Puglia is a region that you don't just visit: you cross it slowly, savor it, and listen to it. It is a land of harmonious contrasts, where the sea meets the hinterland, and where history still coexists today with ancient gestures, artisan traditions, and authentic rhythms. From the luminous coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian to the silent countryside of the Murgia, each area tells a different but deeply consistent Puglia.
The Apulian hinterland, often less traveled compared to coastal locations, is the most authentic heart of the region. Here you will find stone villages, solitary castles, masserie, sheep tracks (tratturi), and small workshops that safeguard knowledge passed down for generations. It is the ideal place for those seeking true experiences, far from mass tourism, and wanting to take home not just photographs, but lived memories.
10 unmissable things to do in Puglia
- Travel through the Alta Murgia early in the morning, among dry stone walls, jazzi, and lunar landscapes that change color with the light.
- Visit Castel del Monte, an enigmatic symbol of Puglia, but include it as part of a broader itinerary that also encompasses the surrounding villages.
- Get lost in the alleys of Andria, Trani and Corato, observing daily life away from tourist flows.
- Discover a local artisan workshop, where the experience is not just about buying, but understanding a story, a gesture, a meaning.
- Include in your itinerary a visit to La Favola Incantata® – Marchio Artigiano, as an experiential stop dedicated to symbolic and narrative craftsmanship, perfect for understanding the creative and spiritual soul of the territory.
- Walk along a stretch of a Murgian sheep track, following ancient transhumance routes.
- Visit a historical masseria and listen to the stories of those who still live there today.
- Attend a local patronal feast, even the smallest one.
- Stop at sunset at a panoramic point in the hinterland, far from the sea.
- Talk to the locals: in Puglia, oral storytelling is part of the journey.
Where to eat and drink
- Home-cooking trattorias in the Murgian hinterland, where you can order handmade orecchiette and seasonal vegetables.
- Historical bakeries in Andria to taste local bread, fragrant and still worked as it once was.
- Small village bars for a coffee at the counter and a spontaneous chat.
- Masserie with peasant cuisine for slow and authentic lunches.
- Olive oil mills open for visits, to taste local extra virgin olive oil.
- Independent wine shops offering Apulian wines from small producers.
- Bakeries that bake traditional focaccia, which varies from area to area.
- Local dairies to taste burrata and fresh cheeses.
- Osterias frequented by residents, not listed in tourist guides.
- Places where food becomes a story, just as happens in artisan workshops that combine taste, symbol, and memory.
Where to stay
I recommend staying in the inland villages, such as Andria, Corato or small centers of the Murgia, to experience a more authentic and less crowded Puglia. Renovated masserie are also excellent, allowing you to immerse yourself in the landscape and local rhythms. From here, it is easy to reach both the sea and the symbolic places of the hinterland, creating balanced and profound itineraries.
Good to know before you go
Puglia is best explored by car, especially if you want to visit the Murgia and the inland villages. The ideal period is from April to June and from September to October, when the weather is pleasant and places are less crowded. Dedicate at least 5–7 days for a complete experience, alternating between the sea and the interior.
Travel with respect: enter the workshops, listen to the stories, choose authentic artisan experiences like La Favola Incantata®, which represent not just a purchase, but an encounter with the soul of the territory.