Puglia: Most Charming Coastal Towns Explore

Puglia: Most Charming Coastal Towns

Puglia Explore:

Puglia’s coastal towns are a dream of whitewashed houses and intricate mazes of cobbled narrow alleys. Perched on top of rugged cliffs gently caressed by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, these towns blend history, charm, and breathtaking seaside views. Come with me and explore the most beautiful coastal gems of Puglia.

1

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is famous worldwide for its beach and for the houses built right on the cliff edge, but it is nonetheless a place that lingers in your memory for its uniqueness and beauty. From the very moment you walk through Arco Marchesale, you are presented with a labyrinth of whitewashed façades, where bougainvilleas cascade over balconies and ceramic pots spill with bursts of color by the doors and window sills.

I love wandering through the narrow alleys, and at every turn, you can feel a sense of discovery - a hidden courtyard, a glimpse of the sea, the chatter on the restaurant terraces. But nothing compares to the cliff-edge belvederes, with views that are hard to beat by any other place in Puglia. From Belvedere Terrazza Santo Stefano, I stood mesmerized, watching the turquoise waves softly crashing down below as the tourist boats swarmed around the town back and forth non-stop.

2

Otranto

When visiting the Salento peninsula, you must for sure stop at Otranto, Italy’s easternmost town, where the past lingers in the air like the salty breeze rolling in from the Adriatic. For centuries, this has been a gateway between civilizations, standing just 70 kilometers (40 nautical miles) from Albania, and on a clear day, the distant mountains emerge like a faint silhouette on the horizon

The historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, while outside the ancient walls, protected by a wide bay, Otranto’s long sandy beach unfolds in a stretch of crystal-clear shallows, where kids spend their Summer afternoons splashing and playing. In my opinion, you can get the best views of Otranto and its bay from Cappella della Madonna dell’Altomare, with the town’s white facades glowing under the bright sun and the bay shimmering at its feet.

3

Gallipoli

For me, Gallipoli is one of the coastal towns with the most charm. Unlike all other cliffside towns in Puglia, its historic center is set on an island, connected to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge. All around the old town, the ancient stone walls seem to elevate it above the sea in an almost protective and caring embrace. Inside the walls, the narrow, winding streets offer a feeling of intimacy, and the Ionian Sea right outside creates a perfect blue backdrop that perfectly matches the pale yellow and beige buildings built by the walls.

I found the oceanfront restaurant terraces to be an ideal spot for a light lunch, with the gentle sounds of the sea in the background and the boats drifting by. I also recommend stopping for at least a couple of hours at Spiaggia della Pirutà, a small beach nestled right under the town walls, with amazing views to the sunset in late Summer afternoons.

4

Vieste

Vieste is one of those places where the effort to get there feels completely worthwhile. Tucked away on the Gargano Peninsula, it’s a bit of a journey if you are staying in central Puglia, but the crystal-clear waters and secluded beaches make it all the more rewarding. If you are doing a day trip as I did, I suggest setting off early, arriving in the town by mid-morning, just in time to wander through its charming streets before spending the rest of the afternoon in the Peninsula’s incredible waters.

Though Vieste attracts its share of visitors, the town still holds much of its authenticity. The historic center is perched on a rocky promontory with two long stretches of sandy beach framing it. The views from the cliff edges are breathtaking, whether you’re enjoying them from a roadside or a seaside terrace. A highlight of Vieste is the iconic Pizzomunno Monolith, a towering white limestone formation standing proudly against the sand, surrounded by the cliffs that cradle this beautiful town.

Puglia Explore:

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A Guide to Puglia - the Cover Page, by Simply Slow Traveler

There are very few regions with coastal towns that so fully and fearlessly embrace the sea as Puglia. It feels as if the locals have been dancing a centuries-long dance with the sea, reaching such a perfect and fine balance, clear on how the buildings stand right on the cliff edges, between living in harmony but without overstepping into the domains of the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas.

Discover all my favourite and beautiful ancient towns in Puglia on my 8-day guide to this Summer-sublime region.

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