Flavors of the land, colorful ceramics, award-winning olive oil: for an authentic gift less than two hours from Paris, Apulia offers five must-brings: Frantoio Muraglia olive oil, taralli by La Casa del Tarallo, Grottaglie ceramics at Tarricone Ceramiche, artisanal jams from Masseria Mirogallo, and Vini Leone de Castris wines.
Top 5 souvenirs from Apulia 🧳
- 🫒 Extra virgin olive oil Frantoio Muraglia
- 🥨 Crunchy taralli La Casa del Tarallo
- 🏺 Hand-painted ceramics Tarricone Ceramiche
- 🍑 Organic jams Masseria Mirogallo
- 🍷 Primitivo red wine Vini Leone de Castris
| Souvenir | City / Address | Average budget | Transport tip | Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frantoio Muraglia – Olio Terra di Bari DOP | Via Giulio Petroni 118, Bari | €10 / 250 ml | Bottle protected in a cardboard tube | 🫒 |
| Taralli – La Casa del Tarallo | Corso Vittorio Emanuele 46, Alberobello | €3 / 250 g | Vacuum-sealed bag avoids crumbs | 🥨 |
| Tarricone Ceramiche | Via Caravaggio 19, Grottaglie | €18 for a small plate | Bubble wrap + clothing packaging | 🏺 |
| Masseria Mirogallo – Jams | Contrada Masseria Mirogallo, Matera | €6 / 250 g | Jar wedged between shoes | 🍑 |
| Vini Leone de Castris – Primitivo DOC | Via Senatore De Castri 26, Salice Salentino | €12 / 0.75 l | Isothermal bag from the cellar | 🍷 |
Traditional treats to slip into your suitcase 🍯
The region produces 40% of Italian olive oil and lines up delights that are easy to transport. Gourmet shops Antichi Sapori di Puglia (Via Putignani 14, Bari) or Casa Rago (Piazza Mercantile 7, Bari) gather the essentials.
The essentials of the savory basket
- 🧀 Caciocavallo and pecorino vacuum-packed
- 🌶️ ‘Nduja and capocollo from Martina Franca
- 🍝 Orecchiette Terre di Puglia flavored with Primitivo wine
| Product | Label / Origin | Recommended purchase | Shelf life | Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caciocavallo Silano DOP | Apulia / Basilicata | Dolciaria Ambrosio – Via Barletta 17, Andria | 8 weeks vacuum-packed | 🧀 |
| Colored orecchiette | Terre di Puglia | Fish Market, Bari Vecchia | 12 months | 🍝 |
| Capocollo | IGP Martina Franca | Salumeria Martinucci, Via Garibaldi 2, Martina Franca | 6 weeks vacuum-packed | 🥓 |
Looking for more edible ideas? The complete guide on Apulian specialties details 17 gourmet products for 2025.
To combine Mediterranean flavors and exotic gifts, the article “What to bring back from Thailand” offers mixed inspirations.
Apulian crafts: ceramics, papier-mâché & wrought iron 🎨
Since the 17th century, Salento has shaped works in cartapesta, while Grottaglie extends its pottery district to more than 50 workshops.
Iconic pieces and where to find them
- 🏺 Ceramics in the Quartiere delle Ceramiche, Via Cavour, Grottaglie
- 😇 Papier-mâché nativity figurines, Via Arte della Cartapesta 5, Lecce
- 🔨 Wrought iron lamps, Laboratorio Ferro e Fuoco, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Lecce
| Object | Recommended workshop | Average price | Trivia | Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Galletto” whistle | Tarricone Ceramiche | €7 | Fertility symbol since Magna Grecia | 🐓 |
| Apotropaic mask | Bottega Seminara, Via Roma 12 | €25 | Protects the house from the evil eye | 😈 |
| Papier-mâché “Pescatore” | Bottega Cartapesta Le Sorprese, Lecce | €30 | Made from flax fibers & vegetable glue | 🎭 |
To continue discovering Italian craftsmanship, a detour via Tuscany is a must: these Florentine addresses perfectly complement a creative road trip.
Buying tips, packaging, and budget 💡
Between markets and design shops, the average ticket for a quality souvenir ranges from €5 to €25. Prices rise for XXL ceramics: plan €60 and checked luggage padded with clothes.
Checklist before returning
- 📦 Prefer vacuum packaging or bubble wrap
- ✈️ Respect the 1-liter liquid limit in carry-on luggage
- 🕒 Buy cheese & cured meats the day before departure
- 🗺️ Note the hours of Terre di Puglia (8 a.m.–8 p.m., closed Monday)
- 🎁 Include a Shopping Pass: how-to guide to offer an experience rather than an object
| Point of sale | Hours 2025 | Flagship product | Payment method | Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antichi Sapori di Puglia – Bari | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Turmeric taralli | Credit card / Lydia / Cash | 💳 |
| Dolciaria Ambrosio – Andria | 8 a.m.–7 p.m. | Vacuum-packed burrata | Credit card / PayPal | 🧀 |
| Martinucci – Lecce | 7 a.m.–10 p.m. | Pasticciotto | Credit card / Cash | 🍰 |
Need inspiration outside Italy? Discover the finds of Jordan or the marine ideas of La Rochelle.
Frequently asked questions about Apulian souvenirs
How much olive oil can you bring on a plane?
In checked baggage, European regulations allow up to 5 liters per person; in cabin, only 100 ml bottles in a plastic bag.
How to prevent taralli from crumbling?
Place them in a rigid tupperware or wrap the bag in a towel rolled around it.
Are ceramics tax-free?
Yes, at Bari airport, the VAT Refund Office reimburses VAT for purchases > €154.94.
Can you visit a frantoio?
The Frantoio Muraglia offers free tastings at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (online reservation recommended).
Where to find traditional wicker baskets?
The Acquarica del Capo market every Tuesday morning still gathers about ten artisans.
