Puglia, the sun-drenched region located in the heel of Italy’s boot, has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in recent years. Known for its stunning coastline, whitewashed historic towns, and delectable cuisine, Puglia is the perfect destination to enjoy a blend of authentic Italian culture and slow travel.
Deciding where to stay in Puglia was the most difficult part of planning our trip. After spending two weeks road-tripping through the region, we discovered the best towns and areas to stay in – from Lecce in the south to Matera up north.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top places to stay in Puglia, from hotels, villas, and traditional trulli to the best towns to base yourself in.
Best Towns to Stay in Puglia as a Base
Where you stay in Puglia depends on the length of your trip and type of trip. If you want a beach holiday, I suggest staying near the coast. On the other hand, if you’re looking to explore more towns, staying in the countryside may be the better option.
We spent two weeks in Puglia, exploring from Bari down to the very southern tip of Italy’s heel. Our first stop was Lecce, where we spent a week visiting the incredible beaches and towns of Salento.
For the second week, we stayed in a traditional Trullo home in the Valle d’Itria near Ostuni. Both Lecce and Ostuni are centrally located, making them ideal bases for easy day trips to nearby towns. I recommend staying near Ostuni for northern Puglia and Lecce for southern Puglia.
If you are only staying in Puglia for a week, then stay near Ostuni or in the Valle d’Itria.
Monopoli is also a good base if you’re hoping to stay near the coast, plus it’s only a 10-15 minute drive from some of the best beaches in the area.
Here are some of the top towns we recommend staying in Puglia:
- Ostuni – A whitewashed hilltop town, located in the Valle d’Itria, with wonderful views and an excellent collection of restaurants. Its close to both the coast and many popular towns, such as Alberobello and Locorotondo.
- Valle d’Itria – The stunning Itria Valley is dotted with Trulli, vineyards, and olive groves. Stay here if you’re looking for a nature escape and want to experience Italian slow living. It’s located near Ostuni, Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca.
- Lecce – A vibrant Baroque city located in southern Puglia. Its central location makes it convenient to explore the beaches and towns in Salento on day trips.
- Monopoli – A quaint seaside town and old fishing village located within close proximity to many fantastic beaches. It’s an ideal base if you’re looking to stay near the sea.
- Vieste – At the very north of Puglia is the Gargano Peninsula, known for its rocky coastline and pristine beaches. Many tourists don’t make it up this far, so if you’re hoping for an authentic escape, then this may be the perfect spot for you. Vieste is ideally located, making it easy to access the area’s best beaches and towns.
OUR TOP PUGLIA HOTEL PICKS
- Ostuni: Paragon 700
- Valle d’Itria: Leonardo Trulli Resort
- Monopoli: La Peschiera
- Polignano a Mare: A Casa di Dany
- Bari: Casa Calamondino
- Lecce: Palazzo Luce
- Vieste: Dimora Cummà Marì
- Matera: Sextantio le Grotte della Civita
Best Places to Stay in Puglia
Hotels in Ostuni
- Boutique: Paragon 700 | A peaceful escape within the maze of Ostuni, this palazzo turned boutique hotel has a gorgeous garden and pool area, along with its well-styled rooms.
- Luxury: Hotel Relais La Sommità | A 5-star hotel located in the heart of Ostuni with elegant decor and a balcony with a beautiful sunset view.
- Apartment: Palazzo Altavilla | Perfect for those looking for a place to stay that feels like home. These cozy apartments offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including an outdoor shared pool.
- Mid-range: Il Sogno delle Benedettine | Located in Ostuni’s Centro Storico, this property has spacious suites at a more affordable price range.
Farmhouses nearby
- Masseria Moroseta | Set amongst olive trees just outside of Ostuni, staying here is an experience in itself, with its well-appointed rooms and farm-to-kitchen restaurant. Highly recommend booking a room here or staying at one of their villas.
- Masseria Dagilupi | A slow living type of hotel with serene rooms, an lovely outdoor pool area, yoga, and massages.
