Puglia: the heel of Italy
Our guide to Puglia
The heel of Italy, Puglia extends for some 400km from the north to its southernmost tip (finibus terrae to the Romans). Its coastline is lapped by the Adriatic and the Ionian seas and dotted with magnificent beaches and coves; its numerous pretty towns and villages are full of architectural, historical and cultural interest; and its excellent cuisine is humble by tradition and tasty by nature.
Learn more about Puglia
Capital: Bari
Surface area: 19,540km²
Population: 4 million (approx)
Agricultural records: Puglia produces about 17% of Italy’s wine and around 40% of its olive oil
Regional anthem: Volare! by Domenico Modugno (who was born in Polignano a Mare)
Signature dish: orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with broccoli rabe, anchovies, garlic and chilli)
Puglia forms the heel of Italy's boot and its easternmost tip, nearly aligned with Budapest. Spanning 19,300 km², it is Italy's 7th largest region, boasting 800 km of coastline with sandy beaches and azure seas, second only to Sicily and Sardinia.
The Gargano peninsula in the north is the region's main mountainous area, aside from the Apennine foothills in the northwest. Beyond it stretches a vast plain reaching the Valle d'Itria, home to charming towns like Locorotondo, Alberobello, and Martina Franca, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Ostuni marks the transition to the Salento plain, which extends to Santa Maria di Leuca, Puglia's southernmost point.
Known for its flat terrain, Puglia excels in agriculture, producing Italy's highest olive oil yield, along with wine, tomatoes, artichokes, aubergines, and wheat. Sheep farming is also prevalent, akin to neighboring Greece.
The Valle d'Itria
Set on a high fertile plain in the centre of Puglia, the Valle d'Itria incorporates wooded slopes, vineyards, endless olive groves punctuated by the coned roofs of trulli, a host of picture-perfect towns (Alberobello, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Polignano a Mare to name just a few), and a pair of coastlines – the Adriatic and the Ionian - to choose from. Each town has its own gastronomic speciality, so its also an unforgettable destination for food and wine lovers.
Bari
Bari, the capital of Puglia in southern Italy, is a vibrant port city known for its historic charm and seaside allure. Its old town, Bari Vecchia, boasts narrow winding streets, the Basilica of San Nicola, and a lively atmosphere filled with local traditions. The modern part of Bari features elegant shopping streets, theaters, and bustling piazzas. With a mix of medieval architecture, sandy beaches, and delicious Puglian cuisine—especially fresh seafood and orecchiette pasta—Bari offers a blend of history and modernity, making it a captivating destination on the Adriatic coast.
