Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
When I think back on my time in Puglia, it’s not just the beautiful sights I remember. It’s sipping iced coffee in Lecce while the streets simmered in the heat, or lingering at a long table late into the night over fabulous food from a masseria kitchen. It’s evenings when burrata and wine tasted better than anything at home, simply because we were there.
If you’re heading to the heel of Italy, these are the ten experiences I’d tell any friend not to miss!
1. Take a Boat Tour Along Polignano a Mare’s Coastline
Polignano a Mare is famous for its cliffside views, but the real magic is from the water. We booked our tour with Blue Moon Escursioni, and it ended up being one of our favorite memories from our time with family in Puglia. Gliding into hidden grottos, slipping under limestone arches, and floating in turquoise water felt almost surreal (and cold)!
2. Experience an Olive Oil Tasting
Puglia produces nearly half of Italy’s olive oil, and you can taste that heritage everywhere you go. An olive oil tasting here is like a wine tasting — swirl, sip, savor. Each bottle tells a story, whether fruity, peppery, or delicately smooth.
We definitely had our fair share of olive oil during our trip — drizzled over focaccia, poured onto pasta, or served simply with bread — but we didn’t do a formal tasting. It’s one of those experiences we realized afterward that we want to bake into our itinerary for the next trip!
Pro Tip: If you’re staying at a masseria, many offer tastings onsite, often paired with bread, cheese, or tomatoes fresh from the garden.
3. Book an Apulian Cooking Class
Puglia is best experienced through its kitchen. Taking a cooking class at a traditional masseria is like stepping into a family kitchen — you’ll roll out orecchiette by hand, drizzle olive oil over focaccia, and share laughter over a glass of local wine. We didn’t get to experience one with all of our wedding festivities going on, but Masseria Grieco (our wedding venue in the Ostuni countryside) has cooking classes focused on rustic charm and authentic recipes.
4. Wander the Whitewashed Streets of Ostuni
Nicknamed La Città Bianca (“the White City”), Ostuni is perched high on a hill with winding alleyways, flower-draped balconies, and stunning views of the Adriatic. Getting lost here is half the fun! You’ll stumble across little shops, tucked-away piazzas, and vibrant bars serving spritzes (of course!).
Related: The Best Restaurants & Aperitivo Spots in Ostuni
During our trip, Ostuni became a home base, and it ended up being my favorite city we visited in Puglia. While yes, you’ll encounter fellow tourists (as you do anywhere in Italy), Ostuni still felt authentic, like you could never run out of things to do in or just outside of the city center. What stood out to me most was how prevalent the slow, local way of life was: from families chatting in piazzas to shopkeepers leaning in doorways — it made every little wander through the old town feel timeless. We especially loved our evenings here: starting with an aperitivo before heading to dinner, soaking in the atmosphere that made Ostuni unforgettable.
5. Discover the Baroque Beauty of Lecce
Often called the “Florence of the South,” Lecce is a city of golden stone and ornate Baroque architecture. We visited on a scorching hot June day, which meant our time there was short but memorable — admiring the intricate churches, grabbing lunch at La Cucina di Mamma Elvira, and cooling off with a (very sweet!) Caffè Leccese. While I’d definitely recommend more time to explore, or stay, even a few hours were enough to understand why Lecce is such a cultural gem.
Related: 5 Beautiful Cities to Explore in Puglia, Italy
6. Experience a Masseria
Masserie, historic fortified farmhouses unique to southern Italy, are the heart and soul of Puglia. Today, many have been restored into boutique hotels, restaurants, or agriturismi, while others still operate as working farms. Whether you choose to stay overnight, book a dinner under twinkle lights in the courtyard, or join in on activities like olive oil tastings or cooking classes, experiencing a masseria gives you a true sense of Apulian life. Check out these three masseria hotels we stayed at during our time in Puglia!
Photo on the left by Courtney Linden Photography
Related: Where to Stay in Puglia: Boutique Hotels & Dreamy Masserie
For us, our stays at different masserie were some of the most memorable parts of our trip: waking up to homemade breakfasts, wandering through centuries-old olive groves, and ending evenings with local wine and candlelit meals. Even if you don’t spend the night, visiting a masseria for a meal or activity is a must-do while in Puglia.
7. Visit the Trulli of Alberobello
You can’t leave Puglia without seeing Alberobello’s whimsical trulli, the cone-shaped limestone homes that look like something out of a fairytale. While the main town can be touristy, it’s worth it for the UNESCO-listed scenery. To make the most of it, go early in the morning or later in the evening when the crowds thin and the trulli glow!
8. Spend a Day at a Beach Club (Lido)
Puglia’s coastline is dotted with stunning public beaches, but if you want a service-filled experience, there are plenty of beach clubs where you can rent a lounger, order Aperol spritzes, and swim in crystal-clear waters. From the rocky coves near Polignano to the sandy stretches down south, there’s no shortage of choices. It’s the perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon — just don’t forget reservations, especially in the summer months!
Here are a few recommendations for beach clubs:
Pro tip: Unless your trip requires it, avoid lidos on Saturdays and Sundays. The beach clubs along the Adriatic become very busy with tourists and locals driving from all parts of Puglia, and prices tend to be a bit higher.
9. Tour a Vineyard and Taste Apulian Wine
While Tuscany often receives the spotlight, Puglia also shares a rich wine tradition. In fact, it is Italy’s second-largest wine-producing region after Veneto, contributing about 17-20% of the country’s total output. Think bold reds like Primitivo and Negroamaro (my personal favorite), or crisp whites perfect for summer evenings.
Many masserie and wineries offer tastings and vineyard tours, pairing local wines with regional specialties like cured meats, cheeses, and more. For wine lovers like us, it’s an unmissable experience!
We enjoyed a 12-person tasting with our family at Azienda Agricola Rivale, an estate experimenting with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; grapes not native to the region of Puglia!
10. Explore Puglia on a Fiat 500 Tour
Few things feel more Italian than zipping through the countryside in a vintage Fiat 500. With the wind in your hair and endless olive groves rolling past, it’s a very cinematic way to see Puglia’s landscapes and charming hilltop towns. These tiny cars can squeeze through narrow alleyways that modern vehicles can’t, making them perfect for exploring villages like Ostuni or Locorotondo.
If you’re looking for a tour, definitely check out 500 Journeys, a Fiat 500 tour that starts and ends at the stunning Giardini Pistola, another place you should come early, or stay late, to experience!
Puglia is one of those places that leaves you wanting more — more meals shared around the table, more turquoise swims, more slow evenings with spritz in hand. Whether you’re exploring historic towns, diving into the food culture, or simply relaxing by the sea, these 10 experiences capture the essence of this magical region.