Basic Information About Puglia

Puglia is largely made up of flat farming land bordering brilliant white beaches, though it’s stunning in its own natural, rustic way, and a luxury villa here in the peace and quiet of the olive groves will make a wonderful base from which to discover the area, or just enjoy some deep rest and relaxation.

But there are also lovely coastal areas to be enjoyed, charming hilltop towns and, of course, the Trulli villages, where magical little whitewashed cones punctuate the hillside like beehives. If you’re lucky you can even stay in one!

As well as these peaceful old towns and villages and rural idylls, there are a few bigger towns well worth exploring whilst on a luxury villa holiday in Puglia. Lecce, known as the Florence of the Baroque, has scores of churches and palazzi built in the 17th and 18th centuries to wonder at.

The Best Time to Visit Puglia

The area is vibrant in July and August when the Italians themselves holiday in Puglia and the festivals are in full swing, but June and September are perhaps the most pleasant time to go for a luxury villa holiday, for warm weather without larger crowds.

What We Love About Puglia

We love mooching around the antique markets in the white city of Ostuni on the second Sunday of every month or taking a Segway or tuk-tuk tour around the Trulli of Alberobello for a fun day out with the family.

How to Get to Puglia

There are airports at both Bari and Brindisi both just under or over an hour away from the favourite towns in Puglia.

Best Places To Eat and Drink in Puglia

Puglia is perhaps best known for its ‘cucina povera’, literally translated – peasant food. But their peasant fare is eating like kings to anyone else. From olives and salamis to artichokes and seafood, Puglia does simple ingredients well and the area hosts many food festivals during July and August.

Luxury villas in Puglia often come with their own private chef so you can relax all evening in the comfort of your villa, but if you’re venturing out, try Osteria Sotto L’arco in Carovigno, which started life as a traditional family restaurant and is now among the most renowned in Puglia.

Dine under the glimmer of a thousand candles at the Due Camini, for a Michelin star experience taking you on a culinary journey through the seasons with local, fresh produce.

For upmarket dining out of your luxury villa, Al Fornello da Ricci is a must. One of Puglia’s Michelin-starred establishments, most of the vegetables are grown on-site and the wonderful menu is served in an equally lovely location.