Where to stay in Puglia for families

With plenty of beaches, charming towns and decent grub, Puglia is a great place for a family holiday. Finding somewhere suitable to stay in Puglia for families can be a tricky business. There are plenty of resorts and hotels along the coast but many of these lack character. In this article, I’ve picked out some of the smaller and more interesting places to stay in Puglia – farms and B&Bs which give visitors a real flavour of the region.

I have visited some of the properties detailed below (during my time as a travel agent specialising in Italy), the rest I have read about and researched but not visited. My suggestions are subjective so please ensure you do your own research too!

If you don’t know much about Puglia yet, check out my article about things to do and places to visit in Puglia with kids.

Note: I try to promote independent places to stay rather than big resort-style hotels or all inclusive properties.

This page may contain affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay.

Most of the places I have detailed here are inland, a short drive from the coast. Inland is where you’ll find the places with most character and charm, and where you’ll enjoy the best food.

Accommodation in Italy is at its most expensive in August. If you’re able to travel at the end of July with school age children or in June with pre-schoolers, you may save quite a bit of money.

First time to Italy? Check out my complete guide to Italy for families

Table of Contents

Where is the best place to stay in Puglia for families?

To understand Puglia, it’s helpful to think of it as having three distinct parts:

The Gargano Peninsula in the north of the region – rugged, mountainous and greener than the rest of Puglia. It has an incredible coastline but quite a few of the most impressive beaches are tricky to access – via steps or by boat so if you’re keen to explore the area properly it might suit families with slightly older children.

The central Valle d’Itria is famed for its attractive whitewashed towns and conical trulli houses. Much of the coastline here is rocky but with small sandy coves here and there. This is where you’ll find Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, plus many more lovely towns.

The Salento in the far south of the heel, is where you’ll find those postcard-perfect stretches of sand as well as impressive towns to visit such as Lecce, Otranto and Gallipoli.

Beach between cliffs at Polignano a Mare — Polignano a Mare

If you’re planning a family summer holiday in Puglia, you could spend two weeks in one place or perhaps enjoy a week in the north on the Gargano Peninsula and then a second week in either the Valle d’Itria or the Salento.

Another option is to enjoy a couple of nights in one of the cities such as Bari or Lecce before spending a week at the seaside. Matera (in neighbouring Basilicata) is another appealing town to add to the start of your trip. Matera is famed for its cave dwellings and, more recently, for a James Bond car chase in No Time to Die.

If you’re visiting outside of August, when the weather is a little cooler, I think it would be fun to do a road trip through Puglia so that you can explore the whole region.

Bear in mind that Puglia is a big place – it takes around two hours to drive from Bari to Lecce while Bari to Peschici (in the Gargano) is around three hours.

Map of family friendly places to stay in Puglia

Do you need a car in Puglia?

No, hiring a car is not essential but it does of course make travel easier. The train network in Puglia is pretty good but bear in mind that some towns – such as Ostuni – have their station away from the historical centre.

Where to stay in Puglia without a car

Single centre seaside holidays in Puglia without a car

Puglia, for many, is all about the beach. If you want to stay in one seaside base in Puglia without a car, I would recommend staying in Polignano a Mare, Otranto or Gallipoli. They all have a beach in the town and they’re connected by bus or train with other places of interest.

Exploring Puglia without a car

If you would like to visit two or three destinations during your holiday in Puglia, train and bus travel is fairly straight forward. Bari, Lecce and Gallipoli are a good combination offering a mixture of history, culture and beach. Bari to Gallipoli takes around three and a half hours by train including a change in Lecce so you could spend a few nights in each destination. The Puglia regional bus lines are also pretty good.

Puglia fly-drive ideas

Puglia is a big region – you could easily spend a two week holiday in one place – Otranto perhaps, exploring all the beaches and visiting some of the interesting inland towns such as Lecce and Gallipoli. However, if you fancy exploring the whole region, you could stay in a series of different places – I’d do an itinerary something like this:

Fly to Bari
4 nights in Vieste – perfect for boat trips to the Tremiti islands and trips into the interior
5 nights on a farm stay near Alberobello or Ostuni – a base for exploring the towns of the Valle d’Itria
5 nights near Otranto – there are some good beaches to the north and south
Fly back to the UK from Brindisi (or Bari, a longer drive)

Agriturismo – farm stays in Puglia for families

Puglia has lots of choice when it comes to holiday accommodation – luxury hotels and villas, seaside apartments, campsites, and so forth. And then there are the agriturismos. These are Italian farm stays and they are a great place for a family holiday.

