Why is Puglia so popular in 2025?

Puglia is the stylish and sunny alternative to Tuscany: rawer, more original and less touristy. But with Chanel and a Four Seasons on the way, that raw edge is disappearing, though. So go now, while you still can

Where should you be if you want high-end shopping in Ostuni?

At Malibù Concept Store. Just outside the city centre, with brands like Dries van Noten, MaxMara and Paris Texas. Pro-tip: pool your dressing money from a few months and go wild

Where to get the best coffee and cornetti in Ostuni?

At Gran Bar on Via Papa Giovanni XXIII. Don't expect cuddle service, but do expect heavenly cornetti (tip: order them ‘da portare via’ in a nice box) and espresso freddo the way you're supposed to drink it in Italy: al banco.

What is the ultimate tip for a seafood lover?

Nautilus. A fishing heaven including raw prawns and the possibility of having a fishing boat with oysters come to your holiday home. Yes, you read that right.

What is a hidden gem outside Ostuni?

Ceglie Messapica. Less touristy, more authentically Italian. Order blind from the menu at Vox Populi on the rooftop terrace and you're guaranteed to be right.

Travel

To Puglia: 5 secret must-see addresses

By May-Britt Mobach | #!30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:004630#30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202530 01am30am-30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:005Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam2025302025Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200005006amSunday=9#!30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam6#06-01-2025#!30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:004630#/30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:00-5Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202530#!30Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:46 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam6#

Puglia 2025 is high on many holiday lists. The heel of Italy has grown at Verstappenian pace to become the stylish and sunny alternative to Tuscany. I always call Puglia advanced Italy because it is a bit more raw and less raked than Tuscany. But I heard from a real estate agent friend of mine that Chanel is already scouting for a property there and a Four Seasons is under construction so that rawness is fast disappearing. Puglia has charming white towns, lovely beach clubs and if you love fresh fish, you'll never want to leave here. I've been coming here for 12 years so feel quite the right person to share some personal finds with you. D

1. Malibù Concept Store - Designer deals outside the city centre

Via Mons. G. Palma 67, Ostuni
If Anna dello Russo comes there to shop, you're in the right place. Malibu really needs to be known because the average tourist won't come to this neighbourhood because it's just outside the city centre. Shopping has never been so stylish. You will find something close to affordable, but I recommend bundling your dressing money for a few months. From Dries van Noten to MaxMara and Paris Texas (which Maxima also has boots from, by the way) to brands even I had never heard of before. I always buy something very special there that always reminds me of that holiday from then on.

2. Gran Bar - Espresso freddo & cornetti dreams

Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, 58, Ostuni
The Gran Bar remains Ostuni's undisputed coffee king. In 2025, be sure to ask about their new seasonal box: the cornetti box with summer flavours like pistachio, limoncello or just the classic Nutella. Extra tip: order all kinds of cornetti and say it's ‘da portare via’, and you'll get it in a beedl clean cardboard box. And oh yes, the man behind the counter is not the friendliest, but you'll forget that when your taste buds call to heaven after you've taken the first bite of your cornetto. Tip: paying in cash is hugely appreciated.

3. Nautilus - Fish like you've never eaten it before

Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57, Ostuni
The place for your daily dose of seafood. The raw prawns are what Puglia floats on -you have to love them, I skip- and beyond that, you'll find everything here for a next-level seafood pasta. The facade looks like a Versace campaign and don't be surprised if a queue winds up outside. If you really want to go out and have a barbecue party in your holiday home, you can also ask the people from Nautilus to come over with their barca. This is a small boat that they fill with ice and on which they serve oysters and other fish to your guests.

4. Vox Populi - Roof terrace in a secret city

Via Giovanni Pascoli, 215, Ceglie Messapica
Ostuni is lovely, but let me put it nicely, in summer you are not the only one there who does not have an Italian passport. If you want a bit less tourists and a bit more real Italians, I would type Ceglie Messapica on Google Maps. When you drive up you'll curse me in surprise, but when you're in the city centre and have ordered an Aperoll on the rooftop terrace of Vox Populi, you'll thank me. And oh yes, the menu is not in English, something I can only appreciate. Just order blind, everything is delicious.

5. Fasanolandia

Via della Zoosafari, Fasano

If you're in Puglai with kids, I'd move a bit near Fasano. Anyway, there is a huge Aquaprak there (gotta love it, but the slides are insane and oh how well they will sleep) but there is also a Zoosafari where you drive your own car past all kinds of animals. But above all, there is Fasanolandia, an amusement park in true Italian atmosphere. You can walk across the Rialto Bridge -a fake one at that- in Venice, sit in a typical Italian trolley or just go crazy in a double roller coaster.

May's extra Puglia tips for 2025

Try an espressino, or Italian iced coffee: caffè crema gelato. Something with cream, coffee and magic and, I fear, a dash of sugar too. Don't be surprised if you tasted the tastiest one at a petrol pump (after solid empirical research, I preferred the espressino from Ladies Café on the road from Ostuni to Martina Franca. Holiday in a cup, that's what it is.
Rent an electric Fiat 500: handy for the narrow streets and a heartthrob for your instafeed.
Book in June, July or September: In August it is also really lovely, Puglia lies between two seas so there is always a breeze, but in August Domenico may have rented out all the beds on the beach.

Puglia lust? Www.villainostuni.com