Puglia is a stunning region of Italy and has loads for you to see and do. It has a real mix of attractions and activities – making it the perfect location for families, whether you are travelling with younger children or teens.
The best way to get the most from your time is to have a plan before you go, so here are some of the best family-friendly things to do when you are there.
Splash Gallipoli Waterpark
Water babies of all ages will love this water park. There are many along the Puglia coast, but this is perhaps the most well-known. It has pools and rides aplenty with something for everyone to do. It is packed into 78000sqm, and you will find gentle attractions for the little ones while your water-confident teens can take themselves off and explore the more adventurous slides.
If you want to grab a bite to eat, there is an excellent choice with numerous restaurants, or you bring your own packed lunch and set up camp in the shaded picnic area.
Tickets are 12-18EUR per person, depending on season
Pescoluse Beach
If you are looking for a low-cost day out, then a family day at the beach could be the perfect solution. Like many of the beaches in the area, the sand is soft, white and goes on for miles. The Ionian waves are shallow and not known for currents so younger children can splash and swim in the warm water. There are no water sports on the beach, which keeps it even quieter.
You can hire a gazebo for the day with sun loungers and a protective cover from the sun or just sit out on your towels while the kids build sandcastles.
It’s a truly stunning beach that seems to have slipped the tourist net; you’ll find a relaxed location without the noise and bustle of the better-known beaches.
ZooSafari Fasanolandia
This is a a full-on wildlife park with a huge range of animals to see. Drive through the safari area to see the free-roaming bison, elephants, giraffe and more or visit the tropical houses that are home to crocs and snakes. Pop by the penguin house, splash around the dolphinarium, and take the zoo train into monkey and lemur territory.
There is so much to see here, and the owners have expanded the original zoo further with many roller coasters, fairground attractions and a few water rides. You can easily make this a long day out no matter how old your kids are – and you can pretty much guarantee an easy, early bedtime when you return back to your accommodation!
Grotte di Castellana Caves
Probably better suited to the older members of the pack, the Grotte di Castellana is a stunning history lesson, and it is over 90 million years old.
There are lots of guides available to take you on a walking tour which is about three kilometres long and takes you through the fantastic naturally formed colours and shapes with stalagmites and stalactites and reaches 60 metres under the ground.