“Puglia and Sicily are the regions that stand out today as the home of Italy’s top LGBTQ+ seaside destinations.”
The Italian National Tourist Board
The Italian National Tourist Board are in the middle of a campaign promoting Italy as a destination for LGBTQ+ visitors. Here’s what they have to say about Puglia (photos are our own).
Puglia, the ‘Heel of Italy’ is rightly considered one of the most gay-friendly Italian regions. The natural beauty of the beaches of Salento and the city of Gallipoli, surrounded by the sea, creates the perfect atmosphere for a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
In recent years, there have been numerous foreign investments including from many LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. A growing community of lesbian entrepreneurs has settled in the inland area called ‘Valle D’Itria’ where many abandoned farms have been purchased and transformed into boutique hotels or luxury agriturismos surrounded by olive trees and verdant countryside. These are the perfect retreats for those who want to relax in peace and quiet, away from the crowds of the big beaches.
Places like Locorotondo, Ostuni, Martina Franca are real jewels in this area, and should not be missed on a trip to Puglia. This is in addition to Lecce and the ancient villages overflowing with Baroque architecture in the Puglia’s south. And of course, one cannot forget Alberobello, the famous city of trulli (the conical shaped houses typical in this part of Puglia).
More | read the special edition of QMagazine dedicated to LGBTQ Italy sponsored by the Italian National Tourist Board | check out our definitive travel guide to gay Puglia | discover #WeAreInPuglia’s top 10 destinations for 2021 | head to one of Puglia’s top 5 gay beaches | eat at one of Puglia’s sagre food festivals
