The Ultimate 7 to 10 Day Itinerary in Puglia, Italy: Things to Do

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After spending a few weeks exploring the beautiful region of Puglia, I’m here to say it is a stunning place to visit in Italy. I’ve narrowed it down to the ultimate 7 to 10 day itinerary for exploring Puglia.

When it comes to things to do in Puglia, there are endless choices for visiting unique villages, coastal beaches, and historic sites. I think one of the biggest misconceptions about visiting Puglia is that it’s a small region of Italy. It is quite expansive in terms of land and areas to visit.

About the Puglia Region of Italy

Often referred to as the “heel of Italy,” Puglia is a region that is made up of six provinces. Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, Taranto, Foggia, and Barletta-Andria-Trani are the ones that are included. These areas each have a lot to offer, but the most popular to visit are Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto, home to the Valle d’Itria where you probably have seen those postcard towns.

My approach to visiting Puglia, Italy was to not do it all — when I realized how much there was to visit, I decided to break off a chunk of this region. So for this Puglia itinerary, I’ve focused more on the Valle d’Itria, with coastal stops and the best villages to visit in Puglia. You can certainly cut out some of the stops, and switch in others if you want to, that’s the beauty of the flexibility of this itinerary.

This is a slow approach to Puglia, one that savors the Italian lifestyle that is the South of Italy. It’s designed to enjoy a stay in a Masseria or trulli home, beach hop, and have slow dinners. And of course, we had to include a day trip to the most incredible historic town in all of Italy.

Read on to find the ultimate 7 to 10-day itinerary in Puglia, Italy.

Short on Time? Here is the Ultimate Puglia Itinerary for 7 to 10 Days:

Stop 1: Monopoli — 2 nights

Fly into Bari, then head to Monopoli to explore the town and its beaches and take a private boat tour along the coast.

1 Bedroom Home – Villa Susca (Where We Stayed), for the best vacation rental
1 Bedroom Luxurious Condo, for the best luxury apartment
Orazio 33 B&B, for the best bed & breakfast stay
Hotel Don Ferrante, for the best Old Town luxury hotel
Dimora Pietrabianca, for the best boutique hotel
Masseria Torrepietra, for the best family-friendly hotel (just outside of town)

Stop 2: Valle d’Itria — 3 nights

Discover Polignano a Mare and head to the Valle d’Itria towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca.

2 Bedroom Trullo with Pool – Trullo Fumarola (Where We Stayed), for the best country trulli home stay
2 Bedroom Stone House, for the best elegant stay
Relais Villa San Martino, for the best luxury hotel
Masseria San Michele, for the best traditional, budget-friendly hotel
Masseria Trulli e Vigne, for the best trulli hotel
Ottolire Resort, for the best luxury resort

Stop 3: Ostuni — 2 to 3 nights

After a day trip to Matera, make your way to Ostuni to explore the town and hop on a Tuk Tuk tour, visit nearby beaches, and nearby culinary gem of Ceglie Messapica.

2 Bedroom Villa with Pool – Casa Boccadoro (Where We Stayed), for the best overall countryside vacation rental
3 Bedroom Elegant Trulli with Pool, for the best designed trulli stay
Casa Boccadoro (Where We Stayed), for the best overall countryside vacation rental
La Sommità Relais & Chateaux, for the best in-town luxury hotel
Masseria le Carrube, for the best countryside hotel

Stop 4: Lecce — 1 to 2 nights

There’s no better place to extend your trip than the region of Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli, and Santa Maria di Leuca.

Lecce

2 Bedroom Modern Retreat with Pool, for the best private stay
2 Bedroom Luxury Apartment, for the best luxury stay
Palazzo Bozzi Corso, for the best luxury old-world hotel
La Fiermontina, for the best modern retreat
Palazzo Guido, for best luxury city hotel

Otranto

2 Bedroom House in the Village, for the best walkable stay
2 Bedroom Historic Home with Ocean Views, for the best historic stay
Masseria Muntibianchi AgriResort, for the best countryside stay
Baglioni Masseria Muzza, for a luxury rural stay
Masseria Prosperi, for a chic boutique stay

Gallipolli

2 Bedroom Modern Apartment with Rooftop, for the best chic stay
2 Bedroom Beachside Apartment, for the best beachfront stay
Palazzo Presta, for the best affordable chic stay
Tenuta Negroamaro, for the best luxury countryside stay

Santa Maria di Leuca

Palazzo Daniele, for the best design stay outside of town

Travel Tips

Rent a Car — The best way to explore Puglia is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car in Italy is quite easy, and while driving in Puglia can feel hectic, road-tripping there still felt manageable with a little extra caution (For more, read my guide to renting a car in Puglia). Book your car with Discover Cars here.
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive — We use Holafly unlimited data eSIMs (5% off!) for all international travel.

Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip

For more on where to stay in Puglia, don’t miss my in-depth guide to the best towns to stay in Puglia!

The Ultimate Puglia Italy Itinerary: 7 to 10 Days

Things to Know Before Visiting Puglia

Getting Around Puglia

I believe the best way to get around is by renting a car in Puglia. It will give you the best flexibility and access to the towns, not having to rely on public transport schedules. If I could make one single suggestion, it’s to rent a car when you land at the airport and take off from there. Check out my Puglia rental car guide here.

Rental Car Tip: We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.

When is the Best Month to Visit Puglia?

The best months for a trip to Puglia are late spring (May to early June) and early fall (September to October). During these times, the weather is typically warm but not too hot, and the region is less crowded compared to the peak summer months. I’d opt for early fall months if you want warmer sea temps.

Is it Crowded in Puglia?

While Puglia often was the last region to be visited in Italy behind say the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Rome, and so on, it’s now quite popular. It doesn’t have the crowds to the liking of say Venice, but the main villages and cities are frequently visited. That said, most of the villages remain not as touristy and many parts of Puglia have a very authentic feel to them.

How Much Time to Visit

You could easily spend 2 to 3 weeks exploring Puglia, there is a lot to uncover. I think a week minimum will give you a taste of Puglia, but the more, the better. Consider how many villages you want to see, time for beaches and experiences, and any day trips when deciding on the total amount of days.

7 to 10 Day Puglia Itinerary

Day 1: Fly into Bari, head to Monopoli
Day 2: Monopoli + beaches
Day 3: Polignano a Mare, head to Locorotondo
Day 4: Locorotondo + Martina Franca
Day 5: Farm Visit + Alberobello
Day 6: Matera Day Trip, head to Ostuni
Day 7: Ostuni
Day 8: Ostuni beaches + Ceglie Messapica
For 9-10 Days: Lecce, Otranto, Galipolli

Day 1: Welcome to Puglia, Arrive to Monopoli (2 Nights)

Arriving in Puglia

When it comes to arriving in Puglia, the best airport to begin your journey is Bari. It will put you in the closest proximity, where you can pick up your rental car and begin your road trip. You’ll have a 40-minute or so drive to Monopoli, where I suggest beginning your Puglia itinerary.

Where to Stay in Monopoli (2 Nights)

Masseria Torrepietra, for the best family-friendly hotel (just outside of town)
Villa Susca, for the best vacation rental (where we stayed)
Orazio 33 B&B, for the best bed & breakfast stay
Hotel Don Ferrante, for the best Old Town luxury hotel
Dimora Pietrabianca, for the best boutique hotel

First Day in Monopoli

Get settled into your accommodations, and begin your afternoon in Monopoli. I’d stretch my legs out on the lungomare, the outer path that circulates the old town of Monopoli. If you’re in need of coffee, Caffè Letterario is my spot of choice.

If you’re ready to sightsee a bit, consider popping into Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia, the Palmieri Palace (Palazzo Palmieri), and Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. They’re all within a 10-minute walk of each other. For dinner, I’d book in for casual pizza at Porto Rosso – Bar Ristorante Pizzeria or Trattoria La Locanda dei Mercanti.

Day 2: Monopoli and its Beaches

Begin an early morning in Monopoli sans the crowds for a stunning historic town all to yourself. Grab a pastry to go at La Portavecchia as you meander the historic village. Meander to Porto Antico, the working fishing harbor that has the traditional “gozzo” boats bobbing up and down in the water. You could even consider booking this Monopoli Shared tour by Gozzo boat that takes you to Polignano to see the caves (2.5-hour tour departing from Monopoli).

For lunch, I’d grab a bite at CarloQuinto which overlooks the water. From there, it’s time to go beach hopping on the Adriatic Sea — Monopoli is home to several incredible beaches. If you don’t want to go far, Cala Porta Vecchia is the main beach at the town entrance. But if you go further, you’ll find gems like Spiaggia di Cala Porto Rosso, Cala Paradiso, and my two personal favorites Spiaggia La Scaletta and Grotta della Cala Tre Buchi.

Begin your night with an aperitivo at L’ultima Goccia, a natural wine bar owned by a French woman who calls Puglia home. It’s all things Puglian wine, with small bites — a proper introduction to Puglian viticulture. Afterward, grab a bite to eat at Trattoria La Locanda dei Mercanti or at Porto Rosso – Bar Ristorante Pizzeria (whichever you didn’t eat at the night before!).

