Our pick of authentically charming addresses in rural ItalyOur pick of authentically charming addresses in rural Italy
The best villas in Puglia
With the iconic Trulli houses, ancient Beech forests, sapphire waters and some of the best food and drink in Italy, Puglia is perhaps the top region in the country to experience what most people would imagine to be the quintessential Italian way of life. As such, some of the best villas in Puglia are an immersive experience. The languid rhythm (particularly in the 40-degree heat of summer days) inspires a deep level of presence that’s so easy to miss in a hectic city, inviting you to savour each moment, whether you’re enjoying freshly caught seafood and local wine at one of the famous trabucchi restaurants, or visiting one of the many UNESCO-designated sites. There’s an abundance of unique hotels in Puglia that capture the essence of all this, allowing you to absorb the local culture, even as you sleep. To help you choose where to make your home-from-home in ‘The Garden of Italy’, we’ve rounded up the best villas in Puglia which combine the rustic beauty of the past with contemporary convenience.
Editors picks:
- For couples: I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, Monopoli
- For families: Palazzo Colucci, Specchia Gallone
- For big groups: Serra Fanny, Specchia
- For beautiful interiors: Palazzo Napoli, Presicce
- For a traditional trulli stay: Trulli del Trappeto, Locorotondo
Price: From around £1,950 for a four-night stayCheck availability at Airbnb
Price: From about £62,000 per month (with a month-long minimum)Check availability at Airbnb
Casino Doxi Stracca, Alezio
This lavish villa was originally an 18th-century aristocratic residence owned by the Doxi Stracca family, 10 minutes from Gallipoli and its beaches. It was recently restored by Italian architect Paolo Genta Tarnavasio, creating harmony between its historical elements and contemporary influences. Upon entry, marvel at the striking chapel with its ornate baroque façade, which faces a sleek, 18-metre swimming pool with chessboard-patterned tiles. On the other side, an impressive arch marks the entrance to a charming inner garden flanked by two grand Mediterranean pine trees. There are two parts of the residence: a main manor house and a smaller country mansion with four and three double bedrooms each, sleeping 14 guests total. The villa offers a daily cleaning service and breakfast every morning. However, there is also a spacious kitchen for those who wish to cook their go-to meals, which can be enjoyed in the various alfresco spots. During your stay, make the most of this favourable location and visit the nearby towns of Nardò, for its compelling baroque architecture and Gallipoli, to witness insatiable sunset views and fish-based dinners. Lucrezia Worthington
Sleeps: 14
Price: From around £8,013 per week
Price: From around £1,000 per nightCheck availability at Welcome Beyond
Palazzo Napoli, Presicce
Here’s one of the most sensitive restorations we’ve seen for a while, layering ancient Italian history with a cool new contemporary flourish. Vaulted ceilings, frescoes and stone floors nod to its 16th-century origins, while modern interventions, including artisanal ceramics, sculptural lighting and sleek tiled bathrooms, bring a fresh, considered edge and a burst of colour to pep up the creamy stone walls. Spaces flow from the grand entrance hall through to intimate sitting rooms and airy bedrooms opening onto sun-soaked terraces. Outside, a walled garden makes the place to catch some rays with a book, with a selection of lawns leading onto shaded corners and a striking pool for cooling off in the summer heat. It’s an elegant and atmospheric home for all – hen parties, annual big family gatherings and destination weddings alike.
Sleeps: 10
Price: From £4,727 per week
Price: From £9,584 for a three-night stayCheck availability at Oliver’s Travels
I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, Monopoli
Seven conical roofs stitched together into one beautiful home – this trullo feels storied, unique and effortlessly homely all in one. The interiors unfold in a series of cool, curved spaces, where whitewashed walls meet textured furnishings and glimpses of the glittering sea beyond. The star, however, is the outdoor area, where shaded terraces make the spot for long lunches, pockets of garden are scented pleasingly with abundant fresh herbs, and an infinity pool angled towards the horizon makes the spot for sundowners and morning swims alike. If you can tear yourself out, it’s worth venturing out to explore Monopoli’s coastline, only a short drive away.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From £2,925 per week
Price: From around £1,326 for a four-night stayCheck availability at Airbnb
Price: From around £7,795 for a five-night stayCheck availability at Plum Guide
Price: From around £1,326 for a four-night stayCheck availability at Airbnb
Price: From around £17,427 per weekCheck availability at Plum Guide
Price: From around £1,331 for a four-night stayCheck availability at Airbnb
Corte Gea
Idyllic isn’t a strong enough word to describe this villa, which nestles seamlessly into the Puglian landscape, studded with centuries-old olive trees, wide grassy plains, and scattered crumbly stone trulli. The home’s surroundings ground you in history, but head inside and it’s reassuringly modern, with designer interiors featuring poured concrete floors (perfect for padding around barefoot in the summer heat), a creamy palette of neutrals, and hotel-worthy marble bathroom finishes. A statement hanging fireplace in the open-plan living space means you’ll be equally happy here in the off-season as in the warmer months. Head through the sliding doors and you’ll find an expansive terrace with a deep cobalt blue pool, from where to lounge with a book before supper at the outdoor dining table, all set to a backdrop of hazy Italian countryside.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From £5,116 per week
Price: From about £6,000 per weekCheck availability at Airbnb
Price: From about £3,686 for a five-night stayCheck availability at Airbnb
Price: From about £12,00 per weekCheck availability at Home in Italy
How we choose the best villas in Puglia
We’ve vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveller are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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