Puglia Villas & Luxury Vacation Rentals

Italy is part of the Schengen Area, so you’ll only need to show your passport once upon entering the area if you’re coming from the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere outside the EU. Once you’re in the Schengen Area, you can freely travel without a passport.

If you’re traveling from outside Europe, then you’ll most likely be flying into Rome or Florence to reach Puglia.

From Rome, you can take a high-speed train to Bari, a large port town in Puglia, which will take about 3 and a half hours. A train from Florence will take 5 and a half hours.

In contrast, a small regional flight will take about an hour from either Florence or Rome, while a flight from Milan takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Driving from Rome will take about 5 hours. While the drive can be a challenge if you’re not used to driving in Italy, it’s also quite scenic, with plenty of interesting stops along the way.

Your Rental Escapes concierge is happy to help with airport transfers, car rentals, train tickets, and any other transportation assistance you may need.

Peak season in Puglia runs from June to August, which is when the weather and the water are at their warmest. All restaurants and attractions will be open; however, this is also when crowds and prices are at their highest, especially by the coast.

For that reason, many prefer the shoulder season during early autumn and late spring. Crowds and prices are lower, but the weather is still warm. Plus, there are fun festivals to enjoy, like the olive harvest in autumn and the sagre food festivals in late spring.

Winter, meanwhile, is decidedly low season in Puglia. The crowds and prices will be at their lowest, and it will certainly be too cold to swim. Still, this is a great chance to experience what life is really like here for a local.

Trulli are Puglia’s distinctive villas and are characterized by their dry-stone construction, thick walls, central fireplace, and the white cones on their roofs. While there are similar conical structures in other parts of the world, the term trulli (or trullo when singular) is exclusive to Puglia. Given their historic and cultural significance, trulli are some of the most sought-after accommodations in Puglia.

Hit the beach: Puglia is known for having some of the best beaches in Italy. A great example near Ostuni is Torre Guacento, a nature reserve with clear water and soft sand.

Visit Alberobello: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Arbellobello features rows of trulli in two of its districts. It’s also a charming southern Italian town and a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Visit Lecce: Known as the Florence of the south, Lecce is brimming with beautiful art, Baroque architecture, and rich history, as well as some of the best dining in the region. Top sites here include the Centro Storico, the Bascilica di Santa Croce, and the Duomo di Lecce.

Puglia is known for having some of the very best food in Italy. The cuisine emphasizes fresh, local ingredients, prepared simply.

Specialties include orecchiette alla crime di rapa, ear-shaped pasta with broccoli rape; burrata, a type of creamy, soft cheese; and focaccia bread, often topped with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil.

To drink, be sure to order some Primitivo wine, made from grapes of the same name.

And for dessert, try the pasticciotto, short-crust pastry filled with custard cream and baked golden brown.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can also arrange private chef service and villa pre-stocking on any villa stay.

Puglia benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate, with hot, clear summers and rainy winters.

Spring in Puglia sees mild temperatures, with the occasional rainfall. Average temperatures vary from 11°C - 22°C (52°F - 72°F), while the average rainfall is between 5 - 6 cm (2 - 2.5 inches).

Summer sees temperatures heat up significantly, including water temperatures, making it peak tourist season. Average temperatures range from 22°C - 30°C (72°F - 86°F), and there is very little rainfall throughout the season – only 2 - 3cm (0.8 - 1.2 inches).

Autumn sees temperatures drop slightly, though the beginning of the season can still be quite warm. Rain picks up towards the end of the month. Average temperatures vary between 16°C - 23°C (61°F - 73°F), while the average rainfall is 6 - 8cm (2.4 - 3.1 inches).

Winter, lastly, sees the lowest temperatures and the highest risk of rain, though temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Average temperatures are between 9°C - 13°C (48°F - 55°F), while the average rainfall is 6 - 7cm (2.4 - 2.8 inches).