Puglia is one of the most interesting regions of southern Italy, stretching along the heel of the Italian boot. With its trulli houses, whitewashed streets, beautiful old towns, and long coastline, it has a character that you won’t find in many other parts of Italy.
It’s no surprise that Puglia has become so popular in recent years. Many places that were once considered hidden gems are now busy tourist destinations, especially in summer.
I’ve visited Puglia several times, and although it’s not my favorite part of Italy, there are so many unique places here that I keep finding reasons to return. After my latest trip in 2026, I put together this itinerary based on my own experiences to help you plan your trip more easily.
The route is designed for 7 days, but you can also adapt it for a shorter or longer stay.
Let’s see how to plan your Puglia road trip!
Overview of my 7-day Puglia itinerary
Here’s a quick overview of my 7-day Puglia itinerary:
- Day 1: Bari
- Day 2: Alberobello
- Day 3: Martina Franca, Locorotondo and Cisternino
- Day 4: Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and the beach
- Day 5: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
- Day 6: Matera
- Day 7: Bari
Map of this Puglia road trip
On the map below, you can see where all the places on this itinerary are located and get a better idea of the distances between them.
Ready for your Puglia road trip?
Ready to book your trip? Here are the things I recommend booking first:
🏨 Hotels in Puglia
Find the best places to stay along this road trip, from affordable hotels to beautiful trulli stays.
→ See the best hotels in Puglia
🚗 Rental car at Bari Airport
A car is the easiest way to follow this itinerary and explore the smaller towns at your own pace.
→ Compare rental car prices
🏡 Trulli stays in Alberobello
Staying in a traditional trullo is one of the most unique experiences you can add to your Puglia trip, and the best ones often sell out early.
→ See available trulli in Alberobello
🚤 Polignano a Mare boat tours
Explore the cliffs and sea caves around Polignano from the water, especially if you’re visiting in summer.
→ See boat tours and prices
🏔 Cave hotels in Matera
If you can add one night to your itinerary, staying inside a cave hotel overlooking the Sassi is a great way to experience Matera.
→ See cave hotels in Matera
🎟️ Tours and experiences
Compare food tours, walking tours, cooking classes, and other activities you can add to your route.
→ See Puglia tours and activities
Before we get to the itinerary, let’s answer a few important questions about planning your trip.
Is 7 days enough for Puglia?
Yes, 7 days is a good amount of time for a first Puglia road trip. You could fit most of this itinerary into 5 days with some compromises, but I recommend a full week for a more relaxed trip.
Do you need a car for this Puglia itinerary?
I think the best option is to travel to Puglia with your own car or rent one in Bari and follow this itinerary by road.
Some of the smaller towns are difficult to reach without a car, and driving gives you much more flexibility along the way.
Where to stay during your 7 days in Puglia
I recommend choosing two or three bases and taking day trips from there.
Bari is a convenient base for the beginning and end of the trip, while Alberobello, Locorotondo, or Martina Franca are good bases for exploring the Valle d’Itria.
You could also stay near each day’s destination to reduce driving, but changing hotels almost every day makes the trip more complicated.
Here are some hotels I recommend along the route:
- Bari:
- Near Bari:
- Alberobello:
- Martina Franca:
- Polignano a Mare:
Detailed 7-day Puglia itinerary
Now let’s look at the route in more detail. Here’s how I would spend 7 days exploring Puglia, day by day:
Day 1: Bari
Start your Puglia road trip in Bari, where you’ll find Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla and most major car rental companies. You can compare rental car prices here. Unfortunately, many companies in Bari don’t have great reviews; PugliaByCar is one of the better-rated local options I’ve found.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Bari Vecchia. Don’t miss the Basilica di San Nicola, Strada delle Orecchiette, where local women still make fresh pasta, and the Lungomare along the seafront.
Where to eat in Bari
For food, I recommend Al Solito Porzio, which also serves gluten-free pizza. Nearby, La Pazzeria Bari is a lively place, especially in the evening, while Magda is a great bakery.
Where to stay
We stayed at Hotel Olivò in nearby Bitritto.
In Bari itself, IRON Hotel is a good option.
Day 2: Alberobello
Spend Day 2 in Alberobello, one of Puglia’s most famous destinations and the best-known place to see its traditional trulli houses.
Most of the trulli are concentrated in Rione Monti and Aia Piccola. Rione Monti is busier and more touristy, with shops and restaurants inside many of the trulli, while Aia Piccola is quieter and more residential. Walk through both, and don’t miss Casa D’Amore and Vista Panoramica dei Trulli, one of the best viewpoints over the trulli.
Alberobello gets extremely busy, especially in summer, so visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you can.
Where to park
We always use the last parking area along Via Indipendenza, next to Terra Mossa Ristorante Pizzeria. It’s very close to the main sights.
