Where to Stay in Puglia as a Base: Best Places to Stay

Wondering where to stay in Puglia as a base? Keep reading for this expert guide- from a Puglia expat- to help you decide.

Puglia, Italy’s sun-drenched heel, is a region of cultural gems and stunning landscapes, making it a top destination for travelers seeking a different kind of Italy.

From the trulli-dotted hills of the Valle d’Itria to the pristine beaches of the Salento coast, Puglia offers a diverse array of sights, activities, and accommodations to enhance your Italian getaway.

As someone who lives in Puglia, one of the most common questions I get asked is about the best places to stay in Puglia for a complete Puglia road trip. It’s not an easy answer as the options are as large as Puglia itself, especially for those planning on renting a car.

In this guide, I’ll break down the best places to stay in Puglia with and without a car. All these towns and cities make fabulous bases in Puglia for their accessibility and location while also being great points of interest.

This guide to the best areas to stay in Puglia is generally aimed at first-time visitors to Puglia. If you are looking to get off the beaten path and stay in some very local spots then please do drop me a line or a DM on Instagram, I have some excellent recommendations for you too.

*This ‘where to stay in Puglia as a base’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.

Where to Stay in Puglia as a Base- Summary

Short on time and want the quick version? Here are the best places to stay in Puglia Italy, that I would recommend based on a few different circumstances.

Don’t set out on your trip to Puglia without the Puglia Map. This insider resource is filled with hundreds of pins on a Google Map for recommendations for things to do, restaurants, hotels, and more. It’s the only resource you need for Puglia. Get access to the Puglia Map here. 🗺️

What to Consider Before Deciding on a Base

↠ Before trying to decide on where to stay in Puglia as a base, the first thing you need to think about is what interests you the most and what you’re in Puglia to see.

Do you want to focus on the towns? Are long sandy beaches your preference? Do you want to go off the beaten path? Or visit all the more popular places?

Once you hone in on what you want from your time in Puglia, deciding on a base becomes easier. This is because Puglia is a huge region and if you’ve only got a short trip or vacation, you will need to pick and choose what to see.

↠ The second thing to consider, before deciding on a base in Puglia is whether or not you will hire a car. I always recommend hiring a car for traveling in Puglia as public transportation links are not that great overall.

Hiring a car will give you much more, and I really mean much more flexibility as to where you can visit and base yourself.

If you’re hiring a car, you can pretty much base yourself anywhere you like. If you’re not comfortable with hiring a car, it’s best to base yourself in a town with a train station nearby so you can get around more easily- I’ll talk about these later.

For the best rental car rates in Puglia, use Discover Cars– my go-to rental car agency for pretty much anywhere in the world. Get a quote with Discover Cars here.

↠ Puglia is a huge region and it’s impossible to see it all on a week-long or 10 day Puglia trip. If you only have a set amount of time, it’s worth deciding on a part of Puglia you want to visit the most, e.g. Valle d’Itria, Salento, etc, and focus on that.

If it’s your first time in Puglia, have a read of our 10 Day Puglia Road Trip Itinerary for the ideal Puglia trip.

↠ It’s a good idea to have multiple bases and not just one. As mentioned previously, Puglia is large and if you base yourself in just one place and do day trips, on many days you’ll be driving for half the day (depending on where you want to go).

I recommend having a few different bases throughout your trip that you can do day trips from.

It’s worth having a base in the Itria Valley for a few nights while you do day trips from there and then moving on to a base in Salento where you’d do Salento day trips from your Salento base.

Best Places to Stay in Puglia as a Base

Most visitors to Puglia head to the Valle d’Itria -where you’ll find Alberobello, Ostuni, Martina Franca – the Adriatic Coast – Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli – and Salento- the tip of Italy’s boot.

If you’re planning to fit a good mix of all three regions, by car, into your Puglia itinerary, at least one base in each area is a good idea to reduce driving time each day.

On the basis that you’ll rent a car, here are the best places to stay in Puglia as a base in each of the main areas. If you’re not renting a car, see the section below.

Monopoli

Monopoli is one of the best places to base yourself in Puglia for exploring the atmospheric town and many others around it.

