Once the Christmas season starts, most people probably dream about the magical European Christmas Markets, the ones that are in Germany, France, and the UK. However, no one talks about an absolute hidden gem of Christmas vibes that is found in Southern Italy, in the Puglia Region. In this guide, I am sharing the top places to visit in the region for an unforgettable Christmas in Puglia alongside a guide to plan your travels for the next winter holidays season.
But first… Where is Puglia?
Puglia is a big region located in Southeast Italy, the heel of Italy’s map, Puglia is over 400km in length and is rich in historical towns, olive tree groves, and the prettiest beaches probably in entire Europe!
How to get to Puglia?
Puglia region has 2 main international airports, Bari and Brindisi airports connect this region with the entire Italy domestically and internationally.
Also, you can reach Puglia by train from the main cities of Italy, such as Rome, Milan, and Venice, but be warned the train journey can be long with overnight sleeper trains.
Insider Tip: Renting a car from the airport rental car agencies is highly recommended when visiting Puglia. Bus rides can be long with unreliable schedules, plus the train stations are usually 2-5 km away from town centres. Puglia is mostly flat and easy to drive with no traffic.
Visiting Puglia During the Festive Season
Puglia is a very popular destination to visit during the summer season, due to the beautiful sandy beaches and agritourism stays between the olive tree farms and Trulli houses.
But if you want to explore Puglia during the festive season and experience the true essence of Christmas in Puglia, visit in December, when Puglia wears its magical lights with Pugliese flavour.
Insider Tip: The weather in Puglia during the winter months December – March, is usually in the mid-teens and sunny during the day but at night the temperatures drop significantly and become very cold. Therefore, pack warm clothes for those chilly nights alongside your flats!
When Christmas Markets Start in Puglia
Christmas markets in Puglia start after the 8th of December when the entire Puglia is dressed up in lights and ready to kick off the celebrations of Christmas and New Year.
Insider Tip: It is worth mentioning, that Puglia Christmas Markets aren’t as big as Northern European Christmas Markets. It is more of displaying lights and charming Christmas decorations with Christmas events packed during the weekends at the main squares of the towns (Piazza), ski rinks are also common in Puglia during Christmas!
Top 5 Towns to Visit in Puglia During Christmas
#1: Locorotondo Christmas Market
Locorotondo, is the Christmas Crown Jewel town of Puglia. This tiny rounded-shaped town takes Christmas very seriously and its residents decorate their homes and establishments with the brightest lights and beautiful decorations.
It can feel like there is a serious Christmas Decoration Competition taking place in this cartoon-like town!
Why Locorotondo is Famous During Christmas
Locorotondo is the ultimate Christmas destination for Pugliese people, as it is famous for its cobbled streets with white conical-roofed houses that sit on top of a small hill shaped like a circle.
When Christmas arrives, Locorotondo turns into this fairytale town illuminated with thousands of Christmas lights, making wandering in the narrow alleys and dining in the cute small Osterias a very magical experience.
Things to Do in Locorotondo During Christmas
- Dining in cute and small restaurants in the city centre, my top picks for authentic restaurants for Pugliese foods are:
- Ristorante Osteria Il Rosone
- Goodo Ristorante
- Osteria Piatti Chiari
- Anima Ristorante
- Wandering through the small, cobbled streets, pausing, looking up, and taking Instagram-worthy photos during the daylight and during the night. The Christmas decorations look very different between day and night.
- Munching on freshly coal-roasted chestnuts from the street sellers during those chilly December nights.
Fun Fact: did I mention that Puglia is one of the main Chestnut producers in Italy and the world? Italy is the third main producer of Chestnuts in the world, therefore, do not miss the tasty and fulfilling chestnuts when visiting Puglia in Christmas.
Top Places to Stay in Locorotondo
- Albergo Diffuso Sotto Le Cummerse
- Youse – Your House in Locorotondo
- I trulli di Nonno Battista
#2: Alberobello the Trulli Town
Less than a 10-minute drive from Locorotondo, you will arrive at the UNESCO heritage town of Alberobello, the hometown of the Trulli houses (cone-shaped roofs on top of the rounded white structure).
