In the very south of Italy’s ‘heel’, bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, lies the stunning region of Puglia. Spend your days zooming around the expansive valleys filled with ancient olive trees and the iconic trulli houses before savoring delicious seafood on terraces with stunning coastal views. We’ve planned the best 7 – 10 day itinerary for Puglia, Italy, including hidden gems, our favorite restaurants, and the best places to stay.
Our Itinerary for 7 to 10 Days in Puglia
There are so many incredible places to see in Italy’s southern region, Puglia. From the wide, dry valleys dotted with olive groves to the rugged coastline with stunning turquoise waters and historic towns in between, every corner is picturesque. We absolutely loved driving from one spot to another on our Puglia itinerary, discovering all its beauty at our own pace.
Note: We stayed in the ‘White City’ of Ostuni during our trip (see all hotels). However, in this itinerary, we recommend you spend half of your Puglia trip here or in Monopoli, and the other half in a hotel in Lecce.
Day 1: Arrival in Bari
Welcome to Puglia! Bari is the region’s capital city and often the first stop for visitors. While many pass through quickly, we actually really liked the atmosphere here, with its mix of lively piazzas, coastal views, and authentic local life. Therefore, depending on your arrival time, it’s well worth exploring what the city offers.
Stroll through Bari Vecchia (the old town), getting lost in its maze of narrow alleyways, and have lunch at one of the sunny terraces. End your day with a stroll along the lungomare, the seaside promenade, before continuing to Monopoli or Ostuni for the night (this will be your base to explore Puglia from!).
Tip: You can also choose to stay in Bari for the night. (Browse your hotel options here)
Day 2: Monopoli
On day two, start your morning in the city of Monopoli — our favorite town in Puglia! Less than an hour away from Bari and Ostuni, it’s a great spot for a day trip, with a beautiful coast and lively historic center. And, although we didn’t do this ourselves, we think it would also be a great place to stay overnight on your Puglia itinerary.
The town has a much more local feel to it than some of the other places in Puglia. Watch as fishermen bring in their catch of the day in the harbor — Porto Antico, our favorite spot — and locals chat with each other on the street.
Tip: The best way to enjoy the scenery here is with a picnic; grab a delicious Italian sandwich at Gustavo. Nick had the Parmigiana, which was so good!
Afternoon: Polignano a Mare
After exploring Monopoli’s Old Town in the morning, continue north along the coast to Polignano a Mare, one of Puglia’s most famous coastal towns. You can choose to relax on the iconic beach, Lama Monachile, or book a boat trip to explore the surrounding beaches and caves.
Day 3: Alberobello
A daytrip to the iconic Trulli village of Alberobello is an iconic stop on your Puglia itinerary. The town’s curved white huts with limestone conical roofs are unique and date back to the 14th century. These days, locals still live in them! We were excited to visit this spot, and it definitely exceeded our expectations.
Top tip: Grab a gelato at La Bottega del Gelato and wander up to this location for the best view of the historical part of Alberobello.
As it’s one of the most popular sites in Puglia, it’s best to visit early in the morning. Park your car here (in the historic center), and spend an hour or two roaming the picturesque streets of Alberobello.
Afternoon: Olive Oil Farm
After visiting Alberobello in the morning, go for an olive oil tasting in the countryside — a must on any Puglia itinerary! This was one of our most authentic experiences in the region.
In fact, Puglia produces around 40% of Italy’s olive oil, from some of the oldest trees in the country! We visited this Masseria, a small family-run business that gave us a fantastic tour and tasting. We definitely would like to consider ourselves somewhat more of an expert afterward!
Tip: As a nice souvenir of your trip, you can buy their farm-produced olive oil after the tasting.
Day 4: Day trip to Matera (a must on any Puglia itinerary)
Spend day 4 in the oldest European city and one of the most magical we’ve ever seen: Matera. Built into a valley, this city is known for its ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone rock. And while it’s not officially in Puglia, it’s a must-see on your itinerary and just a 1-2 hour drive away.
We parked at this location, from where we walked to the Sassi, the oldest part of town. Here, you can explore the ancient caves, which have been used since prehistoric times! They were once churches, homes, and shops, now converted into museums, luxury hotels, and even restaurants.
