Whitewashed towns, Maldives-like shallows and masseria pools
🏖️Puglia
Italy
Updated 1 July 2026
Puglia is the heel of Italy's boot, and one of the country's most rewarding regions for a family holiday. Picture whitewashed hill towns like Ostuni, Polignano a Mare perched over its cliff cove, and the cone-roofed trulli houses of Alberobello that look straight out of a storybook. Add the shallow, white-sand shallows of the Salento, so pale and clear they are nicknamed the Maldive del Salento, farm-resort masserie with pools and kids clubs, and endless gelato and orecchiette pasta, and you have a region that keeps children delighted and parents very well fed.
28 to 32C
Typical summer day highs
800+
Kilometres of coastline
2
Handy airports (Bari and Brindisi)
2 seas
Calm Ionian and livelier Adriatic
Live prices & availability
Stays near Puglia, Italy
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Why it works with kids
- Warm, shallow Ionian beaches on the Salento, gentle enough for first swims
- The pale, clear Maldive del Salento shallows at Pescoluse and Punta Prosciutto
- Storybook trulli cone houses in Alberobello that kids love to explore
- Zoo Safari Fasano and the huge Grotte di Castellana caves for rainy or hot days
Best areas to stay
- 1Salento (Gallipoli, Otranto, Ugento, Pescoluse): the warmest, shallowest Ionian beaches and top family resorts
- 2Bari coast (Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Savelletri and Fasano): pretty towns, cliff coves and luxury masserie
- 3Ostuni and the Valle d'Itria: the white town on its hill, trulli country and easy inland day trips
- 4Gargano (Vieste, Peschici): the dramatic spur in the north, with sandy beaches and sea caves
Our KidProof picks
Hand-picked and scored on the eight things that matter to families.
in Puglia
Borgo Egnazia
Whitewashed rooms, casitas and full villas built to look like a traditional Apulian village, so families can take a two-bedroom casita or a private villa with its own pool. Space is the real luxury here, and older kids often get their own room.
in Puglia
Vivosa Apulia Resort
Comfortable modern rooms and family rooms set among pinewoods, several sleeping four with the option of connecting configurations. Not fancy, but practical, with the whole resort built around families rather than couples.
in Puglia
Pizzomunno Vieste Palace Hotel
Classic five-star rooms in a low white building right on Vieste's beach, many with sea-view balconies. Family rooms and connecting options sleep four, and the beach is a few steps from the door.
in Puglia
Ecoresort Le Sirene
Simple, bright rooms and family rooms among gardens and pines just above the sea, with a shuttle down to the sandy beach. Practical four-person rooms and a relaxed, unpretentious feel.
in Puglia
Grand Hotel Masseria Santa Lucia
Bright rooms and family rooms in a large seafront hotel on the Adriatic coast below Ostuni, many with balconies facing the water. Comfortable four-person rooms make it a practical family base a short drive from the white town.
in Puglia
Torre Cintola Natural Sea Emotions
Modern rooms and self-catering apartments right on the rocky seafront just south of Monopoli, several with sea views and kitchenettes. The apartment options give families space to spread out and manage their own breakfasts.
in Puglia
CDSHotels Riva Marina Resort
Simple rooms and family bungalows spread across a big green village resort near the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, with several sleeping four. Straightforward rather than stylish, built for easy family holidays.
in Puglia
Vittoria Resort Parco del Mare & Spa
Simple rooms and self-catering apartments in green grounds just north of Otranto, several sleeping four with kitchenettes. Good value and practical, with a large pool and a shuttle down to the sandy coast.
Compare our picks in Puglia
| Hotel | Score | Kids club | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borgo Egnazia | 90 | — | 550€ |
| Vivosa Apulia Resort | 87 | ✅ Free kids club | 190€ |
| Pizzomunno Vieste Palace Hotel | 86 | — | 320€ |
| Ecoresort Le Sirene | 85 | ✅ Free kids club | 180€ |
| Grand Hotel Masseria Santa Lucia | 83 | — | 170€ |
| Torre Cintola Natural Sea Emotions | 83 | — | 160€ |
| CDSHotels Riva Marina Resort | 83 | ✅ Free kids club | 120€ |
| Vittoria Resort Parco del Mare & Spa | 80 | — | 110€ |
Browse Puglia by what matters
Family things to do in Puglia
Maldive del Salento at Pescoluse
The soft white sand and warm, shallow turquoise water of Pescoluse are so gentle that toddlers can wade far out safely.
Zoo Safari Fasano
Drive through the safari park to see lions, giraffes and elephants, then enjoy the rides and shows in the fun area.
Grotte di Castellana caves
A guided walk through vast underground chambers and glittering stalactites, cool and thrilling on a hot day.
Trulli of Alberobello
Wander the streets of cone-roofed trulli houses, a storybook UNESCO town that fascinates children.
Parents also ask
When is the best time to visit Puglia with kids?
Late June and September are ideal: warm, sunny sea with fewer crowds than the peak of August, when beaches and roads are at their busiest and prices highest.
Ionian or Adriatic side for young children?
The Ionian side of the Salento tends to have the warmest, shallowest, calmest water, ideal for toddlers, while the Adriatic is livelier with more rock and a fresher sea.
Which airport should we fly into?
Bari suits the northern Bari coast, Ostuni and the Gargano, while Brindisi is closer to the Salento. Both are well connected and about an hour or two from most family bases.
Do we need a hire car?
Yes, a car is strongly recommended. Puglia's best beaches, towns and attractions are spread out, and public transport is limited, so a car makes family days much easier.
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