Puglia, the SloWays Way

This won't be an unbiased article, as Puglia holds a special place in our hearts. It's a region that means so much to us, a place in Italy that feels like coming home every time we return.

Puglia is a truly unique region, a blend of many souls and colors that create a kaleidoscope of shades. There's the deep blue of the sea, sparkling under the sun as it accompanies your journey, with lighthouses silhouetted against the azure sky. Then, there’s the white of the lime-washed houses in villages that evoke the spirit of Greece or the secret corners of the soul — the winding alleys of Cisternino, the trulli of Alberobello, and the shimmering buildings of Ostuni that gleam from atop a hill. The lush green of ancient olive trees, the grey of dry stone walls, crafted by the last skilled hands that still build them in the traditional way.

The region is also defined by its people — passionate, welcoming, and incredibly beautiful. The human side of Puglia, is perhaps what draws us back the most.

And as for reasons to stay, we always find new ones.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Camino, or want help choosing the itinerary that best matches your needs, take our quiz at the link below!

Along the Salento Coast

The first journey we talk about when mentioning Puglia is the Via della Costa Salentina, a route we hold dear. This journey was crafted step by step by our CEO, Tullia, inspired by a deep love for the region, even as she braved the scorching heat of a hot summer.

It was all worth it, as everyone who takes this journey falls in love with it. The route starts from Otranto, a vibrant coastal town. While there, enjoy the bustling local shops and dine at seaside restaurants, but don’t miss the Cathedral, where you can admire the stunning Tree of Life mosaic that adorns its floor.

From here, the journey along the Salento coast begins, with the sea always in view. You’ll pass by orange-hued bauxite quarries, the lighthouse at Punta Palascia — Italy’s easternmost point, coastal spa towns, and you’ll stay in noble residences in the heart of fishing villages and charming guesthouses. Here, if you wish, you can even learn Pugliese cooking directly from the host. The journey continues to Gagliano del Capo and then by train to the enchanting light and Baroque palaces of Lecce.

For those who are less experienced but still want to enjoy the wonders of this route, we’ve created an easier version.

Via Materana, From the Sea to Matera

Another path leads from the sea inland and then continues into nearby Basilicata, reaching Matera, one of Italy’s most magical places.

Starting from the coast of Bari, a special city that deserves time to be explored and discovered. Its beauty isn’t immediately obvious like Lecce, but it reveals itself in the alleys of the old town, along the seaside promenade, in the open squares, the Norman castle, and the Basilica of San Nicola. Here, Catholic and Orthodox faithful come together in the worship of Saint Nicholas, who is buried here, making it one of the few places frequented by followers of different Christian denominations.

From Bari, the Via Materana unveils the heart of inland Puglia: it’s a soul-searching journey through centuries-old olive trees, almond groves, vast cultivated fields, and towns that express the true nature of the South. From Altamura, renowned for its delicious bread, where you can experience evening strolls and children playing in the squares, to Gravina with its underground city carved into soft rock.

The destination is Matera, the city of the Sassi, a marvelous place to arrive on foot because it truly feels like an enchanted land reached after an epic adventure. Its landscape, an eternal living nativity scene, attracts artists, directors, and writers from around the world, thirsty for its beauty.

The Southern Via Francigena: From Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca

The Southern Via Francigena is the natural continuation of the historic Via Francigena. After the 1,000 km that lead pilgrims to Rome, the route continues southward along the ancient paths once followed by those embarking for the Holy Land.

This is a grand journey through Lazio, Campania and Puglia, walking along stretches of Roman roads, past archaeological sites, abbeys, castles and ever-expanding landscapes. Once in Puglia, the trail crosses the Gargano promontory, the Murgia plateau and finally the Salento peninsula, before reaching Santa Maria di Leuca — the symbolic De Finibus Terrae, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet.

The itinerary we offer follows the entire route from Rome to Leuca: 46 days of walking to experience the full depth of the Southern Via Francigena. It is a progressive journey where landscapes shift gradually and the sense of distance becomes part of the experience.

For those with time and the desire for a long-distance project, this is a remarkable crossing of Southern Italy — to be completed in one extended journey or divided into sections over several years.

 
The Southern Via Francigena: From Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca

For those who wish to experience the final essence of this great pilgrimage route, we also offer the last section only: from Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca.

The journey begins in Lecce, the luminous Baroque capital of the South, before entering a quieter, rural Salento. The route weaves through ancient olive groves, dry-stone walls, countryside chapels and panoramic stretches overlooking the sea. It is a compact yet meaningful walk, where the rhythm slows and the landscape gradually opens toward the horizon.

Arriving in Leuca carries a symbolic weight: the basilica overlooking the promontory, the lighthouse, the meeting point of two seas. It marks the historical end of a pilgrimage — and perhaps the beginning of a future journey along the entire Southern Francigena.

This itinerary is ideal for those with limited time who still want to experience an authentic, scenic and historically significant stretch of the great southbound route.