While other parts of Italy, like Campania and Tuscany, are popular holiday hotspots, those looking to skip the tourist crowds should head to Puglia, Italy's southern region known for its spectacular natural beauty and charming towns and cities. It offers an authentic Italian experience where you can spend long days admiring the splendid architecture, lounging on the beach or driving through verdant countryside. In this guide to where to stay in Puglia, the travel experts at Plum Guide will take you on a whistle-stop tour of the region to explore some of the best areas to stay. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip or a solo retreat, Puglia has something for everyone.

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If you want to be at the heart of the action, there's no better place to stay than Puglia's capital city of Bari. This vibrant city has a little bit of everything, from history and culture to food and coastal scenery. The Old Town, also known as Bari Vecchia, is the best place to start your explorations. Situated on a peninsula, this maze of narrow streets and alleys is surrounded by ancient walls, and you'll find many historic buildings, such as the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola and the Cattedrale di San Sabino. The Old Town is known for its vibrant street life, which is particularly lively during the evenings. Head down Via Arco Basso, nicknamed 'the street of orecchiette'. Here you can watch local women mould pasta into little ear shapes – don't forget to pick up a couple of bags to take home.

Head down to the beach to cool off when the sun gets too warm. There are several beautiful beaches in and around Bari, some of our favourites being Pane e Pomodoro and Spiaggia di Torre a Mare. In the evening, Piazza del Ferrarese is a great spot to grab a drink and people-watch. Alternatively, stroll down the promenade for a sundowner at one of the seafront bars.

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Just a quick drive along the coast from Bari is Polignano a Mare. Those wondering where to stay in Puglia for a relaxing seaside holiday will love this picturesque town perched on the cliffs above the sparkling Adriatic Sea. It's known for its selection of stunning beaches, including the famous Lama Monachile. Surrounded by rocky cliffs, this tiny cove is home to dazzling blue waters that lure you in. Thrill-seekers can even try out cliff jumping, one of the activities the town is known for. Each year, Polignano a Mare hosts the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, which takes place in the town's harbour. This highly anticipated event attracts locals and tourists alike and isn't one to miss.

While many visitors only come for a day trip, we think it's worth staying a little longer to enjoy the town once the tourists have left. Wander through the ancient streets, past whitewashed houses dripping in colourful blooms. Enjoy a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II before discovering landmarks such as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Castello di Carlo V. Celebrating a special occasion? The Grotta Palazzese is a fantastic restaurant located in a natural cave overlooking the sea – romantic dinners don't get better than this.

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Located in the Salento peninsula, Otranto is the country's most easterly city. Overlooking the Strait of Otranto, where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea, Otranto is a beautiful place to visit with a good combination of history, architecture and beaches. Throughout history, this city has been invaded by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Ottomans, and you'll spot remnants of the past wherever you look. There are enough landmarks and attractions to keep you busy for hours, with some highlights including the 11th-century Cathedral of Otranto with its magnificent mosaic floor and eerie skull collection and the 15th-century Castle of Otranto, which looks out to sea.

When you need a break from sightseeing, grab your beach bag and head to the many surrounding beaches. Baia dei Turchi is a picturesque cove with sparkling blue waters backed by pine trees. The area around Otranto is also home to several nature reserves, including the Alimini Lakes. Enclosed by beaches and pine forests, these lakes are great for swimming, windsurfing, canoeing, hiking and cycling.

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Searching for somewhere unique to stay in Puglia? The Itria Valley is one of the region's highlights, a delightful valley with verdant olive groves, gently rolling hills and neat rows of vineyards. It's characterised by whitewashed towns, one of the most famous being Alberobello. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where you can find the only entire town of trulli in Puglia, fairytale-like traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs which date back to the 16th century.

For more storybook surroundings, take a scenic drive to Locorotondo. Perched atop a hill with 360 views of the surrounding coast and valley, this town will give you a taste of the slow life as you stroll unhurriedly through the peaceful streets, dipping into charming shopfronts and cafes.

