10-day tour of Apulia & Matera | Trulli, Lecce and the Sassi

Day 1: Arrival in Bari or Brindisi & drive through the Valle d'Itria You land in Bari or Brindisi, pick up your hire car and immediately drive into one of the most beautiful regions of southern Italy: the Valle d'Itria. This region is known for its charming trulli, elegant masseria and villages where life still seems to move in slow motion. You will stay for four nights in one of our carefully selected hotels, either on the coast for gentle sea breezes or inland for that authentic countryside feeling.

Day 2: Discover the trulli landscape of Alberobello, Ostuni & Martina Franca

Today you will get to know Apulia as you see it on postcards: white conical houses, winding roads and silver-green olive groves as far as the eye can see. You will explore Alberobello, the most famous trulli town, stroll through the hilltop town of Ostuni and wander through the baroque streets of Martina Franca. In this region, every turn seems to reveal a new view: red earth, swaying cornfields and trulli rising like stone stars from the landscape.

Day 3: Polignano a Mare & Monopoli

Today, the Adriatic coast shows itself from its most beautiful side. In Polignano a Mare, you walk above cliffs that plunge steeply into turquoise water, along streets full of poetry on the walls and small terraces with sea views. Monopoli also surprises: an atmospheric harbour, whitewashed streets and an old town where it is wonderful to wander. Those who like to admire the coastline from the water can opt for a catamaran trip past caves, rock formations and quiet bays.

Day 4: Castel del Monte, Trani & Bari

You drive towards Castel del Monte, the mysterious octagonal castle of Emperor Frederick II that overlooks an endless landscape. Next is Trani, an elegant coastal town with a Romanesque cathedral that seems to stand almost in the sea. In Bari, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the old town: nonnas making their orecchiette in narrow alleys, an imposing castle and the Basilica of St. Nicholas, which has welcomed pilgrims for centuries.

Day 5 & 6: The Sassi of Matera

You travel to Basilicata, where the landscape becomes more rugged. Via Massafra, you arrive in Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. The Sassi, two neighbourhoods full of cave dwellings, rock churches and weathered stone steps, form a backdrop that immediately gets under your skin. You stroll past houses that are partly carved into the rock face, enjoy views over the Gravina gorge and feel how Matera has lived through the centuries without losing its soul.

Day 7: Baroque Apulia: Maglie & Nardò

You return to Apulia and discover the region's Baroque heritage. In Maglie and Nardò, you will see facades that look as if they were designed for a theatre set, with curls, masks and ornate details in soft tuff stone. Along the way, you will drive past masseria farms, vineyards and rolling landscapes that give Salento its distinctive charm. You will stay here for three nights, surrounded by tranquillity and southern Italian warmth.

Day 8: Lecce & Otranto, the best of Salento

Lecce, also known as the “Florence of the South”, is an open-air museum of Baroque architecture. You will walk past golden facades that sparkle in the sun, visit the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce and enjoy the lively atmosphere in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Then drive to Otranto, a charming coastal town with a cathedral that hides a beautiful medieval mosaic floor. The old town feels more Mediterranean than Mediterranean: narrow alleys, cheerful colours and views of clear blue water.

Day 9: Santa Maria di Leuca & Gallipoli

Today, follow the coastal road to the tip of Italy's heel. At Santa Maria di Leuca, the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea, treating you to cliffs, caves and azure blue vistas. Your day ends in Gallipoli, a walled city that lies like an island above the water. The old town is bustling with life: markets, fishing boats, small restaurants and squares where the day effortlessly flows into the evening.

Day 10: Return journey from Brindisi or Bari

After a final cup of coffee overlooking the Italian coast, you drive back to Brindisi or Bari airport. You return your hire car and fly home with your heart full of Apulian sunshine.

Frequently asked questions about the 10-day tour of Apulia & Matera

When is the ideal time to take this tour of Apulia and Matera?

The best time for a tour of Apulia is April to June and September to October. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant in Lecce and Matera, and the coast of Polignano and Salento remains quiet.

Is a hire car necessary for this tour?

Yes, a hire car is necessary for this tour of Apulia and Matera. Many highlights such as Castel del Monte, masseria farms and coastal towns are outside the public transport network.

What makes this tour different from a standard Apulia trip?

This Apulia tour combines three regions: Valle d'Itria, Matera and Salento. You will stay several nights in each location and discover trulli, baroque Lecce and the Sassi of Matera in one logical route.