Puglia Travel Guide – transportation, hotels, tips + itineraries for 4 days and 1 week

Considered one of the most underrated destinations in bella Italia, and tucked away in the heel of the nation’s iconic boot, Puglia is made up of historic cities, ancient villages, idyllic beaches and breathtaking landscapes. Moreover, unlike other Italian destinations that mix up culture and the beach – such as the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre – Puglia has not yet been hit by mass tourism, meaning you’ll have access to a cheaper and more authentic, relaxed experience.

Additionally, and beyond the cities of Bari and Lecce standing out as the main cultural hubs, Puglia also features the quirky village of Alberobello, the scenic seaside town of Polignano a Mare and the whitewashed settlement of Ostuni. On the other hand, for those who prefer to stick to the beaches, you can’t go wrong with by taking the plunge in Otranto, Torre dell’Orso, or Pescoluse, known as the “Maldives of Salento”.

So, if you’re planning a trip to this stunning destination, our ultimate Puglia travel guide is here to help. In addition to practical information about hotels, restaurants, transportation and best beaches, we’ve also put together two comprehensive itineraries, including all the places you must see and visit in Puglia in 4 days or 1 week.

Puglia Travel Guide, Italy

How to get to Puglia – Flights from the UK

Although there are several airports scattered around the region, only two of them currently operate international flights: Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport and Brindisi Airport.

As such, if you’re traveling from the UK, it is possible to fly directly to Bari from London-Gatwick (British Airways and Easyjet), London-Stansted (Ryanair) and Edinburgh (Ryanair). If you prefer to travel to Brindisi, you can fly in from London-Heathrow (British Airways), London-Gatwick (Easyjet), London-Stansted (Ryanair) and Manchester (Ryanair).

How many days do I need to visit Puglia?

Actually, the answer to this question will depend on your availability and on how many beaches you wish to visit. In fact, this is just such a culturally and naturally rich region, one could easily spend a full month (or more) without running out of things to see and do. Nonetheless, and to stick to the bare minimums, visitors should take at least 4 days to visit Puglia.

However, be prepared for a rushed experience that will barely scratch the surface of everything this Italian region has to offer. As such, and for those with the time and budget at their disposal, we suggest setting aside a full week to explore Puglia. From then on, you can spend as much time as you want here, either exploring neighboring regions or visiting lesser-known stops across Puglia.

Puglia Travel Guide – Best time to visit the country

Depending on the goal of your trip, Puglia is the kind of destination you can visit all-year-round. However, like most destinations bathed by the Adriatic (and the Ionian, by the way), the best time to visit Puglia is in the Summer, with the months of June and September standing out as the best options to avoid the crowds and high prices of the peak months. Besides, the inland towns and villages can be scorching hot during the months of July and August, making the whole thing a lot less enjoyable.

On the other hand, if enjoying the beaches isn’t all that important and you prefer to focus on the cultural offerings, then you’ll want to visit in the shoulder-season. In the Spring and Fall months, the weather will be just perfect for sightseeing and you won’t have to wiggle your way through the crowds – plus, accommodation prices will be lighter on the wallet!

Documents needed for your trip to Puglia

Since Italy is part of the EU, British citizens do not need a visa to visit. You’ll just need your passport, which must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least 6 months from the date of your trip.

However, keep in mind that starting in mid-2025, British passengers will need to apply for ETIAS in order to enter any EU country.

Puglia Travel Guide – Withdrawals, banking fees and travel budget

With the Euro (€) as Italy’s official currency, any withdrawal using a UK bank card might incur in the payment of several different fees. Besides the percentual fee referring to the currency conversion, some UK banks may also charge a flat commission for withdrawals made outside the UK. In some instances, you may well end up paying 5%-6% of your original withdrawal in banking fees.

On the other hand, exchanging money before your trip is not a viable solution either. Besides not being any cheaper, it’s also not safe or wise to carry so much money on you during your trip. As such, we recommend using the services of online banking fintech companies such as Revolut, N26 or Monzo.

Although each have their own limitations and fees, they allow you to withdraw a certain amount in foreign currency without any fees involved. And even after that threshold is reached, costs are much smaller when compared to traditional banks.

Puglia Travel Guide – Safety and travel scams

Overall, Italy is an extremely safe travel destination, and Puglia is certainly no exception! While the region has long been associated with the mafia – something very common in the south – the truth is that these criminal organizations (if still operating) have no interest in targeting tourists. The less attention they attract, the better!

Nonetheless, while crime rates are pretty much non-existing, it’s important to always use common sense and keep your wits about you – especially when visiting the cities of Bari and Lecce. That means no taxis whose drivers refuse to start the meter, no accepting help from strangers when you’re using an ATM and always keeping an eye out for your stuff when you’re walking through busy. To sum up: don’t do anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing anywhere else! Plus, we recommend being especially cautious when ordering in restaurants located in touristy areas. Always make sure to check the price on the menu before ordering, otherwise, you might get an unpleasant surprise when the bill arrives!

