Puglia is long: from the Gargano in the north to the tip of the Salento in the south, it stretches for around 400 kilometres. Most travellers focus on the central and southern part, between Bari and Santa Maria di Leuca, where whitewashed towns, trulli, olive groves and two seas meet. Where you stay decides whether your days are spent in the car or on the beach. This guide compares the best bases in Puglia and the best hotels and masserie in each.
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The short answer
- Best for a first visit: the Valle d’Itria and the coast around Monopoli and Fasano
- Best for luxury resorts: Savelletri di Fasano
- Best for a historic town: Lecce, Ostuni or Monopoli
- Best for beaches: the Salento coast
- Ideal plan: two bases: one around Fasano or Ostuni, one in Lecce or the Salento
The Best Areas to Stay in Puglia
| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Monopoli and Polignano a Mare | Old towns by the sea, restaurants, easy trains | Busy in August, small beaches |
| Savelletri di Fasano | Luxury masserie and resorts, golf, beach clubs | You need a car or transfers |
| Valle d’Itria (Ostuni, Cisternino, Locorotondo, Alberobello) | Trulli, countryside, white towns | Inland, 20 to 30 minutes to the sea |
| Lecce | Baroque architecture, food, culture | No beach in town |
| Salento coast | Beaches, clear water, slow summer life | Long drives between sights |
| Bari | Arrival, old town, street food | Better for a night than a whole stay |
Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
These two seaside towns south of Bari are among the most popular bases in Puglia. Polignano a Mare sits on limestone cliffs above the sea, with the famous Lama Monachile cove below the old town. Monopoli is larger and more relaxed, with a beautiful harbour, a lively old town and small beaches nearby. Both are on the railway line between Bari and Lecce.
Hotel Grotta Palazzese, Polignano a Mare
A hotel in the old town of Polignano, built above the sea caves. Its restaurant inside a natural grotto above the water, open in summer, is one of the most famous dining rooms in Italy.
Best for: a night by the cliffs of Polignano
Check rates at Hotel Grotta Palazzese
Hotel Don Ferrante, Monopoli
A small boutique hotel on the old sea walls of Monopoli, with rooms looking out over the Adriatic and the historic centre right outside the door.
Best for: staying in the old town of Monopoli
Check rates at Hotel Don Ferrante
Il Melograno, Monopoli
A historic masseria among ancient olive groves in the countryside behind Monopoli, with a pool, a spa and a relaxed, family feel.
Best for: a masseria close to town
Savelletri di Fasano
The coastal area of Savelletri, between Monopoli and Ostuni, is the luxury heart of Puglia. Here, among olive groves near the sea, you find the most famous resorts and masserie of the region, the San Domenico golf course and private beach clubs. It is perfect for a relaxing stay, with the towns of the Valle d’Itria and the coast within easy reach by car.
Borgo Egnazia
Built in the style of a traditional Apulian village, Borgo Egnazia is the most famous resort in Puglia, with a large spa, pools, a beach club and golf next door. Read our full Borgo Egnazia review.
Best for: a full luxury resort experience
Masseria San Domenico
A historic masseria with a watchtower, gardens, a large saltwater pool and a spa, next to the San Domenico golf course and close to the sea.
Best for: classic masseria elegance
Check rates at Masseria San Domenico
Rocco Forte Masseria Torre Maizza
A sixteenth century masseria surrounded by olive groves, restored by Rocco Forte with a pool, a spa and a beach club on the nearby coast.
Best for: refined style and service
Check rates at Rocco Forte Masseria Torre Maizza
Masseria Torre Coccaro
A fortified farmhouse with a tower, gardens, a spa set in an old cave and a beach club on the coast, run by the same family for years.
Best for: character and a beach club
Check rates at Masseria Torre Coccaro
Charlotte’s tip: book a masseria with a beach club
In summer, the beaches near Fasano can be crowded. Several masserie run their own beach clubs on the coast with loungers and a restaurant. Ask about shuttle times and whether the beach is included in your rate.
The Valle d’Itria: Ostuni, Cisternino, Locorotondo and Alberobello
Inland from Fasano, the Valle d’Itria is the Puglia of postcards: rolling countryside dotted with trulli, dry stone walls and whitewashed hill towns. Ostuni, the White City, is the most elegant base, with a beautiful old town and the sea about 15 minutes away. Cisternino and Locorotondo are quieter and known for their food, while Alberobello is home to the famous trulli.
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa, Ostuni
A boutique hotel in a historic building with a garden, a pool and a spa, at the edge of the old town of Ostuni. It combines the charm of the White City with the comforts of a resort.
Best for: a stylish base in Ostuni
Check rates at Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa
Lecce and the Salento
Lecce, the Florence of the South, is famous for its golden baroque churches and palazzi, and makes an excellent base for the Salento, the southern tip of Puglia, with beaches on both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. See our detailed guide to where to stay in Lecce and the Salento.
Patria Palace, Lecce
A historic hotel in the heart of Lecce, next to the Basilica of Santa Croce, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the baroque centre.
Best for: staying in the centre of Lecce
Palazzo Daniele, Gagliano del Capo
A small, art filled palazzo near the southern tip of the Salento, with only a few suites. Read our Palazzo Daniele review.
Best for: design lovers and art
Check rates at Palazzo Daniele
Compare hotels in Fasano and Savelletri
The best masserie in Puglia fill months ahead for June to September. Check current rates for your dates.
FAQ
Where is the best place to stay in Puglia?
For a first visit, the area between Monopoli, Fasano and Ostuni is the best base, with the sea, the Valle d’Itria and the luxury masserie close together. Add Lecce for the south.
Should I stay in one or two places in Puglia?
For a week or more, two bases work best: one around Fasano, Monopoli or Ostuni, and one in Lecce or the Salento.
Do I need a car in Puglia?
For masserie and the countryside, yes. If you stay in towns on the railway, such as Bari, Polignano, Monopoli, Ostuni and Lecce, you can manage with trains and transfers.
