Puglia Map 363

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Vico del Gargano would be an untouristy, affordable base if you’re more interested in the countryside than the sea (although it’s only a 10-minute drive to the beach). On the Salento Peninsula, the fishing village of Gallipoli has a nice port area and interesting historic center. Another nice seaside town is Otranto, known for its beautiful coast. Otranto was an important center of the Byzantine dominion in Italyand had a Greek bishop. A visit to itsduomo is a must. Today Taranto is the world's largest producer of farmed mussels: with 1,300 employees, around 30,000 tons of mussels are processed per year. Mussel farming has characterized the city's economy for centuries, making the mussel the gastronomic symbol of Taranto. It is said that the first mussel gardens in La Spezia, Pula, Olbia and Chioggia were established by mussel farmers who emigrated from this city. The workplace of the Taranto mussel farmers is the boat; every detail of the working method has improved over time.

Monopoli is a handsome fortified harbour town on the north coast, known for its fleet of photogenic blue fishing boats, street markets, and white-gold buildings. Located on the Adriatic Sea, one of the first things you will notice about it is that its boulevards are much grander than other parts of Puglia. They comprise colorful architecture and narrow alleys that mysteriously wind around blind corners, just waiting to be discovered. It’s not directly by the coast but the sea is a short drive away. Lecce is a popular base for exploring the peninsula as the location is relatively central and many road routes go via Lecce. It might not quite match Florence or Venice in the beauty stakes, but Bari is still an atmospheric city with a lively nightlife, historic university and some excellent museums. It’s also home to the imposing Basilica di Santa Nicola*, a huge 12th-century edifice built to house the remains of its eponymous saint (better known as Father Christmas). The pleasant seaside town has a palm-tree-lined lungomare (promenade) for strolling, a large marina, and colourful Art Nouveau villas.Further south on the Ionian Coast is Marina di Pescoluse, known as the Maldives of Salento because of its crystal clear water. Read our travel guide to the best things to do in Vieste Italyincluding tips on where to eat and how to get around. Where to Stay in Vieste Our terrace with a sea view at Residence Maresol Vieste. There are also sun loungers on the right. Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018 . Retrieved 5 March 2023. If you can’t find flights to Brindisi, Bari Airport (BRI) also works. It’s just under two hours north of Lecce and there are some amazing places to explore on the way (see our Puglia travel guide). If you are short on time, the tour takes you to the main Bari sights and teaches you about its history in just three hours. You’ll also try some of Bari’s most famous foods including focaccia and sgagliozze (more on those below).

In ancient times, part of its territory belonged to Magna Graecia being populated by coastal Greek colonies. Later, the region was conquered by the ancient Romans. It was then conquered by the Byzantines, followed by the Normans, the Aragonese and the Spanish. Subsequently, it became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, to then be annexed to the unified Kingdom of Italy after the Expedition of the Thousand. Trulli country starts in Alberobello, where there are more than 1500 of the quirky conical houses. You can stay in a trulli hotel, or rent a trullo house for a week to get the feel for this interesting part of Puglia. Locorotundo and Martina Franca are also interesting cities to visit. Called ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’, this delightful town comprises spectacular beaches, a charming city center, notable architecture and delicious seafood. But it still has a vibrant atmosphere in the summer months – it’s ideal if you’re looking for a small-town feel but nothing too quiet.

There are 5 islands in the group, although 3 are uninhabited, and they’re approximately 12km offshore.

This article contains links from which we may earn revenue. These links are signposted with an asterisk. More information here . To get to the forest, search for Museo Naturalistico della Foresta Umbra on Google Maps. This will take you to the information centre. The Gargano Peninsula is the ‘spur’ of Italy’s boot. It’s a national park and home to some of the most stunning coastal scenery in Italy. From Lecce, it’s an extra hour’s drive to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Salento (and Puglia).Space is limited in Bari Vecchia, so local women began making and selling fresh pasta on the street outside their homes. Compared to the honeypot villages it doesn’t feel too touristy and you can taste a slice of city life on a street food tour or pasta-making class. In the 19th century, it was a popular spa resort with the upper classes from Lecce who built ornate, colourful villas here. Two of the most iconic are the Moorish-style Palazzo Sticchi and Villa Raffaela with its Disney castle vibe. Monte Sant’Angelo is the most picturesque mountain town to visit. We stopped here on the way to the Gargano from Polignano a Mare, but you could also visit as a day trip from Vieste or even stay overnight for a different experience.

You can arrange boat trips from the Vieste port. There are a number of companies that offer similar trips—we went with Desiree.After returning to Leuca, we continued in the other direction on the Ionian Coast. The coastline is lower with more pebble beaches where you can anchor and swim in the clear water. There are lots of smart hotels and guesthouses in Polignano a Mare but prices are at a premium for the area, especially if you want to take advantage of wonderful sea views. Ferry: Connections to Greece and the Balkans are available at Bari and Brindisi, see Ferryhopper for more information. Ionian Coast