Here are some of the reasons why I love agriturismos:

Some agriturismos offer apartment accommodation, ideal for larger families.
Farm stay accommodation often comes with a kitchenette so guests can cook their own food – handy if you want to keep costs down.
If you stay in an agriturismo which has a restaurant, you can expect incredible food. The best meals I’ve had in Italy have all been in agriturismos.
Farm stays often have a swimming pool and as there are not too many guests at an agriturismo, the pool is usually not too packed.

Historically, Puglia’s larger farming estates often had a fortified farmhouse – a masseria – at their centre and many of these have now been converted into hotels. Some masserias are luxurious, others can be quite basic. They tend to be inland but what you lack in proximity to the seaside, you make up for in having a historical and characterful setting, and usually some pretty good, locally produced, food (and wine).

Olive grove in Puglia with red earth and white stone wall — Puglia olive grove

Puglia farm stays are often on vast olive plantations – some of the region’s olive groves have stood there for centuries. The ancient gnarled trees are set against vivid red soil and a bright blue sky.

Family friendly places to stay on the Gargano Peninsula

There are lots of little agriturismo properties up in the hills in the interior of the Gargano. They look quite basic but from experience they are likely to offer great food and warm hospitality – as well as being good value. If you fancy spending a few days exploring the forested interior of the Gargano, I think a few nights at one of these properties would be great fun before heading to the coast.

Good for: off the beaten track exploration, outdoor pursuits including hiking, snorkelling, diving and boat trips – check out the Tremiti islands, Foresta Umbra, boat tours along the coast, snorkelling and diving
Towns to visit include: Vieste, Peschici, Vico del Gargano, Monte Sant’Angelo

Where to go in Puglia with kids, Gargano Peninsula — Gargano coast

Centro Vacanze Crovatico, near Vieste

Best for: self catering by the beach

This collection of villas and apartments seems like a great option for families looking for a seaside holiday in the Gargano. There’s a stretch of sandy beach in front of the property – I’ve heard that the sea can be a little rough at times but there’s also a swimming pool. Other facilities include a restaurant, tennis court and a children’s play area.

Centro Vacanze Crovatico is located around eight kilometres form the popular town of Vieste, on the north east coast of the peninsula.

Find out more about Centro Vacanze Crovatico

Agriturismo I Tesori del Sud, near Vieste

Best for: a family-friendly farm stay near Vieste

This family-run agriturismo is set in olive groves around five kilometres inland from Vieste. It’s ideal for families looking for something quieter than the beachfront holiday resorts which line much of the Puglia coast.

There are 18 apartments which share access to the swimming pool, bar and restaurant. There are a couple of small play areas for children.

Find out more about I Tesori del Sud Country House

B&B Casanita bed and breakfast and holiday homes, in Vieste

Best for: staying in the heart of Vieste

I really like the look of this little B&B in the old centre of Vieste. There are only double rooms here so it’s more suited to couples or families with older children who would like their own bedroom. However, there’s also a couple of houses rented out through the B&B which look really interesting. They would suit families looking for a characterful property in the town centre with easy access to restaurants and the harbour.

Find out more about B&B Casanita

Masseria Torre dei Preti, near Peschici

Best for: rural farm stay near Peschici

This agriturismo inland from Peschici is perfect for families who want a peaceful stay with a swimming pool and good local cuisine. You’re within easy reach of both the coast and the lush green interior of the Gargano.

Find out more about Masseria Torre dei Preti

Valle d’Itria family friendly accommodation

Good for: smaller beaches, white washed towns, trulli houses
Towns to visit: Bari, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Monopoli, Martina Franca, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni

Conical houses in Alberobello, things to see in Puglia with kids — Alberobello Puglia

Lama di Luna, near Castel del Monte

I reckon if you’ve had a busy run up to your family holiday and you need somewhere to unwind in the sun with good food, Lama di Luna should fit the bill. Located on the Murgia plateau rather than the Valle d’Itria, Lama di Luna is closer to the border with Basilicata than it is to Puglia’s Salento. Despite its remote location, the property is worth seeking out for its philosophy of staying in tune with nature – and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer.

Find out more about Lama di Luna

Borgo San Marco, near Fasano

I ate fantastic seafood at the Borgo San Marco but that’s not my reason for suggesting it here. The San Marco has a great pool for little children with a gently sloping entry point for toddlers to splash in. The main house features various two room suites – ideal for families who want a bit of space for adult and kids to spready out. There’s also a suite set apart from the rest in the olive groves – I thought this was less appealing.

It’s a short drive from the San Marco over to the coast. Monopoli is to the north, Ostuni to the south and Alberobello sits inland. The San Marco is located close to the more expensive (and less authentic) Borgo Egnazia and the luxury hotels Torre Coccaro and Torre Maiza.

