Shopping Tourism in Puglia

From local craftsmanship to major international brands, Puglia has always been synonymous with quality and affordability for shopping aficionados. In the last 10 years, Puglia has redesigned its major urban centers, projecting them into a European dimension with large pedestrian areas, where shopping has become a major attraction for those seeking originality, tradition, and exclusivity.

Bari, the regional capital, has a millennia-long tradition in commerce, while Lecce, the capital of Salento, is an internationally renowned hub for artisanal manufacturing, and Taranto, particularly its 19th-century district, has become the favorite destination for cruise ship passengers docking in the City of Two Seas.

Bari welcomes an increasing number of international tourists, who flock to its historic shops. In the capital, there are more than 200 stores boasting over a century of history. Via Sparano, the city's posh lounge, is the ideal place for shopping, followed by Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Argiro, and the surrounding streets. The artisan shops of Bari Vecchia, catering to those seeking authenticity, are not to be missed.

The most luxurious area of the city is Via Sparano, where a visit to Palazzo Mincuzzi, an imposing Art Nouveau building from the 1920s reminiscent of the best palaces in Paris, is a must. Corso Cavour is another street full of shops where you can admire the majestic beauty of the Petruzzelli Theater.

Via Argiro, amidst shops and offices, also offers inviting coffee houses and bars, or typical Barese snacks. Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with home goods, furniture, and design stores, boasts the Margherita Theater and leads old town of Bari. In the alleys between Piazza Ferrarese and the Saint Nicholas Basilica, there are many artisan shops, art stores, and souvenir shops.

Lecce, the capital of Puglian Baroque, blends the modern and ancient features of commerce. The central Piazza Sant'Oronzo, where the Roman amphitheater can be admired, is a good starting point for shopping. An itinerary between clothing, shoes, and Salento crafts winds through Via dei Templari and Via Matteotti, continuing on Via Augusto Imperatore and Via Rubichi. Then there’s Piazzetta Castromediano, and above all, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.

Craftsmanship in Salento is an art, starting with papier-mâché, or the famous, skillfully worked Lecce stone, jewelry, and ornamental or Christmas statues.

In Taranto, where Salento's culture is particularly felt along the eastern coast, Via di Palma and Via D’Aquino are the heart of traditional shopping in the 19th-century district. Tourism, particularly cruise ships, is helping revive the ancient heart of Taranto, where Via Duomo is slowly returning to its former glory. Palazzo Zigrino welcomes visitors with a wide selection of antique furniture shops. In the modern part of Taranto, Via Cesare Battisti and Viale Liguria offer clothing, ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, tailors, lighting, and wine shops.

For shopping aficionados, in addition to the traditional streets in city centers, Puglia offers excellent shopping malls and outlets for all budgets, ranging from luxury to unmissable deals with great value for money. Just a half-hour drive from Bari, the Puglia Village in Molfetta is part of the Land of Fashion Villages chain, which has five locations throughout Italy. A few kilometers from the regional capital, you’ll find the Casamassima Shopping Park, while in the south of the region, don’t miss the small chain of Evolution Boutiques & Outlet, with locations in Polignano a Mare, Lecce, and Martina Franca. In Bisceglie, there's the Business center, a high-end outlet institution for clothing.

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