Planning a trip to sun-soaked Puglia in 2024? It’s one of the most up-and-coming travel destinations in Italy, yet still very much off-the-beaten-track for Western tourists.

From the olive tree-hewn countryside in the Valle d’Itria to the whitewashed hilltop towns that overlook dramatic coastline, Puglia is one of my favorite regions. Keep reading to find out the best places to stay in Puglia in 2024 and start planning your trip there now.

Where to stay in Puglia as a base?

The first question you might have when planning your trip is what is the best area to stay in Puglia? The answer depends on how long your trip is, and whether or not you want to be by the sea or in the countryside. I think the best town to stay in Puglia is Locorotondo in the Itria Valley or Monopoli on the coast. The good news is that provided you have a car, you really can’t go wrong when choosing where to stay in Puglia Italy – because it’s all wonderful! Some of the best towns to stay in Puglia in my opinion include:

• Locorotondo: a beautiful whitewashed town in the Valle d’Itria with cheese farms and trulli houses
• Martina Franca: the Baroque ‘capital’ of the Itria Valley
• Monopoli: a fishing village on the Adriatic Sea
• Lecce: the beautiful capital of the ‘Salento’ or Southern part of Puglia
• Ostuni: the most famous of the whitewashed hilltop towns

Where to stay in Puglia without a car?

If you’re considering this, let me tell you that it can be done but only with a ton of planning and a whole lot of luck. The first time I ever traveled to Puglia was August 2019 with a friend I met from Italian school.

We chose completely the wrong month to visit (peak travel season and peak heat!) and also didn’t want to rent a car. It was a huge mistake because we also didn’t realise that outside of Bari, there were no tours or reliable transport connections to visit places like Matera or Alberobello (let alone the smaller, less traversed towns!)

That said, if you want to brave it, the Puglia best places to stay without a car would be Bari, Polignano/Monopoli and Lecce. They have well-connected train stations within walking distance to the towns, but please know that you will find it difficult to find buses to smaller towns without speaking Italian or simply because the bus decides not to turn up.

Best Hotel Puglia Italy

For me, the best hotel in Puglia is actually a masseria (the Pugliese version of an agriturismo or farm stay). My favorite masseria is probably San Michele just outside Martina Franca. It’s owned by a friend of a friend and absolutely gorgeous – think chic, stylish and minimalist.

We enjoyed sitting in the bar/pool area and relaxing with a cool drink, popping into the on-site chapel and taking many a photo here. There’s an on-site restaurant and even an honor system bar! If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Puglia in the countryside, definitely try this gorgeous hotel.

Luxury hotels in Puglia

This Italian region has many accommodation options to suit all budgets including its fair share of luxury hotels in Puglia Italy.

• Hotel Don Ferrante in Monopoli

If you prefer to stay at a beachside town on the Adriatic right in the heart of the action, Don Ferrante is one of the best hotels in Puglia Italy. The rooms are light, modern and spacious which can sometimes be hard to come by in Italy. My tip? Choose a room that looks out over the sea for extra indulgence.

• Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri

If White Lotus had of been filmed in Puglia, there’s no doubt in my mind that the creators would have picked Borgo Egnazia. It’s one of the most expensive and exclusive 5 star hotels in Puglia with rooms upwards of $1000/night during the summertime. There are tennis courts, swimming pools, a wellness centre, and three different restaurants on site. It’s essentially like staying in a little town with everything you could need at your reach.

• Patria Palace, Lecce

Like the idea of staying in a historic palazzo? That’s exactly what you can do in Patria Palace, one of the best hotels in Puglia. It’s nestled right in the heart of this vibrant city often referred to as the ‘Florence of the South’ and boasts frescoes, fountains and beamed ceilings. Rooms are the right level of modern and classic as befitting an 18th-century mansion!

• Rocco Forte Masseria Torre Maizza, Savelletri

When it comes to Puglia best hotels, Rocco Forte is relaxed but undoubtedly 5 star. From the professional service, to the exquisite rooms and pool, private beach club and even on-site restaurant. The furnishings in even the more basic rooms are gorgeous and the beds are extra comfy.

