Sustainable Puglia: 10 Must-See Ideas

Breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary food, incredible cities and hospitable inhabitants: the Puglia It is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, but not only that: it offers various possibilities for sustainable tourismPuglia certainly means sea, but also mountains. This picturesque region, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other, is rich in nature and numerous enchanting places that allow us to discover it in all its glory. environmental sustainabilityIf you're planning a trip to the "heel of Italy," here are 10 ideas to keep in mind.

Puglia is a region rich in art and culture. But beyond its monuments, witnesses to a long history, the region boasts countless natural and landscape beauties among which the following naturally stand out: trulli and historic farms, the olive trees and the baroque cathedrals, the Salento sea with its beautiful beaches. It almost goes without saying that, in addition to being able to dedicate yourself to a sustainable itinerary, in Puglia you can live – or even just enjoy – the eco-friendly tourism solutions. For example.

Index of topics

Trulli

We can only start from the trulli, the symbol par excellence of this splendid region. If the most famous are found at Alberobello, and are an unmissable stop for the many travelers who decide to visit this land every year. Splendid ones can also be found in Cisternino, Locorotondo, Ostuni, or Martina Franca. Just do a simple search on specialized tourist rental websites such as Barbar House. In addition to their suggestive charm, a plus is that they constitute a sustainable architecture Thanks to their structure: during the winter they accumulate heat, releasing it at night; in summer, however, the stone mass allows for a lower internal temperature than the one perceived outside.

B&B Sustainable

Even in Puglia there is no shortage of Eco-friendly B&BThese are structures where the commitment to that is tangible sustainable tourism towards which we are moving. Eco-sustainable B&Bs they are characterized by the fact that they use ecological products, with low environmental impact, for general cleaning. Due to the use of natural materials, biocompatible and recyclable for any renovations and for the choice of furnishings, preferably wooden and strictly handmade.

Mercadante Forest Picnic

Spending a few pleasant hours outdoors, with the whole family and in total relaxation, is the dream of many. There are several areas in the region where you can enjoy a picnic in an equipped area yes, but connected to a forest. Mercadante Forest, located between Cassano delle Murge and Altamura (Bari), is just one example. Here, you can enjoy an area equipped with wooden and stone tables where you can have a picnic lunch (there's no provision for lighting barbecues). And, of course, you can take long walks along the trails and paths.

Coastal Dunes Park

The possibilities of sustainable itinerary in Puglia There are several options: in addition to a series of stops featuring trulli, you can opt for seaside towns or even mountain resorts. In this regard, we recommend focusing on ecotourism in Coastal Dunes Regional Natural Park, a protected area located in the northern part of Salento that preserves diverse habitats. The beauty of an itinerary like this is the variety it offers: archaeological and historical sites, ancient farmhouses, and underground olive oil mills, all of which can be explored by bike or on foot.

farms

Another unmissable stop on any respectable visit to Puglia are the masserie. Today, thanks in part to the desire to embrace sustainable tourism, many of these buildings are pursuing eco-sustainability. Use of clean energy and reducing the use of chemicals in the cleaning and sanitization processes of the entire facility. All of this is done with full respect for the site's nature and sustainability, which also extends to the surrounding crops.

Salento Bike Tour

For years now, the Puglia region has been promoting development policies that take into account the bicycle, as well as being an indispensable means of practicing competitive cycling, it is also a fundamental tool for improving the quality of life of its citizens. For this reason, it may be useful to learn about initiatives in favor of sustainable mobility which are gradually gaining popularity. It won't be difficult to find them scattered throughout Puglia. Among them, we would like to point out the Salento Bike Tour – I Slow You.

Organic B&Bs

As well as the sustainable ones, also the organic farms Their presence on our peninsula is growing rapidly. And in Puglia, too, unsurprisingly, they're increasingly numerous. Here, in particular, they combine a stay immersed in nature with the opportunity to savor the delicacies it offers. Organic catering and accommodation in the same structure allow visitors to rediscover the Apulian countryside, the typical products such as oil and burnt wheat and the most ancient traditions, such as seeing the timeless products made by hand Apulian orecchiette.

Olive groves in the Itria Valley

- olive groves They are a bit of a calling card for the region. What place, more than an expanse of lush olive trees, can put someone looking for a green holiday in the name of good food? So why not treat yourself to an experience in the Valle d'Itria, a fertile land located between the provinces of Taranto, Brindisi and Bari that offers lush vegetation among vineyards and olive groves where you can taste excellent wine and fragrant quality oil?

Excursions in Twizy

A sustainable idea to implement once you arrive at your destination is to treat yourself an excursion on a Twizy. On the electric minicars You can immerse yourself completely in the rural landscapes of Puglia – so much so that you can travel along roads that are impassable by other vehicles – among olive trees and fields of wheat; visit the farmhouses and taste the most typical dishes they have to offer (with special attention to vegetarians and vegans). All this in zero CO2 emissionsThere are numerous areas to discover. One above all? Ostuni and its territory.

Salso Lake Oasis

If its slogan is “We cultivate biodiversity”, there must be a reason. The Salso Lake Oasis, overlooking the Gulf of Manfredonia, encompasses a thousand hectares of reed beds, pastures, and meadows. You can take a tour to discover more than 300 bird species (even pink flamingos) and traverse its seven sentieri passable on foot, by bicycle and on horseback (there's also one on the boat).