Ostuni is one of the most spectacular towns in the Itria Valley. Nicknamed the 'White City', the town's whitewashed buildings seemingly tumble down the hillside. Stroll along the ancient walls or pop into the Saturday markets to browse the selection of local produce and crafts. At the top of the town sits the 15th-century cathedral, a grandiose building combining Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements. As you can imagine, the views here are second to none, especially at sunset when the whole town is lit in a golden glow.

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Attention all architecture lovers: if there's only one place you visit in Puglia, make sure it's Lecce. Nicknamed 'The Florence of the South', this city is home to a striking collection of Baroque architecture. Take a walk through the city, and you'll come across stunning buildings featuring ornate carvings, intricate details and elaborate decorations. Notable landmarks include the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Piazza del Duomo and the Palazzo dei Celestini.

Those interested in art and culture will be pleased to hear that Lecce's artistic and cultural heritage dates back several centuries, with fascinating museums, art galleries and cultural institutions such as the Museo Civico, the Pinacoteca di Palazzo Taurino and the Faggiano Museum.

If the buildings and artwork have inspired you, why not take a piece of Lecce home with you? The city is a shopper's paradise with many boutiques, artisanal shops and markets where you can pick up everything from handmade ceramics and jewellery to traditional clothing and textiles. Bargains bagged, end the day at one of the many lovely squares around the city. One of our favourites is the shaded Villa Comunale di Lecce, a romantic garden with fountains, ponds and monuments.

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With its gorgeous seaside setting, it is no surprise that Santa Maria di Leuca was once a popular resort for the well-to-do Pugliese. Leuca's sandy bays, like Felloniche, Posto Vecchio, Torre Vado and Pescoluse, provide plenty of opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, so if all you're searching for is a relaxing beach getaway, then this is the place for it. To switch things up, you can even take a boat trip out to admire the coastline from the water. All along the coast are sea caves like the Cave of the Three Doors, the Devil's Cave and the Lovers Cave, each steeped in legends and myths. Snorkelling into these caves is a unique experience to see colourful underwater life.

Like much of Puglia, Leuca is known for its exquisite food and wine. Make the most of your coastal location by sampling fresh seafood – local eateries offer a variety of dishes made with fish and seafood, such as grilled octopus, pasta with clams or mussels and fried calamari. Walk it off with a sunset stroll along the seafront to Leuca's lighthouse, which stands 47 metres into the sky. The views from up here are unbeatable, so don't forget your camera.

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Meaning 'beautiful city', Gallipoli certainly lives up to its name. Once a strategic port for maritime trade, the city is now a seaside holiday destination for Italian families. Its Old Town is in fact an island connected to the mainland via a bridge. As you cross over, you enter an ancient labyrinth of streets lined with magnificent palaces and old churches like the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, an ornate Baroque building which is just as breathtaking on the inside as its facade. The Old Town's defining feature, however, is its 13th-century fortified castle. Surrounded by the sea on almost all sides (you can climb up to the top of the towers for panoramic views), the castle has been converted into a cultural centre which hosts interesting exhibits throughout the year.

Sightseeing done, it's time to relax on the stunning beaches that the south of Italy is known for. Stretching to the north and the south of Gallipoli, the coastline is formed by a series of wide sandy beaches and blue waters. The most popular options include Baia Verde, Punta della Suina and Lido San Giovanni, all of which offer a range of facilities and services for the perfect beach day.

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Those looking to spend time in nature should stay in the beautiful and diverse region of Gargano. This largely overlooked part of Puglia is set on a peninsula that juts into the Adriatic Sea. At 120,000 hectares, the Gargano National Park covers most of the area, including forests, mountains, lakes and coastline. There are many ways to explore this magical place, from hiking and cycling to horseback riding and rock climbing. On the coast, make the most of your surroundings with activities like windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing and kayaking. Just feel like chilling out? Pristine beaches like Spiaggia di Vignanotica and Baia delle Zagare boast crystalline waters and fascinating rock formations. For a fun day out, hire a boat and sail to the Tremiti Islands, where you'll come across secluded beaches surrounded by lush vegetation.

Elsewhere in the Gargano are quaint little villages and towns home to pretty churches, palaces and castles. Some of the most scenic places include Vieste, Monte Sant'Angelo and Peschici, with narrow winding streets and panoramic views.

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