We deliver posters in Italy for now, or you can catch them in Bari, but let us know if you live in the US or a European country and want to make an order. We’ll set it up!
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In this shop, you find our Made in Puglia posters: designed by Apulian designers and illustrators and printed in local typography while respecting the environment.
We deliver posters in Italy for now, or you can catch them in Bari.
Browsing this website, you find the best places where to spend your holiday in Puglia, the best typical food, and the coolest ways to explore the Region.
You can start choosing the perfect location and the category of what you'd like to experience; the next step is to plan your next trip to Puglia.
Did you choose where to go and what to visit?
Now, you just have to watch the most beautiful and authentic experiences, for making awesome your holidays in Puglia!
When here, in Puglia, feel free to contact us to share your best moments with the whole community of ImaginApulia. Dream your Apulian Trip: make it easy with us!
Staying in Puglia is always a great experience! Find out our selection of authentic and comfortable resorts, b&b, hotels, villas, Masseria, camping, and much more, where it’s easy to get some sleep and relax, enjoying the local culture.
The local Puglia’s food is one of the main tourist attractions. Olive oil, panzerotti, pizza, focaccia, orecchiette, but also wine and craft beer are some of the most famous and tasty products from Puglia. Find out our selection of the best places where to taste typical food and beverage made in Puglia.
Puglia’s culture is grounded in history and art. Fill your eye and heart with the authentic Puglia culture and find out the local art and culture looking at our selection of museums, art galleries, musicians, and many others.
Practicing sports in Puglia is easy, and it gives unforgettable feelings. Whether if you love water or land sports, the long coastline, the nature reserves, and the national parks are waiting for you. Find out the best companies to rent your equipment and plan your activities and experiences in this amazing land.
Get a taste of the local lifestyle, live authentic experiences like religious celebrations, traditions tied to food or folklore, but also the local fresh pasta hand making, mozzarella cheese classes, or wine tasting. Find out our selection of the best places where you can live like a local!
Have a guided tour by walk, bike, or car and take your time admiring landscapes, cities, monuments, and tasting some typical street food. Find out our selection of tour operators and tourist guides, make a responsible and environmentally friendly choice for your holidays in Puglia.
Staying in Puglia is always a great experience! Find out our selection of authentic and comfortable resorts, b&b, hotels, villas, Masseria, camping, and much more, where it’s easy to get some sleep and relax, enjoying the local culture.
Staying in Puglia is always a great experience! Find out our selection of authentic and comfortable resorts, b&b, hotels, villas, Masseria, camping, and much more, where it’s easy to get some sleep and relax, enjoying the local culture.
The local Puglia’s food is one of the main tourist attractions. Olive oil, panzerotti, pizza, focaccia, orecchiette, but also wine and craft beer are some of the most famous and tasty products from Puglia. Find out our selection of the best places where to taste typical food and beverage made in Puglia.
Puglia’s culture is grounded in history and art. Fill your eye and heart with the authentic Puglia culture and find out the local art and culture looking at our selection of museums, art galleries, musicians, and many others.
Practicing sports in Puglia is easy, and it gives unforgettable feelings. Whether if you love water or land sports, the long coastline, the nature reserves, and the national parks are waiting for you. Find out the best companies to rent your equipment and plan your activities and experiences in this amazing land.
Get a taste of the local lifestyle, live authentic experiences like religious celebrations, traditions tied to food or folklore, but also the local fresh pasta hand making, mozzarella cheese classes, or wine tasting. Find out our selection of the best places where you can live like a local!
Have a guided tour by walk, bike, or car and take your time admiring landscapes, cities, monuments, and tasting some typical street food. Find out our selection of tour operators and tourist guides, make a responsible and environmentally friendly choice for your holidays in Puglia.
The Bauxite Cave of Otranto | ita: Cava di Bauxite di Otranto|, located in the low Salento, is a neglected quarry used between 1940 and 1976. After that, the quarry was totally abandoned, and nature took its own place.
The intense emerald colour lake is for sure the peculiarity of this site. It is probably generated by the infiltrations from the aquifers nearby.
Into the Bauxite Cave of Otranto| ita: Cava di Bauxite di Otranto|, the characteristic dark red colour of the rocky walls is determined by the minerals contained in the Bauxite rock, which is the main element for aluminium composition.
The bright green of the vegetation and the little lake is pulled out thanks to the great contrast developed with the red rocks.
This fantastic site is one of the most natural and pristine attractions in the Salento area.
The Bauxite Cave of Otranto is a very distinctive hiking area, it is not a big area, but walking on the red dunes makes good feelings: it really seems to walk on Mars.
Quite close to the Bauxite Cave, the city of Otranto gives you the chance to rest for a while in a typical restaurant, before running towards the beach and enjoying the beautiful Salento sea.
Unfortunately, none is actually taking care of this site, which means either that the nature is lush and uncontaminated, but also that there's not a real Authority to contact to arrange a guided tour in the Bauxite Cave of Otranto.
So, for more information, please, contact the Otranto Municipality and the Touristic Info Point by the contact area below.
Update > Some people said that from 2019 there's a ticket you should pay for visiting the Bauxite Cave of Otranto, so we advise to contact the info Point before coming and the forecast too, it's pretty hard to explore it while it's raining.
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[post_excerpt] => The Bauxite Cave of Otranto is a very distinctive hiking area. It's one of the most pristine natural sites of Salento, Puglia.
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The Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola
National Park of Alta Murgia
The Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola is a neglected quarry located in the National Park of Alta Murgia, in the Land of Bari.
As well as the Bauxite Cave of Otranto, this site is characterized by the dark red rocky walls, given by the mine of Bauxite.
It'scompletely crossable, and walking on it, across the vegetation, is a very cool experience.
If you are a nature lover and like to practice trekking, the Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola should be on your itinerary.
It’s easily reachable and quite close to other important points of interest.
So, put on your trekking shoes and get down through the Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola!
As usual, before coming, take a look at the forecast, and for more information or to arrange a guided tour contact the Managing Authority, using the contact area below.
[post_title] => Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola
[post_excerpt] => The Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola is a neglected quarry located in the National Park of Alta Murgia. A perfect place for nature and trekking lovers.
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Alta Murgia more than an usual park
The Puglia Region is characterized by many forests and naturalistic sites. The National Park of Alta Murgia is an amazing example of those.
The Alta Murgia is a breathtaking hilly area located in the middle of the Land of Bari indeed. It is a limestone block that emerged 70 million years ago and its hills even get about 600 meters altitude.
The position and the peculiarities of the National Park give to travelers the chance to admire incredible landscapes at sunrise or sunset.
Many photographers come to the Alta Murgia for this purpose. If you take your time you’ll shoot great pics. Landscapes, vegetation, and animals are often the perfect subjects, not just for landscape photos, but also for macro and details.
Hiking and trekking across the Alta Murgia hills
These hills offer a lot to travelers and they are also a very interesting location for trekking and hiking lovers.
The National Park of Alta Murgia expands for a big area and it is sprinkled by a lot of Masserie, Jazzi, and Poste.
Indeed, walking or cycling through the land is an awesome and authentic experience. You’ll probably meet a Masseria: an old farm where, in the old days, farmers lived and worked. Or maybe you’ll find out kind of stone fences where the sheeps grazed, in Puglia known as Jazzi and Poste.
Nowadays, these structures are almost all abandoned, but they’re still part of the Apulian culture and patrimony.
Normally, people who like to practice trekking or cycling love to experience Alta Murgia Park. This kind of slow travel is perfect to enjoy its natural beauties.
Local food and culture made in Puglia
While exploring the park is easy to catch the bond with the Apulian culture. Furthermore, the National Park of Alta Murgia has also an important connection with food tradition.
It’s a naturalistic site, full of vegetation, mushrooms, and animals species, but it also touches many towns and villages. In Puglia people are very traditional, especially talking about local food. Even the smaller villages are full of bakeries and farms, where to buy genuine local and very organic food.
The Alta Murgia area is quite famous for some of its typical food products. Samples of those, are many types of cheese among which the “big ball” (Pallone) made in Gravina in Puglia stands out.
Moreover, the delicious bread made in Altamura has the protected designation of origin, which gives to this incredible product quality certification.
Don't miss to visit the points of interest nearby
Well, we advise, as original Apulians, to spend some days of your holidays in Puglia exploring and traveling across the National Park of Alta Murgia.
After having a charming naturalistic tour, just get a break in one of the Alta Murgia towns. Going to a typical bakery or restaurant, you can certainly take a delicious local lunch, afterward, you run to visit the points of interest scattered around the Park!
Yes, because the park embraces also two of the most important cultural sites of the Land of Bari.
Some of the pictures you can watch on this page have been shot during a few hiking tours we had during the last year.
Some of them are taken in the Mercadante Forest and The Monte Cucco Woods, but also simply only hanging around and enjoying the whole Park.
Then, we love food! After our tours, we obviously had a little stop in a typical bakery, to taste a piece of focaccia and bring at home an Altamura loaf of bread.
But, we always advise you to make your own itinerary thinking about your needs and what you really love.
