From exploring the gorgeous white city of Ostuni, to the seaside cities of Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Otranto, this 5-day Puglia itinerary exhibits you the perfect of this area.
We’ve simply returned from our second vacation in Puglia. We’ve all the time liked travelling in Italy, and whereas we’ve got favorite spots all around the nation, our journeys to Puglia have been a few of our most particular. We love the combination of fairly cities, historical past, appeal, custom and attractive meals. On each journeys, we’ve employed automobiles and spent days sightseeing, enjoyable, having fun with the seashores, and naturally, consuming!
Whereas these sound like grownup journeys, our most up-to-date go to was with our two-year-old son. He liked it too, as there was lots to maintain him entertained. So, whether or not you’re contemplating a visit as a pair, with buddies or as a household, I’d advocate exploring Puglia.
A 5-Day Puglia Itinerary: Plan Your Journey
What number of days to spend in Puglia?
In the event you’re questioning how lengthy to spend in Puglia, I’d recommend a primary journey of between 5 and 7 days. It’ll be a terrific introduction, and doubtless go away you wanting extra!
You’ll have time to see a number of essentially the most well-known cities, a number of hidden gems, and never really feel such as you’re racing round in a traumatic manner. I feel it’s necessary to consider tempo with these journeys. In any case, you need time for leisurely Italian feasts, seaside strolls and sundown spritzes. I feel 5 to seven days in Puglia is sufficient time to loosen up and take in what makes this area of southern Italy so particular.
On this information I’m sharing how I’d plan the right five-day Puglia itinerary. You would possibly want so as to add just a little little bit of time at both finish for journey to and from the area. Additionally, you probably have extra time out there, unfold issues out just a little extra.
My information takes you from the north in the direction of the south of the area, however you can simply flip it round relying on the place you’re flying into.
When is the perfect time to go to Puglia?
Puglia enjoys a Mediterranean local weather, so anticipate lengthy, sizzling summers and gentle winters. The most effective time to go to is determined by the kind of journey you need, however listed below are a number of ideas:
- Spring (April–June) – Heat days, fewer crowds than summer season. Excellent for sightseeing and street journeys, although the ocean might be chilly!
- Summer season (July–August) – Nice for a seaside break but it surely does get very popular within the peak summer season. It’s additionally the busiest time to go to, so that you’ll be battling crowds and spending extra on lodging.
- Autumn (September–October) – Top-of-the-line instances to go to Puglia because the temperatures are nonetheless heat, you’ll be able to swim within the sea and there’s a extra relaxed vibe out of peak season.
- Winter (November–March) – Quiet and funky, with a lot decrease costs. Nevertheless, be warned that a number of companies are seasonal so that you would possibly battle to seek out appropriate lodging or discover eating places that are open.
Personally, my favorite tome to go to Puglia is from late Might to mid-June or from the beginning of September to the center of the month. These instances often provide a stunning mixture of sunshine and heat climate, and also you gained’t have the massive crowds of peak vacation season.
The place to fly to on your Puglia vacation
Bari and Brindisi are essentially the most handy airports to fly into for a vacation in Puglia. We discovered extra choices from the UK to Bari, which is in a very good location for the northern and central components of Puglia. Brindisi is just a little additional south, however nonetheless not removed from the important thing sights. It additionally presents higher entry to the southern tip of Puglia, if you wish to delve deeper into the area.
Find out how to spend 5 Days in Puglia – a fast overview
- Day 1: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare – Seaside cities, cliff walks, contemporary seafood and swimming
- Day 2: Alberobello and Locorotondo – Trulli homes, wine tasting and fairly views
- Day 3: Ostuni – Whitewashed outdated city and conventional food and drinks
- Day 4: Lecce – Baroque structure, historical past, avenue meals and high quality eating
- Day 5: Otranto – Charming coastal city, seaside time, historic fortress and al fresco eating
Find out how to spend 5 Days in Puglia – Itinerary
Day 1: Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
These are two of the prettiest and most well-known seaside cities in Puglia. They’re each on the Adriatic Coast, so that you’ll get to get pleasure from a full day of Puglian seaside life! They’re solely a 15-minute drive from one another, so it’s simple to see them each in at some point. You would select to remain in one of many cities in a single day, so that you get to benefit from the nighttime atmosphere and many twinkling lights.
Monopoli
Monopoli is a energetic harbour city, with lovely historic buildings and a number of seaside appeal. I completely fell in love with this city on my first journey to Puglia. Instantly, it was one in every of my favorite cities in Italy! It was a romantic {couples} journey with my now husband, and we spent relaxed afternoons strolling across the outdated harbour, stopping for spritzes within the sunshine, dipping our toes within the water on the small seaside, and having fun with dinners al fresco.
