7-Day Apulia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Apulia tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaApulia travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Puglia, incl. Bari and Lecce

  This week-long adventure spans 9 Apulian cities, from Bari to Matera. The tour combines swimming at Torre dell'Orso beach, UNESCO-listed Alberobello's trulli houses, and Lecce's baroque architecture. Local dining experiences and Gallipoli's vibrant nightlife add authentic flavor.

  

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  • Day 1

    Bari

    Plan to arrive in Bari by 4 PM to get settled before exploring Bari Vecchia (Old Town). Walk through the narrow streets near the Basilica di San Nicola, where you'll spot local nonnas making orecchiette pasta on wooden tables outside their homes. In the evening, head to Porto Vecchio for fresh seafood. If you're feeling adventurous, try the local specialty: raw sea urchins.

    
  • Day 2

    Alberobello, Monopoli & Polignano a Mare

    Take a morning train (1 hour) to Alberobello. Visit the trulli houses early before 10 AM when tour buses start arriving. Move on to Monopoli for lunch and enjoy views of its Medieval harbor. Spend your evening in Polignano a Mare, a town perched on limestone cliffs. Note: If you want to eat at the famous Grotta Palazzese restaurant, book several months in advance.

    
  • Day 3

    Ostuni & Lecce

    Start your day in Ostuni, the "White City." Pack good walking shoes for the steep, sometimes slippery limestone streets in the historic center. Get to Lecce by early afternoon to see its beautiful Baroque architecture. Stay near Piazza Sant'Oronzo in the historic center to be close to the main attractions.

    
  • Day 4

    Adriatic Coast

    Time for the beach! Visit Sant'Andrea's sea stacks in the morning light for the best photos. Head to Torre dell'Orso beach for swimming before 2 PM when the water is calmest. Spend your evening in Otranto. The 12th-century Cathedral has an impressive floor mosaic that's worth the entrance fee.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Gallipoli

    Give yourself two full days in this Ionian coastal town. Go for morning swims at Punta Suina (bring water shoes for the pebbly beach). Spend afternoons walking the old town's sea walls. Join the evening passeggiata on Corso Roma around 6 PM. A recent visitor shared: "Skip the touristy restaurants on the main square - the best seafood is at the small family-run spots near the fish market."

    
  • Day 7

    Matera & Return to Bari

    Finish your trip in Matera's remarkable cave dwellings. Although technically in Basilicata, it's a must-see. Go early to avoid the midday heat while climbing through the sassi (cave districts). Leave plenty of time for the 2-hour drive back to Bari, as afternoon traffic near the airport can be heavy.

    

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• 7 Days in Puglia, incl. Lecce and Alberobello

  A cultural immersion in Apulia spans 7 days, visiting 8 distinct destinations including UNESCO-listed Alberobello's trulli houses and baroque Lecce. Guests stay at a traditional masseria surrounded by olive groves near Gallipoli, with daily excursions to coastal gems like Otranto's 15th-century castle and the stunning Zinzulusa Cave.

  

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  • Day 1

    Brindisi to Salento Countryside

    Your Puglia adventure begins at Brindisi Airport. A 1.5-hour transfer takes you through changing landscapes to a traditional masseria in the Salento countryside. "The masseria is picturesque, with olive orchards, fresh fruit trees and a delightful kitchen garden - it feels like stepping into authentic rural Italy." Get to know your home base with an olive oil tasting and a look at the farm's traditional mill.

    
  • Day 2

    Castro & Santa Maria di Leuca

    Start your day with local pastries before exploring the Adriatic coast. Visit Castro's historic center and stop at Marina Serra's beautiful coves. Move on to Santa Maria di Leuca at Italy's easternmost point. Go for a swim before 2 PM when the water is calmest. End your day with a fresh seafood dinner featuring the local catch.