- Masseria Santo Scalone | A chic 4-star property with an on-site restaurant and beautiful grounds, including an outdoor pool area.
- Masseria Donna Nina | A more price friendly option, this quaint villa is located right outside of Ostuni and has simple rooms and a fantastic outdoor space.
- Masseria Cervarolo | A stunning property with accommodation options in either the main house or traditional trulli buildings.
Hotels in the Valle d’Itria
- Mid-range villa: Masseria Salamina | Located between Locorotondo and the sea, this villa has stunning rooms and an amazing property with a pool.
- Trullo: Leonardo Trulli Resort | Stay in a traditional Apulian Trullo dwelling, surrounded by olive groves and located within close distance to many towns.
- Luxury farmhouse: Masseria San Michele | A gorgeous, luxury villa with a fantastic breakfast, lovely rooms, and a beautiful outdoor garden and pool area.
- Trullo: Trulli Annina | A private 2-bedroom Trullo home with a pool, patio area, and well-equipped kitchen. Perfect for a family or small group.
- Boutique: Tenuta del Lauro | Near Locorotondo, one of my favorite hilltop towns, this small boutique hotel offers an intimate stay, with a lovely garden area and unique rooms.
Hotels in Monopoli
- Luxury: La Peschiera | A seaside, luxury hotel with a beachfront pool and exceptional rooms with either pool or ocean views.
- 5-Star: Don Ferrante | A wonderful 5-star hotel located in the historic old town of Monopoli with sea views and modern amenities.
- Budget: B&B A C-Caste | A charming bed and breakfast with spacious rooms and a fantastic central location.
Farmhouses nearby
- Top pick: Masseria Montenapoleone | A traditional Apulian villa with rustic interiors and a whole lot of charm.
- Luxury: Masseria Torre Maizza | The epitome of luxury, this exceptional 5-star property includes comfortable rooms, a private beach club, golf course, restaurant, and a spa.
- 5-Star: Borgo Egnazia | This resort is one of the fanciest stays in Puglia. With 4 swimming pools, a private beach club, a wellness center, and a stunning property, you’re sure to have an unforgettable stay here.
- Boutique: Il Melograno | Located right outside of Monopoli, tucked away in a grove of olive trees, this hotel has an outdoor pool and comfortable rooms. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the beach.
Hotels in Polignano a Mare
- Airbnb: Palazzo Penelope | Perfect for groups, this beautiful house is located right on the sea and can host up to 10 people.
- Incredible views: A Casa di Dany | Overlooking the famous Lama Monachile beach, the rooms and private balconies have views you won’t find anywhere else.
- Mid-range: POSEA | A seafront bed & breakfast with exceptional views and spacious accommodations.
- Farmhouse: Masseria le Torri | A tranquil escape located right outside of Polignano a Mare with modern rooms and an exquisite property.
Hotels in Bari
- Top pick: Casa Calamondino | Elegant accommodations in the heart of Bari’s old town.
- Mid-Range: VIS Urban Suites&Spa | A modern hotel with spacious and clean rooms in the city center.
- Budget: Imago Plus Hotel | A charming design hotel with quirky touches and aesthetic rooms.
- Boutique: MammaDada charm rooms | A quaint guest house with simple and modern rooms.
Hotels in Lecce
- Boutique: Castle Elvira | Located right outside of Lecce in the countryside, this design-forward hotel blends old world Italian charm with contemporary touches.
- Top pick: Palazzo Luce | This boutique hotel practically doubles as a modern art museum with its exceptional interior design and curated art collection.
- Mid-range: Risorgimento Resort | This hotel’s ideal central location in Lecce makes it easy to walk everywhere. Rooms are spacious and clean.
- Farmhouse: Masseria Trapanà | A tranquil oasis set amongst olive groves with stunning rooms and a welcoming property.
Hotels in the Salento Region
- Top pick: Palazzo Daniele | This popular hotel is famous on Instagram for a reason. The property’s rustic setting, stone courtyard, frescoed ceilings, and tiled floors make it of the most unique places to stay in the region.