Explore the National Park on four seasons
The Alta Murgia area can give a lot, especially during spring, summer, and fall time. Differently, winter is the season of "hibernation" when animals and vegetation fall asleep. During summertime, the wheat has picked up by the farmers, and the countrysides are full of hay bales everywhere.
A breathtaking show with no comparison.
Instead, whether in spring the hills are colorfully and flowery, then in the fall season the grape harvest awaits you for amazing experiences!
Further information
Anyway, before planning a tour at the National Park of Alta Murgia, take a look at the weather and please contact the Managing Authority by the contact area below!
[post_title] => Alta Murgia
[post_excerpt] => The National Park of Alta Murgia is a breathtaking hilly area located in the Land of Bari. People who like to practice trekking or cycling love to experience it.
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Torre Guaceto
Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area
Torre Guaceto is a Nature Reserve and Protected Marine area located on the Adriatic Coastline, in the area of Upper Salento and between Ostuni and Brindisi City.
Its name originates from the sighting tower that is part of the system of coastal sighting towers built by Charl V to protect the regional territory from potential marine attacks.
Many people visit the Reserve and the Marine Area to study and observe their fauna and flora.
The vegetation diversity of Mediterranean Maquis and the number of different animal species offer the opportunity to enjoy many naturalistic sports.
Birdwatching, snorkeling and sea watching, trekking, cycling, hiking, and walking across the reserve are some of the many activities to do in the Torre Guaceto area.
Furthermore, for the sandy beaches and sun addicted, the Torre Guaceto’s beach “Punta Penna Grossa” is a must to enjoy and relax in, and maybe you’ll also be lucky to meet up a beautiful giant sea turtle.
For more information or to book a guided tour, please contact the Managing Authority Consorzio di Gestione di Torre Guaceto.
Otherwise, stay here browsing through our Best Places in Puglia and find out the perfect place to spend your holiday in Puglia.
[post_title] => Torre Guaceto
[post_excerpt] => Torre Guaceto is a Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area, located in Puglia. All the nature activities and a great sandy beach are available here.
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The Dunes of Torre Colimena and the Nature Reserve of Saline dei Monaci is a distinctive area, located on the Ionian coastline of Puglia Region, Italy.
It’s perfectly located, close to Taranto City and the Punta Prosciutto Beach, another relevant natural site of Puglia.
Saline dei Monaci
Nature Reserve, east coast of Taranto
The Reserve of Saline dei Monaci, literally translated as Salt pans of Monks, is a very small salty lake where, during the high tide, the seawater flows by a small canal.
This protected area is characterized by Mediterranean Maquis and many species of birds indeed, birdwatching is one of the main activities to practice enjoying the Reserve.
Mallards, swans, red and white herons and many others keep company to lots of beautiful pink flamingos that decided living here permanently.
Torre Colimena
Sandy Dunes
Behind the fence that draws the salt pans borders, there are the Dunes of Torre Colimena, a family-friendly sandy beach.
This lovely beach is distinguished by white sand and low sea bed long for meters, so it’s the perfect beach for families who want to leave their children playing.
Just a few meters from the beach and the reserve, you find the sighting tower that gives the name to the entire location: Torre Colimena.
Torre Colimena is one of the coastal sighting towers that has been better conserved in years: it is perfectly intact and wonderfully surrounded by prickly pears plants.
For more information or to book a guided tour, please contact the Managing Authority using the contact area below.
[post_title] => Torre Colimena
[post_excerpt] => The pristine area of The Dunes of Torre Colimena and the Nature Reserve of Saline dei Monaci, Ionian coastline of Puglia, Italy.
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Rocca del Garagnone, the Invisible Castle
The Archaeological site Rocca del Garagnone consists of a Medieval Castle ruins.
It has been also denominated Invisible Castle, because, built by the rocks of the Puglia’s Apennine Range, it was completely camouflaged into the landscape.
Moreover, it has been partly destroyed due to the earthquake of 1731, but refurbished by Federico II and renominated as Domus, considering its purpose about the agriculture and pastoralism management.
Here, the main economical activity is still pastoralism, and it's usual to run into locals during the “transumanza” or come across the typical enclosures denominated "Jazzi" that are built by little pieces of rocks artfully fitted without any cement.
Furthermore, it’s quite close to some important cities like Altamura and Gravina in Puglia, as well as some other very interesting sites.
Nearby, just some kilometers far from it, there’s the Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola, also located in the middle of the National Park of Alta Murgia.
Instead, going a bit towards the north-east direction, another Castle is waiting to be visited: Castel del Monte, located in the surrounding area of Andria city.
The Rocca del Garagnone is a hiking, trekking, and cycling site for people who love nature and history at the same time!
The pristine nature around it gives a lot of great sensations, colors, and fragrances that come from the natural vegetation, among which there is the “ferula”, a typical plant of the Alta Murgia.
If you need more info or want to arrange a guided tour to visit the Rocca del Garagnone as well as the National Park of Alta Murgia, please contact the Managing Authority and take a look at the forecast directly by the proper area below.
[post_title] => Rocca del Garagnone
[post_excerpt] => The Archaeological site Rocca del Garagnone consists of a Medieval Castle ruins. It's perfect for people who love hiking, trekking and cycling and a bit of history!
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The power of nature
The Sea stacks of Sant'Andrea| ita: Faraglioni di Sant'Andrea | is a location sited in Torre San'Andrea, which is a village on the Adriatic coastline, part of the Marine Areas of Melendugno.
Indeed, they are pretty close to Lecce city, but also to some other beautiful natural points of interest.
So, in a few hours, it's really easy to visit three of the most amazing wonders of nature in Puglia.
If you're interested in a "One-day road trip" to visit all of these marine areas, take a look at the article "Road Trip in Salento" on our blog.
At the Sea stacks of Sant'Andrea | ita: Faraglioni di Sant'Andrea | there's a sandy sea bed and the clear water is one of the cleanest and enjoyable in the whole coastline for sure.
Incredibly, sea and wind sculptured the rocks making those white stacks that are dyeing by gold during the sunset.
Puglia Region is a very romantic place
A part of this rock combination is called "The lovers arch" where lovers spend their time admiring the beauty of the landscape during the sunset.
This area is totally accessible, and nature here is absolutely pristine.
Bathing here is a great experience. And if you're a photography lover, then this is the right place to shoot probably some of your best pics!
This is free of charge area, so you can enjoy it all year long by yourself. There's only parking to pay if you want to let your car there: it's about €5,00 the entire day.
Just in case you need help, please contact the Melendugno Municipality right by the contact area below.
[post_title] => Sea stacks of Sant'Andrea
[post_excerpt] => The Sea stacks of Sant'Andrea are very close to Lecce and Otranto, Puglia. Bathing here is a great experience.
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Castel del Monte is probably one of the most famous cultural sites of Puglia. Its architecture and its history are the strengths of this magical Swabian Castle.
It is located in a strategic position, built directly on a rocky hill where it seemed to dominate the Kingdom of Sicily.
Castel del Monte is well known for its shape which tells a lot about the founder Frederick II of Swabia or Hohenstaufen.
History of foundation
The historical books placed the establishment of the Castle around 1240, a few years later Frederick’s arrival in the region.
Frederick II visited Puglia for the first time in March 1221, coming back to the Kingdom from Germany. He fell in love with this rich region, full of rivers, culture, and forests where to practice his great passion: hunting.
Just two years after his visit, the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily has been moved from Palermo to Foggia.
This, due to the strategic position of Foggia and the Capitanata, considering the whole Empire.
Castel del Monte is a part of a castle system that gave a distinctive sign of the Sovereign’s royal power and magnificence.
Castles and royal palaces combined many purposes: residential, administrative, and defensive. For its octagonal shape and location, Castel del Monte probably wasn’t built as a military castle.
Instead, considering Frederick II’s love for art and architecture and the importance of the "light" during the Middle Age, Castel del Monte was built as a symbol of the Kingdom.
Sacral and iconic architecture
Certainly, the shape is the most iconic trait of Castel del Monte. It is based on an octagonal shape, and an octagonal tower is placed on each one of the eight sides of the castle. The calcareous facetings of the towers then generate many colors and light effects.
Moreover, the number eight recurs even in the number of rooms for each floor, making some kind of architectural perfection.
This Castle was, without any doubt, Frederick’s pride.
Located on a little hill, directly on the rocky bank and without any foundations, it was the object of many restoration works.
The Castle takes light during the whole day, which gave it special importance during the Middle Age when the light meant the presence of God.
The strategic location
Castel del Monte seems to be isolated and far from other important sites, but actually, its position is very strategic. Indeed, the castle is located on the road between Andria and the Castle of Garagnone, of which today there’re ruins. Other two important sites for the Kingdom.
On the border of the National Park of Alta Murgia, Castel del Monte is also very close to other points of interest. The Park of Alta Murgia is, for sure, one of the main forests in Puglia and it’s the perfect place to practice trekking, hiking, walking, and cycling.
In this area, then, is also located the Bauxite Cave of Spinazzola, an abandoned bauxite mine. It is a very weird scenery considering the dark red of the rocks and the contrast those make with the intense green of vegetation.
Furthermore, the Archeological site of Rocca del Garagnone is always considered an interesting hiking destination. We advise you to visit it during sunrise to enjoy a very natural show.
