puglia-holidays-7-day-travel-itinerary-guide-bari-with-car_edited.jpg

7 day Puglia holiday itinerary: from Bari, with a car

Get ready to cram in as much as possible to get a real flavour of Puglia. In this week-long Puglia holiday itinerary, you won’t be spending much time at your accommodation because you’ll be out and about most of the time, exploring.

I hope you like eating (and if not, why on earth are you coming to Puglia?!) because you’ll be dining out at least once, if not twice, a day. That’s mainly because food in Puglia is divine, and really affordable.

Because you’re only here for 7 days / 6 nights, you won’t go any further south than Mesagne, near Brindisi. You could obviously swap in a day trip to the Salento (Lecce, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, Galatina, or Porto Cesareo) for any of the days listed below, but it might be best saved for your next trip to Puglia. You don’t want to spend your entire holiday doing lots of driving – and the Salento peninsula is quite far from Bari airport.

7 day Puglia holiday itinerary: overview

In this 7 day Puglia holiday itinerary, I've assumed you're ok with driving a car abroad.

This itinerary includes:

Share this page!

7 day Puglia holiday itinerary: accommodation

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: try and book a villa (fancy name for essentially a bungalow) in the countryside. After all, you do have a car – and I just think it gives you the proper essence of what Puglia is all about. Often they’ll have a trullo or two as part of the accommodation, but really you just want to make sure that the property has air conditioning because from June to September, it’s really hot.

No need to pay extra for a property with a pool, as this itinerary is quite busy and you won’t be at home much to enjoy it. Plus, there are loads of beaches in Puglia, so you can pop over there to cool down with a swim in the gorgeous Adriatic Sea.

You’ll only need to book one accommodation for the first five nights – as you’ll stay in Matera for your final night.

Where to stay: in the countryside around the Valle d’Itria: you’ll be bang in the most Pugliese bits of Puglia! Historic, monumental olive groves and trulli as far as the eye can see.

I recommend looking at places near:

Ostuni & Ceglie Messapica
Alberobello, Cisternino, Locorotondo & Martina Franca

What type of accommodation are you looking for?

Start here:

Great for couples:

Palazzo Stunis, Ostuni. £££
Masseria Santo Scalone, Ostuni. ££
Ddo Relais di Puglia, Martina Franca. ££

Great for adults-only:

Palazzo Scotto, Alberobello. ££
Aeris Suite & Relax, Polignano a Mare. ££
B&B Bellavista Suite, Monopoli. ££

Great for families:

Masseria Salinola, Ostuni. £££
Dimora il Mandorlo, Ostuni. £
Relais Sant’Eligio, Ostuni. £

Great for two couples or four friends:

Charming Stone Villa, near Cisternino, ££
Trullo di Angela, Ostuni. ££
Casina Fumarola, Ostuni. £

Great for larger groups:

Villa Giulia, Ceglie Messapica. £££
Villa Trulli Perla della Luce, Ceglie Messapica. £££
Trullo and Villa, Ostuni. £££

Great if you need a pool:

Dimora Celeste, Ostuni. ££
Agriturismo Salinola, Ostuni. ££
Trulli of Architect, Valle d’Itria (Cisternino). £££

couples

adults only

families

couples friends

larger groups

pool

budget

luxury

sea

dog

Day 1: Arriving into Bari

Bari airport is as far north as you’re going to get, and many of the places in this trip are further south. So you’ll want a well-placed base to stay at, which gives you good access to the Valle d’Itria, and other places on this trip.

First off: pick up your car. Bari airport has a good selection of car hire places, but book as far ahead as you can to get good prices. One quite cheap place at Bari airport is Italy Car Rent, and if you go to their website, they often have discount codes flying around their homepage – so try one of those and compare against car hire aggregator websites like Expedia.

Top tip: bring a couple of different USB leads to use with your phone (and Google maps) in the hire car. Most now have CarPlay, but some of them have classic USB sockets, some have USB-C, so bring one of each type of leads. You might struggle to buy one at the airport.

