The Top 30 Best Things-to-do for Kids and Families in Puglia

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1. Alberobello: this town has been nominated among the “Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy” and it’s famous for its iconic “trulli”, traditional houses built using limestone boulders and characterized by pyramidal or conical roofs. Here, you and your family can admire these remarkable buildings now protected by UNESCO and even spend the night in one!
2. Castello Aragonese di Otranto: the town of Otranto, known as the “City of the 800 Martyrs”, is the perfect mix of culture and nature. Its most famous landmark is the majestic Aragonese Castle, an imposing fortress built in the 15th century.
3. Zoosafari Fasano Landia: the zoological garden of Fasano is perfect for children as it offers the opportunity to observe and learn all about tigers, elephants, primates, reptiles and many more. You can also choose to spend your day in Fasano Landia, where you will find more than 20 for adults and children, the Sea Lion Aquarium and the Fantasy Theater.
4. Parco Naturale Selva Reale: this park is perfect for a relaxing walk in the nature, especially because you will find a variety of attractions for your little ones, such as the House of Hansel and Gretel, the fairies, the three little pigs and many other characters. The park also features an “educational forest” where children are encouraged to explore and learn about nature through play.
5. Monte Sant’Angelo: this unique town has been nominated among “The Most Beautiful Towns of Italy” and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo and the Umbra Forest. This is the perfect destination for a day trip or a quiet vacation with your little ones, as the village is small and surrounded by nature.

6. Polignano a Mare: visit one of the most important locations of the coast of Puglia, take a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the historic center and spot the incredible view of the sea at every angle. You and your family can also relax at the seaside and taste the delicious local food, such as rice with potatoes and mussels.
7. Castel del Monte: Castel del Monte, once the manor house of Frederick II, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This medieval fortress dates back to the 13th century and is an architectural wonder characterized by Romanesque, Gothic and even Islamic elements. This is a must see for tourists vacationing near the Adriatic coast of the region.
8. Torremattoni: this adventure park is very good for children who enjoy thrilling activities such as tree climbing, archery, orienteering and pony riding. You will find plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including activities for children as young as 2 years old.
9. Adopt a sheep: in the Masseria Salecchia, an elegant agritourism located in a charming farmhouse from the 18th century, you and your family can “adopt” one the sheep bred here. The program aims to safeguard this important breed, which has a great role in the local environment. In exchange, you will receive artisan products such as pecorino cheese, ricotta and wool.
10. Lecce: Lecce is a vibrant city that dates back to Roman times and features a variety of architectural jewels like Sant’Oronzo square, Porta Napoli and the Basilica of Santa Croce, a stunning example of Baroque style. You can also choose to relax at one of the beautiful beaches in the area, or grab a bite of the local “pasticciotto” cake.

The Puglia region has a lot to offer from old charming towns and them parks to clear water beachers and delicious food.

11. Ostuni: Ostuni is among the most beautiful towns in the region, and it’s characterized by a rich cultural and religious heritage. However, it’s most striking peculiarity is the fact that a bright white color dominates the facades of the buildings, making it a picturesque example of Mediterranean architecture. Get your camera ready and prepare to capture its beauty!
12. Museo Archeologico dei Ragazzi: this is a unique open-air museum of prehistory that centers around children and their curiosity. The young visitors are encouraged to touch, experiment and learn through play in the tactile room and in a reproduction of an archaeological site.
13. Aquapark Egnazia Water Park: this huge water park offers a number of services for children and adults. You can choose among slides, a pool with giant waves, group dance activities and much more. There’s also an area dedicated to the little ones, making this park perfect for a day of fun for the whole family.
14. Kid-friendly beaches: in Italy, the best child-friendly beaches are awarded the “green flag” title (Bandiere Verdi). In Puglia you will find many, such as Marina di Ginosa, Margherita di Savoia, Fasano, Ostuni, Otranto and more. 15. Try some delicious local food: the culinary tradition of this region is rich, making it impossible not to find something even for the picky ones! We recommend the Bari-style focaccia, a type of bread seasoned with tomatoes, olives, olive oil and oregano, as well as the “orecchiette alle cime di rapa”, a pasta dish with turnip greens. For those of you who have a sweet tooth, the pasticciotto leccese is a must. This delicious short crust cake is filled with custard and best served warm. In Puglia, it’s usually eaten for breakfast and it’s considered a delicacy.

