Right down on the ‘heel of the boot’, Apulia is one of the most gorgeous regions of southern Italy – no wonder it’s so popular among expats. Its wonderful nature, the azure sea and balmy sunshine year-round are all tempting factors. But if you need a little more convincing, here are our top reasons to ‘go south (not west), young man’!
1. Some of Europe’s most unusual houses
Apulia is home to some of Europe’s most unusual houses. Perhaps you’re familiar already the Trulli, those white roundhouses that look like they’ve come out of a fairytale. Not an invention of fiction, but a real type of house in this region and, while rare, perhaps more popular among expats than locals, who think we’re utterly barmy picking them over a modern flat! These charming homes have bags of character and are really quite unique throughout Europe.
Trulli houses are some of the most unique in Apulia, if not Europe.
2. Eminently affordable property
A home in this gem of a region could be expensive, you might think. Well, you’ll be delighted to know that that’s not exactly true. In fact, Apulia has an average property price of just €1,334/m2. That’s almost €1,000 less than Tuscany or Lazio. And you can even get even better deals by going south in Apulia itself. Once past Lecce, you’ll find the average property price drops by another €200 to €1,140. On the other hand, head up to fashionable Bari, the regional capital, and you would pay around €1,500/m2.
3. A rich and storied past
Apulia may look isolated on the map, but don’t forget its position surrounded by the Mediterranean on three sides. The Ancient Greeks set up a colony here during the Mycaenean times, the Holy Roman Emperor built a number of castles around here and then the Kingdom of Naples arrived in the 13th century. The whole area is packed with archaeological sites and ruins – perfect for exploring on a lazy weekend.
4. Delicious cuisine
Wholesome and hearty, Apulian cuisine is not to be missed. Although there’s less emphasis on meat, beyond lamb and goat – local climate and livestock rearing conditions are like in nearby Greece – the seafood is utterly superb, as are the vegetables. Local specialities include orecchiette with mussels and a very traditional sauce of broccoli rabe. Great cheese, like canestrato, are also worth tasting. Don’t miss pampanella, traditionally wrapped in fig leaves (which impart it some of their flavour). Finally, the region has the perfect climate for olives, and 40% of Italian olive oil comes directly from Apulia.
5. Gorgeous countryside
Apulia sits just 45 miles away from Greece, so its no surprise that its landscape resembles its neighbour. In fact, as historian David Gilmour put it, during the time of the Kingdom of Italy, Apulia was closer to 12 foreign capitals than the then-capital of Turin. The pine-forested hills and plains scorched in the summer are a joy to explore, especially out of season when the tourists have gone home – and you have it to yourself as your secret. If you’re going for a Sunday drive, don’t miss the main plain, the ‘Table of the Pulias’ (Tavolo delle Puglie), with its rich agricultural landscape.
6. Ample leisure opportunities
The beach of Pizzomunno
With the Ionian and the Adriatic lapping its shores, there is a wide selection of sandy beaches to choose from. For really long, golden strands, Ginosa in central Apulia is a strong contender, as are Pescoluse and Baia dei Turchi in the south. There are lovely coves to explores in places like Baia delle Zagare in the north.
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