In Puglia we embrace a slower pace of life. Il Dolce far niente (sweet idleness). It is part of our culture, reflected in all aspects of life and daily rituals. Think slow travel when planning your Puglia itinerary, for a mindful and restful stay in Puglia’s here and now.
Follow us on Instagram for video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your slow travel stay in Puglia.
Il Dolce far niente | Puglia Style
We are in Puglia. The sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot where time seems to stretch, and life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Here the philosophy of Il Dolce far niente is not merely an idea but a way of life. Embracing a slow travel ethos allows visitors to leave behind the noise of daily life and to actually experience our region’s landscapes, culture and people.
Besides, in the heat of a Salento summer the last thing anyone wants is to rush around.
Understanding Il Dolce far niente
Il Dolce far niente, literally meaning “sweet doing nothing”, isn’t about being lazy. Rather it celebrates being present in the moment. The mindfulness of enjoying life’s simple pleasures without the constant pressure of productivity. It’s not about switching off. Il dolce far niente means adopting a particular attitude, to switch on a different way of thinking, and appreciating.
In Puglia this translates to unhurried strolls through historic white-walled towns, leisurely meals that can stretch for hours, and idle afternoons spent basking under the Salento sun.
We get that driving around can be less than mindful, but be a smart tourist. Accept it and enjoy it as part of the Italian experience. After all, that’s our daily drive too.
Slow Travel | Mindful Moments in Puglia’s Timeless Towns
Puglia boasts a tapestry of towns where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Don’t let its art, history and architecture pass you by. Switch on, not off, to actively experience your surroundings.
Slow Travel | Ostuni Style
In the white city of Ostuni, perched atop a hill overlooking the Adriatic Sea, mornings are best spent on the piazza della Libertà watching the drama of daily life unfold. On any Italian piazza you’re both intimately part of town life and an onlooker. It’s a place of spectacle, information and ritual life that thrives on spontaneity. Meander through Ostuni’s labyrinthine alleys, discovering hidden cafés, and spend golden hour sipping an aperitivo while watching its glow fade over olive groves stretching to the Adriatic in the distance. Make a mental note of how it feels to be in the moment.
Slow Travel | Lecce Style
Further south, Lecce captivates with its baroque architecture. Let time slow as you explore its ornate churches. The facade of the Basilica Santa Croce took over 200 years to craft. Why would you want just want to selfie it and go? Take time. Touch it, stand under it, look up at it. Then stand back and appreciate its astonishing detail. Flowers, fruits, cherubs, mythical figures, animals and sculpted figures are all there to take in. If you need to, continue to the Piazzetta Chiesa Greca away from the crowds, for a mindful moment of tranquility to reflect on what you have just seen.
Slow Travel | Gallipoli Style
Salento sunsets are best enjoyed in Gallipoli. Here our lunch can easily melt into an aperitivo, while we decide on a place for dinner. A change of scenery gives us the chance to work up an appetite, before a glorious Gallipoli seafood dinner.
Culinary Delights: A Feast for the Senses
Puglia’s slow food movement is a testament to our region’s agricultural abundance and a dedication to tradition. Meals are unhurried affairs, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Start your day with a visit to a local bakery, where the aroma of freshly baked focaccia fills the air. Topped with ripe tomatoes, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil, it’s a simple yet satisfying treat.
For lunch, savour orecchiette pasta, shaped like little ears, simply served with a fresh tomato sauce. Pair it with a glass of Primitivo wine, whose robust flavour reflects our region’s rich soil.
As the afternoon unfolds, indulge in a gelato from a local gelateria. Flavours like fig, almond, and lemon offer a refreshing respite from the southern Italian sun.
Dinner is a leisurely event, often starting late in the evening. Graze over a plate of polpette. Dishes like grilled octopus, fresh from the Adriatic, or tiella, a baked casserole of rice, potatoes, and mussels, showcase the region’s culinary credentials. End your meal with a panna cotta, a literal manifestation of Puglia’s dolce vita.
Embracing Slow Travel | Daily Rituals
In Puglia, the rhythm of life is dictated by nature and tradition rather than the clock.
It’s unlikely that you’ll see a local grab a coffee on the go. There’s always time to have a coffee at the bar for a catch-up.
Early afternoons are reserved for la pausa, the southern Italian siesta, where businesses close, and the streets grow quiet. This pause in the day allows residents and visitors alike to rest, reflect, and recharge.
Vuoi fare una passeggiata con me?
The evening passeggiata is a leisurely walk, but it holds much deeper significance as a social and cultural practice. This stroll is not rushed or focused on reaching a destination; instead, it is about savouring the moment, seeing and being seen, meeting others, and engaging in easy conversation.
Practical Tips for Embracing Il Dolce far niente in Puglia
- Travel Off-Season: Visiting during spring or autumn offers milder weather and fewer tourists, enhancing Puglia’s tranquil ambiance.
- Stay in Traditional Accommodation: Opt for a stay in a masseria, a traditional farmhouse, to experience authentic Puglia hospitality.
- Limit Your Itinerary: Resist the urge to over-schedule. Allow time for spontaneous adventures and unplanned moments of relaxation.