Day 3: Discover Polignano a Mare and Head to the Valle d’Itria (3 Nights)

For an early morning start, make your way to Polignano a Mare. It is the most touristed town in Puglia, which is why an early start is your best friend. Arrive in town, and meander the “Centro Storico” or old town. I’d head out to Lime, a scenic cafe where you can get a coffee, before heading onto the famous Belvedere su Lama Monachile for the postcard views of Lama Monachile.

Afterward, you could go down to the small pebble beach, the Lama Monachile to rest your feet. One thing is for sure: before you leave town, you have to get the famous sandwich at Pescaria – Polignano a Mare. It’s a crunchy bread with broccoli, stracciatella, and fried octopus stuff inside — it’s life-changing and worth the wait.

From here, depart in the early afternoon from Polignano a Mare and make the scenic drive into the Valle d’Itria. When it comes to your first home base in the Valle d’Itria, I would recommend staying somewhere between Locorotondo and Martina Franca.

Where to Stay in Locorotondo/Martina Franca Area (3 Nights)

Trullo Fumarola, for the best country trulli home stay
Relais Villa San Martino, for the best luxury hotel
Masseria San Michele, for the best traditional, budget-friendly hotel
Masseria Trulli e Vigne, for the best trulli hotel
Ottolire Resort, for the best luxury resort

Day 4: Village Day: Locorotondo and Martina Franca

Locorotondo

Today you’ll split your day into two village visits, and opt for some downtime at your hotel or vacation rental for a well-deserved siesta. Begin your morning in Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in the Valle d’Itria. It’s small but has stunning whitewashed buildings with alleyways that crisscross through.

Visit places like Palazzo Morelli, Chiesa Madre di S.Giorgio Martire, and Villa Comunale in the Centro Storico. For lunch, I’d book in at Ristorante Osteria Il Rosone to try traditional Italian cuisine. If you can’t get a table there, Pavì Wine Restaurant has the best views of the valley. From there, head back to your hotel to relax poolside!

Martina Franca

There’s no rush to get to Martina Franca until after the siesta hours — remember, the village businesses close down each afternoon for a few hours. Make the drive to Martina Franca, the most stunning baroque village in this part of Puglia.

Wander the old town, pass by the Basilica di San Martino, Piazza Roma, Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Maria Immacolata, and Piazza Plebiscito. There is endless architecture to adore here. If you’re here in the summer months, you might even be lucky to catch a live music performance in the Centro Storico; there are frequent free shows in Piazza Plebiscito in front of the Basilica.

For dinner in Martina Franca, book in advance at NAUSIKAA where mall dishes and local specialties are the name of the game here. It was my favorite meal in Puglia, so well worth the effort to reserve. If you can’t get in there, try Ristorante Garibaldi or La Tavernetta.

Day 5: Discover an Ancient Farm and Alberobello

Conservatorio botanico “I giardini di Pomona”

Another day of exploring Puglia begins with a mid-morning visit to a farm you’ll remember for a lifetime. I stumbled upon Conservatorio botanico “I giardini di Pomona” — a unique garden dedicated to preserving rare and ancient fruit tree varieties. You can walk on the property, pay a small fee to pick as much fruit/veg you can eat onsite. It was cherry season while we were there, and we ate our fill.

For lunch, you could pop into Locorotondo or Martina Franca again for a quick bite. Or consider grabbing some local groceries to cook back at your accommodations. Come the late afternoon, it’s time to continue on to the famous trulli town of Alberobello.

Alberobello

A later afternoon arrival to Alberobello means fewer crowds as the tour buses often depart by 4 pm. Walk the historic village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to hundreds of incredible trulli. It’s magical just how many there are.

View from Villa Comunale Belvedere Parco

I’d enjoy golden hour here, meandering the cobblestone paths in the Rione Monti and the quieter Rione aia Piccola part that has over 1,500 trulli. Come sunset head to Villa Comunale Belvedere Parco for the best views. For an easy-to-bite-eat, stop in at MaDó Filoneria Pugliese for freshly made sandwiches like prosciutto and fig or traditional Italian caprese or Corte dei Trulli Alberobello.

Day 6: Matera Day Trip and Head to Ostuni (2-3 Nights)

Matera

It would be a shame not to visit Matera when you’re in the Puglia region. You’re close enough for a proper day trip when based near Locorotondo, and Matera is kind of on its own (you could overnight there if you want.). So why not make the trek to the incredible historic village?

The history of Matera dates back thousands of years with evidence of human habitation in the area going back to prehistoric times. The most distinctive feature of Matera is its ancient district known as the Sassi di Matera (meaning “stones” in Italian). The Sassi consists of two cave complexes, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, where people lived in dwellings carved into the limestone rock.