If you rent a car for your trip, we highly advise against leaving anything of worth inside the vehicle. Some towns in Puglia are known for their relatively high rates of car break-ins (thieves smash the windows and take whatever they find), so it’s worth being extra cautious in this regard.

Where to sleep in Puglia – Hotels and Accommodation

If you’re looking out for a place to stay on our Puglia travel guide, then we got you covered!

While we can’t really qualify it as a “cheap” destination, visiting Puglia is often more affordable than many of its Italian counterparts who rely on mass tourism to keep the economy running. In fact, if you set base in one of the big cities and visit the beaches and the small towns from there – avoiding sleeping in the busier, more expensive areas – you can still find very decent deals (even in the high season).

That being said, here are some options based on the cities we recommend you to stay at:

Puglia Travel Guide – Hotels in Bari

• Hostel – Habari We Dorm
• € – Hotel Majesty Bari
• €€ – Hi Hotel Bari
• €€€ – Hotel Excelsior Bari
• €€€€ – VIS Urban Suites&Spa

Puglia Travel Guide – Hotels in Lecce

• Hostel – Urban Oasis Hostel
• € – Eos Hotel
• €€ – Best Western Plus Leone di Messapia Hotel & Conference
• €€€ – Roiss Haus Suites
• €€€€ – Palazzo De Noha – Boutique Hotel

Puglia Travel Guide – Transportation from Bari airport to the city centre

Located just 8 km apart, the best way to travel between Bari Airport and the city center is to use local train line FM2, a railway service dedicated to transporting passengers along this route. The station is a good 10-minute walk from the arrivals’ terminal, but just follow the signs and you’ll find it. This line operates every day from 05h25 to 23h40, with a new train leaving every 20 to 30 minutes. Your final destination will be Bari Centrale, with the journey taking just a little over 15 minutes. Passengers can get their tickets for €5,00 from the automatic machines or online. All tickets should be validated on the yellow punching machines before boarding.

Alternatively, you can also use line 16 from AMTAB, the city’s public bus network. This route links the airport to Piazza Aldo Moro, right next to the train station, and the bus stop is located right outside the arrivals’ terminal. The line runs from 05h10 to 21h35 in 50-minute intervals, and the journey may take between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The ticket costs €1,00 if bought at the kiosk inside the airport, or €1,50 if purchased directly from the driver. Lastly, if you happen to land in Bari outside the train and the bus’s service hours, shuttle companies such as Terravision and Tempesta also take passengers to Bari Centrale for around €5,00.

Puglia Travel Guide – Transportation and how to move around the region

Much like any other Italian region that gets any kind of international and domestic tourism, Puglia is also served by a surprisingly vast and diverse transportation system that features both the railways and buses. Alternatively, if you prefer the autonomy and flexibility of traveling on your own 4 (or 2) wheels, one of the best ways to explore Puglia is to rent a car or a scooter – especially if you want to hit all the nicer beaches!

As such, and for those visiting the region soon, here’s a little overview with everything you need to know about transportation in Puglia!

Trains in Puglia

Trains are the go-to option when it comes to public transportation in Italy, with the network from Trenitalia standing out for being efficient, punctual, clean, and – compared to many other European rail systems – surprisingly affordable! The trains are relatively modern, with high-speed services (called Frecciarossa) offering the most comfort, onboard Wi-Fi, seat-back screens and a café/snack-bar car. On the other hand, regional services are more basic but still get the job done, taking you from point A to point B in a single class train (similar to any suburban commuter service). They’re also the cheapest! Lastly, InterCity trains stand between the former two when it comes to speed and comfort. Taking a deeper look into the Frecciarossa high-speed trains, you can choose from several seat categories:

• Standard: Perks mentioned above;
• Premium: Reclining seats and complimentary snacks upon boarding;
• Business: Larger and wider seats, extra legroom and a complimentary meal box;
• Business Area Silenzio: Same as Business, but in a designated quiet zone where it’s forbidden to make noise and take phone calls (only available on select trains).
• Executive: An exclusive cabin with just 10 seats and a mini meeting room, reclining electric seats with leg rests and full meal service.

As for tickets, you can buy them directly at the station – either at the booths or from automatic ticket machines – or online via Trenitalia’s website (link above). While ticket prices don’t usually vary much based on how far in advance you buy them, it’s still a good idea to book a few days or even weeks ahead to guarantee your seat and get the best possible rate. In addition to nation-wide Trenitalia, there are also two main regional train companies operating their own networks in Puglia: Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) and Ferrovie Appulo Lucane.