The Centro Storico in Monopoli is full of outdated stone buildings, little squares, a cathedral and many conventional eating places. It’s a city that’s grown in recognition in recent times, but it surely nonetheless doesn’t really feel as hectic as Alberobello or Polignano a Mare.
Polignano a Mare
In the event you’ve checked out photographs of gorgeous seaside cities in Puglia, I can just about assure you’ll have seen a picture of Polignano a Mare. Set on thick limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic, with dramatic caves under, it’s completely spectacular.
The principle seaside in Polignano is Lama Monachile, a small slither of a rocky seaside tucked beneath the arches of an historic Roman bridge. It’s such a photogenic view, though I’ll admit it’s not essentially the most comfy place to laze round. It additionally will get very busy in peak summer season.
We loved a day journey to Polignano a Mare, however didn’t keep in a single day. To be trustworthy, that felt like the right period of time. We loved strolling by way of the centre, visited the seaside, walked alongside the cliffs to absorb the views, stopped for food and drinks on the town, and ended our day with aperitivos. I nonetheless keep in mind the tasty spaghetti vongole we had in one of many most important squares there – scrumptious!
Day 2: Alberobello and Locorotondo
Right now is all about trulli homes and custom. Very like yesterday’s duo, Alberobello and Locorotondo pair rather well. They’re beneath fifteen minutes’ drive from each other, and provide various things.
In the event you’re deciding which city to remain in, you’ll discover costs on the upper aspect in Alberobello because it’s extra common. Nevertheless, there’s a lot appeal to seeing it at night time when a number of the day-tripping vacationers have left. I’d in all probability select to remain there if it’s your first journey… the truth is, we stayed in a trulli home there on our first journey! For our second we combined it up with two nights in Locorotondo.
Alberobello
I feel everybody has seen photographs of Puglia’s most well-known city. Alberobello is famed for its distinctive fairytale-like trulli homes. When you’ll see a few of these white stone buildings with conical roofs dotted round southern Italy, this particular city is full of them.
It’s a magical place to discover on foot. You’ll stroll alongside streets lined with outlets, cafes, eating places and bars, principally situated contained in the small, cave-like trulli homes. Sure, it’s one of the vital common cities in Puglia (significantly in the summertime months), but it surely’s one you shouldn’t miss. Even when it’s busy, it’s particular.
For the perfect expertise, I’d advocate reserving to remain in a trulli home resort in Alberobello. Seeing the city after darkish provides an additional slice of magic, plus you’ll be capable to stroll by way of the city and take all of your photographs, with out the crowds getting in the best way!
My favorite spots included: Trulli e Puglia Wine Bar and Ristorante Puglianova. On our first journey we loved a snug in a single day keep in Terraza Sui Trulli, which is in a tremendous location within the centre of the city.
Locorotondo
This lovely hilltop city might really feel like a maze at first, with its skinny streets lined with whitewashed homes and wrought iron balconies. However, after a brief stroll, you’ll quickly get your bearings.
It’s an excellent location for a half or full day, with loads of nice eating places and bars, and even a vineyard proper within the city. Head to By way of Nardelli for breathtaking panoramas over the Valle d’Itria. You’ll be rewarded with views of the rolling countryside peppered with vineyards, olive groves and trulli homes.
Locorotondo is actually charming. It’s undoubtedly someplace to wander, get misplaced after which wander some extra! Most of the eating places on the town have out of doors seating lining the slim streets. We discovered it to be fairly quiet throughout the daytime (particularly when temperatures had been excessive) but it surely obtained busy by sundown. It’s round then that folks appeared to enterprise out for aperitivos and dinner.
My favorite spots embody: Kiatz Restaurant (superb small plates and pastas), Ristorante Osteria Il Rosone (genuine and attractive pasta), Vinifera Vini & Affini (drinks and small plates), Pavì Wine Restaurant (nice for aperitivo hour) and Sirose (Bufano vineyard).
Day 3: Ostuni
As you drive round, you’ll discover that a number of the cities in Puglia are white. Nevertheless, as you get nearer to Ostuni, you’ll see this hilltop city is among the prettiest and most pristine within the area. A lot so, it’s nicknamed the La Città Bianca (the white metropolis).
It has the same really feel to Locorotondo (the place you visited yesterday) however Ostuni is much more common. It’s one other place the place you’ll get misplaced within the maze of slim streets, snapping photographs of fairly stairs adorned with flowers. There are eating places tucked on the slim streets, many serving native pastas reminiscent of orecchiette and cavatelli.
