Foodies and nature lovers have long since discovered this place for themselves: It is not only Europeans who are increasingly discovering Puglia for themselves, US-Americans are also increasingly traveling to the coastal region in south-eastern Italy or putting it at the top of their bucket list. And not without reason – the landscape captivates with endless olive groves and a mix of cypresses, cacti, lemon and orange trees, often in combination with the crystal-clear sea and inviting grottos. In Apulia there is even more sea – one is the Ionian Sea and the other the Adriatic Sea.
The 3 most popular excursion destinations in Puglia
Polignano a Mare: Known for its breathtaking cliffs and turquoise waters, this coastal village is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. The narrow streets and white houses give the town a special charm. . In the nature reserves, you can even spot flamingos alongside countless bird species.
Alberobello: Famous for its unique trulli houses, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello offers a fairytale setting. The round stone houses with their conical roofs are a symbol of Puglia.
Lecce: Often referred to as the “Florence of the South”, Lecce impresses with its Baroque architecture. The city is a mecca for art and history lovers who want to admire the magnificent churches and palaces.
3 typical dishes
Orecchiette: This pasta is traditionally served with a sauce made from cime di rapa and is a symbol of Apulian cuisine.
Focaccia Barese: A fluffy focaccia topped with tomatoes, olives and oregano.
Burrata: This creamy cheese, a specialty from Andria, is a must for cheese lovers and is often served with fresh tomatoes and olive oil.
Speaking of culinary delights: Puglia is often referred to as the “hub of Italian cuisine” – and for good reason. The region has a strong culinary influence on the whole of Italy. Many top chefs are born and trained here and are recognized worldwide. This is mainly due to the high-quality, regional ingredients such as fresh seafood, excellent olive oil and a variety of vegetables.
The former “cucina povera”, which bears its name as the cuisine of the poor, is ending up on more and more gourmet plates with its simple but very tasty ingredients. For example, taralli or frisa, which are often enjoyed with fresh tomatoes, salt, olive oil and oregano.
Interview: Real estate in Puglia
But it’s not just the abundant moments of pleasure, but also the long summer from mid-April to the end of October that is delighting more and more vacation guests, as well as more and more international residents. This is also documented in the land register.
We invited the Austrian real estate specialist for Puglia, Ms. Elisabeth W. Junasek, for an interview on the subject of buying real estate.
Ms Junasek, how did you come to specialize in Puglia as an estate agent?
I started in northern Italy and gradually came to realize the beauty and potential of the south through the Italians. Puglia captivated me from the very first moment and never let go. It was immediately clear to me: I had to expand my profession and offer real estate in Puglia. It quickly became clear that my professional expansion would not only work geographically and in terms of real estate offerings, but that successful real estate brokerage requires an extensive local spectrum in terms of law, taxes, relocation, consulting and networking.
Is that why you call yourself a real estate consultant and not the usual real estate agent?
The challenge in Puglia is not to acquire properties, but to prepare them for a secure and smooth purchase. This requires a lot of experience and local expertise. My clients are not just looking for a real estate agent – they want a reliable partner at their side who will accompany them through the first steps of their new life and enable a smooth, carefree arrival.
Do you mean preparing not in terms of embellishment, but of a legal nature? Is the land register that different?
The legal certainty is comparable to ours. However, it is not uncommon for 15 to 25 people to be registered with shares in a house, all of whom must agree to the sale. Or that the property deviates greatly from the approved submission planning and I have to find a regulation with the authorities in the interests of my prospective buyers in order to obtain security for them and in the event of a resale and to protect them from unpleasant surprises. The calculations of the properties and charges are also often very different.
That sounds very adventurous.
It takes a lot of effort, but fortunately I’ve always managed to get all the obstacles out of the way and have happy buyers.
The Italians are very cooperative and I have not once experienced that the sale brought all the owners together and the handover to a new owner was celebrated together at the notary’s office.
Despite these many highlights that Puglia has to offer, transactions by international buyers are still low compared to Mallorca, the Algarve or even in their own country – such as Tuscany or Friuli. Why do you think that is?
Interestingly, the Italians present themselves poorly when it comes to real estate. The deep south of Italy still has a bit of a wild west image. It reminds me of Mallorca in the 1980s. Just like there, things are changing rapidly in Puglia, with actors, well-known artists and industrialists from various countries already residing here. As you rightly mentioned, the target group has become broader, not least due to working from home. In contrast to Mallorca, the real estate on offer is very different for different budgets and styles depending on the location.
In which range do you usually buy?
The average is between 400,000 and one million euros. As a rule, I have two customer groups: Group one is the combination of vacation users and investors. Here, the property is usually located by the sea and is used for three to five weeks a year. The rest of the time it is rented out, especially – obviously – in the warmer months. Rental occupancy is very high and second home regulations and short-term rentals are not an issue. Group two are the self-interested, usually lovers of retreats. Here, properties in the middle of unique natural surroundings with large plots of land are preferred. Interestingly, demand from single women looking for a small villa with a rental service has risen sharply.
In contrast to my first impression, you rate the infrastructure for arrival and departure as very good.
There is a low-cost flight from Vienna to Bari twice a day, and Austrian Airlines also flies directly during the summer months. The train is also a viable alternative and, as we have seen during the pandemic, one thing should not be forgotten – you can also get there by car, even if it takes 16 hours. You don’t even need a ferry.
Related posts:
Travel series, part 1: On the road in…Zurich
Travel tips Reykjavík – the most exciting travel destination in 2023
