Italy – Puglia

Here are my favorite travel tips from my road trip through Italy’s heel, where we visited Puglia and Matera in Basilicata. Puglia has a nice mix of culture, history, nature and beaches, with many different options to explore. Matera is a MUST on any Italy travel bucket list.

This itinerary will take you to Polignano a Mare, Matera, Otranto, Alberobello, Ostuni, Gallipoli and Monopoly.

Jump to Itinerary

What You Need To Know

My favorite stops on this trip:

  • Matera: although Matera is in the neighboring region of Basilicata, it is a bucket list destination on your Puglia trip and it was my favorite stop. I highly recommend visiting this authentic Citta dei Sassi (stone city), UNESCO World Heritage site, famous film location and one of the three oldest settlements in the world.
  • Polignano a Mare: charming little town on the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea with a nice small city beach, and a beautiful historic old town.
  • Otranto: beautiful historic town on the southeast side of Puglia, surrounded by historic city walls with a lovely beach and an impressive cathedral. The town has historic importance, and is known for the massacre of the Turkish in 1480 where over 800 martyrs were killed, whose bones are displayed in the cathedral.
  • Alberobello: Puglia is most known for its famous Trully, a typical style of house with a round roof. The town is very charming, but also quite busy. There are beautiful stores, lovely streets, great restaurants and many Trully. Even the church is build in this famous style. Make the most of your visit and book a local guide.
  • Ostuni: charming little town in white on the top of a hill. This is a great daytrip from Polignano a Mare and can be combined with the visit of a grotto in the area or Monopoli.
  • Gargano: I didn’t visit Gargano on this trip, but highly recommend a visit to this natural reserve if it fits into your schedule. You will find a beautiful coastline with stunning beaches and great hiking opportunities.
  • Lecce: Also known as the Florence of the South, rich in culture and history.

Food: You can’t eat a bad meal in Puglia. Enjoy different types of pastas, fresh seafood, local cheeses and meats.

When to visit: Anytime between May and October is recommended, with high season in July/August. We visited at the beginning of September and it was still quite busy.

How to get here: We flew into Brindisi, but there are also great connections with Bari or Lecce.

How to get around: Local car rentals are easy and cheap. Many towns are also connected by train.  

Beaches: Most beaches that we visited on the east side are quite rocky or small and don’t compare to the stunning long sand beaches in Sardegna or Elba. The beaches on the west side have sand, however, were really crowded when we visited.

Shopping: Italy is known for its fashion and you will find most brands in larger cities like Bari, Lecce or Gallipoli and many beautiful local stores in the different villages.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is a charming little town on the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea with a nice small beach, and a beautiful historic old town. If you have a chance then book one of the small boats that take you along the cliffs and into the different grottos.

Polignano a Mare is also a great central location to explore different towns from here (Alberobello, Ostuni, Monopoli, Bar). Unfortunately, it can get a little crowded.

Hotel: Malu Bed & Breakfast (3 nights)

Restaurants: La Locanda Porta Picc, Osteria dei Mulini, Ristorante Antiche Mura, L’Osteria di Chichibio

Day 2 – Alberobello (Day trip from Polignano a Mare)

Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site with Puglia’s famous Trully houses. Spend the day here to explore the town, visit local stores and restaurants. Book a local tour guide to learn more.

Restaurant: Ristorante Il Pinnacolo

Shopping: Svbter Spazio d’Arte

Great opportunity to visit the Grotte di Castellana or Grotta del Trullo in Putignano while in the area.

Day 3 – Ostuni & Monopoly (Day trip from Polignano a Mare)

Ostuni is a charming small white town on a hill and Monopoly is a small town by the beach with a historic city wall around the port.

Day 4 – Bari

Bari is Puglia’s capital and we visited the city on our way to Matera. Great destination for shopping, sight seeing and great meals.

Restaurant: Ristorante Antò – Cucina e Sapori Tipici

Day 5 – Matera

This was the highlight of our trip. Matera is know as the City of Stones (Citta dei Sassi), is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a famous film location and one of the three oldest settlements in the world. Matera also became famous for the way they have been preserving water.

Tour guide: We toured the town with our fantastic guide Giulio (What’s App +39.320.821.4680)

Hotel: Le Origini suites & rooms (1 Night)

Restaurant: Trattoria del Caveoso, L’Abbondanza Lucana, Vicoprimitivo, Osteria Pico, Quarry Lounge Terrace, Ristorante Francesca

Day 6 – Gallipoli

On our way back from Matera we explored the west coast of Puglia, along the Ionic Sea. The old town of Gallipoli is on a small island and has a beautiful city beach. Gallipoli gets quite busy and noisy, it is challenging to find parking and was below my expectations. We also had a bad hotel experience, and I would not recommend staying more than one night. You may also be better off staying in Porto Cesareo north of Gallipoli instead.

Restaurant: Really enjoyed the Mivida Gallipoli restaurant along the city walls – great for pizza & cocktails with a beautiful view by the water.

Day 7 – Different Beaches & Presicce

Our itinerary took us around the southern coastline from Gallipoli on the Ionian Sea, to Santa Maria di Leuca at the very bottom, up to Otranto on the Adriatic Sea. Santa Maria de Leuca is a nice small town at the very bottom of Italy’s heel, where both seas meat.

Restaurant: Solatio, Trattoria Salento Curti Vecchi, Las Grande Abbuffata, Mattia Cordella

Beaches: Le Maldive del Salento is a nice beach but it was very crowded when we visited.

Day 8 – Otranto

Ostuni is a beautiful historic town on the southeast side of Puglia, surrounded by historic city walls with a lovely beach and an impressive cathedral. The town has historic importance, and is known for the massacre of the Turkish in 1480 where over 800 martyrs were killed, whose bones are displayed in the cathedral.

Hotel: Palazzo dei Mori (1 Night)

Restaurant: Peccato di Vino, Arbor Vitae

Shopping: OtrantFatto

If you have more time, then plan visit Torre Sant’ Andrea, Gravina in Puglia and Lecce.