Alberobello During Christmas
Like Locorotondo, Alberobello turns into an extra magical cute town during Christmas, you will feel it is a cute Smurf-like town celebrating a cutesy Christmas.
Things to Do in Alberobello during Christmas
- Dine at L’Aratro restaurant which is located inside one of the Trulli structures. Chef Domenico will come personally to greet his restaurant guests and he will recommend his signature freshly made dishes from Alberobello.
- Enjoy a Pasta Experience at Sine Pasta Experience. At Sine, they prepare fresh pasta that is paired with premium wines. Try their tasting menu for an ultimate gastronomy experience.
- Rent ski skaters and skate in the ice rink located between the small Christmas Market huts at the top of the town.
- Take an Aperitivo time at the main Alberobello Piazza (Aperitivo is the time when Italians gather with friends after lunch and before dinner for light snacks and wine time).
- Shop for unique Christmas gifts that are handmade in Alberobello, from handmade linens and jewellery, extra virgin olive oils, local wines, and Pugliese treats and pasta.
Best Places to Stay in Alberobello
- Soave Relax & Wellness
- Le Alcove – Luxury Hotel nei Trulli
- EnjoyTrulli – Unesco Site
#3: Bari the Capital City of Puglia
Bari the capital of Puglia region is located at the coast of the Adriatic Seaside. Bari’s city centre is historic and holds one of the most important Cathedrals in the region called Basilica San Nicola.
Basilica San Nicola is significant because it is a cathedral that welcomes the two faith branches of Christianity, the Catholic and Orthodox.
Bari During Christmas
During Christmas, Bari is the main Puglia hub for Christmas, usually during the first 10 days of December every year, Bari wears Christmas decorations and it houses the biggest Christmas Tree in the region which is placed at the entrance of the historic city centre.
Things to Do in Bari during Christmas
- Site seeing the historic centre of Bari. Many tour operators offer either a guided walking tour or exploring the historic parts of Bari by bike. This is the best and most efficient way to discover Bari’s main attractions and indulge in local bites of fresh cheeses and wines.
- Attending a Pasta-making class, making the traditional Orecchiette Pasta made from flour and water only and shaped like a small ear.
- Joining a food walking tour exploring the delights of Bari from Polenta (corn dough fried), Panzerotti (Fried stuffed pizza with Mozzarella and Tomatoes), Cold Cuts, Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, and Artisanal Gelato.
- During your walks in Bari’s city centre, you will come across the famous ladies making fresh Orecchiette Pasta in the cobbled streets of Bari, you can buy pasta directly from them.
- Visit Polignano a Mare, a picturesque cliff seaside town 30-minute drive from Bari, and enjoy an aperitivo at Café Acquamarea while watching the sun setting behind the dramatic cliffs and strolling in the narrow streets for stunning Christmas decorations and illumination displays.
Top Places to Stay in Bari
- Bra Hotel – 5 stars Hotel at the heart of Bari
- Suite Torre Arcobasso
- B&B Murex
#4: Altamura the City of Bread – Citta del Pane
One of the true hidden gem cities in Puglia that attracts locals is Altamura, which its name means the highland and as it described, Altamura is one of the high hills that border the Puglia region from the West.
Altamura is around 1 hour drive from Bari and once you are at the gates of the city, you will be welcomed by a sign that says “Benvenuti Altamura, Citta del Pane” which translates into Welcome to Altamura the city of the Bread!
Altamura During Christmas
The heart of Altamura is historic and was built in 1200. During Christmas, Altamura city centre is wrapped in the smell of the fresh bread that is coming from its historic bakeries, which gives Christmas a tasty flavour of history!
Inside Tip: To enjoy Altamura’s visit, it is recommended to sleep 1 or 2 nights or to visit the city after 18:00 if you are visiting for a day. During the time between 12:00 – 18:00 the whole town takes a break and all shops are closed, you would think you landed in a ghost town!
Things to do in Altamura during Christmas
- A visit to Altamura wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its famous 2 ancient bakeries that have been operating since 1391 and 1423 respectively, Forno Santa Catarina and Forno Antico Santa Chiara Dal 1423.
Both bakeries are close to each other, and I strongly recommend trying their fresh Focaccia and the Altamura Bread and perhaps booking the Bread Making Experience at Forno Santa Catarina for an ultimate gastronomical Christmas experience!
