Quick Facts

• Region: Puglia, the “heel” of Italy’s boot
• Best for: Beaches, historic towns, and a slower, more local pace
• Getting around: Monopoli is a great base with a ton of free cove beaches to spend the day at. Ostuni is great for cooking classes. Matera is great for an old historic town. Gallipoli is great for beaches. I recommend renting a car, but if not, there are trains that can take you around, though they’re not always on time, or sometimes not running. It’s great if you have the time.
• Ideal trip length: I think 7 days is perfect

How Many Days Do You Need in Puglia?

This all depends on how you feel. If you have the time, 1 to 2 weeks is perfect, giving you a chance to indulge in each area of the Lecce, Bari, and Gallipoli regions, plus Matera.

5 Days in Puglia

This is how I would spend 5 days in Puglia, Italy.

• Day 1: Fly into Bari and go to Polignano a Mare (confirm spelling). I recommend leaving Bari, as it’s just another city.
• Day 2: Walk around, see the famous cove beach, and grab a drink at this very popular spot, Super Mago del Gelo Mario Campanella. It’s famous for a drink made with coffee, sugar, lemon zest, cream, and amaretto. (add photo here) → (hotel mention: where you stayed in Polignano)
• Day 3: Go to Monopoli, walk around the centre as there’s a ton of cute shops, and grab a drink along the water. Have dinner and make sure it’s seafood. Places I recommend:
  
  • Food: Osteria Sangiovanni (Monopoli), Gustavo
  • Drinks: Tuttoapposto Winebar (vibes were always high), Palosanto
  • I have a list of places I recommend here (link to Foodie’s Guide)
  • Explore a beach nearby, Cala Cozze, a quick walk from the centre (add photo here)
• Day 4: Ostuni. Do a cooking class and explore the city. It’s very hilly and small, so you’ll be able to see it in one day. (add photo here) → (hotel mention: where you stayed in Ostuni)
• Day 5: Head back into Bari to fly out.

1 Week in Puglia

• Days 1-4: Same as above, but stay in Ostuni for the day, and the next day head onward.
• Day 5: Go into Matera and explore the historic town, take a walking tour. (add photo here) → (hotel mention: where you stayed in Matera)
• Day 6: Putignano. Spend the day exploring the small town, and make it easy to get back to Bari to head out.
• Day 7: Head back to Bari.

2 Weeks in Puglia

• Day 7: (instead of heading back to Bari) Head down to Lecce, take a walking tour around, enjoy drinks at Cocktail Bar Saloon Keeper 1933 Lecce, and check out the Basilica of the Holy Cross and the Roman Amphitheater of Lecce. (add photo here) → (hotel mention: where you stayed in Lecce)
• Day 8: Otranto, beach day.
• Day 9: Head down to Castro Marina, enjoy the beach clubs, eat and drink at Blubay Club Otranto, and check out Beach Cala dell’Acquaviva.
• Day 10: Head to Gallipoli. → (hotel mention: where you stayed in Gallipoli)
• Day 11: Enjoy a day at Lido San Giovanni.
• Day 12: Enjoy a drink and swim at Spiaggia della Purità, Mivida Gallipoli. (add photo here)
• Day 13: Head back to Bari. It takes some time to get back.
• Day 14: Explore the alleyways with the ladies who make fresh pasta.

(Mid-post CTA — Travel Itinerary Planning Service block)

For more inspiration, check out:

• (link to Things to Do in Puglia)
• (link to Best Beaches in Puglia)
• (link to A Foodie’s Guide to Puglia)

Puglia Travel Guide

(need your firsthand paragraph for each town)

Bari — (your paragraph here)
Polignano a Mare — (your paragraph here)
Monopoli — (your paragraph here)
Ostuni — (your paragraph here)
Matera — (your paragraph here)
Lecce — (your paragraph here)
Gallipoli — (your paragraph here)

Final Thoughts

I loved Puglia. This was exactly how I wanted to spend my 30th, just eating and drinking and getting a tan. There are so many hidden beaches and areas to explore, so I think get a car and explore the heel of the Italian boot.

Check Out My Other Puglia Travel Guides
(linked list — pull from your 10-post series)