AMAZING PUGLIA

Puglia is a popular destination for tourists of all kinds, including gay travelers. IT offers many reasons why it may be the perfect place to go as a LGBT+ tourist. You will love this region thanks to its stunning coastline, charming towns, and delicious food. You can check our 8-days puglia gay tour through this link.

One reason Puglia is a great destination for gay tourists is that it is generally a welcoming and inclusive place. The local community is generally accepting of diversity, and you will find a range of accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities catering to travelers.

Another reason Puglia is a great place to visit as a gay tourist is its rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural surroundings. The region is home to a variety of landmarks and attractions, such as the trulli houses of Alberobello, the Baroque architecture of Lecce, and the stunning beaches of the Adriatic coast.

In addition, Puglia is known for its delicious food and wine, which are an integral part of the local culture. You can sample a variety of local dishes and wines, such as fresh seafood, hand-made pasta, and locally-grown vegetables, or take a cooking class or wine tour to learn more about the region’s culinary traditions.

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VISITING PUGLIA: 10 THINGS YOU CAN’T MISS

1. Visit the trulli houses in Alberobello
2. Explore the Baroque architecture of Lecce, and live Puglia’s best gay nightlife
3. Go on a wine tour to discover the best Primitivo
4. Relax on the gay friendly beaches of Puglia
5. Eat your way through the region!
6. Go on a boat tour and look at Puglia from the sea
7. Take a cooking class from local housewives
8. Visit the church dedicated to the “real” Santa Claus
9. See the jewels of the ancient Greeks in Taranto
10. Gay Puglia, and more: visit the Sassi di Matera

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1. Visit the trulli houses in Alberobello

These unique, cone-shaped houses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for any visitor to Puglia. They are made of local stone and have conical roofs with a circular opening at the top. The trulli are a unique architectural feature of the region and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The trulli were originally built as temporary shelters for farmers and shepherds, who used them as a place to sleep while working in the fields. However, over time, they became a more permanent form of housing, and many families still live in them today. The trulli are often painted in bright colors and decorated with intricate patterns and designs. This make them a distinctive and iconic feature of Alberobello. Visiting Alberobello you can take a tour of the trulli and learn about their history and architecture. You may also stay in one of the many trulli that have been converted into hotels and bed and breakfasts.

2. Explore the Baroque architecture of Lecce, and live Puglia’s best gay nightlife

Lecce is famous for its ornate Baroque buildings, which are some of the most beautiful in Italy. There are a number of reasons why Lecce is a great destination for gay tourists visiting Puglia. One reason is its stunning architecture, which includes a number of Baroque buildings, such as the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Palazzo dei Celestini. You can also visit the Castello di Carlo V, a castle built in the 16th century, or the Roman amphitheater, which dates back to the 2nd century AD.

Photo by Davide Perrone on Unsplash

Another reason Lecce is a great place for gay tourists is its lively culture and nightlife. The city has a range of restaurants, bars, and clubs catering to all tastes, and there are a number of events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Lecce Film Festival and the Festa di Santa Croce.

3. Go on a wine tour to discover the best Primitivo

Puglia is home to many excellent wineries, where you can sample local wines and learn about the winemaking process. A gay tour in Puglia can’t miss some wine tasting! Primitivo, Negramaro, Salice salentino, Verdeca, Fiano, Susumaniello: the region is home to a number of grape varieties, which are used to produce a variety of different wine styles.

You can also choose to visit a winery on your own and take a tour of the facilities. Here you can learn about the history and traditions of the winery and taste a selection of its wines. Many wineries also offer food and wine pairing experiences, where you can sample local dishes alongside different wines.

Another option is to join a guided wine tour, which will take you to a number of different wineries and provide you with a more comprehensive wine tasting experience. These tours typically include transportation, a guide, and tastings at several different wineries. If you’re staying in a town or city in Puglia, you may also be able to find wine bars or restaurants that offer wine tastings or wine-by-the-glass options. These allow you to sample a variety of local wines in a more casual setting.

4. Relax on the gay friendly beaches of Puglia

Puglia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, with crystal-clear water and fine white sand. The region has a number of beautiful gay beaches to choose from. A range of atmospheres and amenities can suit different tastes.