With its gleaming white facades, robust sea defenses, and historic port, it’s an ideal addition to any tour of Puglia.

Characterized by its distinct local ambiance, which is becoming increasingly popular each year, Monopoli offers visitors the chance to delve into the region’s history, indulge in culinary excellence, and observe the daily routines of its residents and fishermen.

Serving as an excellent starting point for discovering Puglia over several days, Monopoli is conveniently situated near the Itria Valley with its charming, white-painted villages, as well as Polignano a Mare. Yet, it retains a more tranquil and unhurried atmosphere.

From a base in Monopoli, you can easily visit Polignano a Mare, Savelletri, and the gorgeous beaches around there, Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca. Even Ostuni, which is further is just a 45-minute drive away.

Top Tip: The area around Savelletri, just south of Monopoli has some of Puglia’s best masserias. If you’re design-motivated or where you stay is an important part of your trip, consider staying in this area.

It’s the home of the stunning Borgo Egnazia, the trendy Masseria Calderisi, and the luxurious Masseria Torre Maizza. Hotel Masseria San Domenico and Masseria San Francesco also make great bases.

Of course, there are other great accommodations in Puglia but the Savelletri/Fasano area has the highest concentration of the best hotels in Puglia Italy.

Where to Stay in Monopoli: Don Ferrante (In town), Masseria D’Erchia (outside town) or Borgo Egnazia (further down the coast)

Ostuni

I might be a little biased here, as I live in Ostuni, but it still makes a great base for exploring the Itria Valley.

Ostuni’s strategic hilltop position offers superb sea views, its whitewashed narrow streets are perfect for exploring and its open piazzas- are ideal for a sunset spritz. The town also has a couple of decent museums and popping your head into its Duomo is a must.

For the full Ostuni travel guide read: Exploring Ostuni Italy: Top Things to Do in Puglia’s White City

Towards the coast, you’ll find some pretty spectacular beaches near Ostuni where you can lay a towel in the sand or head to a lido for an afternoon of food, drink, and swimming.

Ostuni is heaving in the summer months but it has a very lively vibe, especially in the evenings. If you are looking for something a little more relaxed, I’d suggest staying in a beautiful masseria outside town – I love Masseria Moroseta or Masseria Lamacoppa – and heading to Ceglie Messapica for dinner.

Ceglie is a beautiful little hilltop town and still very much under wraps when it comes to international tourism. Locally, it’s known as the gastronomic heart of the Itria Valley, and the quality of the restaurants here is better than anywhere else.

For foodies, make sure not to miss a few evenings dining out in Ceglie Messapica. For all my favorite local restaurants, the Puglia Map will give you access to them all.

Where to Stay in Ostuni: Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel (in town), Masseria Moroseta or Masseria Dagilupi (outside town).

Local Tip: Want to get off the beaten path? Consider basing yourself in nearby Carovigno. It’s a small, charming town with a very local feel, close to all the nearby beaches and it’s got some amazing restaurants- Michelin-starred ones, included.

Locorotondo or Cisternino

Locorotondo may not boast a plethora of traditional ‘sights,’ yet its allure is deeply rooted in the ancient, historic center and the simple joy of wandering its streets, which ranks among the top activities in the town.

It stands as a quintessential example of Puglia’s white towns.

Featuring a selection of excellent restaurants, wine bars, and boutiques, Locorotondo offers the perfect backdrop for a leisurely exploration that could culminate in a leisurely lunch or dinner at a traditional osteria.

Cisternino is very similar. With an atmospheric historic center, beautiful views from the villa communale, and a local market that takes over the city center every Monday, Cisternino is a truly local town that’s also excellent as a base.

With just a 20-minute drive between the two towns, there isn’t much in it when it comes to choosing an Itria Valley base.

Where to Stay in Locorotondo or Cisternino: Leonardo Trulli Resort, Trulli Difesa or Trullo M

This is trullo country, so for the most Apuglian experience, there are many trullo rentals to take advantage of in this area. I’d recommend choosing one in the nearby countryside rather than in town.