Castel del Monte is still an object of admiration for architecture lovers.
Moreover, if you are a photographer, you'll be very attracted by its charm. Visiting this site is surely a great opportunity to shoot your best pics.
For its history and splendor, in 1966, the UNESCO Committee for the World Patrimony nominated Castel del Monte as a World Heritage Site.
Further information
Before planning your visit to Castel del Monte, remember to check the forecast and contact the Managing Authority for more information by the contact area below.
You can easily get to the Castle by train or bus, but more comfortably by car. The ticket for parking and the shuttle bus costs €5,00.
[post_title] => Castel del Monte
[post_excerpt] => Castel del Monte is probably the most famous cultural site of Puglia, well known for its founder Frederick II of Swabia.
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There are breathtaking places in the world you won't have any words to describe. The Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia| is a place like so, a pristine natural swimming pool!
The natural pool of Salento
We were speechless in front of this stunning sight of nature, but we had to stay focused on it.
Actually it was so difficult, but we strongly wanted to shot some great pics that day.
So, we tried to don’t think about the amazing experience we could get diving and swimming in one of the most beautiful natural swimming pool in the whole world.
Exactly! The Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is a natural swimming pool located in the Roca Vecchia village on the Adriatic coastline between the cities of Lecce and Otranto.
Don’t miss these incredible places, the typical delicious food made in Puglia will give you the power you need to explore them. But, if you're coming in the summertime, don’t forget your sun lotion, it will save you while visiting the area.
Archaeology and history at Roca
The Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is placed in a bigger Archaeological Site.
Next to it, there are the ruins of the Castle walls, the sighting tower built during the sixteenth century, and the Sacred Place dedicated to the Madonna of Roca.
But most important is the second and smaller Cave, some km far from the main one. Both of the caves have tunnels to get directly to the sea, by a swim or a little boat.
The Small Cave has more archaeological relevance than the biggest one because of the Messapian (but also Latin and Greek) inscriptions rediscovered on it by archaeologists.
Instead, the most famous Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is very charming for its elliptic shape and the bigger size that gives you'all the chance to have a great bath after taking a huge dive of 5 meters.
Why is it known as Poetry Cave?
The name descends from a wonderful tale. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who loved to swim in the clear water of the Cave, so, many poets came to Roca to dedicate her their poems.
Differently, if we want to be more realistic, there’s also a much more scientific reason why people call it Poetry Cave.
In the Greek language “Posia” is a water source, then probably that gave the name to this site, which obviously has a very long history.
We really advise you a little stop to admire this amazing landscape, but also to enjoy the clear blue-green water of the Poetry Cave.
Some important suggestions: first of all, bring your own swimsuit and the suntan lotion, then essential are also proper shoes to walk on the rock, it’s safer!
Now, start dreaming about your trip to Puglia and swimming in its clear and pristine seawater!
Click on the map below to directly get the direction.
Update > From 2020, the area has a limited number of tourists. You need to get a ticket and probably cannot have a swim into the Cave because now it is recognized as a protect Archaeological Area.
The Bauxite Cave of Otranto | ita: Cava di Bauxite di Otranto|, located in the low Salento, is a neglected quarry used between 1940 and 1976. After that, the quarry was totally abandoned, and nature took its own place.
The intense emerald colour lake is for sure the peculiarity of this site. It is probably generated by the infiltrations from the aquifers nearby.
Into the Bauxite Cave of Otranto| ita: Cava di Bauxite di Otranto|, the characteristic dark red colour of the rocky walls is determined by the minerals contained in the Bauxite rock, which is the main element for aluminium composition.
The bright green of the vegetation and the little lake is pulled out thanks to the great contrast developed with the red rocks.
This fantastic site is one of the most natural and pristine attractions in the Salento area.
The Bauxite Cave of Otranto is a very distinctive hiking area, it is not a big area, but walking on the red dunes makes good feelings: it really seems to walk on Mars.
Quite close to the Bauxite Cave, the city of Otranto gives you the chance to rest for a while in a typical restaurant, before running towards the beach and enjoying the beautiful Salento sea.
Unfortunately, none is actually taking care of this site, which means either that the nature is lush and uncontaminated, but also that there's not a real Authority to contact to arrange a guided tour in the Bauxite Cave of Otranto.
So, for more information, please, contact the Otranto Municipality and the Touristic Info Point by the contact area below.
Update > Some people said that from 2019 there's a ticket you should pay for visiting the Bauxite Cave of Otranto, so we advise to contact the info Point before coming and the forecast too, it's pretty hard to explore it while it's raining.
This is a tour you can make in just one day or more if you need more time to enjoy some of the stops. Bari is a beautiful city, we love it, not only because we were born here, but because it is a European city that is still liveable.
Here, we're going to drive you across the city, pointing out the best points of interest in our opinion. In this itinerary, you find all our suggestions about the must-see places to take your photos, the best cultural sites in the old town, and the best street food you can eat while walking or biking in Bari.
Ready? Let's begin!
[imapu_baloon]
Hi there!
Plan with us your Bari city tour. In one day you'll experience local culture, museums, cathedrals, folklore, and the best street food!
Equipment
Nothing special!
This is a very light and easy Bari city tour you that can make with town wear.
Only two tips:
You should walk for a bunch of kilometers, so take care to wear comfy shoes;
If you’re going to walk in town in summer, remember to use your sun lotion and to stay hydrated;
Ps: Don’t buy any food to bring with you, you’ll find the best street food in Bari.
Time
1 day
This is a quick tour you can make walking or biking across the city. Of course, if you’re staying in Bari you can spend more time at each stop, it’s up to you!
Way to travel
On foot or by bike
This could be a walking tour if you have enough time and can spend your whole day in town.
But if you’re in a hurry because your travel plan is intense, well, you can rent a bike at VeloServicethat is actually on your way in this itinerary.
Season
Every season
Of course, Spring is the best season to enjoy Puglia, temperatures are perfect around 18° C and 25° C and places are still quiet and no crowded at all. I can say the same for Fall, with the difference that the risk of cold and rainy days is higher.
Also, summer and winter are good seasons to enjoy Bari. But we don’t like the extremes: summer in town is hot and humid, places are too crowded, and maybe you have to get in line for everything; winter could be cold, windy and rainy… like all the winter seasons worldwide!
Anyway, if those are the only seasons you can get your holidays, so they’ll be perfect!
Your walk is around 2,3 km long, this is just an idea of timetable to enjoy your Bari city tour
Step 1 • Petruzzelli Theatre
9:00 am
Your tour starts at the Petruzzelli Theatre, an icon of Bari, famous for its story, charm, and fantastic red color!
The Petruzzelli is the fourth largest theatre in Italy, and it has a very fascinating story. It was built at the end of the 19th Century and opened on the 14th February 1903. Until 1991 when it was burned up, it hosted hundreds of shows: opera, musical, music concert, and ballet with the most relevant artists worldwide.
In 2006, after the recovery and rebuilding, the theatre became municipality owned and restarted its theatre season. When you get to the Petruzzelli Theatre, take your time to admire the marvelous architecture. If the foyer is open, try to visit it, sometimes there's a photograph or art exhibition there. In the end, if something is interesting for you in the program posted on the bulletin boards outside, try to get a ticket for the evening: you won't regret it!
Step 2 • The longest seafront of Italy
9:30 am
Walking for two minutes on the street to the left of the Theatre you get to the best seafront of Italy. You know, if you like photography you'll spend a lot of time here, it's beautiful at any time of the day!
It's built around 1927 during the Fascism Era, with its charming buildings and iconic black cast iron streetlights.
Walking on the boardwalk, you find the old fish market at the folkloristic Saint Nicholas Jetty, aka 'Nder a la Lanz, full of fishermen who are selling their fresh fish early in the morning.
This place with the ancient harbor is perfect for your photo memories. In the background, there's also another relevant theatre of Bari: yes, the beautiful rose right there!
Step 3 • Time of museum, time of art
10:00 am
The second Theatre on your way is the Margherita Theatre. It also has a charming story that started in 1910 when the first building was built. The first one was a wooden building, built on stilts to escape the agreements between the Town of Bari and the family Petruzzelli who owned the Petruzzelli theatre, signed to prevent the possibility to erect another Theatre on the land of Bari. So, the Municipality decided to build it on the seawater using stilts!
Just one year later, the wooden structure was destroyed by arson and re-build with fantastic engineering work. It was opened in 1914 as the first building made with reinforced concrete in Bari and the unique Theatre built on stilts in Europe.
It has been renovated many times during these years since its opening and has been closed for decades. But now the Margherita Theatre is beautiful, and it hosts a contemporary art museum. So, if it is open when you get here, try to visit the foyer!
Step 4 • The old town
11:00 am
Now, it's time to strolling around the old town, starting from Piazza del Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile, the most famous squares of Bari.
These squares are the access to many narrow streets of the old town, and they're the places where you find the nightlife of the city.
Mostly at the weekend, these two squares are the meeting point for the young people who like to spend their evenings eating and drinking together.
In these squares, many buildings are relevant, but perhaps the monument that has the most historical value is the Colonna Infame(shameful column). It was also called the Column of Justice because it was actually the pillory of the town.
