Puglia travel guide: itinerary for a roadtrip in southern Italy
Puglia is my favourite Italian region! This region of southern Italy has a lot to offer: landscapes, food and culture. Even though I spend a month's holiday there every year, I never tire of it and discover new places year after year. You'd have to live here for several months, there's so much to offer! Many of you have chosen this holiday destination this year, so I've decided to dedicate an article to my Puglia travel guide with the perfect itinerary (in my opinion, of course) for a roadtrip and discover this charming Italian region. Thanks to this 10-day itinerary in Puglia, you can have a wonderful first trip to the region. Since I've been spending my summers there, I'm starting to know the region well and I'm happy to share my good addresses with you! Shall we make the holidays last a little longer and travel together?
What you need to know before planning your itinerary in Puglia
How do I get there?
As you might expect, the easiest way to get to Puglia is by plane. Normally, all airports offer this destination. However, Puglia has 2 airports: Bari-Palese and Brindisi-Casale. Obviously, you need to choose the one that serves the region you're going to first!
Once you're there, you'll soon realise that a car is essential! It's impossible to visit Puglia properly and follow the itinerary I'm about to suggest without a car. Public transport (bus, train or other) is not at all developed and the regions are very poorly served. As far as I'm concerned (and when we have to hire a car), we generally hire through Locauto. It's superbly organised: everything is done online and automated once you're there. I've never had any surprises and I've always been extremely satisfied with the service. So you can trust them!
Where to stay in Puglia?
Before going into more detail about the itinerary and the places to visit, I'd like to talk about accommodation. To follow the proposed itinerary, I'd recommend
- 5 nights in the Trullis region: you'll be near Ostuni, in the countryside. To find the ideal accommodation, you can consult the article I've already written. I've listed my favourite hotels in this region of Puglia. However, I would advise you to pay particular attention to the location of the accommodation you choose! Choose accommodation fairly close to the motorway. This will avoid you having to drive for 1 hour on small country roads to reach your accommodation. That would really complicate your roadtrip!
- 4 nights in a hotel/villa around Lecce: I say around because I recommend that you find accommodation in the countryside! It's always nicer to be surrounded by nature and avoid the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Also, try to find a hotel in the centre of Salento. That way, you'll be centrally located to get to both sides of the coast.
In this way, you'll be able to visit the two main regions of Puglia: Salento and the Trullis region.
Puglia travel guide day 1: Alberobello & Ostuni, the white city and the village of trullis
Start your roadtrip with an early morning visit to Alberobello! This magnificent village is full of traditional trullis. That's clearly what makes it so charming, but it's also what attracts so many tourists. To make the most of this moment, I'd advise you to get there really early.
Then continue your day by heading to the beach. A quick stop off at Lido Bambu to relax, enjoy a little lunch and stretch out for a few hours on a deckchair, and you can get on with your day. Be careful, though, as this is a well-known and popular spot in high season. I'd advise you to book before you go, especially if you know your route.
Once you've made the most of the beach, head for Ostuni in the late afternoon. The world arrives in Ostuni at the end of the day, so you'll have the chance to stroll around the town, take a few quiet photos and take part in a few activities before the tourists arrive. Then it's time for a drink and dinner! I also wrote an article about my favourite restaurants in Puglia. In it you'll find a list of restaurants that I update every year. But if I had a few recommendations to make, I'd recommend Osterio del tempo. We ended the evening with a little ice cream in the Piazza della Liberta.
Discovering Puglia day 2: Polignano a mare & Cisternino
Second day in Puglia, the itinerary continues to Polignano a mare. This white village on the cliffs is suuuuuper touristy. So if you want (at least if you want to try) to see the town without too many tourists, I'd advise you to get up early! Start by going for a walk and letting yourself be carried away by the Italian atmosphere. You can visit the Piazza dell'Orologio, the Matrice di Santa Maria Assunta church and go for a swim in the bay. For lovers of unusual activities, you can even try your hand at scuba diving! And don't hesitate to take a stroll to reach the various viewpoints, whether overlooking the sea or the city.
As far as restaurants for lunch are concerned, I have to admit that they're not the best I've been to in Puglia. However, we've already stopped off at Osteria di Chichibio, Mint Cucina Fresca and Pescaria and had a good meal. Don't hesitate to visit my Mapstr, where I list all my good addresses!
Once you've filled your belly, it's off to Cisternino for a visit. A small town in Puglia, Cisternino is a jewel of Italian history and a good representative of the region, with many traditional trullis to be found there. You can see the Norman Tower, the Chiesa Madre and stroll around Piazza Victor Emmanuel. Stroll through the four quarters of the city while enjoying the magnificent scenery. And to round off the day in style, stop off at a masseria for a traditional experience. My favourite place? Masseria Il frontoio. You can take a tour of the estate, see how olive oil is made before enjoying a multi-course dinner (which is obligatory).
