Hidden Gems in Puglia
Authentic Spots Off the Beaten Path
Are you worried about going to Puglia and finding yourself surrounded by crowds of tourists?
Would you like to discover authentic, less touristy, secret or hidden places in Puglia—like uncrowded beaches, lesser-known villages, local trattorias, and real, genuine experiences?
Puglia is a region rich in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, offering a unique blend of coastlines, charming villages and timeless traditions. While popular destinations like Alberobello and Polignano a Mare are undoubtedly beautiful, the true essence of Puglia lies in its lesser-known gems. By exploring quieter towns, hidden beaches, and authentic local experiences, you can immerse yourself in the real Puglia—away from the crowds—where you’ll find an intimate connection with the land and its people.
Conversano | hidden gem in the heart of Apulia
Conversano in Puglia is a little gem unspoiled by mass tourism and a wonderful place to experience authentic Puglian life.
Located in the province of Bari, about 30 km from the regional capital, this town at the foot of the Murgia offers numerous examples of past architecture, ranging from the Romanesque period to Baroque, as well as buildings from other eras. Conversano is truly an open-air museum, with historical landmarks that tell the story of its significance through the centuries.
Among the main attractions are the Conversano Castle, the megalithic walls, numerous churches from different eras, and the karst lakes.
Curiosity about the Castle:
A long, long time ago, in the town of Conversano, hidden away for over 500 years, there was a secret treasure that no one knew about— It was kept inside the town's castle, under the tall round tower that stands proudly in the main square.
Here’s the story. It all started in the year 1481, when a nobleman named Count Giulio Antonio I Acquaviva d'Aragona arrived at the Santa Maria dell'Isola convent, just outside the village. The count was about to leave for a big battle in Otranto, where the Aragonesi (his people) were fighting the Ottomans. Before heading off to war, he wanted to confess his sins, but he had something very important to share with Father Lorenzo, the priest.
The count was worried. He feared he might never return from the battle, and if the Turks attacked Conversano, they could steal everything. So, he told Father Lorenzo a big secret. He had hidden all his riches in a huge iron chest weighing almost 300 kilograms!
Inside this chest was a treasure like no other. It was made up of 58,000 gold ducats, 27 pounds of gold bars, jewels and precious ornaments from his first wife, and even all the silver tableware from the San Benedetto Convent. It was an enormous fortune—worth about 16 million euros today!
And so, this incredible treasure was hidden away for centuries, waiting to be discovered!
Matino | immune to the frenzy: relaxed, lovely and authentic
Located forty minutes southwest of Lecce in the Basso Salento, Matino hugs the side of a hill facing the Ionian Sea. Even with the fervour for all things Pugliese, the town remains relatively unknown. You wouldn’t, for example, go out of you way to visit Matino the way you might Galatina, Otranto or Nardò. But for the few of us who have heard its call – travellers exploring Salento and of course, the Matinese – therein lies the charm. Even at the height of ferragosto, the middle of August when 70 million Italians hit beach regions like Puglia all at once, Matino remains immune to the frenzy: relaxed, lovely and authentic. What strikes visitors upon arriving in Matino is the beauty and uniqueness of its historic center. In fact, the historic center of Matino is one of the few in the Province of Lecce that has preserved its characteristics almost unchanged: narrow, winding alleys, streets adorned with votive niches, courtyards still equipped with "piles" for washing clothes, and buildings with bracketed and baroque-style balconies. Once you step into the historic center, corners of extraordinary beauty immediately capture the visitor's attention.
One of the must-see places in Matino is the Palazzo Marchesale del Tufo. This historic palace, built around 1500 on the ruins of an old fortress, was later embellished by the del Tufo family in 1644, when the lord of the town became a marquis. Today, its grand facade serves as the backdrop for concerts and festivals held in the square, making it a vibrant part of the town's cultural life.
Specchia | Steeped in Charm, History, and Authenticity
Far from the typical tourist routes, Specchia is a place full of charm, history, and authenticity.
If you're looking for Puglia off the beaten track, Specchia is an unmissable stop. Here, you won’t find trendy spots or tourist crowds. Instead, you'll discover a maze of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, baroque doorways that whisper ancient stories, and the slow rhythm of a town that still lives according to local traditions.
In Specchia, time seems to slow down. You can lose yourself in its perfectly preserved alleys—so much so that it has been recognized among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy—climb to the panoramic terrace of Castello Risolo and be enchanted by the endless landscape of olive groves, or sit in a small square with a coffee in hand and watch the authentic life pass by.
But Specchia isn’t just about architectural beauty. It’s also an authentic experience. The ovens still bake bread like they used to, local artisans handcraft wood and wrought iron, and the people are welcoming, genuine, always ready to tell you a story or offer you a glass of homemade wine.
Another special feature of Specchia is the presence of the so-called “Via dei Frantoi Ipogei”—an intriguing underground path that houses ancient olive mills with evocative names like Perrone, Scupola, Francescani Neri, and Cicca. The land on which Specchia stands is rich in memories of the farming life that, between the 15th and 19th centuries, animated the entire Salento region. These mills were carved directly into the tuff and were used for the processing of olives and the production of olive oil. Not only were they more economically convenient to build, but they also provided ideal climatic conditions for this type of activity. Olive oil has always been—and still is—one of the symbolic products of Salento cuisine.
If you liked these recommendations, discover even more on my homepage! Click here to explore more guides, experiences, and exclusive tips for your next trip to Puglia!
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