Discover the Beauty of Puglia
Luce Antica is the perfect base for exploring the stunning Puglia region. From UNESCO historic towns to dramatic coastal cliffs, from ancient caves to authentic Italian cuisine - everything is within easy reach.
Bari – Gateway to Puglia
Bari is a vibrant port city and the ideal starting point for discovering all of Puglia. Its heart is Bari Vecchia – a labyrinth of narrow alleys where local women hand-make orecchiette pasta right on their doorsteps, and home to the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe.
Around the modern part of the city, with its elegant avenues and cafés, runs the Lungomare, one of the most beautiful seafront promenades in Italy – perfect for an evening stroll at sunset.
Mola di Bari
Mola di Bari is a picturesque fishing town on the Adriatic coast, just steps from Luce Antica.
Landmarks: The Angevin Castle, Chiesa Matrice, and the maze of alleys around the old fishing harbor.
Food: Grilled octopus (polpo), fish straight off the boats, and markets selling local specialties.
Vibe: An unhurried southern Italian pace with no tourist crowds - evening strolls through the alleys, fishermen returning at dawn, and a couple of lively local festivals in summer and autumn (Sagra del Polpo, Festa Grande).
Nearby Towns
Polignano a Mare
Dramatic cliffs, erosion-carved caves, and Lama Monachile - the most photographed beach in the region. White streets of the historic center filled with poetry and panoramic terraces overlooking the sea. Famous Grotta Palazzese - a restaurant set in a cave.
Monopoli
Authentic fishing town with a labyrinth of stone streets, colorful balconies, and ancient fortifications. Charles V Castle from the 16th century, picturesque old harbor, and Santo Stefano and Capitolo beaches. Hosts the international photography festival PhEST.
Alberobello
UNESCO World Heritage site with over 1000 trulli - unique conical houses made of white stone. Walking through narrow streets among these fairy-tale structures is an unforgettable experience.
Ostuni
The “White City” shining on a hilltop overlooking the Adriatic Sea. White facades, steep streets, and panoramic terraces offer an authentic glimpse of old Puglia.
Locorotondo
Charming hilltop village with whitewashed houses and renowned for its wine. Ideal for a peaceful afternoon trip.
Matera
Ancient cave dwellings of the Sassi, a UNESCO site. Stone houses carved into rocks and rock-hewn churches create a unique atmosphere of millennia-old settlement.
Trani
An elegant port town famous for its stunning white limestone cathedral, standing right on the rocks above the sea. The old harbor, the alleys of the former Jewish quarter, and the seafront promenade make it one of the most photogenic towns in Puglia.
Gravina in Puglia
A hill town built above a deep ravine, spanned by the striking stone Ponte Acquedotto. This is where the opening chase of the James Bond film No Time to Die (2021) was filmed.
Conversano
A hilltop town with a Norman castle (now a stately residence), a Romanesque cathedral, and the Benedictine Monastery of San Benedetto with its beautifully carved medieval cloister.
Beaches and Caves
Castellana Grotte Caves
Italy’s most beautiful karst caves stretching 3 km underground. The White Cave (Grotta Bianca) covered with alabaster formations is considered the most beautiful cave chamber in the world.
Beaches:
- Cozze - A small fishing hamlet with a pebble cove between the rocks, more popular with locals than tourists, just a short drive from Mola di Bari
- Primo Beach - A local pebble beach with a wooden pier right in Mola di Bari, a few minutes’ walk from Luce Antica
- San Vito - A picturesque fishing hamlet between Polignano and Monopoli, with an abbey overlooking the sea and rocky swimming spots
- Torre Incina - A 16th-century watchtower above the cove of the same name - a natural rock pool popular for diving and snorkeling
- Torre Canne - Sandy beaches near Dune Costiere natural park
- Savelletri - Traditional fishing village with luxury resorts and private beaches
- Capitolo - Long sandy stretches with beach clubs and free beaches