16. Grotte di Castellana: this is a vast underground system of caves which is considered one of the most spectacular in Italy. Visitors can book a guided tour of the caves, listen to ancient legends and admire fossils and stalactites: a thrilling adventure!
17. Parco Avventura Indiana Park: not far from the Castellana Caves there’s this adventure park dedicated to children and teenagers. The staff will provide the safety equipment necessary to climb and have fun in the forest, thanks to suspended bridges, beams, zip lines and much more. The routes are divided by age, and children as little as 2 years old can participate.
18. Il Ciuchino Birichino: this park covers over 80 hectares and features a number of areas dedicated to different activities for people of all ages. You and your family can try your hand at archery, orienteering or falconry, not to mention the adventure park where children can climb trees in complete safety.
19. Lesina Lake: this charming lake, located between the Tavoliere and the Gargano areas, is part of the Lake Lesina Nature Reserve. You and your family can stop at Lesina Marina, a popular seaside destination, or take a boat trip to the San Clemente Island, where you can observe the many species of birds.
20. Dolphins observation tours: the Jonian Dolphin Conservation is a scientific organization operating in the Gulf of Taranto. You and your family can book the program “Researchers for a Day”, an observation tour of the dolphins in the area which finances the maintenance of the Taranto Dolphin Sanctuary.

21. Museo Storico dei Pompieri di Manfredonia: this museum is dedicated to the history of the firefighters and the Italian Red Cross. Visitors can admire more than 3000 items and learn all about how fire emergency service once worked. This exhibition is perfect for children and adults.
22. Parco Nazionale del Gargano: the Gargano National Park is situated on the “spur of Italy”, a promontory in northern Puglia. Here you can admire wonderful landscapes, a thousand-year-old forest, caves, sandy beaches and an incredible variety of botanical species.
23. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto: the MArTA is ideal for families with children, who can enjoy a variety of areas dedicated to kids, themed tours, animated tours and multi-sensory laboratories. The collections housed here focus on prehistory, the Roman period and the history of the city of Taranto, with impressive exhibitions of ancient artifacts.
24. Azienda agricola Querceta: the Querceta farm is renowned for producing high quality, organic products and using local ingredients. Here, you will find a teaching farm for children and adults, where you can learn about farm animals, discover the secrets of the production of mozzarella cheese and taste many fresh products.
25. Museo di Biologia Marina: the “Pietro Parenzan” Museum of Marine Biology of the University of Salento features educational exhibits covering various aspects of marine life, including rare species of fish. The museum can be found in Porto Cesareo, a popular tourist destination in the Salento area, and it’s perfect as an educational activity for children.
26. Experience the Taranta Night: “La Notte della Taranta” is an important festival dedicated to the “taranta”, a traditional dance of Salento. The name refers to the tarantula, a spider that was thought to cause the tarantism, a condition that could only be cured by performing this unique, energetic dance.

27. Gallipoli: the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea” is a stunning city famous for its vibrant nightlife and the breathtaking beauty of its coastline, where you will find numerous charming beaches. The old town, with its Roman and Byzantine fortifications, is a testimony to the rich history of this place, one of the most important tourist destinations in the area.
28. Cisternino: another town that received awards as one of the most beautiful in Italy, with its white washed houses pictoresque alleya and charming countryside.
29. Santa Maria di Leuca: this stunning town is the southernmost point in Salento, where you can admire ancient churches, century-old olive trees and a breathtaking blue sea. Among the most beautiful attractions here, there is the Devil’s Grotto, where you can hear loud rumblings once thought to be caused by a demon.
30. Tremiti archipelago: the Tremiti islands are a stunning destination for the summer, but also incredibly beautiful in winter. You can reach them by ferry and visit both the inhabited and uninhabited ones. There, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the rich architectural heritage of San Nicola and San Domino, once home to the famous Italian singer and songwriter Lucio Dalla.