Puglia, the sun-kissed heel of Italy’s boot, is a region filled with whitewashed towns, ancient olive groves, and dazzling Adriatic views. With just four days in Puglia, you can experience its highlights—charming trulli houses in Alberobello, the white city of Ostuni, the sea cliffs of Polignano a Mare, the baroque beauty of Lecce, or the bustling streets of Bari, plus a magical side trip to Matera in nearby Basilicata.
After seeing Dior’s fashion show, which was hosted in Piazza del Duomo in Lecce, Puglia quickly climbed up my list of places in Italy that I wanted to experience. The region’s handmade laces, embroidery and colorful nocturnal illuminations, Luminarie, were highlighted at the Dior event — it was like a love letter to Puglia from Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Creative Director of Dior.
This 5-day Puglia Itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors seeking a balance of culture, history, and coastal beauty. While this Puglia itinerary allows you to visit Alberobello, Cisternino, Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Matera, and Bari or Lecce, expand this to a week in Puglia if you want to linger longer. Which is what we did. You can customize this Puglia itinerary further based on your preferences and the time you have available for your Southern Italy Road trip.
WHAT IS IN THIS POST
Map of Picturesque towns of Puglia, A Road Trip
Day 1, 2: Bari & Monopoli | Polignano a Mare
- Start in Bari or Lecce: If you’re flying into Bari, begin your trip with a stroll through Bari Vecchia (Old Town), where narrow lanes lead to hidden piazzas, centuries-old churches, and women rolling orecchiette pasta outside their homes. If you’re starting in Lecce, explore its Baroque architecture, often called the “Florence of the South.”
- Pick up your rental car. Stroll around the harbour and have Dinner in the old town.
- Overnight stay in Bari
- Head to Monopoli: This charming fishing town on the Adriatic coast is known for its picturesque harbor, medieval castle, and lively piazzas. Spend the evening wandering its seaside promenade and enjoy fresh seafood at a trattoria.
- Visit Polignano a Mare: Famous for its dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters, Polignano a Mare is one of the most photographed towns in Puglia. Don’t miss Lama Monachile Beach, tucked between limestone cliffs, and a coffee with “caffè speciale” (a local twist on espresso with sugar, lemon, and cream). This is listed as one of the best beaches in Puglia near Bari and Monopoli.
- Enjoy the breathtaking views from the Balconata sul Mare.
- Dine at the famous Grotta Palazzese cave restaurant in Polignano a Mare. We skipped this and ate inside at a restaurant at the city center.
After dinner in Bari Old Town and an overnight stay, we drove to Monopoli. Nestled along the Adriatic Sea in the heart of Puglia, it is one of the best coastal towns in Puglia: a hidden gem! I wasn’t expecting to fall so quickly for its charm: its white washed homes, sun-dappled piazzas, and fishing harbor had me at hello.
Most people rush through Monopoli; I suggest 2 days here. See my 2-day Monopoli Itinerary.
Day 3: Cisternino, Locorotondo & Ostuni
- Cisternino: A small town with a big food reputation, Cisternino is known for its butcher shops that double as restaurants, where you can choose your meat and have it grilled on the spot. The charming old town, with whitewashed alleys and flower-filled balconies, is worth a stop and slow wander during your Southern Italy Road trip.
- Locorotondo is another place deserving of its ‘most beautiful small town’ accolade. Perched on a hilltop in the sun-drenched Valle d’Itria in Puglia, you’ll find this town nestled in the idyllic southern Italian countryside of stone farmhouses, olive groves, and vineyards.
- Ostuni – The White City: Nicknamed La Città Bianca (The White City), Ostuni dazzles with its maze of whitewashed streets perched on a hilltop. Visit the Ostuni Cathedral, admire sweeping views of the Adriatic coast, and enjoy a sunset aperitivo in Piazza della Libertà.
This was our driving day with a few stops along the way to see as many Borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy) as we can!
Locorotondo means round place, reflecting the Puglian town’s design, a fascinating circular labyrinth of narrow streets which wind up to the sleepy central piazza with an elegant neoclassical church. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by a postcard-perfect view of shining white facades embellished by geraniums at the height of summer, with wooden shutters and ornate wrought-iron balconies decked with flowers.
