We spent a long weekend in Puglia with kids. From fairytale villages, to a drive-through safari park , Puglia served up some great family experiences, including a few surprises along the way.
Zoosafari Fasanolandia
This was the biggest surprise for me and a theme park I will never forget! It is the only drive-through safari park I have ever been to and despite torrential rain, we had a fantastic afternoon. Donkeys and camels came right up to our car window, they actually tried to put their heads inside the car – it was hilarious! Tigers and lions walked next to the car and we saw plenty of bears, elephants and antelope too. We were nervous, but excited at the same time and the kids loved it. There are also water slides and rollercoasters adjacent to the safari park. This is a great place for a family day out and one of the best things to do in Puglia with kids – check out this short video and you will see what I mean!
Alberobello
Although there may not a lot for kids to do here, they will be in awe of Alberobello’s fairy tale village. Pottering along the side streets and walking inside the trulli is something that everyone will enjoy. There are lots of friendly locals selling souvenirs, and prices are inexpensive considering it is a tourist trip. We picked up a small stone trullo as a souvenir as well as a Christmas decoration to bring home. Alberobello looks straight out of a Disney movie and kids will love it.
Polignano a mare
Another must see in Puglia, Polignano a mare has the picture perfect cove beach. Walk down the steps from the Ponte Lama Monachile bridge and let the kids paddle in the turquoise sea. If the water is too cold, they will enjoy climbing the cliffs on either side of the cove. This is a regular hang out for locals, who like to jump off the cliffs, so children will love the spectacle. There is a pretty old town beside the beach, with a wide selection of restaurants and bars – it is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Visit Splash Waterpark, Gallipoli
Every child loves waterparks and this is Puglia’s finest. Located close to Lecce, a visit here is ideal if you are travelling to the south Puglia. Packed with rides and swimming pools for kids of all ages, this is a fun day out for all the family.
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Go whale and dolphin spotting with Jonian Dolphin Conservation.
This was something that I would have loved to do in Puglia with kids, but unfortunately the weather wasn’t suitable during our visit. This award-winning marine conservation company will show you dolphins and possibly whales in their natural habitat, over a five-hour boat journey.
Where to stay:
We stayed in a superb villa in the fairy tale village of Alberobello, the Trullo Della Ghiandaia. Complete with two trulli, a large swimming pool, BBQ and even a pizza oven, it was superb. Our host Cristina welcomed us us with a freshly cooked lasagne and wine from her father’s vineyard, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough! I found it on Airbnb, if you haven’t used AirBNB before, sign up here and get €30 off your first stay 😎
Visiting Puglia? Don’t miss Matera, one of Italy’s best kept secrets.
Sarah