    
  • Day 3

    Gallipoli & Lecce

    Visit Gallipoli's morning fish market between 7-9 AM. Take time to explore the historic center sitting on its own island connected by a 16th-century bridge. After lunch head to Lecce with a local guide. "Having a local guide in Lecce made all the difference - they showed us hidden courtyards and explained the meaning behind the fantastical faces carved into the buildings that we would have missed otherwise."

    
  • Day 4

    Alberobello & Ostuni

    Leave early at 8 AM to beat the crowds at Alberobello's UNESCO-listed trulli houses. Learn about these fascinating cone-roofed buildings built without mortar. Next up is Ostuni the "White City." Pack good walking shoes since the limestone streets can be tricky. Back at the masseria learn to make traditional Pugliese pasta in an evening cooking class.

    
  • Day 5

    Food Artisans of Maglie

    Spend the day meeting local food artisans around Maglie. Watch mozzarella being made by hand and taste fresh burrata at its source. Visit a pasta factory and chocolate workshop. Round out your food tour with afternoon wine tasting at a historic cellar and learn to make orecchiette pasta.

    
  • Day 6

    Otranto Coast

    Discover Otranto's fortified port and its 11th-century cathedral known for stunning floor mosaics. Visit Zinzulusa Cave (bring water shoes). Stop at Porto Badisco and Porto Miggiano fishing villages. "Time your Otranto visit for late afternoon when the light makes the white buildings glow and the day-trippers have left."

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Enjoy a final breakfast at the masseria. Allow 1.5 hours to reach Brindisi Airport or 45 minutes to Lecce train station.

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• 6 Day Puglia Itinerary, incl. Bari and Lecce

  A comprehensive 6-day tour of Apulia showcases 11 destinations from Bari to Monopoli. Highlights include UNESCO site Castel del Monte, 1,500 trulli in Alberobello, and Lecce's Baroque treasures. Five nights in boutique hotels and traditional Masserie complement daily guided experiences.

  

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  • Day 1

    Bari

    Start your Puglia journey in Bari by visiting the Norman-Swabian Castle in the morning when it's less crowded. Spend your afternoon exploring Bari Vecchia (old town) with its maze of narrow streets full of local life. "The street food scene in Bari is incredible - watching local women make orecchiette pasta right on the street was a highlight." Make sure to try the local panzerotti (fried pizza pockets) from street vendors in the evening.

    
  • Day 2

    Castel del Monte & Trani

    Get an early start to avoid tour buses at Castel del Monte, an intriguing octagonal castle built by Frederick II. The site opens at 9:00 AM so plan to arrive by 8:45. After lunch drive to coastal Trani (45 minutes away) to see its stunning white stone Cathedral overlooking the sea. Schedule your Moscato wine tasting for late afternoon when it's cooler. A tip: Bring shoes with good grip since Trani's limestone streets can be slippery.

    
  • Day 3

    Alberobello & Valle d'Itria

    Visit Alberobello before 9 AM to beat the crowds. Start in the Rione Monti district since it fills up quickly. After lunch visit an olive oil mill in Valle d'Itria for a tasting. Your taste buds work better in the afternoon. End your day with dinner at a traditional braceria in Cisternino. One visitor shared: "The dinner in the trulli was absolutely fantastic - eating in these ancient structures made the meal even more special."

    
  • Day 4

    Polignano a Mare

    Take the first boat tour of the day to see fishermen at work and explore the coastline and caves. The best swimming stops are between 11 AM and 2 PM when sunlight fills the grottos. Visit a local winery in the afternoon. Many visitors suggest having a late lunch there to fully enjoy the wine tasting experience.

    
  • Day 5

    Lecce & Ostuni

    Start in Lecce to explore its Baroque architecture. Visit the Cathedral first thing then take a break from the heat with a local pasticciotto pastry. Head to Ostuni for late afternoon when the "White City" looks most beautiful in the sunset. Take your time walking up to the cathedral especially in summer heat.

    
  • Day 6

    Departure

    If flying from Bari give yourself at least 90 minutes for the drive due to morning traffic. Book flights after 11 AM if possible to avoid rushing.

    

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