Puglia travel itinerary day 3: Grottaglie, Locoronto & Monopoli
It's time to hit the road (1h) to Grottaglie, the town of ceramics. This is an ideal place to do a bit of shopping and bring back a few souvenirs for family and friends. In fact, it's in this town that designer Nicola Fasano creates and sells his tableware. I've already talked about him several times, either on Instagram or on this blog, but I really fell in love with his creations! I urge you to check out what he has to offer. If you're looking for a gift for your loved ones, don't hesitate for a second and buy a rosebud. The rosebud is the emblem of Puglia and is the good luck charm par excellence in this region of Italy.
After this short shopping trip, my Puglia travel guide continue towards Monopoli! But before you get there, make a stop in Locorotondo or Martina Franca. These two typical little villages are quite cute and perfect for a quick lunch. In Martina Franca, you can stroll through the baroque and rococo buildings. Don't hesitate to stop off and visit the Palazzo Ducale, a former palace now converted into a museum. If, on the other hand, you decide to stop off in Locorotondo, you can discover its whitewashed houses. Even if there isn't much to visit, you can still discover this place, listed as one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Why not take a guided tour, for example?
At the end of the day, it's time to head to Monopoli! I love this town because it always has a magical atmosphere! In general, there are very often live concerts, street shows or even light shows. So I'd advise you to find out what's on before you go. It would be silly to miss out on some great entertainment. And don't hesitate (time permitting) to visit the historic city centre and the port! You can also stop off at Monopoli Cathedral or Carlo V Castle. As for meals, stop off at Don Ferrante for an aperitif. A little nugget!
Travelling in Puglia day 4: Matera
Back on the road, this time heading for Matera. Just an hour's drive from Ostuni and Bari, this town has recently been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! In fact, it's the ‘Sassi’ that have been recognised by this body. These are caves dug into the rock, in which the inhabitants of the village lived until the early 1950s. Long denigrated and occupied by a very poor population, the Sassis are now the jewels in Matera's crown, giving the town a reputation it didn't have in the past. Many tours are organised to discover their history!
This village is clearly a must-see in the region, but beware of the heat! If you're planning to stay for the day, I'd advise you to plan your indoor visits for the afternoon. Of course, check the opening times, as you won't be able to escape the Italian afternoon siesta. And don't forget to visit the Duomo! Completely renovated in 2019 when Matera was elected European Capital of Culture, this cathedral is a testament to the Romanesque style of Puglia. And don't forget to visit the 2 churches in the village: San Pietro Caveoso and the church of the Madonna de Idris. A temple dedicated to cave art, the Crypt of Original Sin reveals numerous frescoes from the 8th and 9th centuries. There is also a small museum on the history of the Sassis. For all the information you need about these tours, go to the tourist office. They will be able to advise you and give you all the information you need for your visit.
You should also take care when entering the town, as it can only be visited on foot! So leave your car in one of the many car parks at the entrance to the town.
Puglia travel guide day 5: Torre Guaceto
We're already halfway through our roadtrip and today I'm taking you to discover the Torre Guaceto nature reserve. Crystal-clear water, a sandy beach, sunshine and that's it! What could be better than taking advantage of a beach day to relax in the middle of your holiday? In fact, this beach is right in the middle of a protected area. You can explore the reserve with a guide (sorry, I don't have one to recommend, I've never done it) or go for a walk or cycle ride to admire the sumptuous scenery.
If you'd prefer to settle down on a beach where there's a bit of a party atmosphere (why not after the morning's discovery walk), I recommend Cala Maka, a little further up the coast near Torre Canne: chill in the afternoon and party atmosphere at the end of the day until 1am with a DJ! The beach also has an Asian restaurant! Surprising, but delicious (and I confess, I was happy to eat something other than Italian for lunch after a month in the region haha).
Day 6 of your itinerary in Puglia: Lecce, the Florence of the South
Today we fly to Lecce, otherwise known as the Florence of the South. This city has a lot to offer, both in terms of its cultural and architectural heritage and its nightlife. In fact, I've written a whole article about this town! You can find all my tips and advice for discovering Lecce here.
Puglia travel guide itinerary day 7: Torre dell'Orso and other natural beaches in Puglia
Off for a morning exploring the Torre dell'Orso reserve and all the other natural beaches in the region. I've also written an article on the most beautiful beaches in Puglia (lien article). You can find out everything you need to know there and choose the beaches that appeal to you most! Don't forget to take shoes to go in the water as most of the beaches are pebble beaches. Once you've visited the beaches, I recommend spending the rest of the day in Otranto. This little village just oozes holiday!
