If you plan on spending around one week in Puglia and want to make the most of it, here’s the best itinerary in Puglia.
Located in the south of Italy, Puglia really represent the definition of Dolce Farniente (“the sweetness of doing nothing”). Whether you are exploring the charming villages, swimming in beautiful coves or eating your way through Puglia’s local specialties, you will most definitely have an amazing time there !
So, here’s a list of the best things to do in Puglia, from Monopoli to the stunning cliffs of Sant’Andrea including the best locations to have a refreshing swim.
Now, let’s dive into this itinerary !
- Day One : Bari
- Day Two : Monopoli – Poligano A Mare
- Day Three : Ostuni – Alberobello
- Day Four : Lecce – Otranto – Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea
- Day Five : Matera
- Day Six : Putignano
- Day Seven : Locorotondo – Brindisi – Martina Franca
Day One
You will probably land in Bari, so might as well visit the capital of Puglia !
Head to the old town, Bari Vecchia, to wander through a maze of narrow alleys lined with laundry-strewn balconies.
You can walk to Piazza del Ferrarese, Piazza Mercantile, explore Basilica San Nicola and Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino, two beautiful churches. Porto Vecchio, the old port is also a nice place to stroll and enjoy a gelato on a warm summer day.
Last but not least, head to Arco Basso to observe the nonnas (Italian grandmothers) making fresh orecchiette pasta by hand. You can even buy a bag for your first dinner in Italy !
Day Two
Start this second day by exploring Monopoli. This is a charming town to discover in the morning, before the sun starts really heating up.
Wander in the narrow white streets of the old town, you will definitely be enchanted at every corner :
Stop by the Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia for a refreshing break and to admire the details or the architecture and its ceiling :
Monopoli is filled with little café and restaurants, making it the perfect village to enjoy some pasta or pizza !
Walk along Lungomare Santa Maria for gorgeous views of the sea and maybe even stop for a refreshing dip before enjoying a coffee in Porto Vecchio !
If you want a less touristy spot to swim, a 15-minute drive from Monopoli will take you to Calette di Torre Cintola.
Calette di Torre Cintola offers a peaceful atmosphere to sunbathe or swim in the crystal-clear waters. Sure it is not a sandy beach but rather rocky coves, but this charming spot is ideal if you are looking to escape the crowds and enjoy the sea.
15 minutes from Monopoli is Polignano a Mare, one of Puglia’s most iconic town. Perched dramatically on limestone cliffs above the sea, Polignano a Mare historic center is truly charming and perfect for an afternoon stroll :
Of course, don’t forget to discover Lama Monachile, the town’s beach nestled between cliffs, which is absolutely breathtaking :
Not far from the village is Grottone, a natural swimming pool love by locals.
If you prefer more classic beaches, you can try Spiaggia di Porto Cavallo, Spiaggia Porto Contessa or Spiaggia San Vito also a few minutes from Poligano a Mare.
If you read this far, here is a little secret, you can also go to Piscina natural del Bardo, a peaceful and not very known place, perfect for swimming !
Day Three
Start this third morning by exploring Ostuni, also called La Città Bianca (The White City). The old town with all the whitewashed houses, staircases, and archways will make you fall in love even more with Puglia.
After a delicious plate of pasta, you can enjoy the sun in one of the close by beaches such as Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, Spiaggia di Pilone or Spiaggia di Rosa Marina.
Finally, to enjoy a wonderful sunset, head to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique trulli – white stone huts with conical roofs. It’s around 40 minutes from the previous spot.
It might be one of the most touristy village, that’s why I suggest only stopping by on your way back, when people will be busy dining !
You can explore the cobbled streets of Rione Monti, Via Monte Sabotino and Via Monte San Michele, even with the crowds, you will be charmed by these small huts !
Day Four
For this morning, you can start by exploring Lecce, also called the “Florence of the South”. Visit the Basilica di Santa Cross (on picture one), the Anfiteatro Romano (see picture 2), the beautiful church Chiesa di San Matteo, and the Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Assunta e Sant’Oronzo.
There is a lot to see in this town, plus it makes a perfect place to enjoy some Italian specialties for lunch before heading to Otranto.
A 30-minute drive will take you to Otranto, a town located along Puglia’s easternmost coast. You can visit the Otranto Cathedral situated in the fortified old town and walk the scenic ramparts. This walk is very nice, you will have beautiful views of the sea all along, and can even sunbathe in some places as you can see on the last picture before.
Finally, to end this beautfiful day, drive 15 minutes to Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea. These impressive limestone stacks, shaped by the wind and the sea, rising from the turquoise waters are truly a must see ! While you are there, you can hop to the Cave of Poetry, a natural pool surrounded by limestone cliffs (see last picture below), even more stunning at sunset !
Day Five
Let’s spend this fifth day inland for a change and head to Matera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a town located a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata. It is famous for its Sassi, which are ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock. You will even stumbled upon churches built into the rocks. This city is truly breathtaking and makes for a great day trip !
Enjoy the rest of the day in a spiaggia on the coast such as Spiaggia di Porto Cavallo.
Day Six
This is a more relaxed day, with the visit of Putignano, a small authentic town famous for hosting one of the oldest and longest-running Carnivals in Europe, usually during winter. But during summer, this town is less frequented and is such as little peace haven.
Plus, if you go there, you cannot miss the best pizzas I ever got to eat, Premiata pizzeria. You can choose among a BOOK of pizzas, there are even 13 types of dough !
Plus, Putignano is not that far from the coast, so you can enjoy an afternoon swim at Calette di Torre Cintola for example.
Day Seven
If you have another to spend in Puglia, you can either experience the dolce farniente, by spending day at the beach, eating delicious food and relaxing or visit one of those charming towns :
- Locorotondo : This beautiful village is perched on a hilltop, you can wander in the circular old town, and stroll through the streets with whitewashed houses and flower-lined balconies. Visit Chiesa Madre di S.Giorgio Martire, Chiesa Rettoria Madonna della Greca and enjoy the lively Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
- Brindisi : This historic port town is perfect to enjoy both the sea and explore a city. You can walk along its waterfront, explore the Castello Federiciano di Brindisi and the Tempio San Giovanni al Sepolcro.
- Martina Franca : Another gem with many churches and palaces. You can visit the beautiful Basilica di San Martino, the Palazzo Ducale, and admire the Piazza Plebiscito.
That’s it for my one week itinerary in Puglia ! Between the towns of Monopoli and Ostuni, the impressive cliffs of Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea, and the nonnas making pasta in Bari, Puglia has a lot of things to see and do, you won’t be bored a second ! If you need more information about what to know before going to Italy, you can check out this article.
I have also made a post about the best food specialties to try in Puglia, click here to check it out !
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
