The Best Family Days Out in Puglia 

Here are five top-pick days out for families staying in Puglia.

Alberobello

Famous for unique Trulli houses and architecture, Alberobello is a quaint town in the Puglia region. Trulli houses are made up of iconic cone-shaped rooves, and many in the Rione Montie district have now been converted into shops for purchasing local crafts and stunning souvenirs to take home. The largest Trulli house, Trullo Sovrano, has been established as a museum that offers an insight into how local families once lived in these unique structures. Encourage children's interest as they learn about the diversity of culture and the differences between their home and these traditionally Italian methods. 

Spend lunch in a family-friendly and locally run trattoria, serving both traditional Italian and more distinct Pugliese flavours. This distinct loves using infamous Italian-loved ingredients in cooking,  like burrata cheese and rich ragu sauce. Many restaurants across Alberobello town will have children's menus to entice even fussier young palettes and ensure they leave with full tummies! Take a family stroll through the quieter side of Rione Aia Piccola, where you can expect fewer tourists and a more ornate feel of how the town used to be. For little ones that need to burn energy, discover Parco della Rimembranza, where there is ample space for playing, picnicking, and relaxing all together. As the day unwinds, stroll up the Belvedere Santa Lucia viewpoint, where you can see the orange hue of the descending sun merge with the Trulli rooftops for the most unique panorama of the landscape.

Gargano National Park

In the province of Foggia, Gargano National Park is said to be one of the most significant landscapes in Italy. Covering over four hundred and fifty square miles of land, the green landscape is one of the country’s largest national parks, so it is home to a wealth of notable and diverse features for the whole family to enjoy. Delve into the ancient Foresta Umbra, where dense beech trees tower above a plethora of well-marked trails, including both long and short ones suitable for shorter legs. Enjoy the wildlife-abundant fresh air in the forest and huddle around for a picnic together when lunchtime beckons. 

Visit the coastal landscape of the national park, where crystal waters meet dramatic cliffsides and soft sands. Relax at Spiaggia di Pizzomunno Beach, where the waters are shallow enough for small children to paddle and the older ones can enjoy topping up the all-important Italian tan! Even hop on a boat tour to the wealth of caves along the Gargano Coastline. Carved out by the sea and a spectacular site for sun-worshippers to marvel at, these blissfully secluded rock formations are a worthy part of the protected area. 

Polignano a Mare

Embrace the quintessence of an Italian coastal stay in Polignano a Mare. With the region originally being a Greek settlement and later influenced by other cultural tribes, the hilltop town has an international feel and interesting heritage. Feel like you’ve retreated to Greece, with the array of whitewashed architecture lining narrow streets. Immerse yourselves in the charming old-town flare of the district. Leisurely amble through the historic centre and explore the variety of local shops and gelaterias for the perfect souvenirs that are too tempting to neglect. 

Enjoy one-of-a-kind eating experiences that will pique your children's gastronomic interests, such as dinner in the Grotta Palazzese sea cave. Why not make one of the incredible villas in Puglia your base? Where contemporary meets classic Italian interior. Whether it’s a private infinity pool overlooking the Adriatic or a beachside break with sand on your doorstep, Polignano a Mare is the perfect place to experience the most picturesque holiday stay. 

Zoosafari Fasno

The park of Zoosafari Fasano is in the province of Puglia’s Brindisi. Accessible from most Puglian towns and twenty-five miles inland from the coastland, picture vast greenery and opportunity for wildlife spotting in masses. The park is divided into sections from a safari park, a traditional zoo, and an amusement park, so it is guaranteed to keep little minds entertained all day long! Covering over three hundred acres means the landscape is ideal for mimicking the natural habitats of many global species. From lions to tigers, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and elephants, children can devour the sights of some of the world’s most magnificent creatures. Enjoy more restful safari drives and even participate in feeding sessions or animal demonstrations. There are plenty of family-friendly eateries and cafes scattered throughout the park’s various sections. With restaurants to suit the children too, get ready for a full day here. 

Lecce

Dubbed the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is one of Puglia’s most historic cities, home to vast Baroque architecture and other elaborate façades known as Lecce Baroque designs. Start a day trip here in one of the country’s most pristine squares, Piazza del Duomo. Featuring the town’s cathedral intertwining richly decorated church walls and intricate limestone. Spend lunch in a locally run eatery before devouring the art and cultural scene in the afternoon. It is this part of the city that makes it so synonymous with Florentine influence. Keep children entertained in paper-maché workshops, which are traditional in the city. 

Summary

Often overlooked but no less serene than traditionally loved Italy, Puglia is the perfect destination for a family getaway. Make every day different with such varied day-out options and make memories to last a lifetime.