Local experts at DMC Southern Visions Travel give us a little background on Puglia’s iconic olive trees, offering their tasty “liquid gold” olive oil for centuries.  

The Story 
Puglia’s olive trees have deep roots – metaphorically and physically. As one of the world’s first producers of organic olive oil, the region is home to 50 million olive trees and produces over 80% of olive oil in Italy. Known for its strong, distinctive flavor, the olive oil from Puglia is globally recognized for its exceptional quality. What’s more, the olives themselves are extremely tasty, and no aperitivo in Puglia is complete without a bowl of juicy olives to nibble on alongside crispy taralli, the famous ring-shaped bread snacks.  

While the produce is all very delicious, the most incredible thing about Puglia’s olive tradition are the trees themselves: from the coastal plains of Monopoli as far south as Carovigno, you’ll find the highest concentration of ancient olive trees anywhere in the world. The oldest trees are more than two thousand years old and can only be described as monuments of natural sculpture.  

Although these magnificent trees are majestic all year round, the most breathtaking time of year to see them is in the spring, when carpets of bright wildflowers create a truly magical landscape.  

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