6 Favorite Towns in Northern Puglia | Italy

Most visitors to Italy think of Rome, Venice, Florence as their top sights to see. Of course, if this is your first visit to Italy ever, then, YES, definitely see those cities. But if you have been to Italy before and want to experience a more intimate and unique aspect of Italy, then visiting the Puglia region is a MUST!

The Puglia region is the heel of Italy and such an undiscovered gem!

September 2019, we spent over two weeks exploring some of the most picturesque and quaint towns in the Puglia Region. Below are just some of our favorite towns in the Northern part of Puglia. Don’t miss our list of towns for Southern Puglia as well!

Locorotondo

Locorotondo is situated in between Martina Franca and Alberobello in the Valle d’Itria, a green stretch of countryside filled with the famous whitewashed cone-roofed trulli houses. Although there are no tourist attractions in Locorotondo, the town itself is the main attraction.

Located atop a hill, the historic town “centro storico” is designed in a circular way where all the alleys are are beautifully white washed, flowers and greenery perfectly placed on window sills, and windows flanked with muted green shutters, or bright blue shutters. The feel and look of the town is overall perfection and a photographer’s dream.

We decided to stop in Locorotondo for a coffee and were lucky enough to experience market day. The hustle and bustle of the locals walking through the market buying verdant greens, perfectly ripe fruit, and beautiful flowers were a sight.

I loved that not too many tourists visit this town and you can find yourself just wandering aimlessly surrounded by the beauty of Locorotondo.

Polignano A Mare

The town of Polignano A Mare is perched on a cliff side overlooking the blue waters of the Adriatic. Beautiful white washed walls literally seemed like they were just cleaned! I couldn’t help be amazed at how clean everything seemed given the hustle and bustle of the tourists.

The cliffs of this Medievil town is popular for cliff diving!

The draw for us in Polignano A Mare was the Grotta Palazzese, a historic restaurant nestled in a cave and overlooking the Adriatic. Check out more about the restaurant here.

Bari

Just an hour flight from Rome, Bari, the Italian capital of Puglia, is not only a major transport hub for ferries and cruise ships but also offers off the beaten path sights and destinations.

Castello Svavo, originally built by the Norman King Ruggero II in the 12th century, was rebuilt by Frederick II in 1233. During the height of Bari’s glory, Castello Svevo served as a Renaissance residence for Isabella of Aragon and her daughter Bona Sforza—and became a playground for the artists, writers and dignitaries.

Wander through the “Old Town” of Bari and find yourself in between narrow and winding alleyways.

Make sure to buy some orrechiette from the women expertly making them like their mothers and grandmothers before them!

Ostuni

Ostuni, also referred to as the “White City” stands majestically above the sea of olive groves in Puglia’s verdant landscape.

High up on its fortress setting. this scenic town is maze of steps and arches, white washed walls, and houses built a top each other.

We spent our afternoon meandering through the streets and ended the late afternoon sipping on Prosecco at Riccardo Cafe.

Alberobello

Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage sight is probably the most popular town in Puglia, and known for their Trullis. Located on the Valle d’Itria, this charming town needs to be on everyone’s destination list. Warning though, the town can get packed with tourist so come early in the day.

What is a Trulli or Trullo? A Trullo is a small dwelling built from the local limestone, with dry-stone walls and a characteristic conical roof. The story behind Alberobello, once a town of trulli alone, is a typically Italian one: its design was to fiddle taxes and fool the authorities. The local feudal lord, Count Acquaviva, moved his peasant workers here to clear woodland and cultivate the land. To wriggle around laws and taxes, it was important that Alberobello didn’t class as an inhabited settlement. So until 1797, when Alberobello was finally given ‘town’ status, the people had to live in trulli, which could be dismantled in a hurry when necessary.

To avoid the crowds, walk the off the beaten path in town.

Cisternino

Cisternino is the third town for the trio in Valle d’Itria (with Locorotondo and Alberobello). We stopped in Cisternino on our way to Lecce and I am happy that we did!

What can i say, I am in love with these utterly charming towns and Cisternino did not disappoint; Surround yourself with whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches and elegant central piazza that opens out onto a series of panoramic view points.

We also got lucky with food and found a local husband and wife team that made the most amazing food. Click here for our food adventure at Terra Madre!