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Destination guide

Enjoying holiday rentals in Apulia

If Italy is a boot, then Apulia is the heel. It juts into the Adriatic Sea from the extreme south of the country, extending in a patchwork of vineyards and carved coastal cliffs from the stunning Gargano National Park in the north to the baroque treasures of handsome Lecce in the south. It's among Italy's sunniest and lesser-known areas, home to enchanting trulli houses with capped stone roofs, a potpourri of UNESCO sites and old castles, sleepy fishing villages and more wine cellars than you can count. Apulia holiday lettings are available across the whole region and in all shapes and sizes – whether you're seeking a luxurious villa with a pool or a rustic farmhouse between the countryside olive groves, you'll find it here.

History

Layered history in Apulia

Apulia enjoys a more eclectic historical narrative than much of the rest of Italy. It was first settled by Greek colonists, perhaps out of Sparta, who arrived as far back as the 9th century BC. Their legacy can still be seen poking up in places like Taranto – look for the recognisable Doric columns near the waterfront. The Romans came later, leaving behind a stunning amphitheatre in Lecce and establishing important ports, like Bari, along the Adriatic coast. Then centuries of upheaval followed, with everyone from Normans to Aragonese invaders flocking to the Apulian lands, infusing the cities with grand churches and Gothic forts that now mingle together amid the trattorias and marble piazzas.

Things to do

Top things to do and see in Apulia

A mix of natural and manmade wonders await in the southern lands of Apulia. That means days of wandering the carved stone arches and splashing in the turquoise bays of the Gargano National Park can be balanced out with visions of the muscular 9th-century Monte Sant'Angelo castle and its fusion of Norman and Aragonese styles. UNESCO-tagged Alberobello is another must. It's home to curiously shaped houses that ooze centuries of Apulian architectural tradition. And then there's the maze-like heart of Lecce city. Get lost in the warren of lanes, there, to see filigreed baroque churches towering over earthy wine bars.

How to get around

Getting around when staying in Apulia holiday villas

Apulia is a vast area of Italy that ranges across more than 7,000 square miles. A smattering of small towns and cities is encompassed by a vast hinterland, where earthy trulli hamlets and Italian villages stud the olive tree-dotted hills. Many Apulia holiday homes are located there, out with the vineyards and farms. That all means a car rental is a great way to get around, offering you the freedom to hop between places like Lecce and Bari while still being based in the countryside. You can hire a set of wheels from port towns like Brindisi, or major regional airports. There are also trains connecting the main urban hubs of Apulia, linking up to Rome and beyond.

Food & drink

Tasting your way through Apulian food

Fertile and flat Apulia has been one of Italy's breadbaskets for centuries. Everything from old-growth vines to olive trees to tomato plants are reared in the farms, which lends an earthy, organic edge to the cooking. Fresh passata-based pasta sauces with oodles of pecorino cheese are on offer across the land. Undertones of North Africa and Greece can be tasted in bowls of delicious ciceri e tria – chickpea tagliatelle. Grilled artichokes and freshly caught fish combine to create interesting flavour layers along the coast. And then there's the wine. Apulia produces millions of bottles of the stuff each year, with full-bodied reds taking centre stage in the DOC wines of Salice Salentino and Alezio.

Essential info

Essential info for Apulia holiday home stays

Apulia can get seriously hot, so always pack UV protection, especially in the summer months
Be sure to drive on the right-hand side of the road
Tips of 10% are normal in the trattorias and restaurants of Apulia, so long as cover charges aren't included in the bill
Italian is spoken across the region, but you might also hear the ancient Griko dialect in the south

Can I find a vacation rental around Puglia?

Yes, our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 11,150 vacation rentals near Puglia. From 2,683 villas to 6,285 houses, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends. The best places to stay near Puglia for a holiday or a weekend are on Vrbo.

What are the most popular destinations to visit in Puglia?

There are many lovely places to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Puglia. From Vrbo UK travelers, the most popular destinations to visit are:

Ostuni: 2,456 vacation rentals
Martina Franca: 2,160 vacation rentals
Castellana Grotte: 1,297 vacation rentals
Ceglie Messapica: 2,179 vacation rentals
Torre dell'Orso: 833 vacation rentals

And Vrbo UK offers you the chance to discover many other popular destinations in Puglia! Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available in other popular destinations.

What are the main cities to discover in Puglia?

Whether you're traveling with family or friends, here are the cities with the largest selection of vacation rentals for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Puglia:

Ostuni: 2,456 rentals
Martina Franca: 2,160 rentals
Castellana Grotte: 1,297 rentals
Ceglie Messapica: 2,179 rentals
Carovigno: 1,581 rentals

For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.

Can I find easy-access vacation rentals when traveling by plane to Puglia?

Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of vacation rentals near airports. The airports with a large selection of vacation rentals in Puglia are:

Bari (BRI-Karol Wojtyla): 371 vacation rentals
Brindisi (BDS-Papola Casale): 816 vacation rentals
Taranto (TAR-M.A. Grottag): 2,156 vacation rentals

For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.

Near which points of interest can I spend my holidays in Puglia?

Vrbo UK offers a large selection of rentals near lovely places in Puglia. From Vrbo UK travelers, the most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

The Trulli of Alberobello: 2,501 rentals
Corigliano d'Otranto Castle: 4,171 rentals
Otranto Waterfront: 1,682 rentals
Gallipoli Port: 3,362 rentals
Bari Cathedral: 410 rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Puglia listed on Vrbo UK where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection.