1. Trulli of Alberobello

These iconic limestone dwellings with conical roofs create a fairytale landscape in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Insider Tip: Skip the crowded main trulli zone and head to the Aia Piccola district where locals still live in these traditional homes—knock gently on doors with artisan signs and you’ll often be welcomed in for an authentic peek inside.

2. Polignano a Mare

This stunning coastal town perched atop limestone cliffs features crystal-clear waters and a charming old town. Insider Tip: Visit Lama Monachile beach early morning (before 8am) when locals swim through the natural arch into hidden caves inaccessible to tour boats.

3. Lecce’s Baroque Architecture

Often called the “Florence of the South,” Lecce showcases ornate baroque buildings carved from local honey-colored limestone. Insider Tip: The best craftsmen still work in the tiny workshops along Via dei Perroni—visit in the afternoon when they often offer impromptu demonstrations of traditional stone carving techniques.

4. Gargano National Park

A wild promontory featuring ancient forests, dramatic coastlines, and traditional fishing villages. Insider Tip: Take the unmarked shepherd’s path from Foresta Umbra’s visitor center to discover a natural spring where locals collect drinking water believed to have healing properties.

5. Castel del Monte

Frederick II’s mysterious octagonal castle stands alone on a hill, a geometric marvel that has puzzled historians for centuries. Insider Tip: Visit during the spring or fall equinox when the sun alignment creates perfect shadow angles through the interior doorways—an astronomical feature rarely mentioned in guidebooks.

6. Ostuni (The White City)

A dazzling whitewashed hilltop town with a labyrinthine medieval center. Insider Tip: Follow the narrow passage behind the cathedral to find “Il Terrazzino”—a tiny unmarked viewpoint where elderly locals gather at sunset to share stories and homemade liqueurs with friendly visitors.

7. Otranto Cathedral

Famous for its massive 12th-century floor mosaic depicting the Tree of Life and scenes from mythology and scripture. Insider Tip: Ask the guardian about the small door near the altar that leads to a forgotten crypt containing Byzantine frescoes only recently rediscovered and rarely shown to tourists.

8. Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve

A protected coastal area with pristine beaches, dunes, and rich marine biodiversity. Insider Tip: The reserve’s northernmost beach can only be reached by a 20-minute walk through wetlands, rewarding visitors with empty shores where sea turtles often nest and local biologists welcome interested visitors to join their morning monitoring activities.

9. Matera (just outside Puglia)

Though technically in neighboring Basilicata, this ancient cave-dwelling city is a must-visit from Puglia. Insider Tip: Most visitors stay in the touristy Sassi district, but cross the ravine to the Murgia plateau at dusk to see the entire cave city illuminated while listening to distant church bells echo through the canyon.

10. Valle d’Itria

The picturesque valley filled with olive groves, vineyards, and scattered trulli between Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca. Insider Tip: Look for small hand-painted signs saying “Vino Sfuso” along country roads, where local farmers sell their wine directly from steel tanks—bring an empty bottle and enjoy some of Puglia’s best wines at a fraction of restaurant prices.