Top Puglia Tours: Discover Italy’s Heel – Sightseeing & Cruises

So, you are looking for a different taste of Italy? Maybe something off the super-beaten path? Well, Italy’s “heel,” Puglia, could be that spot. It’s almost got this magnetic charm with its unique blend of whitewashed towns, coastlines that are just stunning, and food? That’s an event all on its own! Instead of, you know, hitting the tourist hotspots with everyone else, why not check out what Puglia has in store? Finding some great tours, hopping on a boat, or just seeing the sights seems like a brilliant idea to see it all. This article looks at what might be some of the very top tours Puglia gives you to dial up that wanderlust.

1. The Charming Alberobello & Trulli Experience

That Alberobello with its famous Trulli is like a fairy tale brought to life is probably why it draws everyone in. These stone huts with their conical roofs, they’re pretty something. A great tour is that one that almost has you meandering down streets, giving you little historical tidbits, and lets you in on why and how they ever built these unique structures. Anyway, you get to visit the Trulli church, which is odd and cool, too and you can go to the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story Trullo there is. Shopping and taking it all in? That is doable. And hey, a food tasting could cap off a lovely time.

More or less, the highlight reel on an Alberobello tour could feature:

• Touring the Trulli Zone to hear some stories and understand why the Trulli are cool.
• Visiting Trullo Sovrano, to get a feel for Trulli’s upper class.
• Some shopping and sample local fare that, to be honest, you just won’t find anywhere else.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Alberobello Trulli Tour)

Read our full review: Alberobello Trulli Tour Full Review and Details

2. Coastal Cruises: Polignano a Mare & the Adriatic’s Delights

The Adriatic Sea along Puglia is one thing to be excited about; the craggy cliffs and coves seem to go on forever. Booking one of the boat tours can be such a fun way to experience Puglia’s appeal. Think of how exciting it is that you may see these hidden caves, be able to swim in that turquoise sea, and just generally soak up that warm sun. Quite a few cruises almost have some onboard refreshments; these usually tour some other really well-known attractions from the sea perspective.

What you are probably going to experience:

• Sailing out to some craggy coastline of Polignano a Mare is more beautiful in real life, frankly.
• Exploring hidden sea caves, that have little bays that are awesome for a photo-op.
• Swim, sunbathe and just take some time and sip that provided cool drink.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Polignano a Mare Boat Tours)

Read our full review: Polignano a Mare Boat Tours Full Review and Details

3. Lecce: A Deep Dive Into Baroque Beauty

If Baroque is your aesthetic, then a tour in Lecce needs to happen. Known very well as the “Florence of the South”, that place has some showstopping buildings all dolled up in the Baroque style. And hey, tour guides are, in some respects, helpful with telling the history of the town, filling you in on why its art and architecture scenes grew so wildly. Arguably, you will have the option to drop by the Piazza del Duomo and Basilica di Santa Croce.

Some places and stuff you’ll see:

• See some Baroque masterpieces and architecture while on Piazza del Duomo.
• Explore the art on display at the Basilica di Santa Croce.
• Stop by some of the very old Roman ruins to contrast it with some of the Baroque.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lecce Baroque Tour)

Read our full review: Lecce Baroque Tour Full Review and Details

4. Matera Day Trip: Journey to Basilicata’s Ancient City

Matera, and all of its ancient Sassi districts (rock-cut homes), may be something you just don’t see every day. You probably should consider it when tour operators run excursions from Puglia. So, this place’s old district that it almost feels like a living history. Guides very much tell all the stories about people’s day-to-day, from cave dwellers through to people living their normal lives these days, arguably. Oh, the panorama view? It looks awesome.

Matera should impress you with all:

• Checking out those ancient Sassi neighborhoods and the people that live inside them still.
• See rupestrian churches, which feature architecture and artwork all at once.
• Maybe see a few panoramic viewpoints of this unbelievable old city.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera Day Trip from Puglia)

Read our full review: Matera Day Trip from Puglia Full Review and Details

5. Wine & Olive Oil Tasting Tours: A Culinary Exploration

Those rich lands found around Puglia are more or less responsible for that reputation it almost has for food. What can you do to best learn this stuff? Sample some of its nectar and golden olive oil to explore this local food culture deeply. Often, such a visit to local vineyards as well as olive farms gets you to find out a thing or two about the methods applied, sampling is allowed here. Cheers!

On food tours:

• See those vines where local varieties get made.
• Do olive oil, sample-style, right where the product’s at.
• Local farms’ ambiance adds warmth to the whole vibe as well.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Puglia Wine and Olive Oil Tour)

Read our full review: Puglia Wine and Olive Oil Tour Full Review and Details