Hotels in Puglia on the Beach

Whilst my favorite area to stay in Puglia is probably at a countryside masseria in the Valle d’Itria, I understand that Puglia is also a fantastic beach destination. This means that there are many Puglia beach hotels and you can choose from convenient city side locations or actual beach resorts in Puglia.

Wondering where to stay in Puglia for beaches? Either along the Adriatic Coast (try Monopoli, Savelletri di Fasano, Otranto or Santa Maria di Leuca) or along the Ioanian Coast (Gallipoli). Here are some of the best places to stay in Puglia by the sea:

• La Peschiera, Savelletri

If the idea of falling asleep to the sound of waves gently crashing against the shore is your idea of heaven, then this is the place for you! Make use of the private beach during the day and the restaurant service for dinner or a casual lunch. It’s quite a small hotel which adds to the feeling of relaxation and exclusivity too.

• Vivosa Resort, Ugento

Vivosa is one of the best resorts Puglia located directly on the beach. It’s ideal for singles, couples, and families alike and is complete with two pools, a private beach, restaurants, bars, exercise facilities and a wellness center. Some of the rooms are a little tired but spacious and clean. They also offer twin beds which can be really hard to find in Puglia resorts and hotels!

• Grand Riviera Hotel, Santa Maria al Bagno

For classic resorts in Puglia Italy you can’t beat the Grand Riviera. There are beautiful beachfront views, two swimming pools, a restaurant, and even a kid’s playground. It’s considered as the best beach hotel in Puglia for families and won’t break the bank.

Best Masseria Puglia

When I stay in Puglia on vacation or with our small group tours, we always include a stay in a masseria. Why? Because it’s one of the most authentic accommodation experiences you can have in the region (besides staying in a trulli, though that tends to be a bit touristy).

Masseria were originally like countryside fortresses created by nobles that housed animals and whole communities. As mentioned above, my favorite masseria at the moment is San Michele in the countryside surrounding Martina Franca.

However, there are actually tons of best masserias in Puglia, it just takes a little time to find the right one. Here are some other suggestions at a variety of price points:

• Masseria Salamina: Fasano is another excellent area to be based in as it’s half-way between the Valle d’Itria and popular towns on the Adriatic like Monopoli. This gorgeous property was recommended to me some time ago by one of my Instagram followers who stays there every year. It’s set in a 17th century castle and looks totally dreamy.

• Masseria Montenapoleone, Pezze di Greco: I really love the look of this masseria and it was one of the options for our small group tours. They offer lots of activities on site including wine tasting and olive oil grove visits too!

• Masseria Iazzo Scagno, Martina Franca: I stayed here in 2022 when we were doing some research in the area for our small group tours. The restaurant on-site is fantastic- really local and delicious food. The rooms are comfy but not luxury. My favorite part about this masseria is the stunning trulli connected to the reception and dining area.

Holiday villas in Puglia

Renting a holiday villa in Puglia is a great idea if you’re traveling with a group of friends or your children. I like the look of Villa Torre del Sasso and their swimming pool for a summer trip. It has 4 bedrooms and is just an 11 minute walk to the beach. Let the holidays begin!

Boutique Hotels in Puglia

Looking for something modern or more apartment style? On a trip to Monopoli in 2022, we stayed at the gorgeous Palazzo Mulini right in the heart of the old town with a gorgeous view over the sea. The rooms are very comfortable and classy, there is a small kitchen perfect for self catering and a desk if you need to do some work whilst traveling too.

Best Trulli Hotels Puglia

Have you heard of a trullo before? Unique to Puglia (although there are somewhat similar style houses in Ireland which is a whole other story about the history of pilgrim routes) it’s a fairytale-like, conical domed house.

If you’d like to experience staying in this once-in-a-lifetime style of accommodation, I recommend staying at Leonardo Trulli Resort just outside of gorgeous Locorotondo. One of the women on our Untold Italy Puglia tours stayed here for a few nights after our group trip ended and she loved it. The staff were absolutely gorgeous and even invited her for dinner at their family home one night!

Feel a little more confident to book your stay in Puglia? Have a read of some of my other Puglia articles including things to do in Puglia, best Puglia food, and my Puglia travel guide.