Welcome to our Puglia itinerary! The ultimate guide to spending 1 week in Puglia with everything you need to know to fall head over heels with Italy’s heel.
We love Puglia and our guests seem to agree. As it’s affectionately known, Italy’s heel is a stunning spot for a holiday. With 540 miles of coastline and some beaches that could easily be in the Caribbean, Puglia is a great beach holiday destination. Yet, Italy’s Southern paradise can also offer some equally awe-inspiring cultural experiences. And all of this is before we’ve even begun to talk about the food! This Puglia itinerary is designed to allow you to make the most out of your week. We have loosely organised it based on our guests staying in one of our beautiful Valle d’Itria villas. However, if you have a rental car, many of the towns and activities can be easily accessed wherever you choose to stay in Puglia.
Puglia Itinerary Day 1: Ostuni
Perched above azure waters and ancient olive groves Ostuni is a gem. Also known as Citta Bianca (The White City), Ostuni’s rich history can be felt right through its winding alleys to the central Piazza della LibertĂ . Until you’ve experienced Ostuni for yourself it’s quite difficult to describe just how wonderful it is. The central old town oozes Puglian culture with small independently-owned shops brimming with locally crafted goods.
Ceramics and olive wood take centre stage. Many craftsmen open their workshops where you can see them working on stunning pieces. While some of these can of course be shipped, don’t worry there are also plenty of smaller items to purchase such as spoons, bowls and boards which are more easily packed into a suitcase!
Check out our guide to the top 10 things to see in Ostuni to make sure you see everything there is to see when you’re there. Or, alternatively, to get the most out of your day in Ostuni, try joining a walking tour with a local guide. These can prove to be quite popular so we always recommend booking in advance with Get Your Guide or Viator. Both are tried and tested by the Bookings For You team and use local and wonderfully knowledgeable English-speaking guides. If you fancy something a bit different, then you can also take a tour of Ostuni by Tuk-Tuk and even onboard a segway! What’s more, these are great ways to entertain children and teenagers and can be booked in advance here.
A final note on Ostuni for this Puglia itinerary must go to the flowers. Even in November when we visited last, Ostuni was lit up with a stunning show of floral delights. Down every alley, a rainbow of colour peeps out. The contrast against the white city walls is really something to remember and certainly makes for a wonderful holiday photo.
Puglia Itinerary Day 2: Polignano a Mare
As with many Italian port towns, Polignano a Mare has a rich and varied history. Something you feel immediately as you wander the town’s white-washed streets. Many of these lead to the main square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Now also a popular tourist spot Polignano a Mare has so much to offer as part of a Puglia itinerary and where better to start than the beach.
Cala Porto also called Lama Monachile, has to be one of the most Instagramed beaches in Puglia. While the pretty pebbled beach here is tiny, we think it’s quite special. Gazed upon by whitewashed houses, atop limestone cliffs, the contrast with the emerald-coloured waters below is a picture postcard setting. From here there are plenty of water-based activities to choose from. Our top suggestion is to board a boat trip to the neighbouring caves or grotto. What’s more, while your skipper guides you through these stunning natural phenomena, you can even sit back and sip an aperitivo. Book this experience here.
When you’re in Polignano a Mare, one of the most famous attractions is actually a restaurant. It really is something special visually as it’s built into a cave – right on the water’s edge. Dinner at Grotta Palazzese is certainly a bucket-list dining experience if you’re into instagram friendly experiences. However, in our opinion, dinner here is not worth the hefty price tag. Instead, our tip is instead to head to the terrace at the end of Via Gelsomino. Here you can get a wonderful view of this unique dining experience and can then head elsewhere for your dinner. One of our favourites is Antiche Mura. Or, if you’re looking for a restaurant with a view, then try Terrazze Monachile. Finally, for the finest gelato, head over to Gusto Caruso on Via Martiri di Dogali.
Puglia Itinerary Day 3: Enjoy a Traditional Cooking Class
Cooking is at the heart of every Italian family. Therefore, a cooking class is perfect if you want to have a truly authentic Italian experience on your Puglia itinerary. There are plenty to choose from, with some offering specific classes for Italian favourites such as pasta or tiramisu. For us, a day of cooking with an Italian family offers more than just a culinary experience. It’s more like becoming an honorary member of an Italian family for a day! Classes can be booked here with our partner Viator and here with Get Your Guide. You can also read all about our recent experience of a cooking class with Angela and her family, just outside of Ostuni, here.
And then, after a day spent in the kitchen, enjoy a relaxing evening in one of the smaller towns and villages of Puglia. If you’re visiting Puglia in the Summer months in particular, you may find that these smaller places are pretty sleepy during the day. As a result, it’s often the case that sightseeing is best done at night. Enjoy an evening passeggiata in Cisternino, Locorotondo, Carovigno or Martina Franca.
Puglia Itinerary Day 4: Alberobello
A Puglia itinerary would not be complete without a trip to Aberobello. As Puglia’s postcard town, Alberobello is a well-trodden tourist destination. However, don’t let that put you off. Just get there early if you can before anyone else arrives, or stay for that bit longer once the bulk of the tourists have headed home for the day. There are around 1400 trulli to wander between. Athough we can pretty much guarantee that you will be rubbing shoulders with other visitors, you’ll soon see it’s for good reason. These ancient ‘hobbit houses’ have been wonderfully preserved and are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The main town is divided into two halves: Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola. You’ll find almost 1000 Trulli in Rione Monti and we would recommend that you spend at least a couple of hours admiring the ancient architecture. Even in the shoulder season, you will see some stunning floral displays amongst the stonework. And don’t forget, you will need to factor in time to take some photos!
