The Best Towns to Stay in Puglia (Where to Base Yourself)

If you’re immersed in planning a trip to Puglia, you’ll find quickly it’s difficult to decide where to base yourself. I spent over two weeks exploring much of Puglia, so I’m putting together my guide on which are the best towns to stay in Puglia.

I had the pleasure of diving deep into Puglia this last summer with my family. We planned an extended 2+ weeks in the Valle d’Itria and out to the coast to travel slowly through the region. We did week-long stays, plus a few overnights in several destinations.

When I visited Puglia, I focused on picking locations that would give us the best access to explore. It can be quite challenging to decide where to stay in Puglia as the region is quite large, spanning from the Gargano Peninsula through to Otranto. So for my trip, the Valle d’Itria was the bulk of our accommodations.

I found that the valley had the most to offer for say a shorter trip, and then from there you could add on as you went on to explore further into the boot. If you’re not sure where to base yourself in Puglia, this guide will help give you some insider information on your trip.

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for Where to Stay in Puglia

1. Monopoli (staying at Villa Susca), for the best coastal location
2. Between Locorotondo and Martina Franca (Staying at Villa San Martino), for the best Valle d’Itria location
3. Ostuni (Staying at La Sommità), for the best Valle d’Itria location
4. Santa Maria di Leuca (Staying at Palazzo Daniele), for the best Southern Coast location

Travel Tips

1. Rent a Car — The best way to explore Puglia is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car in Italy is quite easy, and while driving in Puglia can feel hectic, road-tripping there still felt manageable with a little extra caution (For more, read my guide to renting a car in Puglia). Book your car with Discover Cars here.
2. Get Cell Data Before You Arrive — We use Holafly unlimited data eSIMs (5% off!) for all international travel.

Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip

For everything you need to know to visit the region, don’t miss my 7 to 10 Day Puglia itinerary!

Where to Stay in Puglia: Best Towns to Base Yourself

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The Best Towns to Stay in Puglia (For a Week+)

When it comes to the best area to stay in Puglia, I can’t recommend enough to split up your stay 2-3 times depending on the total amount of time. With one week, you can focus your time on the Valle d’Itria, with coastal stops and the hilltop villages. For the further southern regions of Lecce and Otranto, you’ll want more time. Read my ultimate 7 to 10 day itinerary for Puglia for exactly how I’d spend my time.

For your first trip, I’d begin with a week in the northern section of the “boot” and go from there with each added day. I’m including the three places I feel are the best locations in Puglia for a week, with 2-3 nights in each spot depending on how your itinerary falls. It will give you a great feel for the region and set you up for a great road trip itinerary through Puglia.

Travel Tip: Public transportation can be quite a headache to visit the best towns in Puglia. My recommendation is to pick up a rental car either at your arrival airport or train station and be able to explore on your own. We rented our car with Discover Cars, picking an automatic car with a reputable company and it was so easy. I have an entire guide on renting a car in Puglia for you as well.

Best Coastal Puglia Location: Monopoli

Monopoli, the often overlooked coastal town for its popular neighbor of Polignano a Mare. I’m here to tell you it has a lot more to offer for a coastal introduction to Puglia than Polignano. It provides a beautiful gateway to a historic coastal port with an active fishing harbor. And sans the touristy things.

In the town of Monopoli, you have lots to discover in terms of historic sights, and incredible restaurants, and you’re minutes from some of the best sandy beaches on the Adriatic Sea. With 2-3 nights, you can easily see the town itself, beach hop, and take a day trip to Polignano a Mare.

Where to Stay in Monopoli (Recommended Time: 2-3 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 1 Bedroom Home – Villa Susca (Where We Stayed), for the best vacation rental (also on Booking.com)
2. 1 Bedroom Luxurious Condo, for the best luxury apartment
3. 2 Bedroom Condo with Rooftop, for the best designed stay
4. 1 Bedroom Stone Apartment, for the best old-world stay

Hotels

1. Orazio 33 B&B, for the best bed & breakfast stay
2. Hotel Don Ferrante, for the best Old Town luxury hotel
3. Dimora Pietrabianca, for the best boutique hotel
4. Santa Maria 24, for the best Old Town apartment stay
5. Masseria Torrepietra, for the best family-friendly hotel (just outside of town)

Best Valle d’Itria Location 1: Between Locorotondo and Martina Franca

As you make your road trip through Puglia, most of the iconic small towns you’ll want to visit are in the Valle d’Itria (Itria Valley). Think of the picture-perfect towns like Martina Franca, Cisternino, and Locorotondo. So my next tip I highly recommend is to pick a central location in this part of the valley.

