If you’ve got two weeks in Puglia, lucky you! This 14 Day Puglia Itinerary gives you the time to slow down, savour long lunches, and explore hidden corners of Italy’s heel that shorter trips often skip.

You’ll still see the classics like Alberobello, Lecce, and Matera, but also have space for seaside gems, sleepy hill towns, and lazy beach days.

A winding road leads to a hilltop castle reminiscent of Alberobello's charm, surrounded by trees and lush greenery under a blue sky.
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I’ve road-tripped Puglia several times, and two weeks really lets you experience the region in depth. This itinerary is for travellers who want to go beyond the highlights and embrace a more immersive adventure. ✨

Short on time? Try my 7 Day Puglia Itinerary or the balanced 10 Day Puglia Itinerary.

Quick Trip Facts for Your 14 Day Puglia Itinerary 📝

✈️ Start/End: Bari (Brindisi also works).

🚗 Best way to travel: Car hire from Discover Cars – essential for exploring smaller towns.

⏰ Trip length: 14 days / 13 nights.

🏨 Overnight stays: Bari, Trani, Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Santa Maria di Leuca, Polignano a Mare.

🛣️ Driving: Roads are good, but many towns have ZTL zones (restricted areas). Park just outside the historic centres.

Map of the 14 Day Puglia Itinerary 🗺️

🗓️ Let’s begin with your 14 Day Puglia Itinerary (day by day).

Day 1–2: Bari (2 nights)

Start in Bari, Puglia’s capital. Explore Bari Vecchia’s winding streets, the Basilica di San Nicola, and the seafront promenade.

In the sunny town square reminiscent of Alberobello, Puglia, historic buildings and a clock tower stand proudly as people stroll by. Outdoor cafes with umbrellas invite visitors to linger and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Bari is also a food lover’s paradise, so don’t miss the street snacks and trattorias.

🎟️ Tours: book a walking tour, food tour, or pasta experience.

🍴 Try: focaccia barese + sgagliozze street food.

👉 Read more: Things to Do in Bari | Bari Street Food Tour.

Day 3: Trani (overnight)

A picturesque port town with a cathedral right by the sea. Wander the harbour at sunset and enjoy fresh seafood by the water.

A scenic harbor scene in one of the best places to stay in Puglia, featuring blue boats moored in calm water, historic buildings, and a charming church with a bell tower silhouetted against the clear blue sky.

🎟️ Tours: book a short walking tour.

🍴 Try: octopus salad with a glass of local Bombino Bianco.

Day 4: Matera (overnight)

Cross into Basilicata for Matera, famous for its sassi cave dwellings. Stay in a cave hotel and explore the ancient rupestrian churches.

A woman in a black coat and hat leans against a stone wall, water bottle in hand. She's exploring an old town with stone buildings and cobblestone streets, perhaps pondering the best places to stay in Puglia under the partly cloudy sky.
Stone buildings with weathered facades are stacked on a hillside under a cloudy sky.

🎟️ Tours: book a private tour of Matera.

🍴 Try: pane di Matera, the city’s iconic bread, fresh from a local bakery (forno).

👉 Read more: Things to Do in Matera.

Day 5–7: Alberobello & Valle d’Itria (3 nights)

Settle into a trullo in Alberobello and use it as your base to explore the Valle d’Itria. Visit Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Martina Franca for a slower countryside pace.

Nestled in the heart of Alberobello, a village boasts white, conical-roofed houses, framed by lush trees with a palm tree standing prominently in the foreground.
A picturesque town square in Martina Franca features historic white buildings, arched walkways, and outdoor seating under umbrellas, set against the clear blue sky of Puglia.
Alberobello and Martina Franca

Three nights gives you time to really appreciate the olive groves, vineyards, and sweeping landscapes.

🎟️ Tours: book a walking tour of Alberobello.

🍴 Try: orecchiette with cime di rapa.

👉 Related: Alberobello Guide | 9 Best Things to Do in Alberobello | 15 Delicious Alberobello Restaurants.

Day 8–9: Ostuni (2 nights)

The whitewashed hill town of Ostuni is known as the “Città Bianca.”

The view captures a historic town with white buildings cascading down a hillside under a clear blue sky, embodying the charm of one of the best places to stay in Puglia.

With two nights, you can wander its twisting alleys, take a countryside bike ride, or visit a local olive oil farm.

🎟️ Tours: book a short walking tour.

🍴 Try: ciceri e tria (chickpea pasta).

👉 Read next: 14 Beautiful Towns in Puglia.

Day 10-12: Lecce (3 nights)

Base yourself in Lecce, the “Florence of the South.”

Ancient Roman amphitheater with stone seats in Lecce, Italy, surrounded by historic buildings under a clear blue sky, this site is a captivating glimpse into history and one of the best places to stay in Puglia for those seeking a blend of culture and beauty.

