Why You Need to Visit Puglia, Italy this Year with Kids

This is a guest post from Denise Ostuni, who lives with her family in Puglia, Italy. Many thanks to Denise for providing this wonderful introduction!   

Let time stand still and enjoy an unforgettable family vacation in Puglia, Italy, one filled with good surprises, great sites, friendly people, good food and wine, and incredible beaches. Once you’ve discovered Puglia, it’s difficult NOT to plan your return.  

Why Visit the Puglia Region of Italy?  

Puglia is a region in southern Italy often overlooked by first-time travelers to the country — especially ones with children. It is a place where ancient and deeply rooted traditions have been passed down for generations, dictating the rhythm of life. Time stands still for those who immerse themselves in its beauty. 

We have been lucky to have Italy’s heel of the boot, Puglia, right in our backyard ever since we moved here in 2009. My husband, Angelo, decided to move back to Italy after living in the U.S. for 16 years.  We met in New York City in 1999, got married in 2003 and had two children, Isabella and Carlo. We moved to Milan in 2009, and now we reside in the seaside town of Monopoli in the region of Puglia.  

Oftentimes I’m asked the question “Why did you leave one of the greatest cities in the world, New York, for Puglia?” My response is simple: “Why not?”   

Coming from a metropolis, you appreciate enchanting locations such as Puglia even more.  Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to experience a part of Italy so invigorating and still undiscovered?  

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Puglia

 There are numerous possibilities if you want to customize your Puglia itinerary, whether you are looking for a small-town escape, a southern Italy road trip, or just to experience the beautiful beaches of the east coast. If you only have a few days to discover Puglia with your children, here are some highlights not to miss.  

Alberobello  

Alberobello has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and is one of the best places to find the majority of the famous Trulli houses (recognizable by their rectangular forms with conical corbelled roofs), clustered together from the 17th century. They are limestone dwellings that were constructed using prehistoric techniques (mortarless), with some still having mythological symbols painted on their roofs. My kids often describe them as upside-down cone-shaped houses.   

Speaking of cone shapes, there is a wonderful gelateria to be visited during your exploration of the city: Arte Fredda, featuring unusual flavors and the freshest ingredients (try date-flavored gelato)! 

Children of all ages will have a wonderful time creating their own fairytales and stories about the trulli as they work their way around the town. Nearby there is a masseria (fortified farmhouse with a high-walled courtyard) built in the 16th century, which offers cheese-making lessons as well as tastings.  

Cisternino  

Cisternino is another characteristic Puglian medieval town, and a great day trip if you are looking to village-hop in the region. You can visit the historic center, walk around the squares, take in the views of the Itria Valley and have a wonderful lunch. Cisternino is known for the fornello, a butcher shop with a restaurant next door. You can select your own meat; it is cooked to your liking and served to you at the restaurant.   

Two kid-friendly restaurants we recommend if you want to experience fornello are Macelleria Demola Vincenzo and Arrosteria del Vicoletto, but most restaurants in this area of the country welcome families with open arms. If you are looking for a local specialty, bombetta is a stuffed rolled meat that is typical of the area. 

Ostuni  

Ostuni is known as the “white city,” with its whitewashed walls and incredible architecture featured in the upper part of town. It is a lively fortified medieval town on a hillside with breath-taking views of the Adriatic Sea.   

It is a great place during the day but even more extraordinary at night. Just wander around the town, stop at a café by the hilltop Romanesque Duomo and soak in the impeccable scenery. Nearby you can also visit one of the masserias offering olive oil harvesting and tasting.  

We love to go to one of the best beaches around Ostuni: Cala dei Ginepri, near the beautiful natural reserve of Torre Guaceto. In the peak of the summer months (high season), it was surprisingly quiet, clear and clean. Plan ahead and you can pack a really good picnic. If you forgot, the beach has a snack bar on the premises, featuring a lunch menu of mainly sandwiches, hot dogs and salads.   

TIP: It’s best to buy a beach umbrella and bring it along, so you can spend all day on the sandy beaches soaking up the sun while still getting a little shade.

If you don’t want to spend all day in the water, you can head to the nearby Nature Reserve.  They have a visitor center where you can schedule guided tours, nature walks, cycling, trekking and snorkeling trips.

On your way back north to Monopoli, stop at La Marea (+39 080 482 9415) for dinner. It is a fantastic place to try the local seafood, and depending on the season, you can get fresh sea urchins, oysters, octopus and codfish, to name a few. Keep in mind that this is an upscale-family run restaurant, so shirts and shoes are required (trousers too).  

The beautiful and talented wife/chef of La Marea comes from generations of chefs. Her charming husband is a great host and will make sure your children sample the local flavors. The appetizers and specials of the day are always incredible. 

Monopoli and Polignano a Mare  

Monopoli and Polignano a Mare are both seaside towns near Bari. Monopoli has a historic center right by the town square. The kids will love to watch the fishermen repair their nets at the harbor, see the cannons along the walls of the ancient castle, and play on the playground before splashing in the nearby family-friendly beaches — many just a short walk from town.   

Polignano a Mare’s historic center is perched on top of limestone cliffs with breathtaking views. Check out the local sites and caves by water that can be reached when you rent a boat (see HelloApulia below). 

More to do in Puglia with Kids 

Aside from the spectacular towns Puglia has to offer, it also has other main attractions that kids will love.   

• Fasano Zoo Safari: Check out the drive-thru zoo safari full of lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys, giraffes, etc. Right next door there is an amusement park with mostly pay-as-you-go rides. 
• Grotto di Castellana: The caves of Castellana are perfect for little explorers. For more information, you can check out Grotto di Castellana.   
• Indiana Park: In Castellana there is an outdoor activity park with rope climbing and different courses for all ages. Find more information on Indiana Park.  

Where to Stay in Puglia 

If you want to be pampered, there is no better place to book then Borgo Egnazia, a luxury hotel, part of San Domenico Hotels and the Leading Hotels of the World. Hotel rooms and villas with pools are available, which are perfect for families. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to the owners and their two lovely daughters as they gave us a tour of the kids’ club and the teen club.  It was an incredible sight to see.  

Children of guests have a private club with impeccable services catering to children from 8 months to teens. The space has an indoor and outdoor area with a well- designed playground, a performance area, a zero-entry pool perfect for the little ones, a hands-on children’s garden area and a restaurant. The staff is certified and well trained.  

Kids can also enjoy golf, tennis, swimming and cooking lessons, plus there is a wonderful babysitting service should parents want a romantic night out.  

How to Get to Puglia  

The region is served by two major airports, Bari (BRI) and Brindisi (BDS), and by the Italian railway system connecting it to the rest of Italy and Europe. Once you get here, I would recommend renting a car if you have children.  

You can also book a car hire service with a driver if you aren’t comfortable driving. He or she can get you to most places at reasonable price.  

I have scratched the surface of the region of Puglia, but there are places deeper south, such as Lecce and Otranto, Altamura in the west, and as far north as the Gargano Peninsula, that would take days to describe.  It’s a part of Italy waiting to be explored not just by adults, but by children as well.  

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in Italy with kids

52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

10 tips for traveling to Italy with kids

1 to 2 weeks in Italy: The best itinerary for families

Off-the-beaten-path Italy: New places to explore with kids