Northern Puglia

At the northern tip of Puglia is the very attractive Garano Peninsula known as Gargano.

The lakes of Lesina and Cagnano Varano are popular with nature lovers and between them is the town of San Nicandro Garganico with its 15th century castle.

Continuing along the peninsula are the pretty seaside towns of Rodi Garganico, Ischitella, and Peschici. Perhaps the best of all the coastal villages is Vieste with its whitewashed buildings hugging the white cliffs below. Visitors should also take a trip to the islands off the coast, the Isole Tremiti which can be accessed from Peschici and Vieste.

On the southern side of the peninsula popular coastal resorts include Mattinata and Manfredonia.

Inland on the Gargano Peninsula are popular pilgrim town of Monte Sant'Angelo which enjoys a stunning hilltop location overlooking the sea, and  the towns of San Nicandro Garganico, San Marco in Lamis, Rignano Garganico and Carpino. The shrine at San Giovanni Rotondo is the second most visited Catholic shrine in the world.

Other historical highlights of the region include the ancient ruins at Lucera and the town of Troia - above all for its cathedral. Nearby Alberona is classified as one of the "most beautiful villages of Italy".

Central Puglia

Further south on the coast Trani is a delightful seaside destination and there is also the resort of Barletta.

Inland are Ruvo di Puglia and especially the important town of Bari with its interesting old town. As well as its historic monuments Bari has some good shops and restaurants. Close to here is the intriguing castle of Castel del Monte. This is one of many built by Frederic II in the area but is a particularly fine example an has UNESCO World Heritage status.

The town of Bitonto (well known for its olives) has a very impressive range of museums and historical sites to explore.

South of Bari is the charming coastal town of Monopoli and between Bari and Monopoli be sure to visit Polignano-a-Mare with its photogenic beach and superb cave restaurant.

Further inland the historically important town of Altamura, famous for its bread and home to "Altamura Man", a rare prehistoric skeleton of a Homo sapien man with some Neanderthal features.

Also inland between Monopoli on one coast and Taranto on the other is the pretty hill-top town of Martina-Franca with its baroque architecture.

Southern Puglia

Continue south into the 'heel' of Italy to discover the fascinating local architectural style - the 'trulli' villages - of Alberobello and Locorotondo, with their cone-shaped roofs and whitewashed walls.

Southern Puglia has the interesting geographical feature of having some towns on the Adriatic Sea and others on the Ionian Sea. Ostuni is a beautiful hill town on the Adriatic coast whilst Gallipoli is a popular resort on the Ionian Sea. The 'heel' of Italy is not very wide and so it is possible to visit both seas during your visit.

The main city is at Lecce, where there are lots of impressive 16th century buildings. It is known as the "Florence of the South" for its abundant Baroque architecture. The town of Galatina also has some excellent Baroque architecture.

Between Ostuni and Lecce is the port town of Brindisi which has an attractive old town and is the end of the Roman Appian Way. Further south Otranto is a lovely seaside town and considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

South of here is the charming spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme with some attractive villas and palaces.

Specchia in the very south of the 'heel' is one of Italy's most beautiful villages and you can visit some ancient underground olive mills.

There are some picturesque and interesting historical aspects to admire in Taranto, whose ancient city sits on an island in the Ionian Sea and linked to the mainland by a bridge.