English Retiring in Puglia is a dream for many, especially if you want to be close to the sea. If you’ve ever been on vacation here and totally fell in love with the area, the good news is that there are several affordable towns where you could actually live year-round.
But, as we always say, it’s easy to get swept up in the charm of a place, only to realize later that it’s missing some key essentials – like a hospital in town, a safe vibe, low earthquake risk, or an airport nearby for when you need to fly home.
In this post, we’ll look at five towns that are great for retiring in Puglia. All of them are within 30 minutes of the beach and offer a comfortable, low-stress lifestyle.
1. Trani (BT)
Trani is an elegant seaside town with a beautiful historic center, a working port, and that iconic cathedral right on the Adriatic. Livable, well-connected, and calm, it’s ideal for those who want culture and sea without the crowds.
It’s also well-served: just 10 minutes from a hospital, and close to two airports – Bari Karol Wojtyla (25 minutes), and Naples Capodichino, which offers more flight options and is reachable in under two hours.
Property prices are reasonable: a 70 m² home averages around €120,000, which is a good deal considering how close you are to the coast.
In fact, Trani has its own beach, Lido Colonna. But alternatively, you can reach Spiaggia di San Marco Sud just 3 km away, or drive 15 minutes to the nearby town of Bisceglie, which offers several beaches, including the popular La Salata.
2. Locorotondo (BA)
Locorotondo is definitely one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, right in the heart of the Valle d’Itria.
It’s located in the province of Bari – a city that definitely checks all the boxes (close to the sea, with a hospital and an airport), but we decided not to include it here simply because we’re pretty sure you’re already familiar with it. That said, if you’re curious, we recently interviewed Kathy, who lives there happily, and published an article on what people say about living in Bari.
Back to Locorotondo: even though it’s inland, you can reach the beaches near Fasano, like Savelletri and Torre Canne, in under 30 minutes.
It’s also a convenient spot if you’re looking for flight connections within Italy and across Europe. In fact, Brindisi Airport is about 35 minutes away, and Bari Airport is around 45 minutes. If you need a wider range of international flights, Naples Airport is your best bet, though it’s about 3h30 min. away by car.
Despite being such a charming and picturesque town, property prices remain relatively low – on average, around €106,000 for a 70 m² home.
3. Lecce (LE)
Lecce is a very safe and peaceful city – so much so that it’s been ranked as one of the happiest cities in Italy, thanks to its high quality of life (83/100).
If you live in the center, you can easily get around on foot or by public transport, which is reliable. But if you’re planning to travel often to other towns or coastal areas, having a car is definitely useful. Lecce also makes a great base for exploring the rest of Salento and reaching several beaches – San Cataldo, for example, is just 11 km away.
As for flights, Brindisi Airport is the most convenient – just a 30-minute drive away. Bari Airport is another good option, at just over an hour by car. And if you don’t mind a longer trip, Lamezia Terme Airport can be reached in under three hours.
The average price for a 70 m² home is around €115,000.
4. Monopoli (BA)
If you’ve already traveled through Puglia, chances are you’ve passed through Monopoli. It’s a lively seaside town – but not too chaotic – with a beautiful historic center and old port. The quality of life is high, the climate is mild, and the town is well-equipped with all the essential services you might need in daily life – from supermarkets to pharmacies and gyms.
It’s ideal if you dream of having the sea just steps from your door. In fact, within walking distance of the old town you’ll find beaches like Cala Porta Vecchia, Cala Incina, and Porto Verde. And if you have a car, you’ve got even more options – like the stunning Lama Monachile, just a 15-minute drive away.
Both Bari and Brindisi airports are about 35 minutes away, while Naples Capodichino is a little over two hours by car if you’re looking for more international routes.
Property prices here are higher, with a 70 m² home averaging around €170,000.
5. Mesagne (BR)
Mesagne is a small town of about 26,000 people in the heart of northern Salento. While it’s smaller than some of the other options, it’s surprisingly well-equipped when it comes to services: the nearest hospital is just 5 minutes from the center, and you’ll also find plenty of cafes, pharmacies, supermarkets, and shops.
One of its biggest strengths is its location. It’s just 15 minutes from Brindisi Airport and a little over an hour from Bari Airport, making it a very strategic base.
The cost of living here is also lower compared to the coast. A 70 m² home averages around €60,500, which is quite affordable. And while it isn’t directly on the sea, you can reach Brindisi and different beaches in 20-30 minutes, like Torre Guaceto, Punta Penna Grossa, and Spiaggia di Pantanagianni Grande.
Want to explore more options?
If these places haven’t fully convinced you and you’d like to explore other options, use our search tools to explore over 1,500 towns and cities in Italy. You can filter by cost of living, transport, healthcare, or lifestyle factors to find the right place for you.
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