If you're arriving in the AM:

If you’re arriving into Bari in the morning or lunchtime, you’ll have the chance to get to your accommodation and settle in, and still have some day left to explore.

Go to the supermarket: if you do stay in the countryside, you’ll need to get to a supermarket to pick up some supplies quite soon. Your host will usually provide some basics – oil, seasoning, coffee, perhaps some taralli – but you’ll probably need some breakfast bits and snacks.

Get water: you MUST make sure you buy plenty of bottles of water to drink, as you can’t drink from the taps in the countryside (although you can fill up empty ones at your local fontanelle, which is a public fountain). A 2L bottle here costs around €0.30 and you can just grab packs of 6 from any of the many supermercati.

Pick up a couple of bottles of local Pugliese wine, like Negroamaro or Primitivo (just don’t pay more than €4 a bottle), some Citronella candles and mosquito spray – so that you can relax at home after dinner without getting bitten to smithereens.

I usually shop at Eurospin, which is cheap, cheerful but still really decent quality. DOK is nicer, but more expensive. You’ll need a euro coin for the trolleys.

Dinner: I don’t know exactly where you’ll be staying, so it’s a good idea to ask your host for a dinner recommendation for your first night, and maybe even if they can book it for you – you don’t want it to be too far from your accommodation.

If you're arriving in the PM, or evening:

If you’re arriving later in the evening, just go straight to your accommodation. I’ve found hosts to be very accommodating and have met me at all hours of the evening and helped get me settled in.

Ask ahead for some bottles of water and maybe some basic snacks to tide you over until you can go shopping tomorrow morning.

7 day Puglia holiday itinerary - day 2 includes Polignano a Mare and its famous Lama Monichile beach

Day 2: Polignano a Mare & Monopoli

If you arrived late the day before, head to the nearest supermarket for bottles of water and other bits and pieces as mentioned above.

AM: Polignano a Mare.

It gets super busy here (with good reason – because it’s so pretty), so try and go as early as you can.

Just wander around the centro – Polignano is perched on a big cliff, so you get great views all around the edge. If you get the chance, there is a very cute little place called Caffe Dei Serafini overlooking the sea, and if you’re lucky (and there’s just two of you), then you can sit outside for a spritz on their only balcony table, with stunning views (there is an extra cover charge for this privilege).

Lunch: Bella ‘Mbriana in Polignano is lovely – try and book ahead.

PM: a few options

You can spend some time on the beach at Polignano, if you need some relaxation time – the most famous one is called Lama Monachile, but there are other much quieter ones if you head north.

Or, take a trip to Monopoli, just down the road. There’s a nice walk along the promenade, good restaurants, and an art gallery. The little harbour there is full of cute little blue rowing boats which you will love photographing!

A really nice idea for the afternoon is to get a boat tour of the coast around Polignano – you may get the chance to go swimming from the boat, so take your swimming shorts/costume and towel; and often they explore the caves, which is magical. Make sure you book ahead.

Dinner

I’m not going to stop you doing this, but many people LOVE the idea of eating at a restaurant in a cave overlooking the sea. That’s Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare – very, very popular, has great views, but poor food and average service. Food-wise, you can do SO much better in Puglia and it would be a shame not to.

Otherwise, for dinner head to the centro in Monopoli – there are loads of seafood places here, and many of them have 4.5 rating on Google or higher, so you can’t go wrong just picking one.

A cute little courtyard in Locorotondo, Puglia

Day 3: Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca

Today is all about the famous Valle d’Itria – and we’re going to do it in just one day.

AM: Alberobello

Get here as early as you can, as it gets super busy the later you leave it. Park up as you get nearer the centro, and walk down into the heart of the famous trulli. It’s easy to do Alberobello quite quickly, so might be a good idea to book yourself a guided walking tour to really learn more about the unbelievable concentration of trulli, and what makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch & PM: Locorotondo

Follow lunch in this very adorable little town with a stroll around to explore. There are plenty of osteria / trattoria here – just have a look at Google Maps for one with a decent rating. You may need to book, depending on the time of year (July & August are very busy everywhere, not just Locorotondo).