- Limit Accommodation Changes: A central base allows for smart itinerary planning and less time packing, unpacking, changing accommodation and managing check-in and check-out times.
- Engage with Locals: Italians love to chat. Learn a few Italian phrases, participate in local events like a pizzica evening or a sagra food festival. Be part of the culture to deepen your experience.
- Disconnect to Reconnect: Consider limiting digital distractions to fully immerse yourself in the present moment and the surrounding beauty.
Embracing Il Dolce far niente is an invitation to slow down, savour Puglia’s simple pleasures, and connect deeply with a region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. By adopting this leisurely approach, you’ll experience authentic Puglia and connect with our way of life.
Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
We are two fit 70 year olds and plan to arrive in Bari mid October for 2 weeks. We will rent and return a car to Bari. We would like two or three bases in order to spend three or four days in or visiting Matera Alborobello, Lecce Carovigno and Taranto amoung other places and then travelling back to Bari up the coastal route. We want to take back roads and include a drive to Potenza because of the beautiful mountainous driving (for my husband who loves driving) ! We are more interested in local culture history ,cuisine and countryside than beaches. We are not sure where to base ourselves or if the diversion to Potenza is a good idea . We love your site with so much great information! We plan to take a walking tour each time we reach our base and really prefer to stay 3 or four nights in places .Any suggestions for a route would be gratefully received.
Ciao Andrea
1. October is the end of our shoulder season. At this time of year there will be milder weather and fewer crowds wherever you go. At this time of year we would suggest Ostuni over nearby neighbour Carovigno as a base: Carovigno is our suggestion for Ostuni when Ostuni is crowded. But in October Ostuni won’t be like that and you might find Carovigno too quiet, just in case you are thinking of staying thereabouts.
2. Having just returned from Alberobello, we feel even more underwhelmed by it, by the crowds and by its overly tourist approach. It’s a must visit destination, but for us a couple of hours are sufficient. However we were with a friend, a former professor who found the density of Alberobello’s trulli fascinating and was thrilled by it. Whether you choose it as a base we must leave to you. Many suggest that when the crowds go of an evening (we are never entirely sure that they do) it’s a magical place. But you can find beautiful trulli in the countryside, especially around Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino.
3. From Matera to Potenza is only just over an hour. The countryside is stunning and the only Puglia alternative we could suggest is Gargano for that type of drive. But that’s even more of a diversion from your itinerary as told to us (from Bari it takes us over 2 hours to drive to Vieste). We are not Basilicata experts. It’s out of our self remit, though we do cover Matera in detail. We just drove from Ostuni to Matera cross country, which was more interesting than the toll road and highway. We visited Pisticci a little while back and enjoyed the driving. So If you are pulled to Potenza, go for it. You probably wont regret going, but just might regret not taking the chance when you are so nearby.
There’s a Netflix drama “Per Elisa – Il caso Claps” set in Potenza with lots of drone footage that shows the city off. The drama starts well, but after about 3 episodes it seems to have run out of budget. But those first few episodes will give you a feel of the place and its surrounding countryside (You can get it on RaiPlayer free of charge).
4. In terms of route Bari – Matera – Potenza – Matera – Alberobello – Ostuni – Taranto – Lecce.
Try to spend a half day I’m Bari, with lunch in the old town, at the start or end of your trip, but if that’s troublesome you can use Matera as a base for a half-day trip to Bari. It’s an easy drive and interesting to see the landscape change. Matera makes a natural base for a day trip to Potenza, and we don’t think too much of a diversion.
Then from Matera choose the more scenic drive to Alberobello cross country. You have our thoughts on Alberobello as a base. But you might really appreciate it. Ostuni is not too far and although we take it for granted – it’s where we are based – we forget how many people find it special and rather unique as Italian cities go. It’s very central for exploring the Valle d’Itria, and an easy hop to Carovigno. Repeating ourselves, Carovigno punches above its weight, but come October we’d suggest Ostuni as a base instead of Carovigno.
5. So happy to hear you choose Taranto. Be sure to stay in the old town. When you are there take a trip to nearby Grottaglie (or stop off there on your way from Ostuni to Taranto if that’s easier). The ceramic workshops are amazing, as is its beautiful old town centre and there’s a great restaurant Machiaviva Bistrot.
6. From Taranto to Lecce, or from Lecce back to Bari consider breaking the journey up in Brindisi. Especially if you are interested in history (between them Brindisi and Taranto are packed with historical significance). Once the centre of the Mediterranean, Brindisi was the port where the crusaders set off from and the capital city of Italy (not Rome) for part of WW2. Julius Caesar and Augustus C both had important campaigns here that were pivotal in creating the Roman Empire. The drive from Lecce to Bari is highway all the way, our main artery and will be lacking the tourist traffic. Also consider stopping off on the drive back to Bari at Polignano a Mare for the iconic views from the bridge and balconies.
Hope that gives you a little more focus. Sorry if it sounds too much like the info you may have already found in our guides, but we do write them to be as full and informative as possible.
Buone vacanze.
LuigiM.