Step 5 • Walking on the wall
11:30 am
In Piazza Mercantile, there's a little ramp from which you can get to the city walls, here called Muraglia.
All the people from Bari are very proud of it, and they spend most of the summer evenings wandering here, maybe enjoying a drink.
But if we do the math well, it's time for an appetizer!
Usually, when we're strolling on the Muraglia with friends and need something to eat, well, we get a Panzerotto from one of the many Panzerotterie of the city: Venezia 40.
We like their Panzerotti because they are quite authentic and with homemade flavor. But, do you know what's a Panzerotto?
Panzerotto is very typical street food from Bari. It is pizza dough filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce (the traditional flavor), close like a half-moon and deep-fried, then eaten very warm!
If you want to watch more about it, we made a detailed video recipe, so you can try it before coming and then taste the original one. It could be fun to find the differences!
While you're eating your Panzerotto, you can walk straight on the Muraglia till you find stairs on your left. Walk down those old stairs and take the street to your left: it's time to get a part of your proper lunch!
We said you'd have met a lot of local street food!
Few steps far away from the stairs, there's probably the older bakery of Bari: Panificio Fiore, that's a must to visit when in the old town.
Here you can take a piece of Focaccia barese: a kind of bread seasoned with tomatoes, olives, oregano, salt, and a lot of olive oil.
For people from Bari (Baresi), Focaccia is a snack in the half of the day, it is a lunch when you don't get enough time to eat, it is party time because we eat Focaccia at each party since we are born to end of our lives.
Now you are on Strada Palazzo di Città, so continue to get to Largo Papa Urbano II and turn left, just a few steps to reach the Saint Nicholas Basilica, the main Bari church. The most impressive thing about this religious site is that it is a landmark for two different cultures.
For us, it is the Bari’s patron saint’s home, for Orthodox Christian living in Bari is a warm home for their prayers.
The fusion of these two cultures every Sunday is magical and mystical. It sounds like there are peace and unity instead of differences, which is extraordinary!
Having a crypt reserved for Orthodox could sound weird but, you just think that in Bari, there’s also an Orthodox Christian Russian Church dedicated to Saint Nicholas that calls many Russian devoted every year. But it is far away from the old town, so maybe we will talk about it in future articles or itineraries!
The Basilica was built in Romanesque style from Puglia, known as “Romanico Pugliese”which is an essential architecture style: simple lines e pour decorations, built up using the local stones in the different areas of the region.
We suggest you visit the inside of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Try to discover the crypt with the tomb and relics of the patron saint as well. If you're curious about the fun facts and the folk stories, notice the red column protected in a cage located in one corner of the crypt.
It is named 'miraculous column' because Saint Nicholas brought it from Rome to Myra and then to Bari, but this is just the official miracle. There's also a pop legend about it: if a young lady was looking for an awesome husband, she had to turn three times around the column, then the saint would have done the rest!
When you get out of the Basilica, walk under the arch in front of you and turn left. You take Strada del Carmine, full of little local shops, most with souvenirs, but still folkloric.
Go straight on this long road, you are behind the second of the two major churches in the city: the Cathedral devoted to San Sabino.
It is another fabulous example of white and clean Romanesque style, and we suggest spending some minutes here too.
Step 7 • Swabian Castle and ice cream
15:00 am
When we said you can visit in one day most of the beautiful things of Bari, we meant t!
So, you can simply get to the Norman Swabian Castle walking from the Cathedral: the majestic fortress that was chosen as a residence by the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia.
Now it is pretty empty and in its large rooms, it hosts contemporary or historical exhibitions.
Follow the Castle moat to see the whole building and then get back to the facade: time to ice cream!
Opposite the entrance of the Swabian Castle, there is a little café named: Bar Gentile. We suggest ordering an ice cream cone or 'cremolata': a kind of slushie made with fresh fruit blended with ice cubes until they become creamy.
We guarantee it is one of the most delicious ice creams of Bari, you cannot miss in this Bari city tour!
Step 8 • Pasta Ladies and street food
16:30 am
While you’re eating your ice cream, you can walk to the most folkloric attractions of Bari: the Pasta Ladies!
But another step before the end of this itinerary is: getting to Largo Albicocca.
A little square set into the old town, surrounded by the typical houses shaped like towers, we suggest visiting at night. This is the Bari street food heaven!
At Largo Albicocca there's the chance to taste many local food delicacies. We already told about Panzerotti, but here you meet Donna Carmela: the queen of Sgagliozze!
Before going to the Pasta Ladies, our last tip is to try another kind of Focaccia barese, made by another famous and historical bakery of the old town of Bari: Panificio Santa Rita.
This Focaccia is pretty different from the first one made by Panificio Fiore we advised to taste. This one is a bit thin and very oily, still super delicious!
It's time to Pasta Ladies!
Follow the road signed on the map above and get to 'Arco Basso': where the Pasta Ladies are.
Usually, especially in the summertime, the ladies who live in this street put outside their doors the little tables to make their fresh Orecchiette: the local fresh pasta typical of the Bari Land.
Now you're experiencing the most genuine authenticity of this breathtaking city!
Leave your comments, feedback, and feelings about this itinerary!
Contact us by the form below if you need to know more about it or if you want us to customize a tour for you!
Here we are! We share with you an incredible itinerary we have done last July! 14 stops on the coastline of Low Salento, in the Nature Regional Park from Otranto to Santa Maria di Lauca (website only ITA), with the company of a bright turquoise sea and your camera. Almost all of these stops are beaches where you can relax and get some regenerative sun, but if you're a photo lover, you cannot miss bringing your camera with you: you'll see some of the most instagrammable places of Puglia!
Ready? Let's begin!
[imapu_baloon]
Hi there!
Plan with us your trip from the old town of Otranto driving by the coastline to Santa Maria di Leuca. Beaches, nature, sea, sun, and local culture!
Equipment
Backpack
Swimsuit
Comfy shoes
Camera and tripod
Beach towel
Sun lotion
Water bottle
Food
"No frills and comfy shoes" will be the mantra of this holiday!
You don't need a cute dress or fancy bag: you need to be comfortable with your equipment. So, you actually need just a few stuff to enjoy this route. A good backpack where to put food, the water bottle, your camera, a beach towel, and a sun lotion it's perfect and enough. You can travel pretty light, dressing your swimsuit under a t-shirt and shorts. Remember to put the sun lotion on your skin before starting your day and after every two hours. The game is made!
Way to travel
Car or bike
The easiest way to travel around Puglia is by car, so have a look at the services suggested here. But a lot of o people choose a more responsible and slow way to travel: bike. After arriving at the Airport of Salento Brindisi-Casale, you can get to Lecce by bus of the Sita Sud line, checking the timetable time table here, or grab a taxi ride calling by telephone the number 039 0831597901.
Spring is the best season to enjoy Puglia and its coastline. Beaches are not crowded, but the sun is warm and delightful yet, temperatures are perfect around 18° C and 25° C. But during Spring, there's still the risk of a rainy day, and probably you cannot get your holidays in April or May. Summer, it's a good time too! Maybe too hot if you're not used to it, and a bit crowded, but still enjoyable.
Visit the old town with its incredible belvedere that overviews the seaside. Full of the many narrow streets made colorful and lively with the little gift shops and restaurants. Don't miss to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, characterized by a magnificent mosaic floor; and the Aragonese Castle, a fortress built in a strategic location to protect the town and source of inspiration for the first Gothic novel "The Castle of Otranto" written by Horace Walpole (1764).
The second stop after Otranto is reachable a few kilometers out of the town: the Bauxite Cave. An unreal and exciting place characterized by bright red rocks in contrast with a spectacular emerald lake. Take your time to visit it on a little hiking tour and admire the sea in sight!
Go on with your tour getting to Punta Palascìa, the easternmost point of Italy. Here, following a light and short hiking or biking trail, you can get to the iconic lighthouse, the night reference point for sailors since 1867 when it was built.
The last stop in the Otranto area we advise you to visit is Porto Badisco (Badisco harbor), also known as the Aeneas' landing. Such a beautiful destination with a small sandy beach and a bathing rocky coastline where is nestled the famous Grotta Dei Cervi (Deer Cave).
Step 2 • Santa Cesarea Terme
It’s the turn of Santa Cesarea Terme: a little town on the Adriatic coastline, which is a hydrothermal and very relevant tourism site. You find it on the coastal road from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca, exactly where your tour will end.
While you are in Santa Cesarea Terme, book a reservation at the Lido Caicco as a gift to yourself. Lido Caicco is a terraced seashore in a little but marvelous natural pool you can dive in enjoying the clear sea of Santa Cesarea Terme.
Looking above you at the incredibly blue sky, you are captured by the Moorish stylish dome of Villa Sticchi: your next stop in the tour of the magnificences of the Low Salento coastline.
Villa Sticchi was built between 1894 and 1900 on a 20 m high rocky spur, in a perfect combination of western and eastern cultures. It overviews the Adriatic sea, and with its magnificence, it is now a landmark in Puglia for all photo lovers.
