Day 1: Arrival in Bari
- Morning: Arrive in Bari. If you arrive by plane, take a taxi or train to the city center.
- Afternoon: Start with a walk around Bari’s historic center. Visit the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, famous for its Romanesque architecture and as the home of Saint Nicholas (the patron saint of Bari). Explore Swabian Castle, a medieval fortress that hosts temporary exhibitions.
- Evening: Dinner in the Bari Vecchia district. Try orecchiette (a typical Puglian pasta) with cime di rapa (broccoli rabe) and other local specialties.
Day 2: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
- Morning: Head to Polignano a Mare, about a 30-minute drive from Bari. Stroll through the historic center, perched on stunning cliffs. Don’t miss the famous Grotta Palazzese, a cave restaurant by the sea.
- Lunch: Enjoy a seafood lunch in Polignano, perhaps on a restaurant terrace overlooking the water.
- Afternoon: Continue to Monopoli (a 20-minute drive). Wander through its charming old town, visit Castello Carlo V and the Cathedral of Monopoli.
- Evening: Return to Bari for the night or dine and stay overnight in Monopoli in one of the town’s many charming hotels or masserie.
Day 3: Alberobello and Locorotondo
- Morning: Drive to Alberobello (about 1 hour). Explore the iconic Rione Monti, with its whitewashed trulli houses, and visit Aia Piccola. You can also visit the Trullo Museum and the Church of Saint Anthony.
- Lunch: Try local specialties such as capocollo di Martina Franca (a type of cured meat).
- Afternoon: After lunch, head to Locorotondo (a 30-minute drive). This charming hilltop village is known for its circular layout and whitewashed houses. Take a leisurely stroll through the old town and enjoy panoramic views over the Itria Valley.
- Evening: Overnight in a masseria or trullo in Alberobello or Locorotondo.
Day 4: Ostuni and Martina Franca
- Morning: Drive to Ostuni, the “White City,” about 30 minutes from Alberobello. Explore the town’s whitewashed streets and visit the Cathedral of Ostuni.
- Lunch: Enjoy a typical Puglian lunch, perhaps with cicoria and fave (wild chicory and fava beans).
- Afternoon: After lunch, head to Martina Franca (a 30-minute drive). This town is famous for its baroque architecture. Visit the Ducal Palace and the Church of Saint Martin.
- Evening: Return to Bari for the night or overnight in Martina Franca at one of its historic masserie.
Day 5: Castellana Grotte and Matera
- Morning: Visit the Grotte di Castellana, a stunning underground cave system located about 30 minutes from Alberobello. The tour takes about 3 hours and explores one of Italy’s most impressive underground landscapes.
- Lunch: After the cave tour, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, possibly featuring traditional meat dishes.
- Afternoon: Continue on to Matera (about 1 hour and 15 minutes). Matera is famous for its Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock. Visit Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano, and the Cathedral of Matera. Don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum.
- Evening: Dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the Sassi and overnight in Matera.
Day 6: Gargano – Vieste
- Morning: Drive to the Gargano National Park, one of the most beautiful natural areas in Puglia. Head to Vieste (about a 2-hour drive from Matera), a seaside town known for its beaches and historic center.
- Afternoon: Explore Vieste’s old town, including its castle, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the San Francesco Bridge. If weather permits, take a boat tour to visit the Vieste Sea Caves.
- Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner with a view of the sea and overnight in Vieste.
Day 7: Trani and Return to Bari
- Morning: Depart Vieste and head to Trani (about a 2-hour drive). Trani is a charming port city famous for its Cathedral of Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy, and the Swabian Castle.
- Lunch: Try riso, patate e cozze (a typical local dish made with rice, potatoes, and mussels).
- Afternoon: Take a stroll along Trani’s picturesque harbor, visit the Diocesan Museum, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the town. Then, head back to Bari for your flight (about 45 minutes by car).
Useful Tips:
- Cuisine: Puglian cuisine is diverse and delicious. Don’t miss dishes like orecchiette with cime di rapa, pasticciotto leccese (a cream-filled pastry), and fresh products like mozzarella di bufala and taralli (savory snacks).
- Leisure: If you have some free time, take advantage of the beautiful beaches along the Gargano coast or the Adriatic coast.
Enjoy your trip to Puglia!
ANOTHER TRIP
Day 1: Arrival in Bari and exploring the city
- Morning: Arrive in Bari. After checking in, start your day with a walk through the Old Town (Bari Vecchia). Visit the Basilica di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas Basilica), an iconic Romanesque church that houses the remains of Saint Nicholas, and the Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo).
- Afternoon: Explore Piazza del Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile. Take a stroll along the Lungomare, the beautiful seafront promenade.
- Evening: Have dinner in one of the charming restaurants in Bari Vecchia. Try traditional dishes like focaccia barese (a local type of flatbread) and orecchiette pasta with cime di rapa (broccoli rabe).