Tip: Make sure to visit these two hidden gems for the best views of the city: Viewpoint 1 + Viewpoint 2. If you’d like to relax and take in the atmosphere, this bar terrace also has impressive views; it’s the ideal spot to enjoy an aperitif in the heart of the Sassi.
Day 5-7: Ostuni
We chose to stay in Ostuni on our Puglia itinerary and found it the ideal base! It lies perfectly centered and is only a maximum of an hour’s drive away from the other sites in the region. The ‘white city’ covers a hilltop with views across Puglia’s flat olive-grove-covered landscapes, which are simply stunning. This was one of our favorite locations.
Wander up the hillside streets, marveling at the white houses surrounded by flowers and cacti, and stop to see sites like Arco Scoppa or Piazza della Libertà.
Where to park? On arrival, we parked here, just an 8-minute walk into the centro storico.
Day 6: Cooking Class (highlight on your Puglia itinerary)
Start the morning of day 6 with breakfast in town; there are plenty of great options, like Burro Cafe or Crumb35! Afterwards, walk it off by exploring more of Ostuni’s beautiful alleys and viewpoints, before getting ready for one of our favorite experiences in Puglia: this cooking class.
Set amongst the beautiful Apulian countryside at a cozy family villa, this cooking experience is taught by the matriarchs of the household — a fantastic mother-daughter duo. Underneath a garden pergola, this is the perfect activity in the afternoon sunshine!
We learned to make focaccia bread, experimenting with our toppings, and eating lots of Orecchiette pasta (native to Puglia). You’ll enjoy more snacks and drinks while making your food before eating your hard work. There was even traditional live music, so we danced with everyone in the group, including the family, which was so much fun! (Book the experience here).
Day 7: Departure
If you’re visiting Puglia only for 7 days, then this is your final day. Savor the last moments exploring Ostuni’s enchanting alleys. Wander through the sun-drenched streets, perhaps revisiting a favorite viewpoint one last time. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere before indulging in a final, delicious Apulian lunch.
Doing a 10-day Puglia itinerary instead?
After ticking off the last things to do in Ostuni, head further south to the beautiful city of Lecce.
Also read: our favorite things to do in Puglia, Italy
Its impressive architectural gems have earned it the nickname ‘the Florence of the South’, and we have to agree! We loved wandering around the baroque streets of the city, admiring the architecture and the soft, golden limestone of the buildings (called Pietra Leccese). Stop off in Piazza del Duomo, admire the stunning Basilica di Santa Croce, and visit the city’s incredible palaces.
Tip: You can buy a combined ticket for Lecce’s most important historical sites. This includes the basilica, several baroque churches, and the seminary palace. Tickets cost 9 EUR, and you can pre-book them here.
Day 9: Hit the Beach
After many days exploring different towns, head back to the beach by visiting the southernmost region of Puglia, Salento. This area is known for having the best beaches, with two sides to choose from: rocky coves and wild nature on the Adriatic coast, or calm turquoise waters and soft sand on the Ionian.
Some of our favorite beaches on the western coast were:
- Punta Prosciutto
- Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio
- Santa Maria al Bagno
- Spiaggia di Torre Lapillo
The eastern part of the region is the place for cliff jumping, fantastic snorkeling, and cave exploration. You won’t find as many amenities here, but that’s all part of its untouched beauty! Some of our favorites on this side were: Torre dell’Orso and Baia dei Turchi.
When we were here, we jumped off the cliffs with some Italians who really knew what they were doing. It’s a good idea to ask the locals before jumping, as they know where the rocks are. We also recommend bringing water shoes, as you’ll need to climb up some sharp edges to get out of the water.
There are plenty of parking options close to the beach. However, in the summer, it gets full very quickly. Arrive early in the morning to get a spot or later in the afternoon when people leave. Note: Just don’t leave any valuables in your car. (Learn more about travel safety)
Day 10: Departure
And just like that, 10 days in Puglia have flown by. Savor your last moments in Lecce with a delightful breakfast at a local café, enjoying a final Pasticciotto. Then, admire the golden limestone architecture one last time as you stroll through the baroque streets.