Before leaving the Santa Cesarea Terme area, don't miss spending some hours under the sun and into the sea of Porto Miggiano Bay, such a fantastic place! Getting to the beach is a bit hard, but it is worth it! You should climb the rocks, and it is not easy for people with walking problems or disabilities. If you cannot climb down to get to the beach, you can still enjoy the view from the white cliff that holds the bay. That's incredible!
Step 3 • Castro Marina
Going forward on the coastline road, you get to Castro: the ancient Castrum Minervae. It is also known as Aeneas' Landing since Virgil wrote in the Aeneid that Castrum Minervae is the first Aeneas' Landing and, in 2007, archeologists found some ruins of Minerva's temple confirming this theory. But before reaching the Aeneas' Harbour, there's a stop you must see: Zinzulusa Cave.
The Zinzulusa Cave is a natural cave on the coastline. Its name Zinzulusa comes from "zinzuli": rags in Salentino (the dialect from Salento). This was the name given to the stalactites and stalagmites from the sailors boating there in the old days. The Cave can be visited on an exciting walking tour, which also gives you the chance to visit the Aragonese Castle of Castro on the same ticket, which we recommend. The tour takes 40/45 minutes, after which you can move to the Aeneas' Harbour in Castro Marina and see the floating boats.
It sounds odd, but at the Aeneas' Harbour, the seabed is so clear that, for an optical illusion, it looks like boats are floating on air.
Step 4 • Marittima Marina
Here you are at your ten stop at Cala dell'Acquaviva. This cute bay is a rocky beach famous for its water springs that make the seawater always fresh and clear; the name: Acquaviva literally means living water indeed.
This is one of the beaches we fell in love with!
We actually prefer strolling around finding the best places to get some photos, not to lie on the beach under the sun for hours. But, here, we decided to take some hours from our intense timetable to dive into that incredible sea.
Anyway, another good entertainment is watching the many local guys diving from the cliff to catch the attention of their beloved girls!
Step 5 • Tricase
Next stop? Tricase Porto, a district of Tricase famous for being one of the most beautiful and authentic beaches of Low Salento. What is very interesting here, is that it's not only a beach or a little harbor, but also a museum. It has been recognized as "Ecomuseum of Regional Interest" and it's the unique sample of a harbor that gets the title of a museum for its natural and human asset.
After visiting Tricase Porto, in 3 km, you arrive at Marina Serra, another little district of Tricase, famous for its natural swimming pool. This place is magical! Frequented mostly by locals, it's a cute place with a little old fashioned atmosphere. The beautiful turquoise seawater is surrounded by some coves: remains of an ancient quarry. Here you don't find fancy sunbeds and umbrellas or vain girls. At the Natural Pool of Marina Serra, life is simple and authentic.
Step 6 • Gagliano del capo
Your tour is almost done! Only three fantastic stops to the end. Another location on your way is Il Ciolo: a rocky cove crossed by a bridge. People use to come to Il Ciolo to dive from the cliff or (the bravest) even from the bridge that is 40 m high. It is attended by climbing and hiking lovers who are used to climb the beautiful cliff full of many Mediterranean Machis species. So, we suggest spending a couple of hours hiking the trail on the cliff and getting a bath in the fantastic pebbly bay.
Step 7 • Santa Maria di Leuca
Your last stop on this tour is in Santa Maria di Leuca. One of the most famous panoramas of Low Salento is the Basilica Shrine of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, where there's also a beautiful lighthouse that is the reference point for sailors and faithful. Few steps out of the square that hosts the Basilica, there's a stunning belvedere from which you can enjoy Santa Maria di Leuca and its beautiful harbor from above.
Leave your comments, feedback, and feelings about this itinerary! Contact us by the form below if you need to know more about it or if you want us to customize a tour for you!
Leave your comments, feedback, and feelings about this itinerary!
Contact us by the form below if you need to know more about it or if you want us to customize a tour for you!
This is a tour you can make in just one day or more if you need more time to enjoy some of the stops. Bari is a beautiful city, we love it, not only because we were born here, but because it is a European city that is still liveable.
Here, we're going to drive you across the city, pointing out the best points of interest in our opinion. In this itinerary, you find all our suggestions about the must-see places to take your photos, the best cultural sites in the old town, and the best street food you can eat while walking or biking in Bari.
Ready? Let's begin!
[imapu_baloon]
Hi there!
Plan with us your Bari city tour. In one day you'll experience local culture, museums, cathedrals, folklore, and the best street food!
Equipment
Nothing special!
This is a very light and easy Bari city tour you that can make with town wear.
Only two tips:
You should walk for a bunch of kilometers, so take care to wear comfy shoes;
If you’re going to walk in town in summer, remember to use your sun lotion and to stay hydrated;
Ps: Don’t buy any food to bring with you, you’ll find the best street food in Bari.
Time
1 day
This is a quick tour you can make walking or biking across the city. Of course, if you’re staying in Bari you can spend more time at each stop, it’s up to you!
Way to travel
On foot or by bike
This could be a walking tour if you have enough time and can spend your whole day in town.
But if you’re in a hurry because your travel plan is intense, well, you can rent a bike at VeloServicethat is actually on your way in this itinerary.
Season
Every season
Of course, Spring is the best season to enjoy Puglia, temperatures are perfect around 18° C and 25° C and places are still quiet and no crowded at all. I can say the same for Fall, with the difference that the risk of cold and rainy days is higher.
Also, summer and winter are good seasons to enjoy Bari. But we don’t like the extremes: summer in town is hot and humid, places are too crowded, and maybe you have to get in line for everything; winter could be cold, windy and rainy… like all the winter seasons worldwide!
Anyway, if those are the only seasons you can get your holidays, so they’ll be perfect!
Your walk is around 2,3 km long, this is just an idea of timetable to enjoy your Bari city tour
Step 1 • Petruzzelli Theatre
9:00 am
Your tour starts at the Petruzzelli Theatre, an icon of Bari, famous for its story, charm, and fantastic red color!
The Petruzzelli is the fourth largest theatre in Italy, and it has a very fascinating story. It was built at the end of the 19th Century and opened on the 14th February 1903. Until 1991 when it was burned up, it hosted hundreds of shows: opera, musical, music concert, and ballet with the most relevant artists worldwide.
In 2006, after the recovery and rebuilding, the theatre became municipality owned and restarted its theatre season. When you get to the Petruzzelli Theatre, take your time to admire the marvelous architecture. If the foyer is open, try to visit it, sometimes there's a photograph or art exhibition there. In the end, if something is interesting for you in the program posted on the bulletin boards outside, try to get a ticket for the evening: you won't regret it!
Step 2 • The longest seafront of Italy
9:30 am
Walking for two minutes on the street to the left of the Theatre you get to the best seafront of Italy. You know, if you like photography you'll spend a lot of time here, it's beautiful at any time of the day!
It's built around 1927 during the Fascism Era, with its charming buildings and iconic black cast iron streetlights.
Walking on the boardwalk, you find the old fish market at the folkloristic Saint Nicholas Jetty, aka 'Nder a la Lanz, full of fishermen who are selling their fresh fish early in the morning.
This place with the ancient harbor is perfect for your photo memories. In the background, there's also another relevant theatre of Bari: yes, the beautiful rose right there!
Step 3 • Time of museum, time of art
10:00 am
The second Theatre on your way is the Margherita Theatre. It also has a charming story that started in 1910 when the first building was built. The first one was a wooden building, built on stilts to escape the agreements between the Town of Bari and the family Petruzzelli who owned the Petruzzelli theatre, signed to prevent the possibility to erect another Theatre on the land of Bari. So, the Municipality decided to build it on the seawater using stilts!
Just one year later, the wooden structure was destroyed by arson and re-build with fantastic engineering work. It was opened in 1914 as the first building made with reinforced concrete in Bari and the unique Theatre built on stilts in Europe.
It has been renovated many times during these years since its opening and has been closed for decades. But now the Margherita Theatre is beautiful, and it hosts a contemporary art museum. So, if it is open when you get here, try to visit the foyer!
Step 4 • The old town
11:00 am
Now, it's time to strolling around the old town, starting from Piazza del Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile, the most famous squares of Bari.
These squares are the access to many narrow streets of the old town, and they're the places where you find the nightlife of the city.
Mostly at the weekend, these two squares are the meeting point for the young people who like to spend their evenings eating and drinking together.
In these squares, many buildings are relevant, but perhaps the monument that has the most historical value is the Colonna Infame(shameful column). It was also called the Column of Justice because it was actually the pillory of the town.
Step 5 • Walking on the wall
11:30 am
In Piazza Mercantile, there's a little ramp from which you can get to the city walls, here called Muraglia.
All the people from Bari are very proud of it, and they spend most of the summer evenings wandering here, maybe enjoying a drink.
But if we do the math well, it's time for an appetizer!
Usually, when we're strolling on the Muraglia with friends and need something to eat, well, we get a Panzerotto from one of the many Panzerotterie of the city: Venezia 40.
We like their Panzerotti because they are quite authentic and with homemade flavor. But, do you know what's a Panzerotto?
Panzerotto is very typical street food from Bari. It is pizza dough filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce (the traditional flavor), close like a half-moon and deep-fried, then eaten very warm!
If you want to watch more about it, we made a detailed video recipe, so you can try it before coming and then taste the original one. It could be fun to find the differences!