- Corigliano D’Otranto: Palazzo Marconi | Set in the heart of Salento, these beautifully decorated apartments are one of my favorite finds.
- Nardo: Masseria Galeta | Just a short drive from the sea, this historic farmhouse is hosted by a lovely Italian couple and has an authentic charm.
- Martano: Naturalis Bio Resort | A wonderful farm stay with tranquil surroundings, a pool, spa, and restaurant.
- Otranto: Baglioni Masseria Muzza | A classic Italian farmhouse in a secluded setting with spacious rooms and an outdoor pool.
- Gallipoli: Palazzo Presta | A charming boutique hotel located in Gallipoli’s old town with well-appointed rooms.
Hotels in Vieste
- Top pick: Dimora Cummà Marì | Fabulous design, sea views, spacious rooms, and modern amenities make this bed and breakfast our top pick for Vieste.
- Beachfront: Hotel Boutique Il Castellino Relais | This beachfront hotel offers simple rooms, a tennis court, and a swimming pool.
- Budget: La Posta del Guardiano | Located right outside of Vieste, this hotel has sweeping views of the countryside and a relaxing atmopshere.
- Great views: Tra Cielo e Mare | A seafront property offering rooms with a balcony and an incredible terrace.
Hotels in Matera
- Unique stay: Sextantio le Grotte della Civita | One of the most special properties in Puglia, this hotel features rooms set inside caves within Matera’s Sassi neighborhoods.
- Luxury: Palazzo Gattini | Stone ceilings, elegant rooms, and magnificent views define this luxurious hotel in Matera.
- Boutique: Palazzo del Duca Matera | A lovely boutique hotel set inside of the Sassi caves with panoramic views.
- Terrace views: Ai Terrazzini | Stay here for the amazing terrace views overlooking Matera.
- Budget: Fra I Sassi Residence | A more wallet-friendly stay with simple rooms, aged stone walls, and great views.
- Farmhouse: Masseria Fontana di Vite | If you prefer the countryside, book a night or two at this idyllic farmhouse, just a short drive from Matera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a car in Puglia?
No, you don’t need a car to get around Puglia; however, if you want the freedom and convenience to visit the countryside and beaches, then we highly recommend renting a car.
You can get around the region by bus and regional train, but this takes much longer and access is limited.
Is Lecce a good base for exploring Puglia?
Yes, Lecce is a fantastic base for exploring Puglia’s southern region, Salento. From Lecce, you can easily take day trips within an hour to visit the main towns and sights.
Is it better to stay in Monopoli or Polignano a Mare?
Polignano a Mare is one of the most iconic towns in Puglia, known for its scenic views and beaches. However, it’s quite touristy and small, which is why we think it’s better stay in Monopoli.
Monopoli is larger than Polignano a Mare, less touristy, and has plenty of restaurant options. It’s also close to some of the area’s best beaches.
What is the best month to visit Puglia Italy?
The best months to visit Puglia are June and September. These months fall right before and after the peak travel season of July and August, yet the weather is still warm enough to enjoy both the beaches and sightseeing.
More Information for your trip to Italy
ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE
Italy Travel Insurance – We always get travel insurance before all of our trips for peace of mind. Check out Travel Insurance Master to find the best plan for you.
Italy Rental Cars – We’ve rented a car in Italy many times, and it’s definitely the most convenient way to get around the countryside. We rented our car through Discover Cars (our go-to rental agency), which helps you find the best rates no matter where you are traveling.
Italy Phone Plans – If your phone plan does not offer free coverage in Italy, then we suggest getting an eSIM. We used Airalo during our trip to Italy, and we had fantastic coverage the entire time. It’s easy to download and you can even top up via the app if needed.
Italy Hotels – Wondering where to book your accommodations for Italy? We’ve been reserving all of our hotels through Booking for years. Their messaging tool makes it easy to communicate with the hotels, and there are endless options to choose from.