- Overnight: Stay in Bari.
Day 2: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
- Morning: After breakfast, drive to Polignano a Mare (around 30 minutes from Bari). Wander through the old town, perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Visit the famous Lama Monachile beach and Grotta Palazzese, a cave restaurant with breathtaking views.
- Lunch: Enjoy fresh seafood at one of Polignano’s seafront restaurants, perhaps with a view of the cliffs.
- Afternoon: Head south to Monopoli (a 20-minute drive). Visit the Cathedral of Monopoli and the historic center, which is filled with beautiful churches, winding streets, and charming squares.
- Evening: Return to Bari or spend the night in Monopoli to enjoy the quieter atmosphere in the evening.
- Overnight: Stay in Monopoli or return to Bari.
Day 3: Matera – UNESCO World Heritage
- Morning: Take an early drive to Matera (1.5–2 hours from Bari), a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Sassi (ancient cave dwellings). Spend the morning exploring the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, two ancient districts where homes, churches, and monasteries were carved into the rock.
- Lunch: Enjoy lunch at one of the cave restaurants, where you can experience traditional dishes served in a unique setting. Try basilicata-style pasta or focaccia di Matera.
- Afternoon: Visit the Cathedral of Matera and the Palazzo Lanfranchi Museum, which hosts a variety of contemporary art exhibitions.
- Evening: After a full day of exploration, enjoy dinner at one of the panoramic restaurants overlooking the Sassi.
- Overnight: Stay in Matera.
Day 4: Alberobello and the Valle d’Itria
- Morning: Drive to Alberobello (about 1 hour from Matera), a town known for its trulli – traditional conical-roofed houses. Explore the UNESCO-listed Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts, which are filled with trulli.
- Lunch: Stop for lunch in one of the cozy restaurants serving local specialties like capocollo (a type of cured meat from Martina Franca) and formaggio di capra (goat cheese).
- Afternoon: After lunch, take a scenic drive through the Valle d’Itria, stopping by Locorotondo, a charming hilltop village famous for its circular layout and whitewashed houses. You can also visit Cisternino, a quaint town known for its beautiful old town and great meat grills (local “bombette”).
- Evening: Return to your hotel in Alberobello or stay overnight in Cisternino for a more relaxed experience.
- Overnight: Stay in Alberobello or Cisternino.
Day 5: Ostuni and the Sea
- Morning: Head to Ostuni, the “White City,” about 30 minutes from Alberobello. Explore its beautiful maze of whitewashed streets and visit the Cathedral of Ostuni. Don’t miss the Belvedere for panoramic views over the olive groves and the coast.
- Lunch: Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant. Try dishes like orecchiette with tomato and ricotta or focaccia with onions.
- Afternoon: After lunch, head to Pilone or Torre Guaceto, a nature reserve with clear turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and lush greenery. You can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach or walking along nature trails.
- Evening: For dinner, try local seafood in one of the seaside restaurants in the area, particularly in Carovigno, which is nearby.
- Overnight: Stay in Ostuni.
Day 6: Gargano National Park – Vieste
- Morning: Drive to Gargano National Park, about 2 hours from Ostuni. Begin with a visit to Monte Sant’Angelo, a small town famous for its medieval castle and the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo, an important pilgrimage site.
- Lunch: Stop for lunch in one of the mountain villages in the Gargano region, where you can sample cavatelli pasta with meat ragu or wild mushroom dishes.
- Afternoon: Continue to Vieste, a coastal town in the Gargano region. Explore the old town, visit the Vieste Castle, and stroll through narrow streets with picturesque views of the Adriatic Sea. If you have time, take a boat trip to the Sea Caves of Vieste.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner by the sea, trying the fresh fish and shellfish the region is known for.
- Overnight: Stay in Vieste.
Day 7: Trani and Return to Bari
- Morning: Drive to Trani (about 2 hours from Vieste). Visit the stunning Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, a Romanesque-style church that sits right on the seafront. Explore the historic center and the beautiful port area.
- Lunch: Try local specialties like riso, patate e cozze (rice, potatoes, and mussels), a traditional dish from the area.
- Afternoon: Take a leisurely walk along the harbor and explore the Swabian Castle. If you have time, visit the Diocesan Museum.
- Evening: Head back to Bari for your departure (approximately 45 minutes by car).
- Overnight: Depending on your departure time, stay in Bari or head straight to the airport.
Useful Tips:
- Cuisine: Don’t miss out on traditional Puglian dishes like panzerotti (fried dough stuffed with mozzarella and tomato), focaccia barese, and the excellent olive oil produced in the region.
- Time for the beach: Depending on the season, enjoy some downtime on the beautiful beaches of the Adriatic coast, especially around Ostuni or the Gargano Peninsula.
This itinerary offers a balance of cultural exploration, nature, and relaxation, giving you the chance to experience both the famous and off-the-beaten-path gems of Puglia. Enjoy your trip!