Best things to see and do in Puglia in 7 days. Discover the region’s most famous landmarks and tourist hotspots in our Puglia 1-week itinerary!
This Puglia 1-week itinerary is a part of our broader travel guide for the region. We recommend you check it out for the best travel tips and the most accurate information on transportation, hotels, restaurants, safety and best beaches in Puglia, Italy.
Needless to say, there is absolutely no way one can do Puglia – a region with so much to see and do – any justice in just 7 days. In fact, you would easily need double the time (or even triple) to be able to skim through the entire area, and it would still be tight! Still, if you have 7 days to spare, one can at least enjoy the very best Puglia has to offer, even if we stick to the most famous, touristy places. In addition to the mandatory visit to Bari, where you’ll probably land, with a full week you can see the seaside towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, and check out the traditional villages in the Itria Valley (especially Alberobello and Ostuni) before heading to Lecce! Further south, in the Salento Peninsula, you’ll still have time to explore some of the tiny Hellenic settlements that make up Grecìa Salentina, appreciate the architecture in Ostuni and hit some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Italy, such as Santa Maria di Leuca and Marina di Pescoluse.
However, if you don’t have the availability for such an extended trip, you are always welcome to take a look at our shorter Puglia 4-day itinerary.
So, without further ado, here are the cities, places and tourist attractions you should visit in a 1-week itinerary through Puglia, Italy:
Considered the largest city in all of Puglia, as well as the best-connected, Bari is where you’ll inevitably begin your journey. Despite its current size and importance, this was actually a small fishing village for many centuries, until it established itself as one of the most important Italian ports of the Byzantine Empire. Nowadays, the city has two very distinct faces: the Old Town, with its narrow streets and ancient beauty, and the New Town, featuring modern buildings and wider avenues. As a tourist, you’ll naturally spend most of your time in Bari Vecchia, the local name for the historic center. Inside, all roads lead to the Basilica di San Nicola, considered the city’s main tourist attraction. Shared by both Catholic and Orthodox faiths, it is also known for housing the remains of Saint Nicholas – the religious figure who would go on to inspire Santa Claus. From there, simply stroll through the Old Town at your leisure and, along the way, you’ll invariably come across Piazza Mercantile, Piazza del Ferrarese, Bari Cathedral and the Castello Normanno-Svevo (€10,00), a former Byzantine fortress later turned into a grand palace.
Still within the old quarter, we recommend walking along Strada Arco Basso, locally known as Strada delle Orecchiette, after a type of pasta closely associated with the city. For generations, elderly women from the city have come here, set up stands and sell little packets of homemade orecchiette pasta to locals and tourists alike! Once it’s time to leave Bari Vecchia, you’ll enter the neighboring district of Borgo Murattiano, where the narrow streets and medieval façades give way to grand avenues and classical 19th-century buildings. It’s still a very beautiful area, with several palaces (Palazzo Fizzarotti and Palazzo Mincuzzi), theaters (Teatro Piccini and Teatro Margherita) and shopping streets (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Sparano). However, no landmark in this district stands out quite as much as Teatro Petruzzelli (tours available for €5,00), one of the most beautiful and prestigious concert halls in Italy. To wrap up your first day in Puglia in style, we invite you to take a stroll along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, the city’s long waterfront promenade, where you can watch your first southern Italian sunset.
First day wrap-up:
After getting an introduction into a more cultural and urban destination, the time has come to spend a couple of days experiencing the side of Puglia that actually landed it in most tourist radars. With that in mind, there’s no better way to start than by heading to the coast – specifically to Polignano a Mare – to get a great first-impression of the region’s stunning beaches. In fact, Lama Monachile, the town’s main beach, was one of Puglia’s very first (and most iconic) postcard pictures. Nothing that should surprise visitors, as the sight of this pristine stretch of sand nestled between dramatic cliffs and backed by the town’s signature whitewashed buildings is absolutely breathtaking. Be that as it may, Polignano a Mare’s charm goes far beyond beach tourism, which is why you should spend the rest of your morning exploring its historic center. To do so, walk through Arco Marchesale, the main gateway into the charming scenario of cobblestone streets and whitewashed façades where you can check out Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, home to other important landmarks like the Palazzo dell’Orologio and the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. Even more impressive are the many viewpoints offering fabulous views over the Adriatic Sea and the silhouette of the Old Town! Among the several different options, we recommend tasking in the views from Belvedere su Lama Monachile, Bastione di Santo Stefano and from the terrace right next to the Monumento a Domenico Modugno. The name doesn’t ring any bell? Just the guy who sings the famous “Volare oh, oh / Cantare oh, oh” – a native of this very village!
