Best hotels in Puglia

Right on Puglia's Adriatic coast, near the fishing village of Savelletri, is the dreamily beautiful Borgo Egnazia. Built by the Melpignano family from scratch to resemble a traditional Puglian village, the hotel opened in 2010, and is all flawless tufo limestone, hidden pools and blooms of rosemary and jasmine around every corner. There are of course, some spectacular added extras too, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa rooted in ancient Puglian wellness traditions, an 18-hole championship golf course and two private beaches. It's big (183 rooms across three different areas), but the winding alleyways, candlelit corridors and bougainvillea-draped piazzas make it feel surprisingly intimate.

In the countryside beyond Fasano, where silvery olive trees stretch toward the horizon, sits this exquisitely renovated 16th-century masseria. The thoughtful redesign by Olga Polizzi brings together cool stone floors and whitewashed walls with chic contemporary elements, creating an atmosphere that feels both authentically Pugliese and utterly luxurious. The property's historical character provides the perfect backdrop for leisurely afternoons by the pool or romantic sunset cocktails on the rooftop, while the surrounding countryside beckons with opportunities for golf, hiking or horseback riding. When the Adriatic calls, a short shuttle whisks you to the private beach club for a day of Mediterranean bliss.

Masseria San Domenico retains all the architectural features of an ancient fortified farmhouse, with large spaces featuring star-shaped vaults. The main core of Masseria San Domenico dates back to the 15th century and consists of a watchtower belonging to the Knights of Malta. Guests have access to a spectacular saltwater swimming pool surrounded by natural rocks, a modern thalassotherapy center, two tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course.

Furnirussi Tenuta sits at the heart of Europe's largest organic fig plantation — 4,500 trees across 20 hectares of Salento countryside, 12km inland from Otranto. The De Santis family built it from bare land in 2006, and the result is unusually distinctive for the region: clean-lined, minimal and contemporary, where most masseria peers go rustic.

Twenty-nine suites open onto private courtyards or panoramic terraces. There's a lake-shaped 1,000sqm bio-pool, a rock-cut hammam, and a kitchen working straight from the farm next door.

In the sun-soaked embrace of Puglia's countryside, this 16th-century fortified farmhouse now offers a sublime escape that epitomizes the region's understated charm. Originally built as part of a defensive line against Saracen invasions, the whitewashed tower now stands as a testament to centuries gone by, complete with an ancient pigeon tower once used for wartime communication.

Discover the magic of staying among the trulli and cummerse, the characteristic dwellings of the Itria Valley, built from local stone using ancient techniques passed down through the generations. Immerse yourself in the silence of the Apulian countryside and let yourself be transported by the authentic atmosphere of these places where time seems to have stood still.