Dinner: Martina Franca

It really depends on where you’re staying – your host will have some recommendations.

But if you still have the energy, Martina Franca is another cool little Valle d’Itria town with plenty of good places to eat – and it’s the home of capocollo, a really tasty cured meat. It’s here in Martina Franca, and in Cisternino too, that you can find great meat restaurants. I like to get aperitivo first at the café bar at the Opera House.

One of Ostuni's beautiful doors in classic Pugliese style - a must-see part of the 7 day itinerary to Puglia

Day 4: Ostuni, olive oil tour, beach & Ceglie Messapica

Are you feeling tired yet?!

AM: Ostuni

Get to Ostuni – the White City – nice and early. Wander around the centro storico, stop at pretty much any café and get caffe (espresso) and pasticciotto (little boat shaped pastries with crema inside – superb).

If you head up to the top of the centro, you can enjoy some great views from Borgo Antico, and along the pathway with restaurants like Osteria Del Tempo Perso and Taverna Della Gelosia. Those two restaurants are really nice, if you feel like stopping off here for lunch and skipping the next part of the itinerary.

Before you leave Ostuni, pick up some focaccia at Porta Nova’s little bakery – this will be your lunch (you’ll need euros as they don’t take card). Honestly some of the best focaccia around.

Then: Olive oil tasting tour at Masseria Brancati

This really is one of the best out there. At Masseria Brancati, you'll get to see olive trees that are estimated to be nearly 3,000 years old (!!) and explore the dark history of olive oil making at the masseria. You can book ahead by emailing them, and the tour is in English.

PM: beach or beach clubs

There are great free beaches at Villanova, Torre Pozella, Torre Canne, Pilone, and Specchiolla, among others. If you fancy a classy beach visit, there are also numerous beach clubs. I can recommend Guna Beach Club near Serranova, and Lido Bosco Verde near Pilone (which also has a fantastic restaurant for lunch). White Beach Club Ostuni I’ve never been to, but heard it’s nice (if a little pricey).

If, like me, you don’t like swimming in cold water – then this is for you. The Adriatic Sea from June onwards is lovely and warm, and even I get in when I can!

Dinner: Ceglie Messapica

Ceglie (pronounced ‘Che-lee-ay’) is renowned for its food - it's not touristy at all, and it'll be buzzing with locals.

Have a pre-dinner cocktail at Agora Café dal 1995 on the piazza (€4 for a negroni? Yes please); then dinner at either Vini Fritti e Cucina, if you want antipasti that just goes on and on; or Cibus for some fine food.

Top tip: just literally order antipasti and whatever wine is recommended – don’t even bother asking for a menu, or you’ll be suspected of being a tourist.

Street artwork in Grottaglie, Puglia - a must see on your Puglia holiday itinerary

Day 5: Ceramics in Grottaglie; wine tasting in Villa Castelli

It’s day 5, and there’s still so much to see and do! Today is going to be another great day out.

AM: Grottaglie

Drive to Grottaglie relatively early – it’s a cute little town renowned for its ceramics. Just wander around and find all the many little shops, with some nice mementos to take home.

Lunch: two options

You have a couple of options. You could opt to stay in Grottaglie and find a restaurant in the centro. Osteria nel borgo is highly rated; I’ve had a great lunch in Macchiaviva Bistrot before.

Or, book a wine tasting at Azienda Agricola Melillo and they will give you lots of delicious homemade antipasti to pair with various wines from their cantina. My friends and I loved the tour of their vineyard, and have never been so stuffed with food either before or since.

PM: Villa Castelli for wine tasting

If you do stay in Grottaglie for lunch, then make a vineyard tour and tasting booking at Azienda Agricola Melillo, this will take up your afternoon nicely. I can recommend buying some of their susumaniello rose!