After your lunch break, it’s time to hit the road again and head to Monopoli, just a mere 10 km away. Though significantly larger than your morning stop, the city is far less touristy and still boasts an extremely beautiful historic center. Somewhat surprisingly, the Old Town of Monopoli has quite a lot to see and do, starting with the Cathedral di Maria Santissima della Madia, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Puglia. Other religious sites worth a visit include the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio and Chiesa San Salvatore. Furthermore, visitors should also check out Palazzo Palmieri and Castello Carlo V, enjoy the views from Bastione Santa Maria and from the Porto Antico, and do a bit of people-watching while sipping a drink in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. Along the way, don’t miss the chance to swim at Cala Porta Vecchia, adjacent to the old defensive wall. As such, the setting is quite unique, creating a pretty intriguing blend of natural beauty and historic architecture. If there’s still time and energy left, cap off your day by hitting the road once more for a final 7 km stretch to Calette di Torre Cintola. Surely one of the most unique beaches on this list, you won’t find soft sand or pebbles here. Instead, the “beach” is made up of smooth rock formations, perfect for laying out your towel and diving straight into the waters that once served as Roman swimming pools.
Second day wrap-up:
Having already explored the cities and a bit of the coast, the third day of your adventure will take you to the Itria Valley, an area known for its vineyards, olive groves and traditional villages. Despite being “far” from the sea, this valley is considered a must-see destination, home to some of the most picturesque and charming spots in all of Puglia. While a single day isn’t enough to cover everything, you will at least be able to visit some of its most iconic locations if you get off to an early start. Without further ado, your first stop will take place in Alberobello, probably the most famous village in the region. Located in an area known for its “trulli”, traditional Puglian houses with round shapes and conical stone roofs, Alberobello is the personification of this architectural tradition, boasting an historic center made up almost entirely of these unique structures. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most photogenic spots in Puglia, as well as an absolute must-see for anyone venturing through this southern corner of Italy. There aren’t really major attractions to visit, but that’s precisely what makes the town so appealing. It’s the kind of place where one can simply wander around (especially through the district of Rione Monti), snapping photos of the trulli and climbing onto the terraces of the countless souvenir shops for panoramic views. Still, if you absolutely need a list, you can visit the Parrocchia Sant’Antonio di Padova, the Saints Cosma and Damian’s Church and the Belvedere Santa Lucia.
After a couple of hours exploring Alberobello, it’s time to head to Locorotondo, a small village located atop a hill. Italians often say it’s one of the most beautiful villages in the entire country — so how can we disagree? Featuring breathtaking views from nearly every point along Via Nardelli, the road that encircles the entire historic district, it offers a great combo of cultural sights and stunning scenery. Once you’ve soaked in the views, enter the Old Town through Porta Napoli, which will lead you into a charming maze of stone alleys and whitewashed houses. It’s the kind of place where one can’t take a bad photo! Once there, be sure to check out Palazzo Morelli, the Mother Church of San Giorgio Martire or Chiesa di Madonna della Greca, and don’t miss a walk through the tiny but picturesque Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. For one last postcard-perfect view over the expansive Itria Valley, head to the Belvedere di Locorotondo. Although it’s a packed morning, the goal is to complete all of this in time for lunch in Ostuni, the last village on your itinerary. Known as the “White City”, nearly all the houses in the historic center are painted white, taking to the extreme a common sight in other Puglian towns. Funny enough, local authorities actively encourage this aesthetical uniformity, covering half the cost for homeowners who repaint their houses white every 2 years!
Once again, the best approach is to enter the Old Town and let yourself get lost – well, literally! Turns out the historic center in Ostuni was built spontaneously and without any planning or regard for structure, resulting in the chaotic maze of dead-end alleys that tourists are so fond of today. In fact, this mess of a layout proved helpful in the past, making it much harder for invading forces over the centuries to successfully take over the city. Either way, your tour will start off at Piazza della Libertà, considered the heart of the city, and home to both the Column of Sant’Oronzo and the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi. Next up is the Cathedral di Santa Maria Assunta, followed by a walk along the city walls, where you’ll get jaw-dropping views of vast olive groves and the Adriatic Sea in the background. As you exit the city, we recommend a quick stop at Piazzetta Martiri delle Foibe (better known as the Belvedere di Ostuni) for a view of the town you will never forget. Finally, if you’ve got another hour or two to spare, we suggest ending the day at Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle. The ideal choice for combining a beach day with a visit to the nearby charming town of Ostuni, this beach has a wilder, more remote feel than many others in the region. This is something you’ll definitely want to take into account, as it makes for the perfect escape from the Summer crowds.
