Puglia in 2026: Italy’s Sunniest Region
Located at the heel of the boot, the region of Puglia boasts nearly 800 km of coastline between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. In 2026, it stands among the brightest areas of Italy, with 2,500 to 2,800 hours of sunshine depending on the area. ☀️
Mild winters (10–14 °C on the coast), dry summers (30–34 °C), regular sea breezes: a climate made for outdoor living, from morning coffee on the piazza to late-season swimming.
Real Estate Snapshot 2026. According to data from Green-Acres (a website specialized in second homes), the prices per square meter listed on ads vary significantly: around €1,600–1,900/m² in several inland villages, from ~€1,400/m² in certain coastal sectors, and up to over €4,000/m² near highly sought-after spots.
Exceptional Quality of Life, Climate and Hospitality
- Relaxed pace: local shops, markets, neighborhood life and spontaneous friendliness.
- Safety and mutual aid: close-knit villages, strong community spirit and a warm welcome for newcomers. 🤝
- Natural setting: varied beaches, sea caves, nature reserves and countryside framed by dry stone walls.
- Outdoor living: hiking on the Gargano, cycling in the Valle d’Itria, sunrise paddle boarding. 🌊
More and more expats charmed by the white villages
Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca or Alberobello attract with their whitewashed alleys and trulli. You’ll find a good balance between charm, services and coastal access.
For a concrete look at the local market:
- real estate listings in Ostuni,
- real estate listings in Locorotondo,
- real estate listings in Cisternino,
- real estate listings in Martina Franca,
- real estate listings in Alberobello.
Profiles: remote workers, young families, new international retirees, and sustainable tourism creatives.
Real Estate: village apartments, renovated trulli, small houses with terraces. Prices rise near tourist hotspots, remain low 10–15 km from the sea.
Price Benchmarks: in Ostuni, high demand is driving values up (observed prices around €4,200/m²), while Alberobello offers more affordable entry-level properties (from about €139,000). Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca often range between ~€1,700 and ~€2,900/m² depending on condition, land and view.
Everyday life: cafes with Wi-Fi, some coworking spaces, welcoming local schools and community Italian classes. 😊
Bari and Lecce: Two Faces of the South
Bari, a Dynamic Port City
Regional capital, Bari combines its port, universities, and a transformed historic center (Bari Vecchia). Popular neighborhoods: Murat for shopping, Poggiofranco for residential living, Palese and Santo Spirito for seaside living. 🚆✈️
- Mobility: strengthened rail links to Rome and Naples, highly connected international airport.
- Services: hospitals, international schools, flourishing food and cultural scene.
- Real estate: strong rental demand from students and professionals; good potential for year-round rentals.
In the Bari area, the highly coveted Monopoli offers a mix of seafront and vibrant center; real estate listings in Monopoli average around €1,428/m² on Green-Acres.
Lecce, Baroque Capital With a Gentle Atmosphere
The « Baroque Florence » delights with its golden stone, sculpted churches and quiet pace. Adriatic beaches are 20–30 minutes away, the Ionian a bit further, with generally calmer waters. 🏛️
- Art of living: terraces, crafts, a rich cultural calendar and summer evenings on the piazze.
- Studies and families: university city, good service offer and parks for children.
- Real estate: historic center houses to renovate, palaces divided into apartments, charming homes on the city’s edge. At Lecce, properties for sale are often around €1,460/m², with a median budget close to €237,000 for spacious properties.
Rural Life in Puglia
Olive groves, Masserie, and the Culture of Slow Living
In the countryside, life moves with the seasons, between olive groves and masserie (former fortified farmhouses). Vegetable gardens, rainwater cisterns, and shaded pergolas structure daily life. 🏡🫒
- Homes: trulli, lamie, and stone masserie, often with land and vineyard views.
- Renovation: watch for landscape permits and summer insulation; prioritize natural ventilation.
- Environment: olive replanting after Xylella and increasing agro-ecological practices.
Local Gastronomy: Olive Oil, Salento Wines, Burrata
Here, people eat simply and well. Morning markets, catch of the day and peasant recipes fill the daily plate. 🍝🍷
- Must-tries: Burrata from Andria, orecchiette cime di rapa, taralli, focaccia barese, panzerotti.
- Wines: Primitivo di Manduria, Negroamaro, Susumaniello, crisp rosés for summer.
- Budget: lunch menu €12–15, local olive oil at affordable prices, abundant seasonal produce.
Everyday Strengths and Challenges
Low Cost of Living, Improving Infrastructure
- Indicative monthly budget (couple): rent €500–900 in cities, €300–600 in villages; electricity €70–120; fiber €25–35; full supermarket shop €200–350.
- Transport: improving regional network (Ferrovie del Sud Est), A14 for the Adriatic coast, Bari and Brindisi airports well served.
- Healthcare: public system accessible with health card; private clinics available in major cities.
- Remote work: reliable fiber in towns and coastal areas, decent 4G/5G; bring a backup router in the countryside.
Intense Summer Tourism on the Adriatic Coast
From July to August, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Otranto, or Gallipoli are fully booked. Crowded beaches, rising prices, and dense traffic.
- Tips: target the hinterland 10–20 km away, favor June and September, explore coves early in the morning. 🧭
- Investment: high seasonal demand; check short-term rental rules and obtain the tourist code (CIS). Among foreign buyers, the French prevail in Brindisi (~19%) and Lecce (~21%), followed by the US, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- Balance: the rest of the year, life returns to quiet; perfect for alternating summer rentals and personal use.
Puglia, Between Sea, Stone and Light
Gargano with its white cliffs, Valle d’Itria and its trulli, Salento washed by two seas: the palette is wide. The muretti a secco (dry stone walls) and Lecce stone capture a unique light. ✨
Adriatic with its crystal-clear waters, Ionian warmer and shallower, Tremiti Islands offshore, pine forests and almond fields: a territory to endlessly explore, season after season. 🌊🌿
