find that every available patch of sand is already taken, meaning you'll need to keep walking until you find one with a little more space.
It was one of those experiences that actually made the trip feel more authentic. This isn't just a destination designed for international tourists, Italians come here for their own holidays too.
Find some coastal chill at Puglia's Beach Clubs
If the crowded beaches are a little too crazy, there are a number of beach clubs dotted along the Puglian coast offering a more relaxed way to enjoy the sea.
We tried Macramè, which offers a shuttle service from several points within a 10km radius, including Monopoli town. This makes it particularly convenient for visitors staying in Monopoli without their own transport.
The beach itself is public, but it feels much more manageable than some of the busier beaches along the Italian coast. And, if a sunbed is booked at Macramè, there is no need to arrive and search for a patch of sand, a dedicated bed is waiting.
The club has a restaurant overlooking the coastline, making it an easy option for lunch without having to leave the beach. Booking a table is straightforward, and the views make it well worth taking a break from the sun for a meal. For those who would rather stay exactly where they are, food and drinks can also be ordered directly from the sunbed using the QR codes attached to the umbrellas.
Macramè was also particularly convenient on the final day of the trip. After checking out of the Airbnb in Monopoli, the club was happy to hold the luggage until it was time to leave for Bari and the late flight back to the UK. This meant there was no need to spend the final day carrying luggage around or finding somewhere else to store it — just one more reason it worked well as part of the trip.
Book your bed at Macramè here.
The public beach at Macramè Beach Club Copyright Roam The Worls Club
Alberobello: A World of Trulli
If you're visiting Puglia, Alberobello is one of those places you really can't miss.
The town is famous for its trulli, traditional stone houses with distinctive conical roofs that make Alberobello look unlike almost anywhere else in Italy. There are over 1500 of the cone-roofed houses at this UNESCO World Heritage site.
We travelled there by bus from Monopoli, although getting the bus was a little more complicated than we'd anticipated. We booked tickets online but the bus stop indicated was not correct and had not been updated. Luckily, we happened to speak to a friendly bus driver who was able to point us towards the correct stop on his route.
So my advice is simple: if you're taking the bus, double-check the stop with a local rather than relying entirely on what you've found online.
Is Alberobello worth visiting?
Absolutely.
But it's worth knowing what you're getting yourself into.
The main tourist area can feel quite commercial, with many of the trulli now operating as souvenir shops. Prices are noticeably higher, and we also encountered places that were reluctant to accept card payments.
However, keep walking.
If you make your way further up the hill, you'll find some beautiful trulli that make fantastic photography subjects, as well as a cute little wine bar opposite where you can sit down and enjoy a glass.
You can also actually stay in a trullo while visiting Puglia. We didn't do this ourselves, but I can imagine it would be a lovely experience.
In fact, I think Alberobello would be particularly special outside of the main tourist hours, when the crowds have disappeared and the town feels a little more peaceful.
Polignano a Mare: Clifftops, Beaches & Octopus Rolls
Polignano a Mare was probably one of my favourite day trips from Monopoli.
It's incredibly easy to reach — you can drive, or simply hop on the train, which takes around 15 minutes from Monopoli.
And, once again, the train tickets are incredibly cheap.
The town is built dramatically above the Adriatic, with white buildings perched along the cliffs and views down towards the famous little beach below.
The beach is one of the biggest draws, but be warned it gets busy. If you want to actually find a decent spot, arrive early.
There is also a viewpoint in the town where you can look directly down over the beach. It's one of those classic Puglia photographs, and definitely worth stopping for.
But Polignano is more than just the beach.
The central streets are full of winding lanes, little creative shops and pretty canopies made from grape vines. It's the kind of place where you can happily wander without a particular destination in mind.
And, of course, we had to try an octopus roll. We grabbed ours and found a spot overlooking the cliffs, watching the little boats below while eating lunch.
Honestly, it doesn't get much better than that.
Seeing Puglia from the Sea
We took a sunset boat trip from Monopoli, heading out along the coast and seeing Polignano a Mare from a completely different perspective.
Seeing the coastline from the water was completely different from exploring it on foot.
The boat took us past the dramatic cliffs and into some of the caves carved into the rock, before eventually giving us a view back towards Polignano a Mare from the sea.
After spending the day looking down from the cliffs, it was amazing to turn the perspective around and see the town towering above us.
And then, as the sun started to set, the whole coastline took on a completely different atmosphere.
If you have the opportunity to do a sunset boat trip while you're staying in Puglia, I'd definitely recommend it.
Check out the boat trip we took here.
Food in Puglia
Food is a huge part of the Puglian experience, with everything from casual street food and seaside kiosks to traditional restaurants. Start the day with a pasticciotto and caffè leccese, grab an octopus roll or panzerotto for lunch, and look out for orecchiette, Puglia's famous ear-shaped pasta, at dinner. Fresh seafood, burrata, local vegetables and simple, regional ingredients feature heavily, making it easy to eat well whether you're sitting down for a long meal or grabbing something quick while exploring.
Other towns to mention
Ostuni: The White City
Another beautiful town to add to your Puglia itinerary is Ostuni, often known as La Città Bianca — the White City.
And once you arrive, it's easy to see where the name comes from. The historic centre is a maze of bright whitewashed buildings, narrow alleyways, steep staircases and little hidden corners. It's the kind of place where getting slightly lost is part of the experience.