The town’s elevation makes it a perfect vantage point for panoramic views across a tapestry of vineyards and olive groves. The Locorotondo landscape is dotted with the region’s iconic trulli, distinctive cylindrical dwellings only found in the Itria Valley and originally built as homes for farmers working in the region’s vineyards and olive groves.
The medieval walled city of Ostuni was next. One of my favorite experiences was hopping on a tuk-tuk ride through Ostuni’s mazy streets. The narrow alleys are a puzzle to navigate on foot, but gliding through them in the tuk-tuk gave us a chance to see hidden corners, charming piazzas, and flower-draped balconies.
The driver took us uphill, winding through cobblestone lanes until we reached the iconic Ostuni sunset viewpoint. From here, we could see the entire whitewashed town. It would be magical at sunset.
After the tuk-tuk ride, we treated ourselves to lunch at a restaurant with panoramic views of Ostuni. One of the best restaurants in Ostuni with a view! The fresh seafood pasta and pizza, paired with local Puglian wine and some aperol, made it even more special. It was unforgettable.
If you’re spending more time in Ostuni, here are a few other highlights to add to your Ostuni itinerary:
- Stroll through Piazza della Libertà with its grand column and lively atmosphere.
- Visit the Ostuni Cathedral, a Gothic gem with a rose window.
Day 4: Stay in Alberobello
- Drive inland to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its trulli houses—whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Wander through Rione Monti and Aia Piccola, the two trulli districts, and visit the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo in town.
- Visit Chiesa di Sant’Antonio, a church built in trullo-style architecture with a cone-shaped dome that perfectly blends into the town’s fairytale landscape. It was unlike any church I’ve ever seen in Italy.
After visiting the UNESCO trulli houses in Alberobello, we decided to spend a night there in one of the trulli homes. You can also visit this fairytale town as a day trip to Alberobello from Bari or Monopoli
See our Alberobello Guide & Itinerary
Day 5: Matera Day Trip
- Next, we visit the oldest Town in Italy, aka Matera! Although this does not fall under Puglia, it’s a mere an hour and half driving distance away, which makes a perfect day trip!
- Matera, Basilicata: Just over the border from Puglia, Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its Sassi cave dwellings, carved into limestone cliffs, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see. Walk through the winding alleys, explore cave churches, and visit Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario to step inside a traditional cave home. Matera is also famous for its cinematic appeal—it was the backdrop for films like The Passion of the Christ and No Time to Die.
You can, of course, do a Matera day trip from Puglia, but there are so many things to do in Matera, Italy, so stay the night and experiencing the magic of the UNESCO cave dwellings in Matera. Did you know there are many Matera James Bond filming locations and tours to see them?!
See our Magical Time in Matera itinerary
We were short on time and went to Bari the next day to fly back. If you have a couple of days, I would suggest making this a 7 day Puglia Road Trip and visiting the baroque town of Lecce.
Day 6-7: Lecce
- Drive to Lecce, known for its beautiful baroque architecture.
- Explore the historic center, visit the Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo.
- Visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Basilica di San Giovanni Battista.
- Wander through the narrow streets, admiring the intricate architecture and charming squares.
- Enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the traditional trattorias offering local cuisine.
- Spend the afternoon exploring more of Lecce or taking a short drive to nearby coastal towns like Gallipoli or Otranto.
- Overnight stay in Lecce.
Depending on your flight departure time, you can explore more of Lecce in the morning or simply relax. Return your rental car and depart from Brindisi Airport or Lecce train station, depending on your chosen mode of transportation.
What to Eat in Puglia
Enjoy some orecchiette(meaning little ears). Enjoy orecchiette con cime di rapa, a typical vegetarian pasta.
Where to Stay in Puglia
- Bari: iH Hotels Bari Oriente (central, stylish stay)
- Monopoli:
- Polignano a Mare: Grotta Palazzese (luxury hotel with restaurant inside a cave)
- Ostuni: Masseria Cervarolo (agriturismo stay in the countryside)
- Alberobello: Stay in a Traditional Trulli
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