Read more: Locorotondo Puglia: A Short Guide to the Best Things to Do and Visiting Cisternino Puglia: A Curated Travel Guide

Otranto, Castro or Tricase

Puglia has some incredible beaches and if you’re here to explore them, the Otranto to Tricase part of the Salento coast has some of the best. Beaches like Baia dei Turchi and Porto Badisco are easily accessed from here as well as the beautiful towns themselves. These three towns are some of the best places to stay in Puglia by the sea.

Otranto is the largest of the towns where you’ll find a beautiful lungomare, the gorgeous Santa Maria Annunzita Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Church, known for its ancient frescos.

Otranto is also a great base for its super dining options, mostly geared around seafood in the evening.

Further down the coast, there’s Castro, a very sleepy, local town with a stunning marina and shimmering turquoise water everywhere you look. It’s a super small town but makes a good coastal base.

Finally, Tricase, more inland, and Porto Tricase right on the coast are superb, more local places for where to go in Puglia for those wanting to explore more of Salento, the coastline, and the stunning beaches and coves in these parts.

Don’t miss lunch at Taverna del Porto, one of my favorite restaurants in these parts. They also have insane sea views.

From Tricase or Castro you’re right next to Cala dell’Acquaviva, one of the best little coves in Salento as well as Grotta Zinzulusa and Spiaggia di Porto Miggiano, another fabulous beach.

Where to Stay: Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli (near Castro), Palazzo Daniele (in Gagliano del Capo)

Gallipoli

Overlooked by many on an initial trip to Puglia (me included), Gallipoli, on Puglian’s Ionian side is another best town to stay in Puglia for exploring Salento, particularly the less visited parts.

Gallipoli is a superb base for exploring the Ionian beaches, including Punta Prosciutto, a little further north, one of the best beaches in Puglia. It’s also close to some very local Salentine towns like Nardo and Galatina which are well worth a quick visit.

Of course, there’s plenty to do in Gallipoli itself too. Going for a wander through the old town is a must, visiting the Duomo and the Castle too. Beach lovers also needn’t go far here with the beautiful Spiaggia della Purità, right in town.

For those who love sunsets over sunrises, Gallipoli is the ideal Salento base and best area to stay in Puglia.

Where to Stay in Gallipoli: Palazzo Doxi Fontana

Vieste

It’s easy to forget that Puglia isn’t just the Valle d’Itria and Salento and that there’s a whole, little visited northern part of the region. The Gargano Peninsula is one of those places that’s completely up and coming and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes more popular.

Vieste is naturally the best base in Puglia on the Gargano peninsula, sandwiched between the Gargano National Park and the coastline. It’s a tiny town with an ancient Aragonese Castle, a lighthouse, and a bustling port. You also have San Lorenzo Beach, right in town.

Use Vieste as your base to explore this whole coastline which includes some beautiful grottos, steep white cliffs, and wild beaches. Don’t miss Baia delle Zagare, a stunning bay known for its sea stacks.

Where to Stay in Vieste: Casa Pinta

Lecce

I leave Lecce for last simply because if you have a car, it might not be the best choice as a base especially if you’re not a city person. (For those who do love cities, by all means, choose Lecce as a base).

Lecce is a must-visit on any first-timers Puglia Itinerary, it’s one of the best cities in Puglia and has so much history, culture, beautiful churches, great restaurants and bars, and plenty to keep you entertained.

While you can see most of what Lecce offers in a day, I encourage you to stick around a little longer to get underneath its skin. Make sure to check out the Puglia Map for all our insider, local spots (we lived there for 2 months and keep coming back).

Read more: Top Things to Do in Lecce Italy

If you’re someone who prefers the countryside and doesn’t want to battle Lecce city congestion each day, it might be worth basing yourself somewhere nearby in Salento and visiting Lecce on a day trip.

Around Lecce, you’ll find many beautiful masserie to base yourself for the surrounding area.

From Lecce, you can visit the beaches of Punta Prosciutto, Gallipoli, Otranto, Castro, and the whole stunning Adriatic Salento coast.

Where to Stay in Lecce: Palazzo Maresgallo ( in town), Castello Elvira (outside Lecce)

Where to Stay in Puglia as a Base Without a Car

If you’re not planning to rent a car for your Puglia trip, you’ll need to pay close attention to public transportation, in particular, train timetables.

