Destination Details: Puglia
Photo: Sophie Knight
Where is it?
In southern Italy Puglia is the largest region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot” and the one with the greatest coastal development with hundreds of kilometres of Mediterranean coastline. Pronounced ‘Poolia’.
Airports
There are four airports: Bari (BRI) Brindisi (BDS) Foggia or Taranto. Otherwise fly into Naples (NAP) (3.15 hrs from Bari, 4 hrs from Taranto) or Rome (5 hrs from Bari, 6 hrs from Taranto).
What is the region famous for?
Puglia is well known for its whitewashed hill towns and long stretches of Mediterranean coastline (more than 800km between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea). I mean, come on…how stunning does that look!
Shout out to Ale from Alessandra Linoci Events, the queen of wedding planning in Puglia for sharing her wisdom and advice with us.
“Its popularity has increased a lot in the last few years” Ale tells us. “When you say Puglia people connect it immediately to olive trees, burrata and trulli. But trust me, there is so much more to discover and to fall in love with!”
The region is more diverse that people know, there’s also cultural cities, picturesque historic villages and country farms immersed among the olive groves.
“If you're a fan of that effortless chic atmosphere and you want to gift your guests with a unique experience that feels like a holiday, then Puglia is the place to be. Beautiful, clean and considered architecture with charm. Gem towns to be discovered slowly. Nature everywhere, from relaxing countryside and fields of olive trees to the wild and breathtaking coastal destinations with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.”
Why get married here?
Puglia really is a destination! And one which will set your wedding apart from the many Italian weddings hosted in popular Tuscany. If you want to do something a little different but still have the incredible scenery, food and wedding options, this is the region for you. It has risen to the podium of ‘international destination wedding location’ and is unlikely to be coming down. But why does everyone want to get married in Puglia? Here are 5 good reasons why:
1. Location
The coastline in Puglia is dramatic and beyond beautiful. From the transparent azure waters of Salento to the white faraglioni in Gargano (impressive white rocks emerging from the sea) the landscape is really something special. The buildings also have a modern feel. The whole vibe is white, clean lines and crystal clear waters.
The natural landscape of Puglia creates a unique wedding aesthetic and backdrop that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
2. Good food
The high quality of Apulian gastronomy is another special ingredient of the success of this region. Here you can rediscover ancient flavours not found in other parts of the world. Eating in Puglia with its traditional dishes and excellent and award-winning local doc wines, really is good for the soul. There is the “freshest and most genuine food and the finest wines. If you are a food lover, it is sure to be your idea of heaven!”
3. History & Tradition
Puglia is in the heart of the Mediterranean and the gateway to the East. The art and architecture of the area really reflect the long history of the region; of cultures and traditions intertwined over the centuries - a beautiful mix of East meets West.
4. High quality of services
Marriage in Puglia is literally seen as a work of art. Nothing is left to chance. Every detail is taken care of with care and precision to give life to a magical and unforgettable event. Suppliers in the region are generally high quality and known for their impressive services.
5. Hospitality
Land of welcome par excellence. Here in Puglia you immediately feel at home enveloped by the warmth of the people of the South. You will be immediately immersed in a relaxed, serene and pleasant atmosphere. Spending a few days in Puglia means adopting a new lifestyle; less hectic with a slower pace.
What style of weddings happen in this region?
“Puglia is perfect for people looking for a relaxed and soulful celebration. Considered simplicity is the most common request made by couples wanting to organise their ‘i-do’s’ in the region” says Ale. “The aim of most couples that chose Puglia is to escape the daily chaos of the city and create a bubble of peace and relaxation for their loved ones. For this reason they love to plan long weekends full of events and fun activities.”
“Nothing suits this mood better than the masserie (plural of masseria)” says Ale.
A masseria is an ancient farmhouse or estate. These impressive rural buildings used to serve as farms within which the owners and peasants lived together with their families.
“They have now been restored into boutique hotels, bed & breakfasts or restaurants, mixing authenticity and tradition with modern sophistication and comfort. Masseria styles range from rustic to luxurious, and most have a swimming pool, a garden and a spacious scenic courtyard. Some of them are set in working farms that produce olive oil, wine and produce and they are often immersed in beautiful countryside settings.”
There is a huge variety of venues in Puglia, and other options include castles, beaches, estates, promontories overlooking the sea and stunning villas surrounded by olive trees.
You could have a civil ceremony on the beach in Puglia (bonus!) which could be followed by a reception at a coastal venue overlooking the sea.
For those looking for a religious ceremony there is wide variety of churches and castles scattered throughout the region.
PRICE - $$
There is a myth that Puglia is a low cost place to get married. In our opinion it isn’t cheap. Venues in Puglia tend to work with set catering partners which can make things more expensive. If you’re looking at venues in this region remember to check if they work with set suppliers and factor this into your budget from the start. The overall cost is on the higher side but you are paying for a completely unique and authentically Apulian experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
Any negatives for this region or things to consider?
There are disconnected roads especially in smaller towns. In the summer there may be rows of cars to reach the most famous seaside beaches. “I always recommend my couples to carefully plan transport solutions and prepare their guests for the fact that public transport is not the best (or most efficient) solution to explore the area. It's not easy to find taxis at any time of the day, therefore renting a private car or pre-booking taxis far in advance is always the best option.”
“Puglia is known as one of the sunniest places in Italy during the summer, but summer storms are real so make sure you have a back-up ‘plan-B’ option in case of wet weather.”
La Lista Recommends
Ostuni The White City. Located in the province of Brindisi, Ostuni has been nicknamed the White City because of its typical low houses of limestone rocks that populate the narrow streets of its centre. The narrow streets, numerous staircases of the old town, small shops and clubs animate the nightlife and summers in Ostuni. Read more on Ostuni here.
Photo: Sam Docker
Monopoli. A small Apulian town whose historical and natural beauties capture the hearts of travellers every year. Its historic centre includes 9 medieval churches and countless cobblestone alleys.
Bari. A lively port and a well-known university city. It overlooks the Adriatic Sea and boasts great architecture, wonderful churches, a romantic promenade and an interesting historic centre with narrow and winding streets dominated by an ancient castle wind.
Salento Peninsula. Located in the southernmost part of Puglia and is home to small and charming seaside towns such as Gallipoli, Otranto, Lecce, Santa Maria di Leuca. Some of the best Apulian and Italian beaches, are located right in the Salento peninsula.
Gargano and Vieste. The beautiful Gargano promontory is one of the most lush and surprising natural areas in all of Puglia.
Alberobello. The City of The Trulli is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Specifically, a "Trullo" is a small limestone house with a typical conical roof. The largest number of Trulli are located in Alberobello, but they are typical of the entire Itria Valley and you can find them in Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisternino and Fasano.
Lecce. Offering numerous examples of architecture and works of art from the Baroque period, Lecce is also called the "Baroque city”. It boasts a wonderful historic centre, numerous churches and squares: Santa Maria della Provvidenza, the splendid Piazzetta dell'Addolorata and the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Polignano a Mare. The coast of Polignano is one of the most beautiful in Puglia. Just 30 minutes from Bari, it has a coastline jagged by very steep escarpment.
If Puglia intrigues you, then get yourself over to our Venues directory, where you will find only trusted and personally approved venues.