Here you can visit Otranto Castle, which dates back to the 15th century, as well as the cathedral! The cathedral is famous for the skeletons of Otranto's holy martyrs, which lie in giant cupboards for all to see. It's a rather sinister sight, but it's a real place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
But as in all the towns and villages I've told you about before, my favourite thing to do is wander around and get lost in the narrow streets. You can get carried away by the atmosphere of the town and, who knows, stumble across some hidden treasures! I also discovered the Bijondo clothing boutique in the narrow streets of Otranto, and frankly, if you like little dresses with prints and small jewellery designers, it's the place to be!
I also recommend a stop at the Laghetto Cave di Bauxite, just outside Otranto. This is a bauxite quarry that has been disused since the 1950s. Over the years, nature has regained the upper hand, creating a breathtaking landscape of turquoise water, red-tinged stone and green trees. Be aware that the sand is red and therefore very messy, so be prepared (don't go wearing a beige swimming costume and a white hat like me, for example!) I don't know if it's allowed to swim in the lake though.
Puglia road trip day 8: Poggiardo & Castro
Let's continue our Puglia travel guide... For this new day of the roadtrip, we head off at dawn to the Poggiardo market. It's the perfect place for food shopping: olives, cold meats and cheeses, there's something for everyone, I guarantee it! Once you've finished your stroll around the market, I'd advise you to go for a lunch in Santa Cesarea Terme. This coastal town is famous for its 4 sea caves filled with warm seawater....! Drop into one of these pools for the full experience! You can also have lunch at the Augustus Resort or at the Est Hotel if you want to dine there.
Then it's off to Castro to hire a boat without a licence. I'll give you all the details about this activity in this article. Don't hesitate to take a look! In any case, I recommend it 100%! Cruising along the coves along the coast is just magical. In general, we take a 3-hour boat trip and identify in advance the caves and wild coves we want to see.
Once you're on dry land, grab an ice cream or an aperitif in the centre of Castro before heading to one of my favourite restaurants for dinner: Oregano Cibo e Vino in Minervino Di Lecce. Here you can sample the estate's wine (as much as you like), which accompanies an incredible menu! Pssst: if you like wine, you can also buy a few bottles.
Puglia travel guide day 9: Nardo, Galatina & Gallipoli
It's off for a day in Nardo & Galatina! Start with Nardo, this small baroque town in Puglia. With very few visitors, you'll avoid the crowds you might have experienced on your visit to Monopoli. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the town to discover Piazza Salandra, the cathedral and the historic caffè Parisi. Next, head for Galatina to discover the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria. Don't forget to enter the Basilica to see the murals. You could also plan a private tour of the town with an English-speaking guide, so you don't miss a moment of its history!
Then spend the afternoon in what is known as the Italian Maldives. This beach of fine sand and transparent water will take you on a trip to the other side of the world. Obviously, this idyllic landscape attracts many (many) people. So I'd advise you to find some small, unspoilt coves for a little peace and quiet.
And finally, off to Gallipoli for a dinner in town with a view of the sunset. This is clearly the best place to enjoy a sunset. Unfortunately, on the other side of the coast and to the south, the sunsets are not as beautiful. On the other hand, there are very often super moon phenomena, which clearly makes up for it! In addition to these lunar ‘events’, it is also possible to organise a private tour with a guide, just like in Galatina!
Day 10 in Puglia: Santa Maria di Leuca & Tricase
What had to happen, happened: the last day of our roadtrip and the end of my Puglia travel guide. To finish on a high note, I suggest we visit Santa Maria di Leuca and Tricase! First of all, let's talk about Santa Maria di Leuca. This village is where two seas meet: the Adriatic and the Ionian. In fact, the name Santa Maria di Leuca comes from the point of land on which the Basilica with the famous lighthouse stands, and is the southernmost point of the Salento. Can you see why this village is worth a visit? And don't forget to take a trip to the caves just next door. And how can we forget Tricase? As well as the natural pools, you can admire the castle here!
But honestly, one of my greatest pleasures when I go to these places is being able to admire the scenery! We love taking the scenic route along the coast and admiring the breathtaking scenery as we drive along. If you take this route, don't hesitate to stop in Ciolo. There are many tours available to take you around and discover the different points!
To round off the day (and your stay) in style, I suggest you stop for dinner at Le Stanzie. This restaurant is simply EXCEPTIONAL, but victim of its own success, you often have to book... months in advance! If you go out of season, you might be in with a chance! In any case, try your luck.
The end of our trip in Puglia
I hope you've enjoyed this itinerary and that it's given you plenty of ideas if you're planning a roadtrip in Puglia! Don't hesitate to let me know if you liked the recommended addresses and this Puglia travel guide. I hope you have a great holiday and enjoy this magnificent region of Italy!
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
