Puglia Tour | 10-day tour of Puglia & Matera

This beloved slice of bella vita in the heel of Italy’s boot is surrounded by the deep-blue waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Here, dramatic cliffs, shadowy sea caves, endless olive groves and graceful vineyards come together with remarkable traces of Apulia’s captivating history.

Throughout this journey, you’ll explore the trulli of the Itria Valley, the rugged coastline of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, the enigmatic Castel del Monte and the elegant port town of Trani. Your route then leads to timeless Matera, where Unesco-protected cave dwellings and rock-hewn churches cling to the sides of a dramatic gorge.

You end in the Salento, a region of baroque towns, charming fishing villages and crystal-clear coves. A warm and authentic journey through Southern Italy, filled with places that stay with you long after you return home.

Day 1: Arrival in Bari or Brindisi & drive through the Valle d’Itria

You arrive in Bari or Brindisi, pick up your rental car and drive straight into one of Southern Italy’s most beautiful regions: the Valle d’Itria. This area is known for its charming trulli, elegant masserie and villages where life still moves at a wonderfully unhurried pace. You stay four nights in one of our handpicked hotels, by the coast for soft sea breezes or inland for an authentic countryside experience.

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

Today you discover Puglia as you see it on postcards: white conical houses, winding country roads and silver-green olive groves stretching to the horizon. You explore Alberobello, the trulli capital, wander through the hilltop town of Ostuni and stroll the baroque streets of Martina Franca. Every bend reveals a new panorama: red earth, rippling fields and trulli rising like stone stars from the landscape.

Day 3: Polignano a Mare & Monopoli

The Adriatic coast shows its brightest colours today. In Polignano a Mare you walk above cliffs plunging into turquoise waters, between poetic murals and small terraces overlooking the sea. Monopoli is just as enchanting: a lively harbour, whitewashed alleys and an old town made for wandering. Those who love the sea from a different angle can join a catamaran cruise past caves, rock formations and quiet coves.

Day 4: Castel del Monte, Trani & Bari

You drive towards Castel del Monte, the mysterious octagonal castle of Emperor Frederick II, rising proudly above endless landscapes. In Trani, the Romanesque cathedral appears to hover above the sea, creating one of the region’s most iconic views. Bari welcomes you with the lively atmosphere of its old town: nonnas shaping orecchiette in narrow streets, an imposing castle and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, a pilgrimage site for centuries.

Day 5 & 6: The Sassi of Matera

You travel into Basilicata, where the scenery becomes more dramatic. Via Massafra you reach Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Sassi, two districts filled with cave dwellings, rock-hewn churches and weathered stairways, form a landscape that lingers long after you leave. You wander past homes carved into the cliffs, take in sweeping views over the Gravina gorge and feel Matera’s timeless soul at every turn.

Day 7: Baroque Puglia: Maglie & Nardò

You return to Puglia and dive into its baroque heritage. In Maglie and Nardò, façades resemble theatrical sets, rich with curls, masks and delicate details carved in pale stone. Along the way, you pass masserie, vineyards and rolling hills that give the Salento its distinctive charm. This is your base for the next three nights, surrounded by warmth and southern serenity.

Day 8: Lecce & Otranto, the highlights of the Salento

Lecce, often called the “Florence of the South”, is an open-air baroque museum. You wander past golden façades, visit the stunning Basilica of Santa Croce and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on Piazza Sant’Oronzo. You continue to Otranto, a coastal gem with a cathedral housing a remarkable medieval mosaic. The old town feels intensely Mediterranean: narrow lanes, colourful houses and sea views in every direction.

Day 9: Santa Maria di Leuca & Gallipoli

Today you follow the coastal road to the very tip of Italy’s heel. In Santa Maria di Leuca, the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea, creating a dramatic landscape of cliffs, caves and bright blue horizons. Your day ends in Gallipoli, a fortified town rising from the sea. Its historic centre, set on an island, brims with life: markets, fishing boats, tiny restaurants and sunlit squares.

Day 10: Return from Brindisi or Bari

After one last coffee overlooking the Italian coast, you drive back to Brindisi or Bari airport. You return your rental car and fly home with your heart full of Puglian sunshine.