Puglia Diaries

If you fancy a beach vacation during the European summer, Italy is one of the top destinations with numerous beautiful destinations on the east coast along Adriatic Sea or on the west coast along Tyrrhenian Sea.

In this blog, we will explore the scenic Apulia region located in the eastern coast of Italy, also popularly known as “the heel of Italy’s boot”.

Choosing the right locations is tough because its difficult to go wrong with so many beautiful locations around this region. I had a hard time deciding which places to visit since this was my first time in Puglia and finally I chose to stick to the most famous beach town (Polignano a Mare) and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. 

1. Scratch the map

Apulia or Puglia is a region in southern Italy with stunning beaches, gorgeous whitewashed towns and amazing Italian cuisine. Although this Italian gem may not be as famous a tourist destination as the Amalfi coast, its authenticity will definitely charm you. 

2. How to reach

Bari (BRI) is one of the main airports in Puglia region close to beach towns like Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and many more. Since we were mainly covering Polignano a Amare and Alberobello (both close to Bari), we chose to fly from Zurich to Bari ( journey time was around 2.5 hours).

3. Tour Highlights

3.a  Polignano a Mare

This popular beach town is located about 50 km away from Bari airport and is home to the famous Lama Monachile beach (also known as Cala Porto). The crystal clear water of the Adriatic Sea with the backdrop of stunning cliffs makes this place so iconic.

• Polignano Viewpoints

There are multiple viewpoints in the town from where you can enjoy amazing views of the sea and the cove. As you can imagine, they will be pretty crowded during sunset hours. However, whichever time during the day you visit, the views are absolutely incredible. All the viewpoints are close to one another which means you also dont have to walk a lot!

From the Belvedere su Lama Monachile viewpoint, you can see the beach and the surrounding cliffs with the Roman bridge (Bourbon bridge) behind.

The Belvedere Terrazo Santo Stefano in the old town offers stunning views of the sea with the added charm of witnessing a romantic sunset as well. 

The Ponte Borbonico bridge is also an unmissable viewpoint directly behind the picturesque inlet formed between the rocks.

Apart from the famous viewpoints mentioned above, there are numerous other viewpoints tucked all along the old town which are perfect for beautiful photo oppotunities. 

• Stroll through the old town

The old town of Polignano a Mare is a little gem with numerous cobbled alleys leading to beautiful viewpoints on the Adriatic coast. Its like a maze where you might lose your way among the beautiful cute houses and discover poetries on the walls all along these narrow streets. 

• The Campanile di San Marco: 

This is the bell tower of San Marco and the highest building in Venice. It boasts of incredible views of the island and its surrounding waters from the observation deck. Remember to buy the ticket in advance (online) for €8 so that you don’t have to wait in a long queue. Also, don’t worry about climbing the stairs as there is a lift to take you to the top of the bell tower! 

• St Mark’s Basilica: 

You simply can’t miss to visit this gorgeous church which as its name suggests houses the body of Saint Mark. With beautiful intricate interiors, large domes and amazing glittering mosaics, it is a visual treat to get a glimpse of Venetian history here. An interesting feature of the church’s façade are the four bronze horses (horses of San Marco) which seem to be ready to gallop off into the square below. They are said to represent the power of Venetian Republic. 

•  Doge’s Palace: 

The most impressive architecture in Saint Mark’s square is undoubtedly the Doge’s Palace which was the official residence of the ruling Doge of Venice. The beautiful frescos, massive state rooms and assembly halls of this stunning palace are a reflection of Venice’s powerful and wealthy past. This palace also hosts one of the largest oil paintings of the world - Il Paradiso by Tintoretto.

4. Personal Recommendations

• Gondola Ride: It goes without saying that a trip to Venice is incomplete without enjoying the famous gondola ride along the canals of Venetian lagoon and listening to interesting stories about Venice from your gondolier.

• Shopping for Venetian souvenirs: Don’t forget to take home some souvenirs as memories of Venice, particularly Venetian masks, glasswork of Murano or lacework of Burano.

• Explore the island on foot: Wander along the narrow lanes in the main island and sip on some Bellini (Venetian cocktail) to make the most of your time.

5. Goodbye Notes

As I wrap up this piece, I must confess that Venice has a unique old world charm which attracts people from all around the world to the city of water and boats and much much more!!