Puglia is a region full of magical villages, an ideal destination where you can decide to spend a romantic weekend. There are many destinations that you can recommend and considering that each place is different, peculiarities and curiosity will guide you in the choice that best suits your taste.
Each village is rich in historical, artistic and cultural heritage all to be discovered. Let’s start with the first one.
Polignano a Mare in the province of Bari, stands out on the rock with its white buildings that contrast with the blue sea below. Every season is ideal to visit this village, but of course in summer you can fully enjoy the fantastic marine scenery.
One of its most beloved places is the Lama Monachile, the famous beach between two rock walls. But the charm of Polignano continues with the over 70 sea caves of which it is rich, which are emblems of a rich marine heritage. The old town is a place full of charm, both in terms of its conformation and for the poems written everywhere, without forgetting that Polignano is also known to be the birthplace of Domenico Modugno.
Vieste located on the Gargano, in the province of Foggia, is a village projected onto the sea. In addition to being famous for its more than 20 beaches, it boasts a historic centre rich in history and culture. Its streets and squares are overflowing with shops and boutiques where you can be enchanted by the local craftsmanship and its splendid panorama. Noteworthy are the boat tours among the 20 sea caves, which offer breathtaking scenery that will literally take your breath away. The wind and the sea are responsible for the erosion of the white limestone rock from which the caves originated. The reflections of the water on the rock walls create surprising effects.
Otranto is a surprising village rich in history, in the province of Lecce. Its history is immediately reflected in its conformation, being a fortified city and its historical centre, enclosed within the walls, which can be accessed through the Porta Alfonsina.
Also from the historical point of view should be noted the Aragonese Castle built at the behest of Fernando I of Aragon between 1485 and 1498 and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata.
The streets of Otranto also overflow with artistic treasures, but the beauty of this village is also given by the sea and the beautiful natural scenery that can be admired, with bays, inlets and caves unique in their kind.
The most beautiful villages in Apulia, however, are not only those located near the sea. The villages of the hinterland are the spokesmen of an incredible scenic and architectural beauty, which in terms of romance, have nothing to envy to the resorts on the coast.
Alberobello is an extraordinary example of a hilly village, located in the province of Bari, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. This place owes its fame to the Trulli, conical dry-stone buildings of traditional white colour with dark roofs. Alberobello boasts more than 1500 (divided between the districts of Monti and Aja Piccola) and the oldest date back to the 14th century. The trulli are distinguished by the symbols on the roof, each with its own meaning. The uniqueness of this place can be seen walking through its streets and being overwhelmed by its history.
Corigliano d’Otranto, located in the province of Lecce, is a village that has its roots in ancient Greece, so much so that even today we still speak the “griko”, an ancient idiom of Greek origin. The historical centre of this place is rich in architectural and archaeological treasures, such as the famous Castello de’ Monti, a medieval mansion, and the Mother Church of San Nicola. An important monument is also the Arch of Padlocks dating back to 1497 to symbolize, through its reliefs, the love story between a man and his bride.