Finally, and since we’re talking prices, here are the standard fares for the most popular train routes for tourists in Puglia (prices for the cheaper services):

• Bari – Lecce: 1h40; €12,80
• Bari – Polignano a Mare: 00h15; €2,10
• Bari – Monopoli: 00h20; €2,60
• Bari – Ostuni: 00h50; €6,80
• Bari – Brindisi: 1h10; €10,30
• Lecce – Brindisi: 00h30; €3,40
• Lecce – Ostuni: 00h50; €6,80
• Lecce – Corigliano d’Otranto: 00h40; €2,30
• Polignano a Mare – Monopoli: 00h05; €1,30
• Monopoli – Ostuni: 00h20; €3,00

Buses in Puglia

While nothing beats trains when it comes to comfort and convenience, sometimes buses are really the only option. Especially if you get further away from the coast to explore certain parts of the Itria Valley or wish to head south of Lecce into Salento, a region not covered by the rail network, bus services are essential! Luckily, there are plenty of bus companies operating both regional and national routes, with Sitasud, ACAPT, STP Brindisi or STP di Terra d’Otranto standing among the most popular. The issue? Not all companies have their own website, booking system or social media, meaning it can get frustratingly hard to find trustworthy information online on tariffs, routes and schedules.

Luckily, many of these bus companies are part of COTRAP, a federation that has its own platform where you can check routes, timetables and even buy tickets. While the website is only available in Italian, with a bit of patience, flexibility and a little help from a translator, anyone can navigate the system. Just keep in mind that bus routes operated by companies not affiliated with the federation won’t pop up in the search results. Perhaps the most flagrant example would be Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE), a major local company that runs its own network of buses and even trains (small-scale lines). Be that as it may, you’ll have access to a good number of bus routes by checking just these two platforms, allowing you to buy tickets and plan your travels accordingly. Just don’t be surprised if you need to transfer to another bus along the way to reach your final destination.

As we usually do in all other travel guides, here is a brief overview of some of the most sought-after bus routes in Puglia for visitors:

• Bari – Alberobello: 01h05; €5,00
• Alberobello – Locorotondo: 00h15; €1,30
• Locorotondo – Ostuni: 1h00; €2,10 (transfer in Cisternino or Fasano)
• Corigliano d’Otranto – Otranto: 00h50; €2,20 (transfer in Maglie)
• Otranto – Castro: 1h30; €3,50 (transfer in Maglie)
• Lecce – Otranto: 1h30; €4,40 (transfer in Maglie)
• Lecce – Santa Maria di Leuca: 2h20; €7,60

Renting a car or scooter in Puglia

Finally, we leave you with our most recommended transportation option on this Puglia travel guide. Actually, if you want to travel along the coast and check out the best beaches in the region, a lot of the times there are no bus or train connections between them, leaving you at the mercy of notoriously scammy taxi drivers. You know the drill – when it comes to convenience and spontaneity, there’s nothing like having our own vehicle when traveling!

While exploring Puglia, you can easily find companies where you can rent different motorized vehicles, such as cars or scooters. However, and before you make up your mind on this solely based on your budget or personal preferences, it’s equally important to assess the topography and type of terrain you will find, as well as your experience behind the wheel.

When looking at the region’s inland villages and mountainous areas (along the Itria Valley), where roads tend to be quite steep, renting a scooter might not be the way to go. Plus, keep in mind it is mandatory to have a motorcycle license in order to drive any scooter over 125cc. On the other hand, according to Italian law, a type B driver’s license is sufficient to rent any scooter with less horsepower. If you prefer to rent a car, you don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

That being said, if you wish to rent a scooter in Puglia, you can check these local companies:

• Discoverent – Bari
• Mannarini – Bari
• MotoGarage – Lecce
• Noleggio – Lecce

As for cars, you can browse for prices and availability on Rentalcars.com!

Best beaches in Puglia, Italy

Lama Monachile: Located in Polignano a Mare, this 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.

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. Besides a refreshing swim, make sure to check out the coastal rock formations, especially Le Due Sorelle.

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!

Cala Porta Vecchia: Found right next to the historic center of Monopoli, one of Puglia’s most underrated towns, this beach is adjacent to the old defensive wall. As such, it creates a pretty unique blend of natural beauty and historic architecture! Near Monopoli, we also recommend checking out nearby Porto Marzano.

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 sea. Interestingly, this area once served as Roman pools!

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.

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.

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.

Spiaggia di Pescoluse: It’s 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. Plus, it’s close to Santa Maria di Leuca, so you can easily visit both in one day.

Puglia Travel Guide – Full itineraries for 1 and 2 weeks

So that this blog post doesn’t turn into an encyclopedia, we’ve decided to create separate articles for each itinerary.

You can check them through the following links:

• Puglia 4-Day Itinerary – What to See and Do in Puglia
• Puglia 1-Week Itinerary – Highlights of 7 Days in Puglia