While you're eating your Panzerotto, you can walk straight on the Muraglia till you find stairs on your left. Walk down those old stairs and take the street to your left: it's time to get a part of your proper lunch!
We said you'd have met a lot of local street food!
Few steps far away from the stairs, there's probably the older bakery of Bari: Panificio Fiore, that's a must to visit when in the old town.
Here you can take a piece of Focaccia barese: a kind of bread seasoned with tomatoes, olives, oregano, salt, and a lot of olive oil.
For people from Bari (Baresi), Focaccia is a snack in the half of the day, it is a lunch when you don't get enough time to eat, it is party time because we eat Focaccia at each party since we are born to end of our lives.
Now you are on Strada Palazzo di Città, so continue to get to Largo Papa Urbano II and turn left, just a few steps to reach the Saint Nicholas Basilica, the main Bari church. The most impressive thing about this religious site is that it is a landmark for two different cultures.
For us, it is the Bari’s patron saint’s home, for Orthodox Christian living in Bari is a warm home for their prayers.
The fusion of these two cultures every Sunday is magical and mystical. It sounds like there are peace and unity instead of differences, which is extraordinary!
Having a crypt reserved for Orthodox could sound weird but, you just think that in Bari, there’s also an Orthodox Christian Russian Church dedicated to Saint Nicholas that calls many Russian devoted every year. But it is far away from the old town, so maybe we will talk about it in future articles or itineraries!
The Basilica was built in Romanesque style from Puglia, known as “Romanico Pugliese”which is an essential architecture style: simple lines e pour decorations, built up using the local stones in the different areas of the region.
We suggest you visit the inside of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Try to discover the crypt with the tomb and relics of the patron saint as well. If you're curious about the fun facts and the folk stories, notice the red column protected in a cage located in one corner of the crypt.
It is named 'miraculous column' because Saint Nicholas brought it from Rome to Myra and then to Bari, but this is just the official miracle. There's also a pop legend about it: if a young lady was looking for an awesome husband, she had to turn three times around the column, then the saint would have done the rest!
When you get out of the Basilica, walk under the arch in front of you and turn left. You take Strada del Carmine, full of little local shops, most with souvenirs, but still folkloric.
Go straight on this long road, you are behind the second of the two major churches in the city: the Cathedral devoted to San Sabino.
It is another fabulous example of white and clean Romanesque style, and we suggest spending some minutes here too.
Step 7 • Swabian Castle and ice cream
15:00 am
When we said you can visit in one day most of the beautiful things of Bari, we meant t!
So, you can simply get to the Norman Swabian Castle walking from the Cathedral: the majestic fortress that was chosen as a residence by the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia.
Now it is pretty empty and in its large rooms, it hosts contemporary or historical exhibitions.
Follow the Castle moat to see the whole building and then get back to the facade: time to ice cream!
Opposite the entrance of the Swabian Castle, there is a little café named: Bar Gentile. We suggest ordering an ice cream cone or 'cremolata': a kind of slushie made with fresh fruit blended with ice cubes until they become creamy.
We guarantee it is one of the most delicious ice creams of Bari, you cannot miss in this Bari city tour!
Step 8 • Pasta Ladies and street food
16:30 am
While you’re eating your ice cream, you can walk to the most folkloric attractions of Bari: the Pasta Ladies!
But another step before the end of this itinerary is: getting to Largo Albicocca.
A little square set into the old town, surrounded by the typical houses shaped like towers, we suggest visiting at night. This is the Bari street food heaven!
At Largo Albicocca there's the chance to taste many local food delicacies. We already told about Panzerotti, but here you meet Donna Carmela: the queen of Sgagliozze!
Before going to the Pasta Ladies, our last tip is to try another kind of Focaccia barese, made by another famous and historical bakery of the old town of Bari: Panificio Santa Rita.
This Focaccia is pretty different from the first one made by Panificio Fiore we advised to taste. This one is a bit thin and very oily, still super delicious!
It's time to Pasta Ladies!
Follow the road signed on the map above and get to 'Arco Basso': where the Pasta Ladies are.
Usually, especially in the summertime, the ladies who live in this street put outside their doors the little tables to make their fresh Orecchiette: the local fresh pasta typical of the Bari Land.
Now you're experiencing the most genuine authenticity of this breathtaking city!
Leave your comments, feedback, and feelings about this itinerary!
Contact us by the form below if you need to know more about it or if you want us to customize a tour for you!
Influencers, travel bloggers, and Instagram lovers, that’s for you: here is a guide to surprise your followers with some of the best Puglia highlights!
This is our selection, but remember that Puglia always gives surprises. While you're traveling through Puglia, you're going to find out a lot of many other charming places to shot and carve in your memory!
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola reveals all the colors of Puglia: the yellow mixed with the brown of the field blends with the green color of some sapling. Together with the intense blue of the sea in the distance and the blue of the clear sky. Here we have a potential painting... or your next photoshoot!
The #NoFilter hashtag here is respected: no need for color correction! You will be able to see these typical Apulian buildings scattered here and there in the ground.
Saint Nicholas Jetty in Bari
This is one of the places where you find the true essence of the city, even the inhabitants of Bari and the Apulians love to take pictures of it.
The best time to go to N' dèrr'a la lanze, as we locals call it, is in the morning when the fishermen return from the sea and you can take a chance to taste raw fish. The most wanted shot? People who hold and eat mussels, squid, and raw octopus curls, with the waterfront behind as landscape.
By the way, if you're curious to read more about the Saint Nicholas Jetty or you are staying in Bari right now, this is a Bari city one-day tour with a lot of suggestions by us.
Polignano a Mare
This town is loved by thousands of tourists every year. Here nature and town blendin a harmonious, but at the same time, breathtaking way.
Getting to the Polignano a Mareold town,you can lose yourself in the small streets that lead to the bright view of the sea. Once you reach the large balconies, lean against the railing, strike a natural pose looking towards the blue, and lose yourself in the embrace between sea and sky!
Abbey of San Vito and Domenico Modugno statue
Moving away from the center of Polignano a Mare, you find the famous statue dedicated to the Italian singerDomenico Modugno, born in Polignano. You can ironically imitate his happy look, with open arms immersed in the blue painted blue, as one of his world-famous songs says.
Far from the city center murmur, there is a small quiet corner named San Vito, a district where only the sound of waves keeps company. Here is the suggestive and imposing Abbey of San Vito, facing the sea.
Siponto Basilica
Where once stood the Medieval Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, now there is a wire mesh one, built nowadays. It is a complex but very neat weave that unfolds with arches, columns, and all the typical structures of the original time architecture.
The best time to visit theSiponto Basilica, and take a breathtaking photo, is at sunset. The different shades of light increase the structure size, making it come to life in its thickness.
The center of the entrance can be the perfect spot for a shot for every #Instatraveller. All the surrounding area is filled with history and ancient structures: definitely a place worth the visit!
Otranto - Bauxite Cave
The colors of nature are the right background for your photo in this corner near Otranto. The best pictures portray the protagonists with their eyes turned towards the lake located inside a natural Bauxite cave.
This particular material gives an unusual color to the whole landscape, wrapping it in warm tones. Here you feel like being in the middle of canyons: you can photograph yourself while you are coming out of a rock corner or sitting on the edge of one of them. We recommend a spring or summer day, where the clear sky brings out all the shades –and you can forget the saturation adjustment of the colors in the photo
Poetry Cave
Visiting Puglia is perfect during all seasons, but in summer, its hidden places come to life. Once you arrive at the Poetry Cave • Grotta della Poesia: it seems like you're not going to dive into the sea but in a natural pool. Its round shape makes it an unusual place where you can take a dip in the deep waters of Salento. This place is not far from the Baroque heart of Lecce and the enchanting Otranto. Record yourself while you try a brave (but safe) jump in this crystal clear water from the high cliffs overlooking the sea.
Trabucchi on Gargano promontory
The best time to capture this wonderful place in a photo is at sunset. Nowadays, some of these weird structures are home to very exclusive bars, perfect to have a rich aperitif, but in the past, they were used by local fishermen.
To reach one of these Trabucchi, you have to arrive on the beach: for some places, you have to leave your car and go by foot, as they are immersed in pristine nature reserves. A rare shot!
Celle di San Vito
This little village is the smallest in Puglia, it is special also for another reason: here two languages are still spoken by some of the 150 inhabitants, Italian and Franco-provençal.
The small village of Celle di San Vito is full of flowers, colors, and ancient streets. In the main center of this small town, you can snap breathtaking pictures, looking at panoramas on the balconies that allow you to have a unique and beautiful view of nature under your feet.
An unforgettable journey awaits you in one of the most vibrant and colorful regions of Italy. Just remember to live the moment: you’ll have time to choose hashtags and share all your Puglia highlights on Instagram!
We just have to wish you to enjoy your trip to Puglia and take the best pictures ever!
Please, leave your comments below or contact us from the contact form to know more about these places or to customize a tour for you!
Ps: Remember that you find the section "Your Connections" all the comments or messages you send us, although you can "like" your favorite places and find them in the "Your Faves" section.
