How to visit Puglia, Italy, on a budget

The heel of Italy’s “boot,” the marvelous region of Puglia remains relatively under-explored by foreign visitors. Italians, though, have known for generations that Puglia serves up a perfect mix of everything that there is to love about Italy: glorious beaches, excellent food and centuries of history in every stone.

Is Puglia expensive? Well, if you’re traveling on a budget, choosing to travel to Puglia saves you money from the get-go, at least when compared to other popular Italian seaside destinations such as the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. Trips in the offseason will ensure costs stay even lower, making planning a trip to Puglia on a budget easy indeed.

Here are some tips to help you save up during your trip to Puglia, as well as a breakdown of the daily costs you can expect while you’re on the road.

Average daily costs (during high season)

Hostel room for two: €80
Basic room for two: €100
Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb) for two: €80
Public transport ticket in Bari: €1.20
Train ticket from Bari to Polignano a Mare: €3
Coffee: €1
Panzerotto: €1.50
Seafood dinner for two (with two glasses of wine): €50–70
Average daily cost per budget traveler: around €117

People walk down a pedestrianized street lined with historic stone buildings. — A street scene in Lecce, Puglia. Martina De Pascali for Lonely Planet

1. Fly into Puglia on a budget airline...

Puglia has two international airports, in Bari and Brindisi. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and EasyJet serve both, offering truly cheap tickets if you’re flying from another European city. Such value does come with trade-off, though: keep an eye on the size and weight of your luggage to avoid staggering extra fees at check-in.

2. ...or get there by either road or railway

If you want to reach Puglia from elsewhere in Italy, hone in on the train or bus. For starters, these options are more eco-friendly; they also allow you to carry a bigger suitcase. Puglia is served by Italy’s national railway system, with the best option being the high-speed Frecciarossa. A ticket from Milan to Bari (a distance of almost 1000km) ranges from €40 to €120.

If you prefer more economical buses, Flixbus is well known for having a wide variety of routes connecting all major Italian cities. A Milan–Bari ticket, for example, can be as low as €15 – though you need to be prepared to spend 11+ hours in your coach seat.

It’s always a good idea to book as early as possible. Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions – usually advertised right on the homepage of the Trenitalia and Flixbus websites – to save even more on your trip.

3. Be mindful of Italy-specific holidays

While everyone knows that tourist destinations get more crowded and expensive during summer and around Christmas, holiday dates particular to Italy will also affect prices in Puglia (as in the rest of the country). Schools and workplaces usually shut down around Easter Sunday, and students also get a few days off for Carnevale in early February. January 6, April 25, May 1, June 2, August 15 and December 8 are all national holidays; if they fall on or near the weekend on that particular year’s calendar, families usually decide to take a long-weekend trip.

A wide view of a sea cove in a town, with bathers in the water and lying out on a beach to the right of the frame. — A public beach in Otranto, Puglia. Martina De Pascali for Lonely Planet

4. Take advantage of Puglia’s free beaches

Sure, lidos (Italian beach clubs) are comfortable and have all the amenities you can imagine – but if you want to avoid unnecessary outlays on your trip, you should take advantage of the stretches of free beach found throughout the region. You’ll recognize them easily, since they’re the ones without any particular beach club equipment, like monochrome umbrellas, chairs and changing rooms. Instead, bring your own gear and lie out under the sun for the day – without spending a single cent.

5. Do as the Italians do and bring a beach picnic

Another way to save money on beach days? Pack something small for lunch to enjoy on the sand rather than clambering around to find a restaurant. Italian beachgoers usually bring their own meals from home, or else stop on their way to the beach at a local bakery or friggitoria (where you can buy delicious fried street food like panzerotti, or savory pastries). Such provisions are definitely cheaper than sitting down at a “proper” restaurant – and equally delicious.

Fresh vegetables and other ingredients are displayed on the counter of a take-out restaurant. — A restaurant with puccia fixings, Lecce, Puglia. Martina De Pascali for Lonely Planet

6. Street food is another excellent lunch option

Bakeries and friggitorie are also excellent lunch spots if you’re out and about exploring cities and towns. Snack as you go on reasonably priced sandwiches, focaccia, panzerotti and puccia (a traditional bread made without its usual soft inside, making it perfect for all kinds of fillings) – and use the savings to make a nice dinner out your big meal of the day.

7. Alternatively, opt for a set lunch menu

If you can’t resist the call of the many wonderful restaurants found throughout the region, then keep an eye out for set menus (called menù fisso or sometimes menù pranzo in Italian). These usually include an entree and a first dish, or a first dish and second dish, together with water and coffee, for a fixed price. Such set meals are an excellent way to sample local cuisine without breaking the bank.

8. Stop by local market

Whether you want to make your own sandwich for a long day on the road or want to stock up on seasonal fruit, don’t ignore a local mercato (Italian for farmers market) when you see one. These markets offer a great way to get your hands on some fresh produce for a bargain. What’s more, since market day is a staple in the lives of many Italians, it’s a great way to get a taste of traditional Italian culture. Keep in mind that while more and more vendors now accept cards and even contactless payments, cash is still king. Bring euros, preferably in small denominations.

9. Seasonal sagre are a great option for evening entertainment

If your trip takes place during the warmer months, then you’ll likely encounter one of the many sagre (festivals) that pop up all over Puglia. These street parties combine live music, cheap food and drink, and the chance to really mingle with the locals; every city, town or village has its own calendar of celebrations. One you might consider seeking out is the famous Notte della Taranta, a series of folk music concerts in Salento that unfolds over the month of August, concluding with a massive event, known as concertone, in Malpignano.

A huge baroque archway stands in a city square, framing a view of stone buildings on a street behind. — Posta Napoli, Lecce, Puglia. Martina De Pascali for Lonely Planet

10. The further from the beach, the cheaper the accommodation

It’s true everywhere in Italy, and it’s also true in Puglia: if you want to stay right on the beach, be prepared to pay a premium. This doesn’t mean you have to go far inland, though. Even just 5km away from the shore – an easy-to-cover distance, especially if you have a car – you’ll notice the difference in price. Think about which inland towns have a special charm: places like Otranto and Melendugno are just as gorgeous as more popular Puglia towns, and far easier on your budget.