Dinner: Mesagne or Carovigno

At this point you’ll probably want to just get back to your villa and sleep off all the food and wine from earlier. But if you still have an appetite, head to either Mesagne or Carovigno, which are both a bit off the usual tourist tracks – but well worth visiting.

Mesagne has a fantastic castello, in which you can learn about its history – followed by a lovely dinner at Giudamino, where you can sit outside and admire the Piazza Commestibili. I’ve also eaten at L’Incontro, which is full of locals and serves amazing food.

Mesagne also has plenty of cool little bars – you’ll undoubtedly stumble across one, and if you do, pop in for aperitivo before dinner. You can usually find a parking space on one of the side streets near the centro / castello.

If Carovigno would be easier for you to get to, park up on any street near the centro storico and make your way up to Al Caminetto for dinner. All you need to do is order the antipasti for however many of you there are – you will be literally stuffed by the end. Dinner for two including a litre of house rose wine cost under €40 in total here.

Top tip: you can park in the bays marked with yellow lines, but not the ones with blue lines.

Top tip: if you find a car park, the machines do usually take card – but they are temperamental, so bring some coins with you to pay. Sometimes it’s just easier that way.

Final top tip: once you’ve had dinner in pretty much any town in Puglia, just wander around and get lost in their centro storico. You’ll not really know where you’re going, and that’s the joy of it. Plus you’ll need to walk off the food.

Matera in Basilicata - its stunning, almost desolate beauty is why it should be on your 7 day Puglia holiday itinerary

Day 6: Matera

We’re popping over the border today, to Matera in Basilicata. It’s simply stunning, and a must for any Puglia itinerary (despite not being in Puglia)! You’ll be staying here for your final night – so it’s a great chance to book a nice place to stay. Make sure you get a hotel with a rooftop terrace, or an apartment with views over the sassi.

Where to stay in Matera:

Great for couples:

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. ££££
Conche Luxury Retreat. £££

Great for two couples or four friends:

Umbra Idris Holiday Home. ££
Accogliente Casa. £

Great for larger groups & families:

La Villetta. ££
Sassi di Matera 3 Appartementi. £££

Great if you’re on a bit of a budget:

Il Re degli Scalzi. £
Casa Dell’Artista. £

Great if you’re looking for luxury:

Quarry Resort. £££
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa. £££

Great if you’re bringing a dog:

La Dimora di Antosa. £££
Corte San Pietro. £££

Why visiting Matera on your Puglia holiday is a great idea

The great thing about adding Matera on to your last day in Puglia is that it’s a really easy drive back to Bari airport for your flight the next day - and it's absolutely stunning, and magical!

AM: drive to Matera

Get going as early as you can, as Matera does have some pretty solid tourism and gets a bit busy. Once you arrive, pop your car into a car park near the old town overnight – you can’t park or drive in the centro storico. Have a little explore before lunch.

Lunch

There are loads of places to eat – have a little look on Google Maps beforehand and find somewhere with a decent rating. We had pizza at Il Rusticone which was pretty good.

Check in to your accommodation after lunch.

PM: Explore the old town and sassi

This might be a good chance to book onto a tour of Matera, as there is so much to see here but only one afternoon to see it in! To explore the ancient caves, you’ll need to book ahead of the day itself.

Dinner

Ristorante Soul Kitchen (you must reserve a table). We loved eating here and felt sorry for all the people who turned up without a table reservation (called a 'prenotazione' in Italian).

Walk off your stupendous dinner around the old town, pop into a bar, generally enjoy the views of Matera lit up at dusk – it’s really very special.

couples

two couples or 4 friends

larger groups families

budget

luxury

dog

Day 7: drive back to Bari

If you have an early flight, you can simply get going from Matera early, and fill up your car near the airport. If you have a later flight, consider heading into Bari itself for the morning and / or lunch. It has a fantastic centro storico.

And that’s your 7 day itinerary to see authentic Puglia!