If you’re looking to soak up the sun well into the autumn months, a lesser-known Italian gem offers sand, sea and breath-taking beauty in abundance.
Puglia, located on Italy’s southeast coast, is famed for its extensive coastline, charming whitewashed villages and exceptional food and wine. Beyond the bustling summer season, it’s an ideal spot to find uncrowded beaches where the clear blue Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea.
The region enjoys warm and sunny weather with temperatures in the mid-20s in September. As the crowds disperse, this romantic and authentically Italian destination becomes the perfect place to experience ‘la dolce vita’.
Puglia is a more relaxed and friendly alternative to some of Italy’s more tourist-heavy areas. Sprinkled with picturesque medieval towns, visitors flock here to wander down ancient streets and immerse themselves in the region’s rich history, reports the Express.
A standout highlight is the Roman city of Lecce, often dubbed the ‘Florence of the South’. This Baroque masterpiece is brimming with incredible architecture and traditional Italian piazzas.
Polignano a Mare, perched atop limestone cliffs overlooking the Valle d’Itria coast, is a magnet for tourists. Visitors are drawn to its winding old town streets, panoramic terraces perfect for wine sipping, and stunning beaches with crystal clear waters.
The region’s breathtaking coastline offers a quintessential Italian beach holiday experience, even beyond the summer months. From the pristine white sands and turquoise waters of Torre dell’Orso and Punta Prosciutto to the untouched beauty of Porto Selvaggio, seaside adventures abound.
Such is the allure of the beaches in this tranquil part of Italy that one has been christened the ‘Maldives of Puglia’. Pecoluse, with its fine white sands and mesmerising blue sea, is a year-round paradise.
Autumn is an ideal time for boat trips in the serene seas around Italy’s ‘heel’. Away from the shore, travellers can marvel at the picturesque ancient villages like Monopoli, Taranto, Otranto, and Santa Maria di Leuca.
Puglia also stands out as one of Italy’s premier wine regions, thanks to its Mediterranean climate and fertile lands. The region’s winemaking process blends tradition and innovation, resulting in some of Italy’s most acclaimed wines.
With the grape harvest taking place in September and October, there are ample opportunities for visitors to taste the exquisite red and white wines that the region is renowned for.