I’ve written several articles about the destination, but following many questions about where to stay in Puglia, I thought a dedicated guide would help make things clearer. Many travelers look for well-located accommodation to visit several cities without having to change lodging every day. By making the right choice, you’ll see that it’s quite easy to explore an entire region.
So where to base yourself during your trip in Puglia ? Which are the most beautiful cities to enjoy a seaside vacation ? Where can you find typical accommodations ? You’ll find all the answers in this guide. And to make sure you don’t miss anything, check out my post the best things to do in Puglia where I share all my travel tips and favorite places.
Where to stay in Puglia ? Where to base yourself ?
The first thing to say is that it’s not possible to choose just one accommodation if you plan to visit all regions of Puglia. In fact, there are more than 350 km between the far south and the north, and going back and forth isn’t feasible (unless you want to spend all your time in the car). So if you plan to travel from southern Salento all the way to Gargano National Park, you’ll need to choose at least 3 different accommodations.
Within the same region, such as Salento or the Itria Valley, it’s easy to explore from the same accommodation. That’s what we did during our 10-day itinerary in Puglia. So your itinerary will determine how many base locations you need for where to stay in Puglia.
On the map below, I’ve shown the different regions along with the cities to visit. For each one, I suggest the best places to stay in Puglia to explore all the tourist sites.
Where to Stay in Puglia : Salento
Salento is the southernmost part of Puglia, whose main city is Lecce. It’s one of the most touristy regions, with superb towns and magnificent beaches. If you want a seaside stay to enjoy the sun and the sea, Salento is where you should go.
The most beautiful seaside resorts to stay in Puglia are Otranto on the east coast and Gallipoli on the west. If you don’t necessarily want to stay right by the sea, you can choose accommodation halfway between Gallipoli, Otranto, and Lecce. This will allow you to be close to everything. That’s what we did by staying 5 days at Masseria Petra in the municipality of Martano, 20 km south of Lecce.
Accommodation in Otranto
The beautiful medieval town of Otranto is located on the Adriatic coast of Salento. It’s ideal for a seaside stay with many nearby beaches and offers all the services of a small tourist town with plenty of restaurants. Here’s a list of accommodations I recommend for staying in Puglia around Otranto.
- 81 € : Bed&Belvedere, this property offers modern rooms with balconies, some with sea views. You can also rent a three-bedroom apartment for large families. It’s located 500 meters from the beach.
- 99 € : Hotel San Giuseppe Dimora Storica, this 4-star hotel is set in a 16th-century farmhouse typical of the region. It’s located in the heart of the old town, 300 meters from the sea. Breakfast can be included.
- 115 € : Vittoria Resort Pool & SPA, this 4-star complex offers modern rooms. The main advantages are the outdoor pool with spa, free private parking, and breakfast included. A 5-minute walk from the center.
Accommodations around Gallipoli
Located directly opposite Otranto but on the Ionian coast of Salento, Gallipoli offers a similar atmosphere with its historic center surrounded by ramparts. It’s actually one of my favorite towns, absolutely charming. It has a lovely beach right in the city center. It’s worth noting that Gallipoli is very popular with young Italians who come to party. If you’re looking for a quiet place, avoid going in July and August.
- 40 € : Bed&Breakfast La Cornucopia, a real bargain for small budgets and large families. This accommodation offers a quadruple room with breakfast included and free parking. It’s located 1.5 km from the old town.
- 54 € : Camera vista mare Holidayz, if you want to stay right in the city center in Puglia around Gallipoli, I recommend this accommodation with beautiful, spacious rooms, old-world charm, and sea views.
- 85 € : Agriturismo Calamate, a bit outside the city (3 km) but more convenient for exploring, this countryside accommodation offers apartments for 2 to 4 people with breakfast. Ideal location to discover Salento from a single base.
Lecce, the Florence of the South
Staying in Puglia around Lecce will appeal to history lovers and those who enjoy being in a large city that’s lively all year round. It’s renowned for its exceptional Baroque architecture and has many monuments to visit. If you choose Lecce as your base for exploring Salento, choose accommodation with private parking included or slightly on the outskirts, it will be easier to get around.
- 53 € : Li Cumpari salentini, this 50 m² apartment located in the historic center can accommodate up to 4 people. There’s also another studio for rent that has a balcony. A 5-minute walk from the train station, ideal if you want to travel around Salento by train.
- 96 € : Il Garbino Suite and Apartment, this superb duplex studio with terrace is perfect for staying in Puglia if you’ve chosen Lecce. You can enjoy the sun with an outdoor breakfast (included in the price). Also an apartment for 5 people.
- 130 € : Dimora Charleston Lecce, for a treat, this address in the city center is the best choice. Rooms feature a balcony with views. A swimming pool, breakfast included, and free private parking complete the amenities.