Admire the baroque piazzas and churches, then take day trips to Otranto (with its mosaic cathedral and beaches) and Gallipoli (for history and seafood by the sea).

🎟️ Tours: book a walking tour or Lecce street food tour.

🍴 Try: pasticciotto + caffè leccese.

👉 Related: Puglia Travel Guide | The Best Places in Puglia.

A calm beach with clear blue water, surrounded by greenery and historic buildings under a clear sky, perfectly encapsulates the allure of Puglia. It's one of the best places to stay if you're seeking both tranquility and cultural richness.
On a sandy beach in Puglia, people sunbathe and swim in the turquoise waters under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The charming white buildings of Gallipoli grace the background, adding to the picturesque scene.
Otranto and Galliopoli

Day 13: Santa Maria di Leuca (overnight)

At the very tip of Italy’s heel, Santa Maria di Leuca is where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Visit the lighthouse, relax on beaches, and enjoy coastal drives.

A white lighthouse stands on a coastal cliff with buildings nearby, overlooking a blue sea under a clear sky. A winding road leads towards the lighthouse.

🎟️ Tours: book a private tour of Santa Maria di Leuca.

🍴 Try: seafood spaghetti with local white wine.

Day 14: Polignano a Mare (final night or day stop)

Finish your trip in Polignano a Mare. Its dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and sea caves make it one of Puglia’s most photogenic towns. End with a gelato overlooking the Adriatic.

Nestled in Polignano a Mare, this coastal town features stone buildings perched on cliffs overlooking a turquoise sea, where people are swimming.

🎟️ Tours: book a catamaran tour.

🍴 Try: crudo di mare (raw seafood).

Variations & Tweaks for Your 14 Day Puglia Itinerary 💡

Want even slower travel? Add an extra night in Alberobello or Lecce.

Beach time? Spend two nights in Gallipoli instead of Santa Maria di Leuca.

History buff? Add Castel del Monte as a detour (read about it in Day Trips from Bari).

Driving & Logistics in Puglia 🚘

Bari → Trani: approx. 40 mins.

Trani → Matera: approx. 1 hr 30 mins.

Matera → Alberobello: approx. 1 hr 15 mins.

Alberobello → Ostuni: approx. 35 mins.

Ostuni → Lecce: approx. 1 hr 10 mins.

Lecce → Santa Maria di Leuca: approx. 1 hr 40 mins.

Santa Maria di Leuca → Polignano a Mare: approx. 3 hrs.

Polignano a Mare → Bari: approx. 40 mins.

Tip: Allow extra time in summer traffic along the coast.

Where to Stay on This Puglia Itinerary 🏨

Bari: iH Grande Albergo delle Nazioni (5* with rooftop pool).

Trani: Mare Resort (harbour views).

Matera: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita (sassi cave stay).

Alberobello: Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso (charming trulli).

Ostuni: La Sommità Relais & Chateaux (luxury with views).

Lecce: Risorgimento Resort (stylish rooftop terrace).

Santa Maria di Leuca: Hotel Terminal (with private beach access).

Polignano a Mare: Hotel Grotta Palazzese (dramatic cliffside dining + stay).

👉 Best Places to Stay in Puglia.

FAQs for This 14 Day Puglia Itinerary 💡

Is 14 days too long in Puglia?

Not at all – two weeks lets you slow down, enjoy the beaches, and explore smaller towns beyond the highlights of Puglia. Not ready for a full two weeks? My 7 Day Puglia Itinerary and 10 Day Puglia Itinerary over the highlights at a faster pace.

Do I need a car for this Puglia itinerary?

Yes, especially for this longer itinerary. It’s the only way to comfortably reach smaller coastal and hill towns. I recommend picking up a car from Discover Cars at the airport.

Can I split my stay between Bari and Brindisi?

Yes, you could fly into one and out of the other for convenience. Your hire car can usually be dropped at either airport.

What’s the best time for a two-week trip in Puglia?

Spring and autumn are ideal for weather and fewer crowds. Summer is beautiful, but hot and busy. See my post best time to visit Alberobello for more details.

Related Reading for Your Puglia Itinerary 📚

🗓️ 7 Day Puglia Itinerary.
🚆 10 Amazing Day Trips from Bari.
🏘️ 14 Wonderful Towns in Puglia, South Italy.
🏡 9 Best Things to Do in Alberobello, Italy.
🧭 Puglia Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Trip To Southern Italy.
🌟 Puglia Bucket List – 15 Places You Must See.

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Grazie for reading my 14 Day Puglia Itinerary – I hope it inspires you to plan an unforgettable two-week adventure in Southern Italy! ✨

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