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Third day wrap-up:
Having seen the beaches and the valleys, it’s time to get back to the city-vibes with a visit to Lecce, the second most important metropolis in Puglia. Known as the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is one of the most underrated destinations in Italy, as there aren’t that many international visitors around. As you stroll through the city, it’s impossible not to notice that most buildings feature a similar honey hue, which comes from a specific type of stone quarried near Lecce that was extremely popular with stonemasons and craftsmen in ancient times due to its color and malleability. Long-story-short: Lecce is visually stunning! Enter the historic center through Porta Napoli, once the main gateway to the city and one of the only three gates to have survived the test of time. While in the Old Town, you’ll head straight to the extraordinary Piazza del Duomo, home to the majestic Cathedral di Maria Santissima Assunta. As a side note, it’s worth highlighting Lecce’s past as a Roman colony, with remnants of the ancient empire commonly uncovered whenever excavations are carried out in the old city. Because of this, Lecce has some noteworthy archaeological ruins. The first you’ll see is the Teatro Romano, a small arena that’s actually easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. However, the real highlight is the Roman Amphitheater, located in the imposing Piazza Sant’Oronzo. Much larger and more prominent than the former ruins, it’s actually mind-boggling to find out that most of the amphitheater remains buried underground and hasn’t yet been excavated.
A bit further north, make a short detour of a few hundred meters to visit the Basilica di Santa Croce – often regarded as the most beautiful church in Lecce – before making your way back along the walls of the Castle of Charles V. Marking the divide between the Old Town and the more modern districts, and though the castle is closed to the public, it’s still worth passing by just to get a glimpse. For the only museum stop of the day, we strongly recommend a visit to the Museo Faggiano (€5,00). A private institution showcasing artifacts and partial ruins of the ancient Roman city, its origin story is pretty bizarre. Turns out that the owner, landlord to another man who was living there, had to dome some renovation work to fix issues in the plumbing., having discovered valuable Roman remains beneath his house. Prevented by local authorities from continuing his renovations, the owner then reportedly had to fund the entire archaeological excavation and restoration himself, eventually founding the museum. Even if the story wasn’t true, the exhibition is genuinely fascinating, allowing you to descend several levels and walk among the ruins. Finally, you’ll end your visit the same way it began – by walking through one of Lecce’s historic gates. This time, it’ll be Porta Baggio, located further south.
Fourth day wrap-up:
After Lecce, the rest of your days will be spent in the southern part of Puglia, an area that stretches across the Salento Peninsula. Although the district is mostly known for hosting the best beaches in the region, Salento also has a distinct and fascinating cultural side, with Grecìa Salentina standing out as one of the prime examples. Made up of 12 historic towns and villages, this sub-region is deeply connected to its Hellenic history, which dates back to the Byzantine period and still lives on today. That’s true – even many centuries later, many of these villages’ residents still speak a Greek dialect (Griko)! Since it wouldn’t be possible to visit every town due to time constraints, we recommend focusing on three of them. Your first stop will be Corigliano d’Otranto, the best-known village in Grecìa Salentina (and conveniently connected to Lecce by train). Right at the entrance, you’ll be welcomed by the extraordinary Castello de’ Monti, a grand fortress that used to defend the town against foreign invasions and was later transformed into a grand, luxurious palace. For many, this can also be considered the main tourist attraction in all of Grecìa Salentina. Other than that, you’ll spend your time as you would in many other Italian small towns, wandering aimlessly through the old streets. Along the way, take the opportunity to visit the Chiesa di San Nicola, walk through the Arco de Lucchetti and admire the Torre Dell’Orologio.