Where to Stay on Your Puglia Itinerary
There are so many beautiful places to stay in Puglia, Italy! We chose to stay in Ostuni and loved it; it’s a lively city centrally located in the region, making it super easy to explore. We stayed both in a city hotel and later in a countryside villa.
Tip: For a Puglia itinerary longer than a week, we recommend staying in a few places. For example, Monopoli, Alberobello, and Lecce are also ideal bases for exploring other spots. We’ve included some of our favorites below:
Although the Trulli houses are very popular places to stay, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for more extended vacations. We found them a bit uncomfortable, mainly because of the low ceilings and lack of ventilation, which means they are prone to dampness. For a day or two, though, it’s a fun thing to do in Puglia!
Visiting in the summer? You’ll want to book somewhere with a pool, especially if you stay away from the coast.
How to Visit Puglia for 7-10 Days?
Puglia has two international airports: Bari and Brindisi. This Puglia itinerary focuses on arriving in Bari, but both are good options and have connecting flights throughout Europe. From both, it’s really easy to travel onwards to your destination, either by rental car, bus, or train.
Getting Around on your Puglia Itinerary
Renting a car is the ideal way to explore the region, allowing you to dive deeper into the secluded countryside, hidden Trulli Houses, and untouched coastline. It’s easy to navigate, with a good mix of highways between the main towns and winding scenic roads in the countryside.
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
By Train
Although you have complete freedom with a rental car, the train is also a great form of transportation in Puglia. All the main towns and cities, such as Bari, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Brindisi, and Lecce, have great train connections. If you’re not renting a car, we recommend staying in one of these places to get around.
Tours
Alternatively, organized tours are also a great way to see the region. You can book many from the major cities that offer return transportation and a guide — an easy way to visit some of the best spots on your Puglia itinerary (and learn from a local expert!).
Some of the tours we did on this trip, such as our cooking class, olive oil tour, and wine tasting, were some of the best experiences we had!
While hotels and food are generally priced lower, you can still save money on your trip. For example, you can buy a delicious sandwich or focaccia to take away from one of the shops in town, making the perfect beach snack! The water is also drinkable from the taps, so you won’t have to buy it from the stores.
Note: If you’re renting a car in Puglia, you’ll also need to budget for fuel and parking costs. We spent around 3 – 20 EUR per day on parking.
We sadly noticed a lot of trash left on the side of the roads in Puglia. If you’re taking a picnic to the beach or another nature spot, please always remember to take your trash away with you.
But there are also plenty of vegetarian dishes on offer, especially compared to other regions in Italy, like Tuscany. Some of our favorite restaurants we visited during our trip were:
- Ostuni: Borgo Antico Bistrot. There are beautiful views and delicious sharing boards.
- Alberobello: Trattoria Terra Madre. Specializes in organic and locally sourced ingredients.
- Polignano a Mare: Pescaria. Serves delicious seafood sandwiches/paninis. (Book your table here)
- Monopoli: Gustavo. The most delicious sandwich ever!
- Matera: Conzato. Fantastic views of Matera and delicious antipasti.
- Avetrana: Osteria Sud e Terre Lontane. Incredible seafood plates.
- Ceglie Messapica: Osteria da Giuseppe. Fresh, seasonal pasta dishes (book your table here).
Tip: Many restaurants need reservations during high season, especially around popular towns like Matera and Ostuni.
Best Time to Visit Puglia
The most popular months to visit Puglia are July and August, though these are also the hottest (and busiest!). This is a great time to relax on the region’s many beautiful beaches, but remember to book your hotels, restaurants, and tours well before your trip. Parking can also fill up quickly during these times, so we recommend visiting beaches and other significant attractions first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We visited in October, which was just perfect! The average daily temperature was around 23 degrees Celsius, there were fewer crowds, and in the late afternoons/evenings, we often had the busy city streets to ourselves. We found this a great time to explore the region’s highlights with milder temperatures that were perfect for a road trip, yet warm enough that we could still swim and sunbathe.
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