Where to eat
For a quick meal, I recommend Paninoteca Pane e Mozza, which has excellent sandwiches, including gluten-free options. For a more atmospheric setting, try Ristorante Il Pinnacolo, where you can eat among the trulli. If possible, choose one of the tables on the upper terrace. Casa Nova Il Ristorante is another lovely option.
Where to stay
Alberobello is one of the hardest places to find accommodation, as the best options often sell out early. For the full trulli experience, try the five-star Le Alcove – Luxury Hotel nei Trulli or the more affordable VENTITRÈ – House of Apulia Mea. If staying in a trullo isn’t important, ARBORIS BELLI Hotel is a good-value four-star option.
Day 3: Martina Franca, Locorotondo and Cisternino
Day 3 takes you through three smaller towns in the Valle d’Itria. I see these mostly as optional stops, so choose according to your interests. None requires a full day, around 1–3 hours in each is usually enough.
Martina Franca
Start in Martina Franca and explore its elegant historic center, known for its Baroque architecture. Walk through Porta Santo Stefano, continue to Piazza Plebiscito, and see the Basilica di San Martino.
You can also get a lovely view from Via Alcide de Gasperi. One good viewpoint is around 40.705425, 17.345623.
Locorotondo
I would spend a little more time in Locorotondo, as I find its old town more interesting to explore.
Walk around the whitewashed Centro Storico, stop for a gelato, and enjoy the views over the Valle d’Itria. My favorite view of the town itself was from around Trulli le 2 nicchie. If you feel like walking further, also visit Punto Panoramico Locorotondo.
Where to eat
I really liked E'(S)Senza Bistrot, where I had excellent gluten-free food.
Cisternino
I’ll be honest: we only passed through Cisternino with a quick stop. Still, the drive through this area is an experience itself, with lots of trulli scattered across the countryside.
If you stop, walk through the compact Centro Storico, see Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and the Church of San Nicola, and then continue your route.
Where to stay
We stayed at Dimora Lucia Hotel in Martina Franca, which is a fairly affordable option and well located for exploring the Valle d’Itria.
If you want a more special stay, I also recommend Trulli Damari in Locorotondo for a more luxurious trullo experience.
Day 4: Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and beach time
Ostuni
Ostuni was one of my favorite experiences in this part of Puglia. If Alberobello feels too touristy, this is a great place to escape some of the crowds.
Where to park
Park at Parcheggio Comunale and explore the whitewashed old town on foot.
Walk through its narrow streets and stairways toward Ostuni Cathedral, then head to Viale Oronzo Quaranta for beautiful views toward the Adriatic Sea.
Borgo Antico Bistrot has become increasingly famous, and the setting alone makes it easy to see why. For gelato, I highly recommend Cremeria Alla Scala, close to Colonna di Sant’Oronzo.
Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica is more of an optional stop for me. If you have time, spend around 1–2 hours exploring the historic center and the area around Piazza Plebiscito.
Beach time
If you’re visiting in summer, spend the rest of the afternoon on the coast.
You’ll find plenty of beaches around Marina di Ostuni. Much of the coastline is rocky, but Lido Morelli is a good choice if you prefer a sandy beach.
Day 5: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
This is one of the most exciting days of the road trip, as you’ll visit two beautiful coastal towns that are among the places Puglia is really worth traveling for.
Monopoli
Start in Monopoli and explore its historic center and old harbor. Don’t miss Castello Carlo V and Cala Porta Vecchia, a small beach right next to the old town.
The surrounding streets are full of small shops, cafés, restaurants, and gelato shops, so simply walking around is part of the experience.
Where to eat
For lunch, I recommend Chinè Monopoli. One funny detail is that they give you scissors to cut your pizza.
Polignano a Mare
Spend the afternoon in Polignano a Mare, famous for its dramatic cliffs and Lama Monachile beach.
Where to park
Parcheggio San Francesco is usually one of your better options for finding parking.
The highlights of Polignano a Mare are the views around Lama Monachile, and it’s worth seeing the beach from both sides. Belvedere su Lama Monachile gives you the classic view over the beach between the cliffs, while Belvedere su Polignano a Mare offers another beautiful perspective over the coastline.
Then take some time to wander through the old town, with its narrow streets, small cafés, local shops, and viewpoints overlooking the Adriatic. Don’t miss the Statue of Domenico Modugno, one of Polignano’s most famous landmarks.
If you’re hungry, I recommend La Pucceria for a quick meal, where you can try the local puccia with different fillings, including gluten-free options. For a more elegant meal, Villa degli Aranci is a good choice.
And if you want something really special, Polignano is home to the famous Grotta Palazzese, where you can dine inside a sea cave beneath the cliffs. It’s one of the most unique restaurant settings in Italy, but it comes with a very high price tag and usually requires booking well in advance. I would only choose it if the experience itself is worth several hundred euros to you.
