Puglia, the SloWays Way

This won't be an unbiased article, as Puglia holds a special place in our hearts. It's a region that means so much to us, a place in Italy that feels like coming home every time we return.

Puglia is a truly unique region, a blend of many souls and colors that create a kaleidoscope of shades. There's the deep blue of the sea, sparkling under the sun as it accompanies your journey, with lighthouses silhouetted against the azure sky. Then, there’s the white of the lime-washed houses in villages that evoke the spirit of Greece or the secret corners of the soul — the winding alleys of Cisternino, the trulli of Alberobello, and the shimmering buildings of Ostuni that gleam from atop a hill. The lush green of ancient olive trees, the grey of dry stone walls, crafted by the last skilled hands that still build them in the traditional way.

The region is also defined by its people — passionate, welcoming, and incredibly beautiful. The human side of Puglia, is perhaps what draws us back the most.

And as for reasons to stay, we always find new ones.

Along the Salento Coast

The first journey we talk about when mentioning Puglia is the Via della Costa Salentina, a route we hold dear. This journey was crafted step by step by our CEO, Tullia, inspired by a deep love for the region, even as she braved the scorching heat of a hot summer.

It was all worth it, as everyone who takes this journey falls in love with it. The route starts from Otranto, a vibrant coastal town. While there, enjoy the bustling local shops and dine at seaside restaurants, but don’t miss the Cathedral, where you can admire the stunning Tree of Life mosaic that adorns its floor.

From here, the journey along the Salento coast begins, with the sea always in view. You’ll pass by orange-hued bauxite quarries, the lighthouse at Punta Palascia — Italy’s easternmost point, coastal spa towns, and you’ll stay in noble residences in the heart of fishing villages and charming guesthouses. Here, if you wish, you can even learn Pugliese cooking directly from the host. The journey continues to Gagliano del Capo and then by train to the enchanting light and Baroque palaces of Lecce.

For those who are less experienced but still want to enjoy the wonders of this route, we’ve created an easier version.

Via Materana, From the Sea to Matera

Another path leads from the sea inland and then continues into nearby Basilicata, reaching Matera, one of Italy’s most magical places.

Starting from the coast of Bari, a special city that deserves time to be explored and discovered. Its beauty isn’t immediately obvious like Lecce, but it reveals itself in the alleys of the old town, along the seaside promenade, in the open squares, the Norman castle, and the Basilica of San Nicola. Here, Catholic and Orthodox faithful come together in the worship of Saint Nicholas, who is buried here, making it one of the few places frequented by followers of different Christian denominations.

From Bari, the Via Materana unveils the heart of inland Puglia: it’s a soul-searching journey through centuries-old olive trees, almond groves, vast cultivated fields, and towns that express the true nature of the South. From Altamura, renowned for its delicious bread, where you can experience evening strolls and children playing in the squares, to Gravina with its underground city carved into soft rock.

The destination is Matera, the city of the Sassi, a marvelous place to arrive on foot because it truly feels like an enchanted land reached after an epic adventure. Its landscape, an eternal living nativity scene, attracts artists, directors, and writers from around the world, thirsty for its beauty.

The Southern Via Francigena, to Santa Maria di Leuca

The Southern Via Francigena is the section of the Via Francigena that extends from Rome — where the 1000 km of the Northern Via Francigena ends — and continues to the South, where pilgrims used to embark for the Holy Land.

It’s an epic adventure through ancient Roman roads, archaeological areas, castles, abbeys, and endless horizons where land and sea merge. In Puglia, it passes through the Gargano and Salento regions to its destination, a historic embarkation port and a symbolic place where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet, the Italian “De Finibus Terrae.”

The journey we propose follows the entire route from Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca, 46 days of walking to experience the full adventure. If you have a limited number of days, you can choose to walk it in sections — for example, from Rome to Terracina — continuing southward in a wonderful adventure to be enjoyed year after year.