- Wander in the narrow historic cobbled alleys of Altamura during the night and visit one of the smallest Arches in Europe, called Arco Basso which was constructed in the 19th century and stands at 140 cm in height. It is a fun experience to get through the Arch, be warned you must bend to pass through!
- Stay in an old Palace, Malandri, in the city centre and get ready to be transported back into the 16th century. It is a B&B where they bake fresh goods every morning for a heavenly breakfast.
In the evening, indulge in their basement wine bar for an authentic Altamuran wine experience.
- Visit the third oldest inhabitant city in the world, which is less than a 15-minute drive from Altamura. Visit the UNESCO listed city, Matera where the Sassi Di Matera is built inside the cliff’s caves.
#5: Lecce the Baroque City
Lecce, the Baroque city, the Florence of the South, is in the south of Puglia, around a 2-hour drive from Bari to the province of Salento.
Lecce’s location is ideal in South Puglia 25-minute drive to the East of Lecce, you will arrive at the Adriatic Sea and 25 minutes to the West of Lecce you will find the Ionian Sea.
Lecce During Christmas
Lecce is ready to celebrate Christmas usually after the 8th of December when Piazza Sant’Oronzo hosts the biggest Christmas tree in town and the small local goodies Christmas Market.
Lecce is the perfect base for your Christmas visit to Puglia because Lecce is surrounded by many picturesque small towns that have unique Christmas decorations and events.
Things to Do in Lecce During Christmas
- Strolling at the historic city of Lecce, walking between the 3 gates of the city, Porta Rudie, Porta San Biagio, Porta Napoli. Lecce has 3 main Piazza’s, the biggest one is Piazza Sant’Oronzo where you will find the Christmas market, the next one is Piazza il Duomo and the third and smallest one is Piazzetta Gabriele Riccardi.
- Explore the many cathedrals inside the city, top cathedrals to visit at Lecce City Centre:
- Chiesa di San Matteo
- Chiesa di Santa Chiara
- Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Assunta e Sant’Oronzo
- Basilica di Santa Croce
- Visit the Roman Amphitheatre where they hold a beautiful display of the Virgin Mary and Jesus when he was born inside the historic theatre.
- Visit Piazza Mazzini and shop from the local boutiques around the Piazza. At the Piazza, you will find another Christmas market with a small ice rink to skate!
- Visit the nearby towns to explore their city centres Christmas decorations and special events, such as:
- Ruffano which was very famous during 2024 Christmas due to the magical light displays that is competing with Locorotondo.
- Ugento which has a famous castle called “Castello di Ugento”, is a very cute small town.
- Corigliano d’Otranto has a castle named Castello Volante where they host 2 two-day Christmas market events inside the castle, where you will find authentic local artists selling unique pieces and gifts. Follow their Instagram page for the exact dates of the events.
- Otranto is the coastal city at the Adriatic Sea where the first sunrise of the year in Italy starts at the shores of Otranto. On the eve of 31st December of every year, Otranto hosts the biggest music show in Puglia that starts after 21:00 and lasts until the sunrise of the first day of the new year.
It is free to attend this event, and usually, local top artists perform into the early hours of January 1st, just make sure to arrive early to reserve the best spot!
Top Places to Stay in Lecce
Final Word… Is it Worth Visiting Puglia During Christmas?
It might not be your first choice of Christmas destination, and it may not have the famous German food stalls or markets. But the decorations and the vibes are on another level and offer a different yet magical experience.
If you enjoy spending a quieter Christmas without losing the Christmas vibes, then Puglia is your ultimate Christmas destination. After all, Puglia is rich with history, scenery, beaches, dramatic cliffs, olive groves, fresh foods from the farm to the table, and of course the warmth of the Southern Italian Hearts!
Ruba is a travel blogger in her forties. She is originally from the Middle East and married an Italian and in 2024 she moved to fulfil her dream of living La Dolce Vita in Italy. Passionate about authentic cultures, hidden gems, and the sun and sea, Ruba is sharing her travel guides and tips on her travel blog www.travelwithruba.com
To explore more of Puglia, you are welcome to visit her blog on:
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