Where to stay in Puglia : Itria Valley and Bari
The Itria Valley and the Bari region represent the central part of Puglia. They include many towns to visit. You’ll find Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Ostuni in the Itria Valley, and Polignano a Mare and Monopoli in the Bari region. You can explore these two regions from a single base.
It’s up to you whether you prefer staying in a trullo in Alberobello, in the countryside around Ostuni, or in one of the seaside towns of Polignano a Mare or Monopoli. There’s no bad choice, all the sites are accessible by car in about twenty minutes.
However, I don’t recommend staying in Bari. It’s a large city without much charm (except for its historic center) and it’s not very convenient for exploring. It’s located further north, and you may encounter heavy traffic in this big city. Bari is not a good base for staying in Puglia.
The trulli around Alberobello
The trulli of Alberobello are something of a postcard image of Puglia. These small traditional houses used by farmers and agricultural workers in the 19th century have been transformed into Airbnb accommodations for the delight of tourists. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a unique place to stay in Puglia. We also tried this type of accommodation when we visited Alberobello. Here are a few trulli addresses I recommend :
- 84 € : Trulli Antichi Mestieri, this is the cheapest trullo in Alberobello and it also has nothing but fantastic reviews. It’s very well located in the center (Rione Monti area), close to everything. Breakfast can be included for an additional fee.
- 99 € : Tipico Suite, excellent value for money for this trullo located in the heart of Alberobello. It has a second duplex bedroom, ideal for a child. The main highlight of this accommodation is the rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the town.
- 116 € : Tipico Resort, this complex made up of several trulli offers accommodations for 2 to 5 people. The larger ones are real apartments (85 m²) while retaining the characteristic look of these typical Puglian dwellings. Breakfast extra.
By the sea : Polignano or Monopoli
If you want to stay close to the beach and enjoy the atmosphere of a seaside town, I recommend choosing Polignano a Mare or Monopoli. These are two must-see stops and the most beautiful villages along the Bari coastline. Polignano a Mare is known for its spectacular cliff views with a beach nestled at the bottom of a cove. Monopoli is a fortified town surrounded by ramparts with a pleasant historic center.
If I had to choose between the two, I have a slight preference for Monopoli. In either case, you can easily explore the entire Itria Valley.
- 60 € : All`Ombra del Carrubo, accommodation offering rooms and a studio for 4 people around a garden with a swimming pool. Private parking included. Located 3 km from the center of Polignano a Mare, convenient for exploring the surrounding area while staying close to the beach.
- 60 € : Barbacana46 Guest House, for lovers of charm, this accommodation in the old town of Monopoli offers modern rooms or rooms with vaulted ceilings. Porta Vecchia beach is only 300 meters away.
- 64 € : Dimora dei Pellegrini 8, this ground-floor apartment is located in a charming part of the center of Polignano a Mare, very close to the viewpoints above the cliffs. Free street parking.
- 84 € : Guardian’s House, located in the countryside 2 km from Monopoli, this accommodation is perfect for visiting the region for a few days. The rooms overlook a peaceful garden. Breakfast included and free private parking.
Accommodations in Ostuni
The superb hilltop village of Ostuni offers a prime location for exploring the entire region. Among the nearby villages to visit are Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Ceglie Messapica. Alberobello is 30 km to the north, and the towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli are only a 40-minute drive away.
Nicknamed the White City for the color of its house facades, Ostuni offers a charming town center that’s popular with travelers in the late afternoon for enjoying an aperitivo while watching the sunset. If you’re looking for a lively town in the evening, you can stay here. There are also several interesting monuments to discover in the center, and the beach is not far away.
- 53 € : Liberty Bell, this accommodation located in the center is a great deal since the listed price is for 4 people, ideal for families and groups of friends. The stone interior with vaulted ceiling is charming. A few minutes’ walk from the old town.
- 74 € : B&B Giovannarolla Green House, this countryside bed and breakfast is located 8 km from Ostuni. It has a terrace, a garden, a swimming pool, and is surrounded by an olive grove for complete peace and quiet. Breakfast and private parking included. Very convenient for visiting the surrounding area.
- 74 € : Relais Trulli Le Icone, this accommodation combines the typical countryside trullo experience with the charm of a bed and breakfast. It features a swimming pool, breakfast included, and private parking included. Perfect location for staying in Puglia and visiting the Itria Valley from a single base.
- 77 € : Casetta Mare, this apartment with terrace located in Villanova di Ostuni (7 km from Ostuni’s old town) will particularly appeal to travelers who prefer to stay close to the beach. It has a private kitchen and sea views.
This accommodation guide comes to an end. You should now know a bit more about where to stay in Puglia in Italy. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog.
My other articles on accommodation in Italy