Puglia - the sun-soaked heel of Italy’s boot - is a paradise for travellers looking for authentic experiences, stunning landscapes, and a taste of southern Italian culture. From the charming trulli of Alberobello and the Valle d'Itria to the vibrant coastal towns, Puglia offers it all - and it really is possible to have a great time here without breaking the bank.
This budget travel guide to Puglia will help you explore and visit this amazing region, with loads of tips on how to travel, where to stay, and what to do to make the most of your visit on as little money as possible.
Let's get into how to visit Puglia on a budget!
My Puglia travel experiences on a budget
Whilst I now don't have to save money at every turn on my Puglia holidays, when I was younger I did manage to have a great time without spending much. I admit I had a bit of a head start, as my accommodation was free - I stayed with friends who had just moved there. And I couldn't yet drive, which was a money-saver as, again, my friends were basically my taxi drivers.
After seeing photos and videos of Puglia on social media, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it's all luxury experiences. But don't let that fool you: there are plenty of ways you can travel to, and around, Puglia without lots of money (although of course you can splash a ton of cash if you decide to book fancy hotels, restaurants and hire cars).
The great thing about Puglia is that its food is rooted in 'cucina povera' ('kitchen of the poor'). Historically, rural Puglia was one of the poorest regions in Italy, and people had to keep their meals simple and affordable. That's the defining essence of Apulian cuisine and means you can eat here for very little money, which is half the battle of going on holiday anywhere in the world.
Budget travel guide to Puglia: getting around
Flights:
Puglia has two main airports—Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport and Brindisi Airport. Look for budget airlines that fly directly to these airports from various European cities. In the UK, most of the cheap flights go from Stansted, although often at frankly offensive departure times like 6am.
Booking in advance or during sales can significantly reduce flight costs. Alternatively, consider flying to Rome or Naples, which are much cheaper to get to - and taking a train or bus to Puglia.
Top tip 1: I've taken the five-hour train from Rome to Puglia, and it's actually really worth the hassle of getting to Roma Termini train station from the airports (plus, you can usually get cheap first class tickets if you book a while in advance). Trenitalia is probably your best bet to book your trains in advance.
Top tip 2: I've never taken a bus from Rome or Naples but they do exist, and as long as you're OK with a long haul coach ride, you'll undoubtedly enjoy the meandering scenery along the way. BUT! There’s no over-arching bus network that connects all twenty regions of Italy, where you can book travel through one system - so travelling from one region to another in Italy is still more easily accomplished by train. Check out SENA Autolinee, SAIS Autolinee, SAIS Transporti to find tickets (just be aware that it won't be that easy!)
Trains and buses:
Italy’s train system is efficient and affordable. From major cities like Rome or Naples, you can take a high-speed train to Bari or Lecce. Booking tickets in advance on sites like Trenitalia can save you money. Once in Puglia, regional trains and buses connect most towns. A car is useful for exploring rural areas, but public transport can suffice if you’re sticking to major towns.
Top tip 1: if you do travel by train, you should know that not only are there two different types of train (Frecciarossa, the quick ones which cost a little more; and the typical regionale trains which stop at all stops, are slow, but cheap); but many train stations are outside of the city! For example, at Ostuni - you could walk up the hill into Ostuni but it's a real faff - and taxis are hard to find here. Instead, there are buses, but you might need to do some digging online to find the timings (you'll need euro to pay for them too).
Top tip 2: if you do have a bit of a wait at a train station before the bus, then don't worry - there is usually a cafe on the side and unlike the UK (where food and drink in train stations is average, and expensive), in Puglia train stations it's actually pretty good.
Budget travel guide to cheap accommodation in Puglia
Puglia offers plenty of accommodation options, from charming bed-and-breakfasts to budget hotels, hostels and agriturismos. Below are some budget-friendly recommendations in six of Puglia's most popular towns, each rated 9+ ('Wonderful') on Expedia.co.uk.
