10 Day Puglia Itinerary (South Italy Road Trip)

Dreaming of trulli rooftops, cliffside towns, and plates of orecchiette? This Puglia itinerary will take you through the highlights of Italy’s heel in just 10 days. It’s the perfect balance: enough time to soak up the main sights without racing, and plenty of delicious food stops along the way (because who doesn’t love Italian food).

A narrow rural road with a tall, leaning tree and triangular road signs on the right evokes the charming landscapes of Alberobello, Puglia. A car is partially visible on the left, framed by a blue sky and grassy fields in the background. — Puglia road near Salento.

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I’ve visited Puglia several times and road-tripped across all its corners, from Bari’s bustling seafront to Lecce’s baroque piazzas.

This 10-day Puglia itinerary blends must-sees with local gems, plus tips to help you tweak it to your own pace. Shorter trip? Try my 7 Day Puglia Itinerary instead. More time? My 14 Day Puglia Itinerary is perfect for a deeper dive ✨

Quick Trip Facts for Your Puglia Itinerary ✨

✈️ Start/End: Bari (or Brindisi works too).

🚗 Best way to travel: Car hire from Discover Cars (collect car at airport).

⏰ Trip length: 10 days / 9 nights.

🏨 Overnight stays: Bari, Trani, Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Polignano a Mare.

🛣️ Driving: Roads are good but allow extra time for hilltop towns & ZTL (restricted traffic zones).

Read on for your 10-Day Puglia Itinerary (day by day).

Day 1-2: Bari

Kick things off in Bari, Puglia’s lively capital.

Wander Bari Vecchia’s maze-like streets, visit the Basilica di San Nicola, and stroll along the seafront promenade.

Boats docked at a harbour in a scenic lakeside city with a ferris wheel and modern architecture. — Bari

People walk in front of a historic stone church with a large rose window and a wooden door under a blue sky. — Bari

Don’t miss the nonnas hand-rolling orecchiette in the streets of Arco Basso.

🍴 Try: focaccia barese (tomato-topped bread) + sgagliozze (fried polenta squares).

Optional detour: Castel del Monte (UNESCO-listed octagonal castle).

Day 3: Trani (overnight)

A gem of a port town with a stunning Romanesque cathedral perched right on the sea. Perfect for a relaxed evening and seafood dinner by the harbour.

Vibrant marina with sailboats and yachts docked under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing a picturesque coastal town — Trani, Puglia

🍴 Try: seafood risotto with a glass of local Bombino Bianco wine.

Day 4: Matera (overnight)

Yes, it’s technically Basilicata, but Matera is unmissable on any Puglia itinerary.

Stay in a sassi cave hotel, explore ancient rock-hewn churches, and soak up cinematic views (it’s been a film set for James Bond and The Passion of the Christ).

Stone buildings with weathered facades are stacked on a hillside under a cloudy sky. — Matera

🎟️ Tours: book a private tour of Matera.

🍴 Try: fresh bread from a bakery or ‘forno’ (Matera is famous for it).

👉 Read more: Amazing Things to Do in Matera .

Day 5-6: Alberobello & Valle d’Itria (2 nights)

This is trulli central. Stay in a trullo for the full fairytale effect. Wander Alberobello’s Rione Monti, explore nearby Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Martina Franca, and enjoy countryside views dotted with olive groves.

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. — Alberobello

An Alberobello walking tour will show you the main sights.

🍴 Try: orecchiette with cime di rapa + burrata.

Day 7: Ostuni (overnight)

The dazzling whitewashed “Città Bianca” is a photographer’s dream. Spend the afternoon exploring narrow alleys, then watch the sunset paint the white town golden.

White hillside townscape of Ostuni, Puglia, Italy under a partly cloudy sky, featuring historic architecture, cobbled streets, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. — Ostuni

🍝 Try: ciceri e tria (chickpea pasta) with local olive oil.

Day 8-9: Lecce (2 nights)

Known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce is packed with baroque beauty. Piazza del Duomo is magical at night.

🎟️ Try this Lecce walking tour or this Lecce street food tour – guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds!

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. — Lecce, Puglia

🍝 Try: pasticciotto (custard-filled pastry) + caffè leccese (iced espresso with almond milk).

Use your second day for a day trip; Otranto for seaside vibes, or Gallipoli for history and beaches.

Coastal town view in Otranto with a curved stone pier, clear blue water, and several people enjoying a sunny day along the shoreline. Houses and buildings are visible in the background. — Otranto and Gallipoli

Colourful boats moored in a scenic marina with historic fortress walls and modern buildings in the background. — Otranto and Gallipoli

Day 10: Polignano a Mare (final night or day stop)

End your 10-day Puglia itinerary on a high at Polignano a Mare, where houses cling dramatically to the cliffs above turquoise waters.

Take a dip at Lama Monachile beach or a boat tour of the sea caves.

Historian beach in Puglia, Italy with white seaside houses on cliffs, sandy beach, turquoise sea and vibrant sunbathers, perfect for relaxing travel and coastal adventures. — Polignano a Mare in Puglia Italy

🍴 Try: gelato with a sea view, or the town’s speciality – raw fish with olive oil and lemon.

Variations & Tweaks for Your Puglia Itinerary 💡

Slower pace? Spend 2 nights in Alberobello or Lecce and skip Trani.

Beach lover? Add Gallipoli or Otranto.

History buff? Don’t miss Castel del Monte (see it in my Best Day Trips From Bari post).

Map of the 10-Day Puglia Itinerary 🗺️

If you click on this map you can get detailed step by step instructions from Google.

Driving & Logistics in Puglia 🚘

Bari → Trani: around 40 mins.

Trani → Matera: around 1 hr 30 mins.

Matera → Alberobello: around 1 hr 15 mins.

Alberobello → Ostuni: around 35 mins.

Ostuni → Lecce: around 1 hr 10 mins.

Lecce → Polignano a Mare: around 1 hr 30 mins.

Polignano → Bari: around 40 mins.

Tip: Park outside old town centres to avoid ZTL zones. Hotels often arrange permits or private parking.

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).

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

FAQs for This 10-Day Puglia Itinerary 💡

Is 10 days enough in Puglia?

Ten days is the great amount of time to see the highlights without rushing. If you have more time, check out my 14-day itinerary for a deeper dive. If you o nly have a week, try my 7 Day Puglia Itinerary instead.

Do I need to rent a car for this Puglia itinerary?

A car is highly recommended to follow this route comfortably. Trains and buses connect some towns, but driving gives you flexibility. I use Discover Cars for car hire in Puglia. See my Puglia Travel Guide for more on transport.

What’s the best time of year for a Puglia road trip?

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer can be very hot and busy. See best time to visit Alberobello for more.

Can I do this itinerary by train?

Partially, yes, but some towns are hard to reach by train. If you don’t drive, consider basing yourself in Bari or Lecce and taking day trips. See 10 Amazing Day Trips from Bari.

Which airport should I fly into for Puglia?

Bari is the most convenient for this route, though Brindisi also works. Both have good car rental options.

Grazie for reading my Puglia Itinerary: 10 Days in Southern Italy. I hope it helps you plan a trip packed with trulli, sea views, and delicious meals! ✨

🏘️ 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 – 21 Amazing Sights.
🚆 10 Amazing Day Trips from Bari .