Maybe you’re wondering what a Scarcella Pugliese is. In this article, we’re talking about a typical cake we make in Puglia for Easter week. The Scarcella Pugliese is a kind of large shortbread cookie made with a few simple ingredients. You need only flour, sugar, oil, milk, and eggs to make the dough, then adding species and decorations, it will have a better taste! But, before giving you the recipe, we would like to talk about its meaning.
The most famous Easter cake of Puglia
Anciently, the housewives had the chance to bake a large amount of Scarcelle due to the simple ingredients they had to use. In this way, they were able to wish good luck and abundance to all their relatives and friends.
The classic Scarcella Pugliese has many shapes, all related to Easter: braided buns, bells, doves, bunnies, or nests.
Commonly all the Scarcelle have one or two boiled eggs nestled into the dough, as symbols of fertility, and they are glazed and covered with rainbow sprinkles.
How many names for this cake?
The fun fact behind this delicious cake is that we make it in the whole of Puglia, but it has different versions, and most importantly, different names!
Yes, because after deep research, we have found out that almost everywhere the recipe is very similar, except in Molfetta, but the names are various and colorful!
In the Land of Bari, we call them "Scarcedd", but if you look at them in Salentoyou should ask for “Cuddrhure” or “Puddrhiche”, while in Northern Puglia you find them called “Squarcelle” or “Scariell”. Isn’t this so amazing?
Sweet vs salty version
After showing the many names the Scarcella can own here in Puglia, we can talk about the different tastes.
We're going to give you the recipe for the classic one, made in the Land of Bari, but there's a super delicious version typical of Molfetta, just a bit northernmost of Bari and a salty version made in Salento.
The first one is made with the classic dough: made with flour, sugar, oil, milk, eggs, vanilla flavor, lemon zest, and baking powder. Then it is also filled with cherry or grape jam, covered with marzipan and frosting. We ate the Scarcella Molfettese just once, and it was fantastic!
The salty variation from Salento is pretty new for us!
We discovered the existence of the Puddrhicasci or Puddrhiche talking with some friends of ours from Salento.
It is a kind of braided bread bun flavored with orange or lemon zest, pepper, and fennel seeds, always with the boiled eggs nestled into the dough... wonderful! Can’t wait to taste them!
Scarcella Pugliese recipe
But back to us! This is the recipe of the classic Scarcella Pugliese made in the land of Bari. Watch the video below to see all the steps to make a real Scarcella Pugliese.
https://youtu.be/gE3WO-X328g
For 2 Scarcelle 25/30 cm each:
500 gr flour
150 gr white sugar
2 eggs
100 gr seeds oil
50 gr milk
8 gr baking powder
vanilla powder
organic lemon zest
2 boiled eggs
Frosting:
500 gr icing sugar
125 ml water
rainbow sprinkles
In a large bowl, pour flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and start kneading. Add oil and milk slowly and mix all for some minutes until to get a soft dough, like shortbread.
Let stand the dough covered with plastic wrap for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the eggs you will use to nestle into the cookie.
Now, roll out the dough until it is 1 cm high, then cut the Easter shapes and 4 stripes that you'll use to make the crosses that block the boiled eggs. Tip: you can print the Easter shapes on cardboard that you can cut and then use to follow as a matrix.
Preheat the oven at 180°, and after shaping the Scarcelle bake them for 25/30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. Pour the icing sugar and the water in a small pot and let melting until the glaze is white. Then let it cool down. After the Scarcelle are baked and cold, brush the glaze on them, then spread the rainbow sprinkles.
When the Scarcelle are dry: they're ready! Enjoy!
I hope you will try to bake the Scarcella Pugliese and you’ll eat a very traditional Easter cake from Puglia!
Hi everyone, Roberto here to tell you about one of my greatest passions: picking wild mushrooms in Puglia!
Every year I look forward to the Autumn season: the first rainy days make me so happy and I can't wait to wake up early in the morning, wear my rubber boots and go into the woods to spend as much time as I can looking for wild mushrooms.
If you're a mushroom lover like me, you must know that Puglia is full of amazing forests where to find wild mushrooms and, if you're planning to come to Puglia during the Autumn/Spring seasons you probably would like to know the best places where to find wild mushrooms and some rules to respect.
Can you pick-up mushrooms in Puglia?
First of all, you must know that in Italy you need to get a license to pick-up mushrooms but as a tourist, you probably will not have it.
The good news is that you can easily ask for a daily/weekly/monthly permission in every city hall of the towns related to the forest you would like to go in.
It costs not so much: like 5 euros per day, and it allows you to pick-up up to 3 kilos of mushrooms, not more!
Where are the best places to find mushrooms in Puglia?
Puglia is a warm region for most of the year and winters are not so cold here.
So this means that you will find mushrooms from the middle of October to January and from March to May.
The best areas where to find them are the National Park of Alta Murgia especially at the Mercadante Forest, Monte Cucco Forest, the forests around the Pulicchio of Gravina or at Rocca del Garagnone.
Salento is not the best place for mushrooms, but there're some little areas around the town of Scorrano like Bosco Frasciola, Bosco Fanò, Bosco Signora and Bosco LucaGiovanni.
What are the most common wild mushrooms of Puglia?
There are several wild mushrooms we use to look for, pick and eat in Puglia.
Let's talk about the most valuables.
Boletus' are not very common here, but you'll have the best chance to find them, as well as the Amanita Caesarea, in the Gargano area.
In the end, there's a wild mushroom in Puglia that is the most desired by all of us especially because it's forbidden to pick it up in several areas: Cardoncello.
The star of Apulian wild mushrooms: Cardoncello, Pleurotus Eryngii.
If you're planning to visit the National Park of Alta Murgia, probably you will find the Cardoncello mushroom, which has the scientific name of Pleurotus Eryngii.
It grows on many different kinds of plants like the Thistle, wild Fennel and Ferula.
During the whole Autumn, there's a large number of folk festivals dedicated to the Cardoncello mushroom, especially in the Murgia area.
This mushroom is very appreciated for its nice and gentle flavour.
If you're planning to go hunt this mushroom, be careful, not everywhere it's allowed to pick it up.
Indeed, the Pleurotus Eryngii is a protected species of mushroom and in the National Park of Alta Murgia (where it is most common to find it), it's everywhere illegal to pick it up.
Now you know almost everything about where and when picking up wild mushrooms in Puglia, so enjoy your holidays and your picking!
But, remember to run to the closest Heath Office to let an expert in mycology check the mushrooms you have been picking, before eating them.
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A selection of Castles in Puglia
Puglia has a great history, and over centuries it has been occupied by many governors: the countless architectural and cultural influences prove it.
History enthusiasts will surely appreciate the traces of its dominions revealing almost in every city of this region – even in the smallest town!
Get into the Imperial Apulia starting from its biggest treasure, a selection of the most suggestive and well-preserved Castles in Puglia.
Castello Svevo of Bari
The Svevo Castle of Bari was originally erected in 1131, but it was rebuilt and fortified by the will of Frederick II of Swabia in 1233. It holds inside the Gipsoteca, a collection of sculptures and carvings of the most important monuments and cathedrals in the whole of the Apulia region.
Almost every time of the year you can find temporaryexhibitions inside the rooms of this place full of medieval history.
This Swabian Castle is very close to the old city and the waterfront. You can reach it on foot from Bari main train stations, walking on the famous Via Sparano and then on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, or by taking a bus that leaves from Piazza Aldo Moro.
Castello Acquaviva D'Aragona of Conversano
While outside the Acquaviva D’Aragona Castleyou can still see the large cylindrical tower of the fourteenth century: the main one dates back to the Norman age; if you notice well, it rises on pre-existing megalithic natural stones.
Don't be tempted to get in from the square Piazza Castello, but go to Piazza Della Conciliazione and get the honor to enter through a 1710’s door of Baroque style. Inside the Castle, you can also visit the Pinacoteca Comunale, the municipal art gallery that holds the 17th-century paintings of the Gerusalemme Liberata of Paolo Finoglio.
The Castle is in the heart of the city. You can get to Conversano arriving at the Railway Station, which is connected to almost all the main towns of Puglia.
Castello Aragonese of Taranto
With its suggestive proximity to the sea, in 1594, the Aragonese Castle has been essential to repel the Turkish assault. Then, in the years, it has been used as a prison and as a barracks.
The Marine Army has started the restoration of the fortress interior to bring it back to its original configuration: the real first walls and floors will soon see the light. Thanks to military management, guided tours are free of charge and available every day.
The Castle is located on the Small Island that encloses the old village connected to the city center by a beautiful swing bridge, built-in 1886 and then renewed in 1958.
All the island is easily reachable by foot from the Main Railway Station of Taranto that is well connected to the rest of the region.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is an impressive 13th-century octagonal-shaped structure that stands on a hill near Andria and probably the most unique of the castles in Puglia.
On each corner of the Castle, there are eight towers octagonal-shaped as well. The structure has two floors connected with three spiral staircases inserted in like many towers. For its masterful architectural details and for its magical charm, the Castle became one of the prestigious Unesco World Heritage Site.
This Castle is located just 20 minutes away from Andria. We suggest you rent a car and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that surround this area.