Among the many gay beaches in Puglia, you may want to consider visiting Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto. This beach is close to the town of Carovigno, on the Adriatic Sea. It is a long, sandy beach with crystal-clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. Spiaggia di Punta Prosciutto is located in the town of Porto Cesareo, on the Ionian Sea. It is a long, sandy beach with crystal-clear water and is popular with LGBTQ+ travelers. Spiaggia dei Gabbiani is in Gallipoli, on the Ionian Sea. It is a sandy beach with crystal-clear water and a lively atmosphere.

5. Eat your way through the region!

Puglia will offer you delicious food, including fresh seafood, hand-made pasta, and locally-grown vegetables. Firstly, you may certainly want to start with orecchiette, a type of pasta made from durum wheat flour and shaped like small ear-shaped discs. Orecchiette are served with a variety of sauces, including a traditional sauce made with broccoli or turnip greens. You can’t miss panzerotti: similar to calzones, these half-moon shaped deep-fried savory turnover are traditionally filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce.

The Focaccia Barese is a type of flatbread that originated in the city of Bari. It is typically made with a mixture of flour, water, salt, and yeast, and is flavored with herbs, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Fave e cicoria is a simple and delicious dish made with fava beans and wild chicory. It is often served as a starter or side dish. Obviously you can’t miss the fantastic freshly caught fish: sea bass, octopus, mussels, clams and many other varieties of shellfish and fish.

6. Go on a boat tour and look at Puglia from the sea

Explore the stunning coastline of Puglia by boat and visit some of the region’s beautiful spot. Seeing Puglia from the sea is an emotion that you cannot miss if you are planning a memorable tour! Many fishermen offer exciting excursions aboard their boats.

Photo by orbtal media on Unsplash

Among the most evocative routes, you shouldn’t miss the one that follows the coast between Monopoli and Polignano. In this way you will have the possibility of a privileged view of two of the most beautiful seaside villages in Puglia and Italy. Often, the boat excursions include a small aperitif with a taste of the fantastic wines and exquisite delicacies of the Apulian cuisine.

7. Take a cooking class from local housewives

Learn how to make traditional Pugliese dishes in a cooking class with a local chef. During a cooking class in Puglia, you can learn how to prepare a variety of traditional dishes from the region, such as focaccia, orecchiette, friselle. And polpette! These particular local meatballs are often made with a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. You can serve them as a main dish with pasta or on their own with a side of vegetables.

Our advice: in Puglia you can be taught all the tricks of the local cuisine by elderly housewives who can show you how to prepare the most famous traditional dishes.

8. Visit the church dedicated to the “real” Santa Claus

The city of Bari, the capital of Puglia, has a long history related to the Christian religion. It is known for its Sanctuary of San Nicola, which houses the relics of the city’s patron saint, St. Nicholas of Myra. St. Nicholas is so popular that he even inspired the figure of Santa Claus. The reason? Perhaps it was an episode from the saint’s life: before being ordained bishop, he encountered a noble and wealthy family that had fallen into poverty. The father, ashamed of their state of poverty, decided to have his daughters become prostitutes. Nicholas, hiding, let three gold balls slip through the window of the man’s house, thanks to which the man was able to marry his daughters and spare them the shame of prostitution.

In 1087, a naval expedition from the city of Bari set out for Myra, which had by then become Muslim, and seized the saint’s remains, which were finally placed in the crypt of the basilica built in his honor in 1089. Here, you can still find the tomb of the “real” Santa Claus.

9. See the jewels of the ancient Greeks in Taranto

The city of Taranto was once part of Magna Graecia, the Greek colony of southern Italy. In Taranto, you can visit the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA), which exhibits a wide collection of ancient Greek jewelry. In particular, the museum houses a collection of gold and silver jewelry, including rings, bracelets, earrings, hair ornaments, and other precious objects. Many of these jewels were found during archaeological excavations in the region and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The museum also features a collection of Greek ceramics and other art and everyday objects, such as cups, vases, sculptures, and metal objects. If you are interested in Greek history and art, a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto is indeed an experience not to be missed.

10. Gay Puglia, and more: visit the Sassi di Matera

The Sassi di Matera are ancient cave dwellings carefully preserved over the centuries. They are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sassi, which means “stones” in Italian, were used as homes, churches, and monasteries. They are carved into the cliffs of the Murgia plateau, and they offer a unique and fascinating glimpse into the region’s history and culture. Despite their age, the Sassi are well-preserved and continue to be a popular tourist destination. Even if Matera is not located in Puglia but in the small region of Basilicata, it is definitely worth a visit!