Bari:
Torre Tresca 2: Guesthouse in Bari, a short walk to Bari Harbour
LOFT APRICOT BARI 11: Holiday home with free breakfast, near Bari Harbour
14. New Apartment: perfect for 2, with Balcony, near centro storico
Palazzo San Rocco - Green Room: near Bari Cathedral
Brindisi:
Ostello della Gioventù Brindisi: Hostel with a coffee shop/cafe, a short walk to Port of Brindisi
Apartment Nuvola Rione Cappuccini: entire apartment, 20 min walk from the coast
B&B Maria Vittoria and Apartments: bed & breakfast in Brindisi, a quick walk to Roman Column and centro storico
Cairoli Exclusive Rooms & Suite: bed & breakfast with a bar, a short walk to Port of Brindisi
Lecce:
B&B In Centro Comfort Suite - Garden Suite: clean and comfortable in the historic centre
Lo Studio di viale Lo Re Camere & Caffè: Affittacamere in Lecce, a quick walk to Roman Amphitheater
Il Cortile delle Esperidi: guesthouse in Lecce, near the centre
Dimi House: bed and breakfast, free breakfast included
Alberobello:
Mirum Apuliae: Affittacamere (guest house) in Alberobello, a short walk to The Trulli of Alberobello
Alberobello Vacanze Desà Dome 1: 3 bedrooms, clean and spacious
Dimore nel Tempo: Guesthouse in Alberobello, steps from The Trulli of Alberobello
Trulli in corte: Guesthouse with free parking, a quick walk to Alberobello Town Hall
Polignano a Mare:
Polly House: entire 2 bed apartment, close to famous Lama Monachile beach
Bed & Breakfast Karen House: minutes walk to Grotta Ardito Promenade
Casa Meliò: Bed & breakfast in Polignano a Mare, a quick walk to Lama Monachile Beach
LA CASA DI BENEDETTA: Affittacamere in Polignano a Mare, a quick walk to Grotta Ardito Promenade
Ostuni:
Casa Cristina: entire apartment, quick walk to the centro storico
Casa Tea - Arcuève: holiday home in Ostuni centro storico with free parking, sleeps 4
Casa Daniele: pet-friendly apartment with kitchen, close to bars and piazza
Casina Marlene: pet-friendly apartment in Ostuni with kitchenette, sleeps 3
Budget travel guide to Puglia: free and cheap things to do
Historic centres:
Wander the historic centres ('centro storico') of Bari, Lecce, and Ostuni - and pretty much any town in Puglia. They're full of narrow whitewashed streets, ancient churches and cathedrals, and beautiful piazzas. Simply exploring on foot (and getting lost in them) is a delightful way to experience local life in Puglia.
Top tip: you can always pop into a cafe for an affordable coffee and snack, which won't break the bank here (espressos are usually one euro, and a pastry maybe one or two euro - if they're charging way more than this, avoid them).
Beaches:
Puglia’s coastline is stunning and mostly free to access. The beaches near Polignano a Mare and Torre dell’Orso are particularly beautiful. Pack a picnic to avoid pricey beach club restaurants.
Top tip: usually you need to pay to park near beaches (either at a machine, or there'll be someone taking money), so take some euro with you if you're driving. Sometimes, you can simply pay to park at a beach club (like Lido Bosco Verde) and then walk through the club onto the beach for free. It's nice to be able to pick up some refreshments at the beach club - but equally, most beaches have somewhere to get a drink and snack nearby. It's possible to get the bus to some beaches, but I've found that they usually only operate in July and August.
Natural Parks:
Explore Gargano National Park or the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve for hiking and beach activities at little to no cost.
Trulli of Alberobello:
While some trulli charge for entry, walking around this UNESCO World Heritage site is free. Visit the quieter Rione Aia Piccola district for a more authentic experience.
Top tip: please don't go to Alberobello at peak times - you will find yourself in a sprawling throng of tourists and it'll be hot and nearly impossible to find good service in a cafe! Instead, get there early in the morning (9am, 10am) or late (5pm) to enjoy a little more space.
Budget travel guide to Puglia: how to eat amazing and cheap food
Street food:
Puglia offers some fantastic street food. Try panzerotti (fried dough stuffed with cheese and tomato) in Bari or puccia (a type of sandwich) in Lecce. These are cheap, delicious, and perfect for eating on the go.
My favourite snack I absolutely must have when visiting Puglia is the pasticciotto. It's a heavenly boat-shaped lemon custard filled sweet pastry. Best served still warm from the oven.
Top tip: you'll laugh at this, but in some cafes you might find a little pastry dessert called, 'Tette delle monache. This translates to 'nun's boobs' and is a typical dessert from Puglia and Altamura. The name comes from the fact that these cupcakes remember the breast of a woman. They're made with “pan di spagna”, filled with cream and topped with icing sugar.
Markets:
It's a joy to visit local markets in Puglia, and each town has a specific day of the week on which they're held. It's a sensory delight just to see, smell and touch (sometimes) the unbelievable fruit and vegetables - and you'll find cost-effective and high quality fresh produce, cheese, olives, and bread for a picnic lunch.
Here's a list of weekly markets from Pugliese towns and what day they're held on:
Mondays:
Andria – Viale Gramsci (nearby Villa Comunale)
Vieste – Lungomare Europa
Lecce – Viale dello Stadio
Cisternino – Via Dante Alighieri and Regina Margherita
Tuesdays:
Monopoli – Piazza Falcone e Borsellino, Via Palmiro Togliatti, Via Benedetto Croce, ViaTrieste, Via Pisonio
Noci – Piazza G. Garibaldi
Wednesdays:
Otranto – Via Calamuri
Gallipoli – Via Vittorio Alfieri
Martina Franca – from Via Giulio Recupero to Piazza D’Angiò
Putignano – C.so Umberto I
Thursdays:
Alberobello – Food Market in Via Barsento + Objects Market in Largo Martellotta
Brindisi – Rione Sant’Elia
Porto Cesareo – Lungomare Ponente
Polignano a Mare – Via V.C. Basile
Fridays:
Locorotondo – Piazza Antonio Mitrano
Conversano – Via Turi nearby campo sportivo “Lorusso”
Saturdays:
Castellana Grotte – Piazza Garibaldi and Largo Porta Grande
Ostuni – Largo Onorevole Galizia
Sundays:
Savelletri – Lungomare Nazario Sauro
Top tip: if you can get to one, shop at a supermarket chain called 'Eurospin'. They're cheap and cheerful, but the quality of food and drink is still really good. Dok supermarkets are more expensive, and Famiglia probably isn't as good as either of the others.