Puglia has a few different train lines but the lines are not interconnected well, so the trick is to stay along a line and make the most of the stops and essentially the towns along that train line to avoid lengthy connections.

It’s also essential to note that not every town’s train station is located in the town itself. In many Valle d’itria towns, in particular, the train station is kilometres outside the city center.

It’s not walkable and while there are buses and a handful of taxis if you’re lucky, you will need to factor in extra time for these transfers.

For more information about train tickets and connections and to plan your trip use Omio here.

Here are the best places to stay in Puglia if you’re not renting a car.

Monopoli

Hands down, the best place to stay in Puglia for those not renting a car is Monopoli.

Monopoli sits on the train line that runs from Bari to Lecce and its station is in town- just a 10-15 minute walk from the center. For those flying into Bari, it’s easy to jump on a train at the airport, connect in Bari Centrale and be on your way to Monopoli.

Monopoli is one of the best towns to stay in Puglia, with a wonderfully scenic old port, shaded piazzas, plenty of great local restaurants, and beautiful beaches close to town.

From Monopoli, you can also do day trips to Polignano a Mare, Bari and Lecce by train. It’s also possible to visit Cisternino and Ostuni which are on the same train line but beware- these two have stations outside the city center.

Where to Stay in Monopoli: Don Ferrante

Polignano a Mare

Located just next to Monopoli is probably Puglia’s most famous town, Polignano a Mare. Polignano also makes a great base for exploring the local area, especially for those without a car.

The train station is a short walk from the historic center and while it doesn’t have so many sights (they can all be seen in half a day) Polignano is a town made for dolce far niente.

Basing yourself here you’ll be able to take advantage of the beautiful Polignano beaches nearby and the variety of good restaurants and bars. As the train station is nearby doing day trips to Bari, Monopoli, or beyond is easy.

It’s worth noting however that, Polignano gets very crowded in the summer months and if you’re someone looking for somewhere a little more local and authentic, Monopoli is the better choice of the two coastal towns.

Where to Stay in Polignano: POSEA Suites

Read more: A Weekend in Polignano a Mare, Puglia: The Definitive Guide

Lecce

For those interested in exploring more of Salento, the tip of Italy’s heel, Lecce is an unmissable spot on any Puglia itinerary. The city has the most cultural and historical sites – perfect for history buffs needing a little more than just beaches- as well as amazing dining, shopping, and Apuglian culture.

Also read our guide to Lecce for all the best things to do and see.

While using Lecce as a base without a car, you’ll also be able to reach Ostuni, Cisternino as well as Gallipoli, Otranto (with a train connection in Maglie), and Santa Maria de Leuca.

Gallipoli and Otranto in particular are beautiful coastal towns with a very local feel where you’ll be able to find a lot of culture and history as well as great dining and accommodations.

Where to Stay in Lecce: Palazzo Maresgallo

Bari

While most would prefer to base themselves in a more typical or atmospheric Puglian town, Bari does make an excellent base, especially for those who like the atmosphere of big cities.

Also for those visiting Puglia in the winter or outside the summer, late spring or early fall, Bari is one of the liveliest places to be and therefore one of the best places in Puglia to stay off season.

Bari has enough to keep you busy for a couple of days, including the historic Basilica San Nicola, where you’ll find relics of St. Nicolas, La Via delle Orecchiette, the famous pasta street and its nearby beaches like Pane e Pomodoro.

In terms of train services, Bari has many of them and while basing yourself in Bari, you’ll be able to reach Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Cisternino, and Ostuni as well as Putignano ( a less famous town known for its carnival in February), Martina Franca and Taranto.

After Bari, you can then head to Lecce, make Lecce your base, and explore some more Salento towns from there.

Where to Stay in Bari: Palazzo Calò

How Long to Stay in Puglia?

Ideally, you want to stay as long as you can. If you can, I recommend 2 weeks or 10 days.

With 7 days you can explore one area well or take in the highlights of Valle d’Itra or Salento. One week is also a great amount of time for a vacation on the beaches of the Gargano Peninsula.

At a minimum, you really need 5 days.

So, what’s the best place to stay in Puglia Italy as a base for you? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

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