Where to stay
For luxury, choose Grotta Palazzese.
A more affordable four-star option is San Lorenzo Boutique Hotel & SPA, a little outside town.
You can also return to Bari in the evening.
Day 6: Day trip to Matera
Matera is around 50 minutes by car from Bari. Although it’s actually in Basilicata, it’s so close to Puglia that I definitely recommend adding it to your road trip.
Matera is famous for the Sassi, its ancient districts of cave homes, rock churches, and narrow stone streets. Explore both Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, and allow plenty of time simply to walk around.
Where to park
For parking, look for street parking or use Parcheggio Park Scotellaro.
My favorite viewpoints are Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli, the area around the Basilica Cattedrale di Matera, and the Church of Saint Mary of Idris. The last one has what I think is one of the most iconic views in Matera.
For a completely different perspective, drive to Belvedere Murgia Timone on the opposite side of the gorge. On my latest visit, access cost €10 per person and included a shuttle from Jazzo Gattini Visitor Center, where you leave your car. You’ll also see caves scattered across the rocky landscape.
You can reach this side on foot via Ponte Tibetano della Gravina as well, although the entrance fee still applies.
If you have extra time, add Castello Tramontano.
Where to eat in Matera
For food, I recommend I Sapori Senza Glutine if you need gluten-free options.
Otherwise, Ristorante Oi Marì is one of my top picks in Matera, especially for its beautiful setting and atmosphere.
Although Matera works perfectly as a day trip on this itinerary, staying overnight in a cave hotel is a special experience. Il Belvedere is a three-star cave hotel with fantastic views if you decide to stay.
Day 7: Bari and departure
Return to Bari for your final day and use the time for anything you missed at the beginning of the trip. Enjoy the seafront, have one last Italian meal, or simply walk around the city before your flight.
I also recommend leaving a few hours for shopping. Italy is my favorite shopping destination for a reason: you can find good-quality clothes, shoes, and jewelry at reasonable prices.
And don’t forget the food. We often return home with a car full of Italian products because we always end up buying so much.
So I wouldn’t fill the final day with sightseeing. Leave some time to shop, eat, and enjoy your last few hours in Italy before heading home.
What to add if you want to see more of Puglia
If you have some extra time or find this itinerary a little too relaxed, continue south and explore more of Puglia. I especially recommend these three places:
- Lecce: Explore its beautiful Baroque historic center, including Piazza del Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Roman Amphitheatre.
- Gallipoli: A seaside town with a charming old center, Castello di Gallipoli, waterfront views, and plenty of beaches nearby.
- Salento: Explore the southern tip of Puglia, including Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca, the Cave of Poetry (Grotta della Poesia) near Roca Vecchia, and some of the area’s beautiful beaches.
Add these to your route, and you’ll get a much more complete experience of Puglia.
Frequently asked questions about this Puglia road trip
Here are a few more questions you may have when planning your Puglia road trip:
What is the best time for this Puglia itinerary?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Puglia. I particularly recommend May, September, and October for pleasant temperatures and less intense heat than in summer.
How much driving does this Puglia road trip involve?
Most drives on this itinerary are relatively short, usually around 30–60 minutes between stops. Spread over 7 days, I think the route is manageable even if you’re not used to long road trips.
Can you do this itinerary without a car?
Technically, yes, but I don’t recommend it. Public transport and organized tours can get you to many places, but you’ll need more planning and flexibility. For this route, a car is the easiest option.
Is driving in Puglia difficult?
Driving in Puglia can take some getting used to. Roads can be narrow and local driving habits may feel challenging at first, but traffic is often slow and the countryside is generally quiet.
Watch out for ZTL zones in historic town centers, where unauthorized cars are restricted.
What should you skip if you have less time?
If you’re short on time, I would skip smaller towns like Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisternino, and Ceglie Messapica and focus on the more popular destinations.
Bari also doesn’t require much time in my opinion. Half a day to one full day is enough to see the main sights.
Final thoughts on this 7-day Puglia itinerary
After several trips to Puglia, I think this 7-day route is a great way to experience the region without trying to fit too much into one week.
For me, places like Ostuni, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, and nearby Matera are the real highlights, while the smaller towns are easy to add or skip depending on your interests. That’s also what I like about this Puglia road trip itinerary: you can easily adjust it to your own travel style.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Puglia and come home with lots of great memories. Have an amazing trip!
Hi, I’m Adri, the author of ItalianWanderlust.com and TravelTipZone.com. I’ve been traveling for over 10 years and have been a travel blogger since 2022.
Every year I spend several weeks exploring Italy, the country that always has a special place in my heart.
Through my travel guides and tips, I hope to inspire you to discover the authentic Italy and enjoy your own Italian adventures.