Find out more about the Borgo San Marco

Albergo Diffuso, Monopoli

An albergo diffuso is a hotel spread across a town or village – rooms and apartments sitting alongside local homes. Is there still a place for this type of hotel with the advent of Airbnb? Well, if the price remains competitive and the hotel can offer a bit more – which in the case of this property, seems to be the case. The Albergo Diffuso in Monopoli has family suites with a kitchen and two bedrooms – the freedom of self catering with the assistance of a hotel.

Find out more about Albergo Diffuso in Monopoli

Agriturismo Masseria Torricella, near Alberobello

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Alberobello for families, this agriturismo looks like a great choice. Masseria Torricella offers a collection of affordable apartments and hotel rooms. There’s a shared pool and a restaurant so you have the best of both worlds – self catering and delicious meals in the restaurant should you prefer a night off cooking (and you don’t need to drive!).

Find out more about Agriturismo Masseria Torricella

Trulli Colarossa, near Alberobello

This collection of trulli houses gets really good reviews – the houses have been converted into a series of family-friendly units, sharing a pool, and just a couple of kilometres from Alberobello. The friendly owner helps with restaurant recommendations and day trip ideas – offering local tips to ensure visitors make the most of their stay.

The property has a swimming pool and delightful gardens to explore along with a little play area for children.

Find out more about Trulli Colarossa

Borgo d’Itria -Trulli Resort, near Fasano

This property looks perfect for families looking for a trulli hotel in Puglia. Some of the trulli units can sleep a family of four and feature a kitchenette – perfect if you’re looking to keep costs down. There’s a shared pool and a restaurant on site. The property sits just to the west of Fasano.

Find out more about Borgo d’Itria -Trulli Resort

Agriturismo Salinola, near Ostuni

On the border of the Itria valley and the Salento, there are two farm stay properties which go by the name – Salinola. Agriturismo Salinola da Fabio e Paola is the cheaper and more family friendly option while Masseria Salinola is the pricier option. Both get great reviews. Their immediate surroundings don’t sound particularly scenic but what they lack in scenery they more than make up for in hospitality and practical location.

Both properties offer the choice of hotel rooms and apartments, each farm has a pool and a restaurant. Given the central location in Puglia – you can access the Valle d’Itria and the Salento – I would be very tempted by either of these farm stays.

Find out more about Agriturismo Salinola da Fabio e Paola

Find out more about Masseria Salinola

Where to stay in the Salento with kids

Good for: sandy beaches, history, wine tasting
Towns to visit: Otranto, Lecce, Gallipoli, Nardo, Galatina

Baroque architecture in Lecce — Baroque Lecce

La Fattoria Agriturismo, near Otranto

This agriturismo attracts a lot of visitors to its restaurant as well as to its accommodation. There’s a choice here of hotel rooms or bungalows so you have the option to self-cater. As well as olives, there are various crops grown on the farm and plenty of animals to meet, it’s a very child-friendly environment.

La Fattoria has an inviting swimming pool but the coast is only a short drive away. Otranto is just two kilometres from the farm.

Find out more about La Fattoria Agriturismo

Podere Santa Chiara, near Otranto

This farm stay near Otranto looks perfect for families – there’s a collection of 16 apartments with a shared pool. Accommodation is booked on a bed and breakfast basis and there’s a restaurant on site if you don’t fancy rustling up a meal in your apartment.

Bikes are free to borrow at Podere Santa Chiara – the coast is only one kilometre away where you’ll find sandy beaches backed by forests.

Find out more about Podere Santa Chiara

Masseria Montelauro, near Otranto

Couples with a baby or families with one child (or the budget for two rooms) who are looking for a luxury hotel in Puglia should definitely consider this serene property near Otranto. The 29 rooms surround a garden where the pool is located. Everything is beautiful and calm (so if you’re coming with a baby, ensure it’s one of those quiet ones).

The Masseria Montelauro is just two kilometres from the coastal town of Otranto.

Find out more about the Masseria Montelauro

Where to stay in Matera with kids (Basilicata)

Matera is a popular location to combine with trips to Puglia. If you can find accommodation in a traditional cave dwelling, this is sure to be a hit with the kids.

Locanda di San Martino

This family-friendly hotel in Matera has rooms, suites and houses – some featuring rooms with vaulted ceilings, others are cave rooms and houses – ideal for a proper Matera experience. Some of the accommodation is part of the main hotel while other units are independent.

Find out more about Locanda di San Martino

L’Hotel in Pietra

There are some good value twin/double rooms at this hotel in Matera. Or if you’d rather all be in one unit, you can take one of the larger suites which sleep four guests. This property is in a great area, right in the heart of the old part of the city.

Find out more about L’Hotel in Pietra

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Have you stayed in Puglia? Let me know in the comments below if you found a great family-friendly place to stay.