Sunny Puglia

Southern Italy without the crowds: white clifftop towns, trulli houses and a stunning sea. From Bari it's an easy train ride to Polignano a Mare, Monopoli and Matera.

👀 What to see

• Polignano a Mare — a town on a cliff above the sea
• Alberobello and its trulli houses
• Matera — the cave city (1 hour from Bari)

🍽 What to taste

• Orecchiette with turnip tops
• Focaccia barese and raw fish at Bari's harbour

⚓ Quiet spot

Monopoli — a cosy harbour full of fishing boats.

💡 Fun facts

• Domenico Modugno, the singer of "Volare", was born here — his statue with outstretched arms stands on the seafront.
• Polignano has hosted Red Bull Cliff Diving events: athletes jump into the sea from the balcony of a house on the cliff.
• The Grotta Palazzese restaurant sits right inside a sea cave above the water.

🗓 Best time: in May, in June, in September, in October