You’ll be close to about 3-4 great villages, alongside close to the iconic trulli town of Alberobello. From here you can also take a day trip to Matera. So this sliver of area between Locorotondo and Martina Franca sets up well. You’ll have restaurants in 3 villages to choose from in under 30 minutes drive as well.

It’s one of the most beautiful parts of Puglia as well, full of winding roads, hills full of Trulli, and villages.

Where to Stay in the Locotorondo and Martina Franca Area (Recommended Time: 3 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Trullo with Pool – Trullo Fumarola (Where We Stayed), for the best country trulli home stay
2. 2 Bedroom Stone House, for the best elegant stay
3. 3 Bedroom Modern Trullo with Hot Tub, for the best modern group trulli home stay

Hotels

1. Relais Villa San Martino, for the best luxury hotel
2. Masseria San Michele, for the best traditional, budget-friendly hotel
3. Masseria Trulli e Vigne, for the best trulli hotel
4. Ottolire Resort, for the best luxury resort

Best Valle d’Itria Location 2: Ostuni

The famous white city, Ostuni is the prized postcard town of Puglia. Known for its whitewashed city walls in the centro storico, sea views, and rolling hills with olive groves, it’s the kind of magic Puglian town you could hop for. I think Ostuni has a lot to offer in terms of the city itself, alongside experiences nearby.

Ostuni makes a great base to end your time in the Valle d’Itria where you can explore the towns of Ostuni and Ceglie Messapica. You can also easily reach the beaches (you’ll find the best beach clubs here) from here which are only about 20-30 minutes away. This is also the area that has some of the best hotels and vacation rentals which makes it an easy win.

Where to Stay in Ostuni (Recommended Time: 2-3 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Villa with Pool – Casa Boccadoro (Where We Stayed), for the best overall countryside vacation rental
2. 3 Bedroom Elegant Trulli with Pool, for the best designed trulli stay
3. 3 Bedroom Luxury Villa with Pool, for the best elevated group stay
4. 2 Bedroom Renovated Trullo with Pool, for the best historic stay

Hotels

1. La Sommità Relais & Chateaux, for the best in-town luxury hotel
2. Masseria le Carrube, for the best countryside hotel
3. Masseria Moroseta, for the best modern masseria stay

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Other Best Places to Stay in Puglia

If you’re continuing to explore more of Puglia and its seaside towns and villages, then you’ll want to continue further south. For adding more to your itinerary, this is where I would look next.

Lecce

Nestled in the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot, Lecce is a baroque village that is popular to visit. Often called the “Florence of the South,” this charming city has honey-hued limestone facades, ornate churches, and narrow, cobblestone streets. Stroll through its vibrant piazzas where you’ll find Lecce’s rich history evident in its Roman ruins and architectural sights.

Where to Stay in Lecce (Recommended Time: 2 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Modern Retreat with Pool, for the best private stay
2. 2 Bedroom Luxury Apartment, for the best luxury stay
3. 2 Bedroom Apartment with Vaulted Ceilings, for the best spacious stay

Hotels

1. Palazzo Bozzi Corso, for the best luxury old-world hotel
2. La Fiermontina, for the best modern retreat
3. Palazzo Guido, for best luxury city hotel
4. Palazzo Gorgoni, for best upscale B&B
5. Palazzo Luce, for the best luxury palazzo stay
6. Palazzo Zimara, for the best boutique hotel

Otranto

Tucked away along the rugged coastline of Puglia, Otranto is a coastal gem where history and natural beauty intertwine. Known for its striking turquoise waters and white pebble beaches, the town’s medieval charm is just as captivating. The iconic Otranto Cathedral, with its breathtaking mosaic floor and crypt, stands as a testament to the region’s storied past. Wander through the ancient stone streets, where quaint cafés and artisan shops offer a taste of authentic Italian life, or venture to the 15th-century Aragonese Castle, which overlooks the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