Castello Aragonese of Otranto
Walking on the walls of Aragonese Castle of Otranto will take you back in time through the small narrow streets of a typical medieval village, surrounded by thick layers of stone.
The construction of the Castle dates back to the end of the 15th century. The structure has a trapezoidal shape, with a more extended side facing the sea. The Castle continues even in its mysterious underground passages made of tunnels, deep holes.
We recommend you to start your journey from the waterfront: if you have a car, you can park near this area. You can reach Otranto also by hopping on a train.
Castles in Puglia are just a part of the historical heritage of the region.
Plan your trip to the south of Italy now to discover the whole Imperial Apulia!
When you think about Puglia, you seldom think about Daunia Mountains, but you’re wrong: it is absolutely worth visiting it at least once in your life.
We have been hanging around this area many times, but last month we had a very authentic and unique experience in Orsara di Puglia.
We have been invited to be part of a press tour within the project ATLAS Interreg Italy-Croatia developed by Tecnopolis PST, the most important scientific and technological research center of Puglia.
Excited about this proposal, we immediately agreed, and we started this daily journey in this little village famous for its traditions and culture.
Experience tour
A daily trip among cheese and pasta making, edible plants, and good food
Our trip started in Bari, but when we finally arrived in Orsara di Puglia, there was a worldwide famous chef waiting for us: Peppe Zullo, which actually made Orsara di Puglia very popular as well.
Peppe Zullo is a very kind and smart chef who runs one of the best restaurants in Puglia, where every day builds the match between tradition and innovation on the route of healthy food.
He takes care of its large vegetable garden, its animals, and vineyards. Indeed, before cooking, he has just to pick up some vegetables and spontaneous edible plants from its garden.
Moreover, he can provide meat, dairy products, and fantastic wine.
Our journey with him gets started in a cheese factory where the dairymaid made for us mozzarelle, scamorza, and caciocavallo, three relevant kinds of cheese in the Apulian food panorama.
Then, he also offered a ricotta cheese tasting on a slice of fresh and fragrant bread, something genuine and delicious.
Peppe Zullo is very famous for its Italian temperament and for its positive and business-oriented mindset.
We had a taste of this when he brought us to the vegetable garden where he took at least two hours in a passionate talk about the spontaneous edible plants: borage, chicory, mauve, thyme, and many others.
After being surrounded by its incredible garden at Villa Jamele, in a few minutes, we got to the restaurant. Here we also learnt how to make fresh pasta: orecchiette, cavatelli, and cicatielli so our food experience began with starters and a glass of rosé wine.
The oldest bakery of Puglia
The next stop in our experience tour was at the Pane e Salute bakery: the oldest communal bakery in Puglia.
It has been for a long time a straw-burning oven, but nowadays it’s a wood-burning oven.
But what’s a communal bakery?
In Puglia, there’s a fascinating tradition born during the postwar period: at that time, to have a private oven was a luxury good, something only rich people had the pleasure to get.
So, towns and villages were full of communal bakeries. Our grandmas were used baking their bread, pizza, focaccia, or baked pasta in the shared bakeries, which were available, and gave this service in return for some cents.
In this fantastic land, as Puglia is, there’re still some of these communal ovens, even in the most important towns like Foggia, Bari, or Lecce.
Those are still active: some as cultural associations, some others as properly companies which give the opportunity yet to citizens to cook their meals in a wooden oven, which means: an added value talking about taste.
Pane e Salute was an incredible surprise for us. We were really amazed by listening to its story.
They still use a two hundred old starter for making bread and pizza, and it was the best pizza ever eaten so far.
We live far away from Orsara di Puglia, but we promise ourselves to come back soon to eat again that pizza, it’s worth it!
So, if you’re traveling to Puglia, consider the option to visit also the Daunia Mountains and Orsara di Puglia, and not only the most famous and crowded places on the travel guides.
First: if your journey starts from the Karol Wojtyła International Airport of Bari, take the train to the Main Train Station of Bari.
Second: from the Main Train Station of Bari get the train to Foggia.
Third: when in Foggia, take the train or the bus to Orsara di Puglia, find here the perfect train following your needs.
Instead, if you're by public transportation is a bit more intricate, but still possible if it's a weekday.
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As you probably yet know, Puglia is well known for its food, but there are some specialties that, more than others, are important to know if you’re planning to walk around our region. We’re about to reveal to you the magic world of street food in Puglia!
6 specialties of street food in Puglia
Focaccia
Focaccia is a leavened baked bread and seasoned with tomatoes, olives, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil.
Walking around Puglia, you may find different kinds of Focaccia: for example, in Bari, the tradition wants it to be thin, while in Altamura, it’s taller.
In Salento (the southernmost part of Puglia), Focaccia is made from two layers of dough or mashed potatoes filled with black olives, tomatoes, and onions. We suggest you choose your favorite one tasting them all!
I wrote an article about how to make Focaccia Barese with the traditional recipe if you want to learn how to make it before coming to Puglia
Panzerotto
The Panzerotto is another gastronomic specialty that you can find in the bakery as street food in Puglia.
We’re talking about a circle of filled dough, closed on itself to form a half-moon. The traditional one is filled with tomato and mozzarella, but you can also find it filled with meat, ricotta cheese, onions, or any other ingredients.
But, if you’re in Salento and would love to taste a Panzerotto, ask for aCalzone!
Rustico Leccese
The Rustico is typical of Lecce and it’s a crispy dough of puff pastry stuffed with béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella. Locals eat it from breakfast to dinner.
Puccia
Puccia is a stuffed bun made of the same pizza dough.
In Lecce, it is usually stuffed with vegetables like aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, wild chicory, and cheese. While in Taranto and Foggia, it’s richer and filled with meat or ham, scamorza cheese, fries, tomatoes, and salad.
Sgagliozze
One of the biggest specialty of street food in Puglia is the crunchy polenta flakes called sgagliozze in Bari and scagliozzi in Foggia: eat them hot with a pinch of salt to taste the original recipe.
Popizze
Another very simple but tasty typical street food in Puglia is popizze, also known as pettole.
They’re little balls of the same fried panzerottodough, but they’re not stuffed.
Raw fish
Walking along the seafront of Bari, you’ll meet some fishermen that will offer you raw fish to eat right there. Eating raw octopus, squids, and mussels it’s a big tradition in the capital city of the region.
If you’re not used to raw fish, you shouldn’t try it, but we suggest you get a walk between the fishmongers anyway, to breathe the atmosphere.
Sweet street food
Talking about street food in Puglia, sweets deserve a special mention, starting from Pasticciotto, a shortcrust pastry filled with custard and black cherry, born in Lecce.
Another incredible goody from our region is the Passionata, typical from Troia, on the Daunia Mountains. It is a shell of almond paste which contains a sweet ricotta heart.
Once you eat one of them, it will remain in your dreams forever, as the Tetta Della Monaca (the traditional sarcastic name that sounds like “nun’s boob”) a soft sponge cake gently filled with Chantilly cream, typical of Altamura.
If you love street food, in Puglia you’ll find a lot of possibilities to eat salty and sweet snacks, so don’t wait, plan your trip now with us!
Influencers, travel bloggers, and Instagram lovers, that’s for you: here is a guide to surprise your followers with some of the best Puglia highlights!
This is our selection, but remember that Puglia always gives surprises. While you're traveling through Puglia, you're going to find out a lot of many other charming places to shot and carve in your memory!
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola reveals all the colors of Puglia: the yellow mixed with the brown of the field blends with the green color of some sapling. Together with the intense blue of the sea in the distance and the blue of the clear sky. Here we have a potential painting... or your next photoshoot!
The #NoFilter hashtag here is respected: no need for color correction! You will be able to see these typical Apulian buildings scattered here and there in the ground.
Saint Nicholas Jetty in Bari
This is one of the places where you find the true essence of the city, even the inhabitants of Bari and the Apulians love to take pictures of it.
The best time to go to N' dèrr'a la lanze, as we locals call it, is in the morning when the fishermen return from the sea and you can take a chance to taste raw fish. The most wanted shot? People who hold and eat mussels, squid, and raw octopus curls, with the waterfront behind as landscape.
By the way, if you're curious to read more about the Saint Nicholas Jetty or you are staying in Bari right now, this is a Bari city one-day tour with a lot of suggestions by us.
Polignano a Mare
This town is loved by thousands of tourists every year. Here nature and town blendin a harmonious, but at the same time, breathtaking way.
Getting to the Polignano a Mareold town,you can lose yourself in the small streets that lead to the bright view of the sea. Once you reach the large balconies, lean against the railing, strike a natural pose looking towards the blue, and lose yourself in the embrace between sea and sky!
Abbey of San Vito and Domenico Modugno statue
Moving away from the center of Polignano a Mare, you find the famous statue dedicated to the Italian singerDomenico Modugno, born in Polignano. You can ironically imitate his happy look, with open arms immersed in the blue painted blue, as one of his world-famous songs says.
Far from the city center murmur, there is a small quiet corner named San Vito, a district where only the sound of waves keeps company. Here is the suggestive and imposing Abbey of San Vito, facing the sea.
Siponto Basilica
Where once stood the Medieval Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, now there is a wire mesh one, built nowadays. It is a complex but very n