Ostuni is particularly beautiful in the evening when the white buildings catch the warm light and the streets begin to fill with people heading out for dinner.
For photographers, it's a dream, there are textures, shadows, doors, balconies and little details everywhere you look.
I'd recommend giving yourself plenty of time rather than simply ticking Ostuni off your list. Wander without a plan, stop for a coffee or aperitivo, and let yourself explore the streets.
Lecce: A Different Side of Puglia
While the coastal towns of Puglia are known for their whitewashed buildings and seaside views, Lecce feels completely different.
Known as the Florence of the South, Lecce is famous for its elaborate Baroque architecture, much of it built from the distinctive warm-coloured Lecce stone. It's a great place to spend a day wandering between grand churches, ornate buildings and atmospheric piazzas.
After the relaxed coastal feel of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare, Lecce offered a different perspective on the region, more architectural, historic and distinctly southern Italian.
And, naturally, it's another good place to stop for food and coffee while exploring.
Would I Go Back to Puglia?
Definitely. What I loved most about Puglia was that it never felt like we had to choose between a relaxing holiday and an adventure.
We could spend the morning wandering the old town streets of Monopoli, the afternoon swimming in the sea, the next day exploring trulli in Alberobello and then finish an evening watching the sunset with an Aperol in the picturesque harbour.
It's beautiful without feeling overly polished, and while some places, particularly Alberobello and Polignano's famous beach, can get very busy, there are plenty of quieter corners to discover.
Your 7 day Puglia Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel day into Bari Airport
Bari Airport to Monopoli by taxi - 50 - 55 minutes
Prices range between 90 - 130 Euros
The taxi will not take you into the Old Town in Monopoli due to the small streets, expect to walk to your accomodation,
Bari Airport to Monopoli by train - 50 - 80 minutes
Prices range between 8 - 11 Euros
Airport to Bari Centrale (FR2 Line), change at Bari Centrale to a Trenitalia regional train to Monopoli Station
Book online at https://www.omio.com
Monopoli - Use as base for your 7 days
Base yourself in Monopoli Old Town
Explore the cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings of the historic centre
Stop for a traditional pasticciotto and caffè leccese
Wander around the harbour and coastline
Discover the small inlet beaches around Monopoli
Spend a day at a beach club such as Macramè
Enjoy dinner and aperitivo in the Old Town
Use Monopoli as a base for day trips along the coast
Don't miss: A walk along the coastline and an evening wandering the Old Town when the streets come alive.
Alberobello - 1 day with overnight stay
Travel from Monopoli to Alberobello via direct bus route (FSE or Cotrap services)
Duation is approximately 50 minutes costing around 5 Euro each way.
Book online at https://www.omio.com
Explore the famous trulli, the traditional conical-roofed houses
Wander through the main tourist streets
Head further up the hill for some of the best views and photography opportunities
Stop at one of the small wine bars
Consider staying overnight in a trullo for a more unusual experience
Don't miss: Exploring beyond the busiest streets. Alberobello can be touristy during the day, but staying overnight gives you the chance to experience the town once the main crowds have disappeared.
Polignano a Mare - 1 day from Monopoli
Around 5 minutes by train from Monopoli Station
Priced at around 2 Euro each way
Book online at https://www.omio.com
Explore the winding streets of the historic centre
Visit the viewpoints overlooking the famous beach
Spend some time at the beach — arrive early if you want a spot
Browse the independent shops
Try a traditional octopus roll
Return to Monopoli for a sunset boat trip along the coast, if available
Don't miss: Seeing Polignano a Mare from the water and travelling through the caves along the coastline.
Day 7 - Travel day
If you have a late flight, check out of your accomodation and visit Macramè. Take their shuttle service to Monopoli train station and make your way to Bari Airport from there.
Or if you want to visit Puglia for longer add in
Ostuni — 1 day
Catch a train from Monopoli Station to Ostuni Station
Direct in 25 - 28 minutes, advanced tickets costing around 3 Euros
Book online at https://www.omio.com
Travel onwards to Ostuni
Explore the historic centre and its famous whitewashed streets
Wander the maze of narrow alleyways and staircases
Look out for colourful doors, balconies and hidden courtyards
Stop for lunch or an aperitivo
Stay until the evening to see the white buildings in the warmer evening light
Don't miss: Getting lost. Ostuni is best explored without too much of a plan.
Lecce - 1 day
Use the train line to get to Lecce
From Monopoli it takes over an hour at between 6 to 10 Euros.
Ostuni is closer to Lecce so if you want to stay in Ostuni overnight you can also travel by train to Lecce for between 7 and 10 Euro and it will take approximately 40 - 55 minutes
Book online at https://www.omio.com
Spend a full day exploring Lecce
Wander through the historic centre
Admire the elaborate Baroque architecture
Visit Piazza Sant'Oronzo
Explore the churches and ornate buildings made from distinctive Lecce stone
Enjoy dinner in one of the city's atmospheric piazzas
Lecce is further from Bari Airport than Monopoli but you can get the train from here if you wish. It takes around 2 - 2 hours 25 minutes.
Lecce Station to Bari Centrale via Trenitalia train.
From Bari Centrale get the local airport line (FM2) or shuttle service
Total journey would be around 12 to 15 Euros
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