Puglia does not have one single type of coastline. That is the first thing worth understanding before choosing where to spend your beach days. Along roughly 800 kilometres of coast, the region moves from the pale limestone cliffs and pebble coves of the Gargano to the small rocky inlets around Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, … Read more
Puglia is one of the easiest regions of southern Italy to enjoy as a family, but it rewards a little planning. The region is long, summer temperatures can be intense, many historic centres have uneven stone streets, and some of the most beautiful beaches are far easier to reach by car than by public transport. … Read more
Puglia rewards travellers who resist the temptation to treat it as a checklist of white villages and famous beaches. The region is long, geographically varied and surprisingly diverse: Romanesque cathedrals face the Adriatic in the north, trulli and olive-covered countryside fill the Valle d’Itria, Baroque streets dominate Lecce, while the Salento peninsula alternates between rocky … Read more
Golden stone glowing in the afternoon sun, extravagant Baroque façades, Roman ruins appearing unexpectedly between cafés and shops, and narrow streets made for slow wandering: Lecce is one of the most beautiful cities in Puglia and one of the best places to experience the atmosphere of southern Italy. Often nicknamed the “Florence of the South”, … Read more
Porto Cesareo is one of the most popular bases on the Ionian coast of Salento, but the town makes most sense when you understand that “Porto Cesareo” can mean three different things: the compact waterfront town, the long strip of beaches north toward Torre Lapillo, and the wider coastal area that continues to Punta Prosciutto. … Read more
Santa Maria di Leuca sits at the southern end of Salento, where the peninsula narrows between the Adriatic and Ionian sides. The town is less about one perfect beach and more about position: a waterfront lined with historic villas, a major lighthouse and basilica high on Punta Meliso, rocky bathing spots, and boat routes that … Read more
Puglia is one of Italy’s easiest regions for a family beach holiday, but choosing the right stretch of coast makes a significant difference when travelling with children. Some of the region’s most photographed coves are beautiful yet surprisingly impractical with toddlers: steep steps, rocky entries, limited shade and nowhere nearby to buy lunch can quickly … Read more