The history of these trulli has been up for debate for many years. By using a local guide to help you get the most out of your time here, you’re sure to be enlightened with the different theories of how these buildings came to be in Puglia. So, we’ll leave this to the experts! Book your guided tour of Alberobello here.
Puglia Itinerary Day 5: Lecce
As one of Italy’s lesser-known cities, a visit to Lecce can leave you feeling like you’ve discovered a secret spot that Italians like to keep for themselves! Even in the summer months, Lecce is less busy than some of the more famous Italian cities. Lecce’s most iconic feature is the stunning Baroque architecture that dominates the old town’s buildings. It is quite remarkable.
When you first arrive, we recommend heading straight to the historic centre. You’ll do this by passing through one of the three remaining Lecce Portas: ancient gates that separate the old town from the more modern part of the city. Once inside, head to the Roman amphitheatre in the Piazza Sant’ Oronzo. This is one of the city’s most visited attractions. In its heyday, more than 15,000 spectators gathered here to watch gladiators battle it out. Nowadays, visitors gather to admire the carefully excavated structure, built with the iconic yellow limestone – famous in southern Italy. What’s more, the amphitheatre is still used today for events and performances. While we can’t guarantee a gladiator duel, we still think you’ll enjoy the experience.
To get the most out of our time in Lecce, consider joining a walking tour or even a tour by rickshaw. This way, a local guide will help you understand the history of Puglia’s ‘Baroque Jewel’. Click here to book your tour.
Puglia Itinerary Day 6: Visit a local Vineyard or Olive Grove
Did you know that Puglia produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil? This is almost 150,000 tonnes of oil each year! Italians are world famous for their generous use of olive oil and a trip to Puglia will leave you just as keen to douse all your meals in the the golden nectar.
It will come as no surprise to read that there are plenty of places to choose from for these experiences. While you will no doubt enjoy them all, each experience offers something different. So, before you make your decision, take some time to think about what you and your party enjoy. Some come with a full meal, others with extensive tasting experiences. And of course, think about whether you also need a transfer. Click here to see some available options.
Wine is another big business in Puglia. 83,000 hectares of land is dedicated to vines with 80% planted with red wine varieties. Of these both the Negroaromano and Primitivo grapes tend to take center stage. With the sun drenching the vines for many months of the year, these are typical of the region, as full-bodied study red wines.
Although Puglia’s wine is not as internationally renowned as perhaps the varieties from Tuscany, we can assure you it’s delicious! However, if you’d like a little more convincing we’d highly recommend spending some time at a local vineyard. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a wine connoisseur, a day at a Puglian vineyard can be incredibly interesting. So much of the region’s history and culture is built on its relationship with the land and farming. What’s more, many of the tours also include a tasting and delicious home-cooked lunch. Click here to see what’s on offer and book your tour.Â
Puglia Itinerary Day 7: Monopoli
Our final stop on this Puglia itinerary takes us to Monopoli. Just a few miles south of Polignano a Mare, Monopoli is a place you may not typically stop at on the tourist trail. However, we find this to be quite baffling! Monopoli is rich in culture and you can still see the influence of its patchwork of rulers today. History lovers will be in their element as they stroll through the myriad of cobbled alleys that make up the centro storico (old town). Don’t miss the early 16th century castle, along with what remains of the defensive stone walls. Built on the remains of a Benedictine monastery, it has a striking octagonal design. More recently, the castle was a prison, however, these days it’s home to an Archaeological Museum. To ensure you don’t miss anything during your visit, check out our Monopoli travel guide.
Like much of the region, Monopoli’s coastline is flanked by white limestone cliffs that create wonderful shades of turquoise as they meet the lapping waves below. While there is a small beach in the centre of Monopoli, if you travel just south to Capitolo, you’ll find long stretches of golden sand. Further north you’ll find the more secluded Cala Incina, Porto Alga, or Grotta Azzurra. Our tip is to marvel at these enchanting beaches by swimming through the crystal-clear water as part of a guided snorkeling tour. Just don’t forget your GoPro to capture those magical underwater memories.
Looking for a Tailor-Made Puglia Itinerary?
We hope you find this Puglia itinerary gives you everything you need to enjoy a fabulous week in Italy’s southern paradise. However, here at Bookings For You we have helped hundreds of guests plan a perfect holiday in Puglia and realise that we often need something a little bit different from a holiday itinerary. Whether it’s a private chef, a party planner, or a romantic restaurant, our friends at Ad Pugliam are able to work with you to create a completely bespoke Puglia itinerary. Contact us at Bookings For You and we can introduce you to Augusto and his team and help secure you special rates on any experiences you may decide to book.
Where to stay in Puglia?
If you would like some help finding the perfect villa or apartment for your holiday in Puglia, contact the Bookings For You Team here. We can’t wait to share our wonderful portfolio of hand-picked apartments and villas in Puglia with you to help you plan the perfect holiday.
