While the rest of Europe is already preparing for the colder months, this southern region at the heel of Italy’s boot is still making the most of splendid sun-kissed days.

Puglia is home to coastal towns overlooking the crystal-clear sea, winding streets in charming villages, centuries-old farmland and olive groves, and exceptional food and wine inspired by the region’s seasonal produce.

Aside from its rustic charm, relaxed lifestyle and stunning landscapes, Puglia boasts a rich history and culture.

As for its strategic position, pilgrims, traders and even invaders considered Puglia the gateway to and from Europe for many centuries.

This convergence of so many different cultures and people was vital in the development of Apulian culture, cuisine and traditions.

Here are five Apulian destinations that embody the charm of southern Italy.

Polignagno a Mare

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Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, petite Polignano a Mare is home to some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches.

The town is thought to be one of the most important ancient settlements in Puglia and was later inhabited by successive invaders, ranging from the Huns to the Normans.

Lama Monachile Beach – also known as Cala Porto – is one of the most coveted and photographed in the region.

The famous white pebble beach is hidden within a cove below the limestone cliffs on which the town sits, and can be reached by heading underneath a historic Roman bridge.

Aside from soaking up the sun at the beach, getting lost while wandering around the quaint streets of the town’s historic centre is a must.

Terrazza Santo Stefano is one of several viewpoints in the historic centre where you can enjoy the town’s iconic coastal views.

For a luxurious dining experience, visitors can’t go past Grotta Palezzese, a restaurant with a terrace set inside a natural cave right on the water.

Ostuni

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One of Puglia’s most picturesque locations, Ostuni is dubbed the “White City” thanks to its abundance of white-washed houses.

The breathtaking city is a maze of alleyways, staircases and arches, houses built upon houses and hundreds of years of history.

It soars above an ocean of olive trees that sweep through a verdant part of Puglia.

A quick trip from the sea, it makes for a great base for exploring Italy’s deep south.

Vieste

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Vieste, also known as the “Pearl of the Gargano”, is a beautiful seaside town perched on cliffs on Italy’s Adriatic coast.

This fishing village exudes a relaxed charm, reinforced by its picturesque Old Town and stunning sandy beaches.

It is located along northern Puglia’s Gargano Peninsula, a mountainous paradise where you can walk in dense forests, scuba dive in the Adriatic Sea, and relax on beaches backed by white limestone cliffs.

The area offers unique landscapes of great naturalistic and historic beauty, having been the melting pot of foreign populations, including Slavs, Greeks and Saracens, each of whom left their mark on the local culture and architecture.

Lecce

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Built in golden limestone with dazzling architectural surprises around every corner, Lecce is often referred to as “the Florence of the south”. 

Considered the capital of the Salento region of southern Puglia, the coastal city is an oasis that will transport you to another time.

Lecce is for experiencing rather than doing – for wandering the narrow streets, stumbling across hidden piazzas, and lazy lunches in bars with a glass of local wine and a view of an extravagantly carved Baroque church.

Itria Valley

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Just northwest of Salento, the Itria Valley is rustic charm at its best.

The rolling green valley is peppered with vineyards, almond trees and olive groves.

This is the part of Puglia most visited by foreign tourists, and is the best served by hotels and luxury masserie (working farms) or manor farms.

The area is also known as the “Valle dei Trulli”, for its numerous trulli, the white, drystone huts with conical roofs that are typical of Puglia.

While most can be seen in the midst of plots of mature olive trees made square through decades of judicious pruning, the town of Alberobello boasts more than 1500 trulli in a maze of narrow streets.

The ancient settlement is so well preserved it has been given UNESCO World Heritage status.