Where to Stay in Otranto (Recommended Time: 2 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom House in the Village, for the best walkable stay
2. 2 Bedroom Historic Home with Ocean Views, for the best historic stay
3. 2 Bedroom Courtyard House, for the best classic stay

Hotels

1. Masseria Muntibianchi AgriResort, for the best countryside stay
2. Baglioni Masseria Muzza, for a luxury rural stay
3. Masseria Prosperi, for a chic boutique stay
4. Le Capase Resort Salento, for a coastal stay south of Otranto
5. Masseria Montelauro, for a masseria stay

Gallipoli

Perched along the Ionian Sea in the heart of Puglia, Gallipoli is a coastal town where turquoise waters meet a rich tapestry of history and charm. The town’s name, meaning “beautiful city,” is a fitting description, as its old town—situated on a small island—boasts narrow alleys, whitewashed buildings, and captivating views of the shimmering sea. The imposing Castello di Gallipoli, a 13th-century fortress, stands guard over the harbor, while the elegant Baroque churches add a sense of timeless beauty.

Where to Stay in Gallipoli (Recommended Time: 2 Nights)

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Modern Apartment with Rooftop, for the best chic stay
2. 2 Bedroom Beachside Apartment, for the best beachfront stay
3. 2 Bedroom Modern Apartment with Ocean Views, for the best modern stay

Hotels

1. Palazzo Presta, for the best affordable chic stay
2. Tenuta Negroamaro, for the best luxury countryside stay

Santa Maria di Leuca

Perched at the southernmost tip of Italy’s Salento Peninsula, Santa Maria di Leuca is a blend of coastal charm and ancient allure. The town’s dramatic cliffs meet the Ionian and Adriatic seas, offering views that seem to stretch infinitely into the horizon. Santa Maria di Leuca is a place that captures the soul of the Mediterranean and is perfect for travelers to sit back and relax.

Where to Stay in Santa Maria di Leuca (Recommended Time: 2 Nights)

1. Palazzo Daniele, for the best design stay outside of town

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Other Top Hotels to Stay in Puglia

As a hotel lover, I would be remiss to not call out a few standout hotels as the Apulian hotel scene is as incredible as the towns to visit are themselves. From Masseria to resorts, with trulli stays you can consider a stay at a few of these. All of the below hotels are within reach of several sights and towns listed above, but just a touch further afield.

• Borgo Egnazio, Savelletri ($$$$) — This luxury hotel put Puglia on the map. The sense of place here is unmistakable with every corner of Borgo Egnazia full of character of the region, from the local craftsmanship that adorns the rooms to the simple yet spectacular landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. The architecture speaks to the region’s history, but with a modern twist, making it the perfect fusion of old-world charm and contemporary luxury.
• Naturalis Bio Resort & Spa, Martano ($$$) — Tucked away in the tranquil heart of Salento, the Naturalis Bio Resort & Spa in Martano is a refreshing escape for those seeking a seamless blend of nature, wellness, and understated luxury. What truly sets Naturalis Bio Resort apart, however, is its focus on wellness. The resort’s bio-inspired ethos is reflected in every aspect of the property—from the organic spa treatments to the farm-to-table dining experience. The spa, an oasis of calm, offers a variety of treatments designed to rejuvenate the body and mind, from traditional massages to holistic therapies using local ingredients. It’s the perfect place to let go and recharge, surrounded by the scents and sounds of nature.
• Masseria Torre Maizza, Fasano ($$$$) — Set against the backdrop of the sun-dappled hills of Fasano, Masseria Torre Maizza offers a sophisticated yet effortlessly welcoming retreat, where the timeless elegance of an Apulian farmhouse meets the polished comforts of modern luxury. The moment you step onto the grounds, you’re transported into a world where rustic charm and high-end amenities come together in perfect harmony.
• Masseria Calderisi, Fasano ($$$) — In the tranquil Valle d’Itria, Masseria Calderisi in Fasano offers a serene and intimate escape, blending 18th-century charm with modern comforts. The restored Masseria features rustic stone walls, airy courtyards, and individually designed rooms that reflect Puglia’s natural beauty. Guests can unwind by the infinity pool, stroll through the olive groves, or indulge in a spa treatment. Perfectly positioned to explore nearby Alberobello, Fasano, and the Adriatic coast, Masseria Calderisi provides an idyllic, understated luxury experience.

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