Back on the road, your next destination is the small town of Melpignano, best known as the home of the annual Notte della Taranta Festival, one of the largest cultural events in all of Puglia and a major reason for Melpignano’s status as one of the top destinations in Grecìa Salentina. Well, that and the fact that it’s absolutely gorgeous, of course! While exploring the historic center, you’ll step into the iconic Piazza San Giorgio, the most prominent example of the town’s traditional stone architecture and home to the Chiesa di San Giorgio. Furthermore, we recommend checking out Palazzo Marchesale Castriota (€15,00), known for its wonderful gardens. However, the real star of Melpignano is the Ex-Convento degli Agostiniani, a true architectural masterpiece and the literal stage for the aforementioned festival. Finally, to wrap up your mini-tour of the sub-region, check out Martano, officially listed as one of the most authentic villages in Italy. Once there, it’s worth strolling through the old town’s pedestrian squares, like Piazza Assunta and Piazza Caduti, touring the majestic Palazzo Baronale and visiting the Chiesa di Maria Santissima Assunta. After such a packed day, allow yourself to relax and unwind by the beach. About 15 km away from Martano, we recommend heading to Torre dell’Orso. Probably the most famous beach in Puglia, it draws more visitors – both locals and tourists – than most of its neighbors. Even so, its beauty is undeniable, standing out for offering some of the region’s best sunsets.
Fifth day wrap-up:
Another day, another trip! This time, the day will take you along the southeastern coast of the Salento Peninsula, stopping at several idyllic beaches along the way. However, before all the real fun begins, you’ll still have a few hours to explore Otranto, one of the most beautiful towns in southern Puglia. Located on a bay, it’s well worth stopping here before heading to the region’s beaches, soaking up the sea breeze and the traditional architecture. As per usual, the historic center is absolutely stunning, full of winding streets and stone houses in soft beige tones. While the imposing 15th-century Aragonese Castle (€12,00) stands out at first glance, the best of Otranto can be found in the Old Town’s maze of streets, where you can wander aimlessly. We recommend visiting the Cathedral di Santa Maria Annunziata, the Chiesa di San Pietro and the Torre Alphonse, which was once part of the ancient fortifications. And speaking of walls, don’t forget to walk along the old bastions and enjoy the views over the Adriatic and the town below, especially from Torre Matta and from Lungomare dei Bastioni. Once you’ve had your fill, you can exit the old town through Porta Terra.
As for swimming spots near Otranto, you can always take a quick dip at Spiaggia dei Gradoni. While we named this specific beach, we could easily refer to the whole coastal stretch around Otranto, as the city’s shoreline is made up of a wide, dreamy bay filled with both natural and artificial beaches. The best way to enjoy it is by strolling along the promenade and stopping wherever you feel like! As for the rest of the day, we recommend driving along the coastal road and stopping at some of the region’s top beaches. To the north, for example, you can’t miss Baia dei Turchi. Although it requires a 1 km walk to reach it – a welcome consequence of being located in a protected nature reserve – this remains one of the most popular beaches in Puglia. Its more rugged and remote look, surrounded by dense greenery that contrasts beautifully with the turquoise sea, certainly helped in attracting hordes of beach-goers. On the hand, if you head south, we suggest stopping at Santa Cesarea Terme and Castro, both known for their beautiful beaches. Near the former, you can relax at Spiaggia di Porto Miggiano, while in Castro, the standout is Cala dell’Acquaviva. As you can see, this is going to be a laid-back afternoon without any real plans but to enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
Sixth day wrap-up:
And here we are, at the end of your journey through Pugliano lands! After such a packed itinerary – and we didn’t have enough time to squeeze in the likes of Gallipoli, Trani, Altamura or the Gargano Promontory – we figured nothing would be better than a final day of dolce far niente! To make the most of it, we suggest setting up base at the southern tip of the Salento Peninsula, especially around Spiaggia di Santa Maria di Leuca. Located at the southernmost tip of Puglia, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, this is a very popular summer getaway for Italians. Sounds like the perfect place to mingle with locals! Besides, the surrounding coastline is also packed with hidden coves and sea caves, which you can explore by taking a boat tour. Just 11 km away, you really can’t go wrong with a quick detour to Spiaggia di Pescoluse, affectionately nicknamed the “Maldives of Puglia”… do we really need to say more? With its crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand and over 4 kilometers of extension, this is the kind of place that belongs on a holiday brochure.
At the end of the day, you can either choose to spend one last night in Puglia, or make the full journey back to Bari, where your flight home awaits!
Seventh day wrap-up:
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