Puglia, or Apulia, located in the heel of Italy’s boot, is a region rich in heritage and culture with historic towns, castles, and churches, picturesque coastlines, and traditional food, wines, and olive oils.

The banner photo is the beautiful Ostuni, one of the most attractive towns in southern Italy, also known as the “White City”, only 25 minutes drive from Masseria Don Luigi and the Fasano area.

Ostuni is a cluster of whitewashed houses, churches and narrow streets spread over a hilltop surrounded by quaint countryside and endless olive groves.

More to explore:

Locorotondo
distance from Fasano | 12 kms // 18 minutes

Locorotondo is endowed with a whisper-quiet pedestrianized centro storico, where everything is shimmering white aside from the blood-red geraniums that tumble from the window boxes. Situated on a hilltop on the Murge Plateau, it’s a borgo più bella d’Italia (see http://borghipiubelliditalia.it) - it’s rated as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy.

Alberobello
distance from Fasano  | 18 kms // 25 minutes

Unesco World Heritage Site Alberobello resembles an urban sprawl – for gnomes. The zona dei trulli on the westernmost of the town's two hills is a dense mass of 1500 beehive-shaped houses, white-tipped as if dusted by snow.

Monopoli
distance from Fasano  | 16 kms // 18 minutes

Though lesser known than Alberobello and Ostuni nearby, Monopoli is a delightful coastal town replete with ancient churches and winding alleys lined with whitewashed façades. Adding to the charm of its tangled medieval old town is a lovely cathedral, an old fishing port, and a series of fortified seafront walls. A golden sandy cove with crystalline waters, it’s no wonder the beach of Monopoli is one of the most popular along the Apulian coast.

Polignano a Mare
distance from Fasano  | 23 kms // 22 minutes

Polignano a Mare is a small town, perched dramatically on the edge of a craggy ravine on the Adriatic coast of Puglia. The town is thought to be one of the most important ancient settlements in Puglia and was later inhabited by successive invaders ranging from the Huns to the Normans.

The idyllic seaside town hugs a little Blue Flag beach sheltered by two cliffs, and its centro storico – an atmospheric maze of winding streets, sun-bleached buildings, and old churches – reveals intriguing glimpses of the sparkling blue sea at every turn. Thanks to its spectacular setting, surrounded by crystal clear waters and half-submerged sea caves, Polignano a Mare is widely famous for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

Bari 
distance from Fasano  | 60 kms // 47 minutes

The capital of Apulia and an important touristic destination and commercial harbor, Bari lies on a fertile coastal plain facing the Adriatic Sea.

Brindisi 
distance from Fasano  | 56 kms // 43 minutes

Brindisi benefits from its coastal location and has a fantastic port and harbour waiting to be explored. Furthermore the city has a range of admirable structures such as the beautiful Castello Alfonsino and the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Casale. If architecture is not your thing, you can check out the fantastic beaches such as Lido Azzurro and enjoy some sunbathing and relaxation.

Lecce
distance from Fasano  | 95 kms // 1hr and5 minutes

If Puglia were a movie, Lecce would be cast in the starring role. The Baroque city of Lecce, sometimes called the Florence of the South, is the southern terminus for the Italian rail line that runs along the east coast. The main city of the Salento area is filled with ornate Baroque monuments and even has a few remnants of Roman days.

Lecce is a lively, graceful but relaxed town with some upmarket boutiques, decent Puglian restaurants, and a strong tradition for papier-mâché making.

Otranto
distance from Fasano  | 146 kms // 1 h 31 minutes

Tucked away in Italy’s heel, in the province of Lecce, you can find Otranto. Italy’s easternmost town is offers a mix opportunities. Art and history enthusiasts come here to admire the gorgeous 12th-century mosaic floors of its Romanesque cathedral. Foodies can visit the seafood restaurants lining the scenic waterfront promenades and incurable romantics can get lost in its postcard-perfect old quarter crisscrossed by narrow travertine-paved alleyways. 

Gallipoli
distance from Fasano  | 134 kms // 1 h 27 minutes

Gallipoli is a fishing village with an interesting old town built on a limestone island and linked to the mainland by a 16th century bridge. Its harbors are used by fishing boats and there's plenty of fresh seafood. The name Gallipoli comes from the Greek Kallipolis meaning beautiful city, as this area was once part of ancient Greece.

Punta Prosciutto
distance from Fasano | 108 kms // 1 h 24 minutes

Punta Prosciutto is located along the ionia coast of Salento. It is a stunning stretch of coast of Puglia. Here the unspoiled nature, the white sandy beach, the coastal dunes covered with Mediterranean vegetation and the crystal clear sea, make it a piece of paradise in the heart of Salento.

Torre Guaceto
distance from Fasano  | 40 kms // 27 minutes

Torre Guaceto is located along the Adriatic coast of Puglia, near the towns of Carovigno and Ostuni. The beaches of Torre Guaceto, which are part of the WWF protected area, are undoubtedly among the most beautiful of Puglia. Throughout the protected territory there are several beaches, some have a ban on bathing because the protected zone also includes a marine reserve of particular importance.