Trattorias and osterias:
Avoid touristy restaurants in favour of local trattorias and osterias. These often serve primo piatto (first courses like pasta) for under €10. Typical travel blog advice might be to look out for daily menus or fixed-price meals for the best value.
Top tip: what I've found though is that in Puglia, and especially smaller towns off the tourist routes, like Ceglie Messapica and Carovigno, just ask for the antipasti. Here, you'll get seemingly unending small plates brought out without needing to make any choices. And usually, you'll be paying no more than 20 euro a person for this onslaught of food, including wine.
Budget travel guide to Puglia: more travel tips for budget travellers
Visit off-season:
Puglia is most crowded in summer. That doesn't mean that you can't have a great time - and actually, it's when the region really comes to life. But it also means that there are a lot more tourists there (including many Italians), and it's more crowded and expensive. So if you're visiting Puglia on a budget, then try visiting in the shoulder seasons (September, October, and April, May and June). That'll mean fewer crowds and lower prices for accommodation and flights.
Top tip: whenever you visit, you may need to make a table reservation at a restaurant - especially somewhere like Ostuni. I was surprised to have to make one at a great little place there - in March! However, sometimes you can take your chances and in less touristy towns like Ceglie Messapica, you can usually get a walk up table, especially if you eat early (i.e. before 8pm).
Local transportation:
Use regional trains and buses to get around. They are inexpensive and connect most towns. Apps like Rome2Rio can help you plan routes and find the cheapest transport options.
Top tip: if you're taking the train, then sometimes once you've got your paper ticket, you need to validate it at one of the little yellow boxes on the platform itself - before you get on the train. If you're taking the bus, then take some cash - and contactless card, as you never know what the driver will accept.
Book in advance:
It's pretty obvious that booking flights, trains, or accommodation in advance usually saves money. There's a theory that flights are best booked a certain period in advance: aim to book domestic flights one to two months ahead of time; international flights should be booked three to five months ahead of the trip. Sign up for fare alerts on websites like Skyscanner or Expedia to catch the best deals.
Top tip: in the UK, I've found that Money Saving Expert is my go to website for tips on how to save money on travel, car hire and insurance.
Language basics:
Learning a few basic Italian phrases can go a long way, especially in smaller towns where English is less commonly spoken. It also helps in haggling at markets or understanding local menus - and I think it's just good form to be able to show to local Pugliese that you care enough about their culture to understand at least a few words (like it is anywhere in the world).
I actually didn't learn any Italian for probably the first 5 to 6 visits, which soon became embarrassing - I was reliant on my friends there translating and doing everything for me. Ouch! (when it became clear how obsessed with Puglia I had become, then of course I started making effort to learn Italian!)
Top tip: don't bother with Duolingo, unless you're obsessed with how to say names of animals in Italian - in the real world, that's not of much use! Find 'Michel Thomas Method' online and do that instead - you'll instantly start learning how to speak and understand Italian, and not just vocabulary or learning by rote.
Buying your wine:
A final tip for visiting Puglia on a budget, and it concerns wine - of course. Buying wine in a restaurant is expensive, given that it's produced probably just around the corner. And you could be tempted to spend 10 euro on a bottle from a supermarket. Don't do that! Instead, there are little shops called 'enoteca' which get their wine from local suppliers by the vat (see the photo above). You can fill up one, 2.5 and five litre plastic containers of it, for less than 2 euro a litre. Unbelievable - you'll find it hard to not get carried away and buy way more than you can feasibly drink.
Why you should visit Puglia - on a budget!
Puglia offers an unforgettable Italian experience without the high costs often associated with popular destinations like Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. With affordable accommodations, plenty of free or low-cost activities, and delicious yet inexpensive food options, you can explore this beautiful region on a budget.
From the historic streets of Lecce to the whitewashed alleys of Ostuni, Puglia really does beckon you to discover its charms without breaking the bank. Happy travels!
Need a map of Puglia?
If you have data roaming on your phone, that's great. But if that's prohibitively expensive, then check out these suggestions of great road maps and travel guides for your budget trip to Puglia, to help you get around easily.
What next?
Read some of the other Puglia-related blogs on this site, below, or check out the 7-day Puglia holiday itinerary for visitors flying in and out of Bari.
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