So today you can explore these historic cave-dwelling villages within the Sassi. I’d recommend arriving quite early before the sun gets too hot to get the most out of your time. Here are some of the things I’d do while there:

Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli (for a view)
MOOM / Matera Olive Oil Museum (to see ancient olive oil museum)
Palombaro Lungo (subterranean cistern)
MUSMA – Museo della Scultura Contemporanea
Basilica Cattedrale di Matera “Maria Santissima della Bruna”
Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso
Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera

Where to Stay in Matera (1 night)

From Matera, you could consider an overnight at an iconic cave hotel like Sextanto, or consider driving back to your next home base of Ostuni. Either works, so depends on preference if you want to make the drive or not.

Day 7: Ostuni to Its Fullest

Where to Stay in Ostuni (2-3 Nights)

La Sommità Relais & Chateaux, for the best in-town luxury hotel
I 7 Archi Guest House, for the best in-town studio and apartment stay
Masseria le Carrube, for the best countryside hotel
Casa Boccadoro, for the best overall countryside vacation rental
Trullo Silentio, for the best new countryside vacation rental

First Day in Ostuni

Begin your morning in Ostuni, the white city, and head straight to Burro Cafe for the best breakfast and coffee in town. Afterward, walk on foot through the Centro Storico to see the sights. Begin in Piazza della Libertà, the main square featuring the Colonna di Sant’Oronzo, a stone column that honors the patron saint of Ostuni.

More sights to see are Cathédrale Santa Maria Assunta, a 15th-century Roman Catholic cathedral with a rose window, and the Arco Scoppa. After this, make it to one of the final points, ‘La casa con la porta blu‘ (Porta del Paradiso) — a famous blue door next to Borgo Antico Bistrot that has incredible views.

I’d have lunch at the undercover Osteria Ricanatti, a reservations-required pre-fixe lunch that showcases the best of the region. There are many bars and restaurants in Ostuni, so you’ll have endless backups like Impasto Napoletano, Borgo Antico Bistro, and Trattoria Sapere E Sapori. Afterward, walk over to La Mercanteria to shop for the best antiques in town. If you’re wanting to add another experience to your itinerary, I’d consider these two things:

A Pasta Making Class with La Caseddha — You can either go to the farm for a hands-on experience or hire the owner, Antonella, to come straight to your vacation rental for an in-home cooking experience.
A Tuk Tuk Tour — It might sound touristy, but honestly, we had the best time doing this 45-minute tour. It got us off our feet and out of the sun, getting to see Ostuni on a scenic drive.

To end your evening, book in for a magical dinner at Masseria Moroseta. They open their restaurant at their iconic property to the public for farm-to-table dinners, I can’t imagine a better place to go in Ostuni surrounded by an olive grove and views.

Travel Tip: If Ostuni is your last stop, consider flying out of Brindisi Airport. It’s closer than Bari and easy to reach. Remember you can always book your car rental for a one-way drop-off, and often only adds a dollar more to your reservation.

Day 8: Ostuni Beaches and Ceglie Mesapica

Ostuni Beaches

If you’re continuing on your trip through Puglia, let’s head to the coast off of Ostuni. There are several incredible beaches to enjoy on your final day. Of course, I would get coffee and pastries again to go from Burro Cafe to fuel up for the day.

For the beaches, you could consider setting up at Lido Morelli, Spiaggia di Gorgognolo, Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, and Quarto di Monte Beach. If you want a more formal beach club, then Lido Morelli is the one with all of the amenities for your trip.

Ceglie Messapica

When you return back in the mid-afternoon, I’d start to consider your dinner plans. I’m going to let you in on a secret — the village of Ceglie Messapica is often referred to as the “foodie” town of Puglia. And hardly anyone visits.

So head to Ceglie Messapica, and begin your late evening with a walk through the Centro Storico to work up an appetite. I’d book in at the idyllic L’Antico Arco Osteria for all things Puglian cuisine. It’s a magical restaurant and one I’d seek out specifically for a memorable dinner.

Days 9-10: Lecce, Otranto, and Gallipoli

If you’ve extended your trip, there’s no better place to continue on your trip than the region of Lecce, Otranto, and Gallipoli. The very thin stretch of the boot of Italy where you can visit the Ionian Sea and Adriatic Sea on the same day.

So this is where I would go next and for me personally, I would look at basing myself in the baroque town of Lecce or head a bit further south to stay somewhere memorable like Palazzo Daniele (my first choice). You can do so much down in this region from Santa Maria di Leuca and more — I trust my local contact at Roam and Thrive, for insider intel on Lecce and Otranto.

My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Lecce, Otranto, and Galipolli