We liked strolling round Ostuni with no mounted plans. You recognize, the sort of stroll the place you cease for a espresso at one spot, then settle down with a scrumptious gelato, and ultimately transfer on to spritzes and wine! In the event you’re seeking to go to essentially the most lovely cities in Puglia, Ostuni must be in your listing.
Day 4: Lecce
The Puglian metropolis of Lecce is a treasure trove of Baroque structure, ornate church buildings and Roman ruins. A lot so, it’s nicknamed “the Florence of the South”. In the event you’re enthusiastic about historical past, you merely have to go to. It’s a metropolis, so it’s lots greater and busier with on a regular basis life than the opposite locations I’ve talked about thus far, but it surely’s obtained a terrific vibe.
In addition to the superb structure, you’ll come upon energetic piazzas and aperitivo bars. It’s additionally an exquisite place for seeing what every day life in southern Italy is like. You’ll see college students going to college, commuters heading to work and Italian nonnas out shopping for groceries.
Are you a foodie? You’ll love Lecce! It’s obtained tasty avenue meals, numerous genuine Italian eating places, in addition to some top-rated fine-dining institutions. Don’t miss the possibility to strive pasticciotti leccesi, an area custard pastry that’s candy and scrumptious. Or, you can unwind within the night with a calming glass of Salento rosé.
In the event you’re in search of the perfect of the perfect, I’d attempt to e-book a desk at Michelin-starred Primo Restaurant. Alternatively, Gimmi and Duo each have nice reputations.
Day 5: Otranto
Otranto is beneath forty minutes by automobile from Lecce. A few of chances are you’ll have a look at the Puglia map and really feel it’s too removed from the place you began, however I wished to incorporate it because it shot up my listing of favorite cities after our most up-to-date vacation. It’s one of the vital photogenic cities I’ve visited in Puglia and is nice for vacationers.
The picturesque seaside city has a medieval fortress, Eleventh-century cathedral, unbelievable seashores, rocky shoreline and a energetic atmosphere. It appears like a correct vacation city, however nonetheless retains an genuine Italian appeal, maybe as most vacationers who go to are Italian.
A whole lot of this shoreline in Puglia has rocky or pebble seashores, however in Otranto there may be sand. This made it excellent for our toddler to play safely, and for us all to loosen up with some seaside time. There are a mixture of private and non-private (seaside membership) seashores. We had been fortunate sufficient to remain in an condominium straight reverse Spiaggia dei Gradoni, a public seaside proper on the town.
On our closing day, we ventured all the way down to Atlantis, a seaside membership and restaurant situated on a rockier peninsula. Right here, you’ll be able to both sit within the bar space and revel in food and drinks, or rent a solar lounger for the day. It’s price mentioning that there isn’t a lot shade on the seashores in Otranto, so that you’ll want a parasol and many solar cream if you wish to actually benefit from the public seashores in peak summer season!
For consuming and ingesting in Otranto, my favorite spots had been: Lu Tata N’zinu (nice pizzas), Retro Gusto (Michelin-recommended fine-dining) and Pasticceria Merola (the perfect gelato we had on our whole journey).
Suggestions for planning a vacation in Puglia
After visiting on two totally different holidays, a number of years aside, I wished to share my prime suggestions. Right here are some things to consider earlier than you journey.
- Rent a compact automobile. I can’t stress this sufficient! In the event you’re driving by way of the thin streets of those historic cities, you gained’t desire a big 4×4. Driving a smaller automobile might be lots much less traumatic.
- Don’t really feel you want a packed itinerary. My favorite factor about Puglia is the relaxed tempo of life. You don’t have to plot in a number of excursions or actions. Simply mooch across the cities, pop into outlets, get pleasure from lengthy lunches and aperitivos. It’s extra of a ‘doing nothing’ vacation!
- Strive the native meals and wine. This area of Italy boasts easy and scrumptious delicacies. I fortunately loved a weight loss program of orecchiette and cavatelli pastas, olive oil, flavoursome tomatoes, pasticciotti pastries and creamy gelatos. I additionally love the purple wines from Puglia, reminiscent of Primitivo and Negroamaro.
- Skip branded motels in favour of extra genuine lodging. My favorite locations to remain in Puglia have included rustic masserias (outdated farmhouses), trulli homes in Alberobello and Locorotondo, and historic seafront flats in Otranto and Monopoli.
- Get pleasure from getting misplaced. Don’t really feel the necessity to memorise a map or have your cellphone out to navigate across the cities. A few of the finest discoveries are made purely by probability!
I hope this 5‑day Puglia itinerary lets you plan a tremendous vacation on this particular area of Italy. In the event you’re in search of extra suggestions on your journey, check out my different journey guides…
