Apulia (Puglia) is the sun-drenched heel of Italy's boot, stretching along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts with over 800 km of coastline, centuries-old whitewashed towns, and a food culture that rivals anywhere in the country. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the iconic trulli of Alberobello and the enigmatic Castel del Monte — Apulia blends Norman castles, Baroque Lecce stonework, and ancient masserie (fortified farmhouses) into an unforgettable landscape.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Taralli
Savoury baked rings flavoured with fennel, pepper, or chilli — the perfect edible souvenir; vacuum-packed packs last months
Price: €3–5 for 500g (~$3.25–5.40)
Where: Any bakery, market, or food shop; Pasticceria Pugliese in Bari Vecchia (Via Palazzo di Città 18)
Extra virgin olive oil (DOP Apulia)
Apulia produces 40% of Italy's olive oil — buy Coratina or Ogliarola cultivar from a producer for the best quality
Price: €8–20 per 500ml (~$8.65–21.60)
Where: Agriturismo Il Frantoio (Ostuni, SS16 km 874); Cooperativa Agrilevante (Via Roma 11, Fasano)
Ceramics
Grottaglie (near Taranto) is Apulia's ceramic capital — colourful plates, tiles, and pitchers painted with traditional patterns
Price: €10–80 (~$10.80–86.40)
Where: Grottaglie old town (Quartiere delle Ceramiche); Via Crocifisso, Grottaglie
Burrata and local cheeses (to eat locally)
Burrata di Andria is best eaten same-day — take home vacuum-packed stracciatella or scamorza instead
Price: €3–8 (~$3.25–8.65)
Where: Caseificio Olanda (Via F. Cavallotti 56, Andria) or any Coop/Conad supermarket
Primitivo di Manduria wine (DOC)
Apulia's most famous red wine — powerful and fruit-forward; the Primitivo variety is distinct from Zinfandel
Price: €8–25/bottle (~$8.65–27)
Where: Consorzio di Tutela Primitivo di Manduria; local enoteca shops throughout the region
Pietra leccese stonework
Small carved decorative items in the soft golden limestone unique to Lecce — miniature architecture models, ornamental frames
Price: €10–40 (~$10.80–43.20)
Where: Via Palmieri and Via Augusto Imperatore, Lecce old town
Linen and trulli fabric
Apulian linen tablecloths and hand-embroidered textiles; also small trullo models carved in stone or ceramic
Price: €15–60 (~$16.20–64.80)
Where: Cooperativa Artigiana Alberobello (Via Monte Nero 4, Alberobello); Via Verdi shops, Alberobello
Orecchiette (dried pasta)
Artisan dried orecchiette made by hand — the shop-bought version keeps for months
Price: €2–5 for 500g (~$2.15–5.40)
Where: Bari Vecchia — Via dell'Arco Basso; also sold at all supermarkets
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercato del Pesce — Bari Fish Market
Fresh catch from the Adriatic — sea urchins, octopus, clams, sea bass, bream. The most authentic market experience in Apulia.
Where: Bari Vecchia
Hours: 5:00–13:00 daily (fishermen arrive from 4:30 AM)
Fiera del Levante (Bari International Trade Fair)
Annual international fair with Apulian products, food, crafts, and regional produce
Where: Bari
Hours: September (varies by year — check fieradellevante.it)
Mercato delle Pulci — Antique Market Bari
Antiques, vintage items, second-hand books, and curiosities
Where: Bari
Hours: First Sunday of every month, 8:00–14:00
Mercato di Porta Napoli — Lecce Weekly Market
Local produce, clothing, household goods, and affordable Salentine ceramics
Where: Lecce
Hours: Every Tuesday morning, 7:00–13:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Via Sparano, Bari
Bari's main pedestrian shopping street — chain stores, boutiques, and department stores. Rinascente Bari at Via Sparano 24–26. Good for high-street fashion and footwear.
Lecce Old Town — Via Trinchese and Via Palmieri
Lecce's elegant shopping streets with local boutiques, ceramics galleries, and artisan workshops. Via Palmieri concentrates craft studios and jewellery; Via Trinchese is the main commercial boulevard.
Alberobello souvenir zone — Rione Monti
Every second trullo on the Rione Monti hillside sells trulli-themed souvenirs, ceramics, local olive oil, and regional foods. Prices are tourist-oriented — compare before buying.
Bari Vecchia artisan shops
Small shops selling hand-rolled orecchiette, taralli, local ceramics, and regional specialities line the old town lanes. Less tourist-inflated than Alberobello.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Centro Commerciale Casamassima
Hours: 9:30–21:00 Mon–Sat; 9:30–21:00 Sunday
Mongolfiera Shopping Centre Bari
Hours: 9:00–21:00 daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Tax-free shopping
- Detail
- Non-EU visitors spending over €154.94 at participating stores can claim a VAT refund (22% on most goods) on departure. Ask for the 'rimborso IVA' form at the time of purchase and present stamped at EU exit airport.
- Custom
- Receipt law
- Detail
- Italian law requires retailers to issue receipts (scontrino fiscale). The Guardia di Finanza can stop shoppers outside stores and request receipts. Keep them.
- Custom
- Sunday opening
- Detail
- Supermarkets open Sunday mornings. Independent shops often close Sunday. Markets tend to be Saturday or Tuesday morning.