Apulia: Coasts, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Apulia lies in the Mediterranean and combines extensive coastlines, golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, historic towns and islands. Travel experiences range from karst landscapes and woodland paths to castles, churches and protected marine areas. When planning your stay, you can first consider whether nature trails, cultural heritage, coastal experiences or a mix of these themes should be the focus.

Landscapes and protected areas

In the Parco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia, rocky ridges, sinkholes, karst caves and steep slopes shape the landscape. There are also natural pastures, as well as oak and coniferous forests. For walks, there are twelve Agropasseggiate that can be explored on foot, each starting at one of the park’s twelve agricultural or livestock farms. Five themed trails focus on nature, archaeology, landscape and history.

The network of trails in the Foresta Umbra is about 54 kilometres long. Its 15 signposted trails have directional signs and trail markers. Visitor facilities include picnic areas, a natural history museum, a visitor information centre and mountain bike rental. You can choose from both marked trails and various places to stop during your time in the forest.

The Parco Nazionale del Gargano covers more than 120,000 hectares and includes ancient forests and archipelagos surrounded by crystal-clear waters. The Torre Guaceto marine protected area offers a different coastal landscape: it covers about 2,200 hectares and an eight-kilometre stretch of coast. Swimming times are regulated locally: in Zone B, swimming is permitted from sunrise to sunset.

The Tremiti Islands marine protected area covers 1,466 hectares of sea and 20,410 metres of coastline around San Domino, San Nicola, Caprara and Pianosa. Permitted activities in the protected area include swimming, guided tours—including underwater tours—and mooring in designated areas. The figures and named islands give a concrete sense of the extent of this marine area.

Castles, urban history and architecture

Castel del Monte is a medieval castle completed in 1240. Its octagonal shape reflects mathematical and astronomical precision, while the complex also combines Romanesque, Gothic, Classical and Islamic artistic elements. Associated with Frederick II, the building is a striking landmark for travellers interested in medieval architecture.

In Lecce, the LeccEcclesiae route offers a way to visit the city’s main Baroque churches. The Mura Urbiche are the surviving northwestern section of the city walls dating from the 16th century and include the Bastione San Francesco. During the visit, a walkway leads to the elevated ramparts; underground, the tour continues with multimedia information about the history of the fortifications.

Other places also offer different ways to explore the region’s history. The Rudiae Archaeological Park has been open to visitors since 2018; its Roman amphitheatre was built under Trajan in the early years of the 2nd century AD. At the MUST – Museo Storico della città di Lecce, the exhibition tour covers the Messapian period, the Roman imperial era and the Middle Ages in the city’s history.

A visit to Palazzo Vernazza takes you through Messapian, Roman, Renaissance and Baroque history. The multimedia tour uses audiovisual narratives in Italian and English, as well as 3D reconstructions of historical settings and the palace interiors. In Alberobello, the Museo del Territorio is housed in a complex of 15 trulli; the museum tells the story of the settlement. On San Nicola, towers, fortifications, walls, churches, cloisters and the fortified abbey of Santa Maria a Mare form part of the island’s historic landscape.

Trails, cycling trips and regional cuisine

The hiking options differ in format: in the Alta Murgia, the twelve Agropasseggiate start at agricultural farms, while the five themed trails focus on nature, archaeology, landscape and history. In the Foresta Umbra, directional signs and trail markers help visitors find their way along the designated routes. Those who would rather plan a cycling trip will find five cycling routes in Apulia, taking in the Gargano, Salento, Valle d’Itria and cities of art.

Regional cuisine can also be part of the travel experience: orecchiette with turnip tops is a typical Apulian dish originating in the Bari area.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lecce, Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Taranto, Abruzzo, Lombardy.

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