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).

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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).
Map of the 10-Day Puglia Itinerary 🗺️
If you click on this map you can get detailed step by step instructions from Google.
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.


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

🍴 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).

🎟️ 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.

An Alberobello walking tour will show you the main sights.
🍴 Try: orecchiette with cime di rapa + burrata.
👉 Read next: Alberobello Guide | 15 Delicious Alberobello Restaurants.
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.

🍝 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!

🍝 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.


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.

🍴 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).
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 💡
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! ✨
Related Reading for Your Puglia Itinerary 📚
🏘️ 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.
Puglia itinerary – pin for later 📌
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