Only have a week to spare? Don’t worry, this 7 Day Puglia Itinerary will whisk you through the highlights of Italy’s heel without feeling too rushed. You’ll get a taste of trulli magic in Alberobello, wander baroque Lecce, explore Matera’s cave dwellings, and still have time for seaside sunsets. ?

Cars driving on a highway with green hills and a clear blue sky in the background.

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I’ve road-tripped across Puglia multiple times, and while a week isn’t enough to see everything, it’s plenty to cover the must-sees and enjoy the region’s legendary food and wine.

This 7 Day Puglia Itinerary is all about maximising your time without burning out. If you’re lucky enough to have longer, check out my 10 Day Puglia Itinerary or 14 Day Puglia Itinerary instead. 🌅✨

Quick Trip Facts for Your 7 Day Puglia Itinerary ?

✈️ Start/End: Bari/Brindisi.

🚗 Best way to travel: Car hire for flexibility.

⏰ Trip length: 7 days / 6 nights.

🏨 Overnight stays: Bari, Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce.

🛣️ Driving: Distances are short, but allow time for parking + ZTL zones in towns.

This Puglia road trip itinerary starts and finishes in the city of Bari. I recommend hiring a car from Discover Cars and picking your car up from Bari airport when you arrive.

Map of the 7 Day Puglia Itinerary 🗺️

👉 Read on for your 7 Day Puglia Itinerary (day by day).

Day 1: Bari

Start your journey in Puglia’s lively capital. Wander Bari Vecchia’s maze-like alleys, visit the Basilica di San Nicola, and stroll the seafront promenade.

Seaside promenade with black lampposts and benches, overlooking a calm body of water. In the background, historic buildings and a tall clock tower under a clear blue sky.
Person sitting at a table in a narrow cobblestone alley, displaying various types of dumplings on wooden trays. Stone walls and an air conditioning unit are visible in the background.

Bari is also foodie heaven – with delicious street food from focaccia stands to hole-in-the-wall trattorias.

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

🍴 Try: focaccia barese + sgagliozze (fried polenta squares).

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

Day 2: Matera (overnight)

Hop across the border into Basilicata to explore Matera’s famous sassi cave dwellings.

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

This ancient city has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years. Stay in a cave hotel for the full experience, and watch the old town glow golden at sunset.

🍴 Try: fresh bread from Matera’s historic bakeries.

👉 Read more: Things to Do in Matera.

Day 3-4: Alberobello & Valle d’Itria (2 nights)

Spend two nights in a trullo in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A row of trulli with conical roofs is illuminated at dusk along a quiet street in Alberobello, Puglia, with a few people visible.

Explore the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts, then branch out to nearby towns like Locorotondo, Cisternino, or Martina Franca.

The Valle d’Itria is dotted with olive groves and vineyards, making it the perfect countryside escape.

🎟️ Tours: book a walking tour.

🍴 Try: orecchiette with cime di rapa + burrata.

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

Day 5: Ostuni (overnight)

The whitewashed “Città Bianca” is magical at sunset. Spend the day exploring narrow alleys, boutique shops, and viewpoints across the old town.

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.

Ostuni also makes a great base for exploring nearby olive oil farms.

🎟️ Tours: book a short walking tour.

🍴 Try: ciceri e tria (chickpea pasta).

👉 Read next: 14 Beautiful Towns in Puglia.

Visit the beautiful Ostuni Cathedral and immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine. You could relax at nearby beaches along the Adriatic coastline, or book a short walking tour.

Day 6–7: Lecce (2 nights)

Wrap up your 7 Day Puglia Itinerary in Lecce, the “Florence of the South.” Marvel at its baroque piazzas, ornate churches, and buzzing café culture.

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.

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

🍴 Try: pasticciotto pastry + caffè leccese.

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

With two nights here, you’ll have time for a day trip if you like. You could visit Otranto for seaside vibes, or Gallipoli for beaches and history.

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 Gallipolli.

Now your week in Puglia is coming to to an end, it’s time to return back home! You are closer to Brindisi here, but you could also drive back to Bari for your flight home.

Variations & Tweaks for Your 7 Day Puglia Itinerary 💡

Slower pace? Skip Matera and spend longer in Lecce.

Beach lover? Add Polignano a Mare for a quick seaside stop.

History fan? Detour to Castel del Monte.

Driving & Logistics in Puglia 🚗

Bari → Matera: approx. 1 hr 15 mins.

Matera → Alberobello: approx. 1 hr 15 mins.

Alberobello → Ostuni: approx. 35 mins.

Ostuni → Lecce: approx. 1 hr 10 mins.

Lecce → Bari: approx. 2 hrs (or 1 hr 40 mins to Brindisi).

Tip: Park outside the historic centres to avoid ZTL zones.

Where to Stay on This 7 Day Puglia Itinerary 🏨

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

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).

FAQs for This 7 Day Puglia Itinerary ❓

Is 7 days enough in Puglia?

Yes, a week gives you a great overview of Puglia’s highlights. If you have more time, check out my 10 day itinerary or 14 day itinerary.

Do I need to rent a car for this 7 day Puglia itinerary?

Highly recommended! Public transport is limited between small towns. I recommend hiring a car from Discover Cars and picking your car up from Bari airport when you arrive.

Can I include Matera in a 7 day itinerary?

Yes, but if you prefer a slower pace, you could skip it and spend longer in the Valle d’Itria.

Which airport should I fly into for Puglia?

Bari is best for this route, though Brindisi works if you’re focusing on the south.

🗓️ 10 Day Puglia Itinerary.
🚆 10 Amazing Day Trips from Bari.
🏘️ 14 Wonderful Towns in Puglia, South Italy.
🚗 How to Rent a Car in Puglia.
🚘 Driving Tips for Puglia.
🧭 Puglia Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Trip To Southern Italy.

Pin This 7 Day Puglia Itinerary for Later 📌

Image of a Puglia trip itinerary for a 7-day road adventure, capturing the iconic trulli houses at sunset.
Collage of a scenic 7-day Puglia road trip itinerary featuring images of iconic trulli houses, stunning coastal cliffs, a winding road, and people smiling in a car.

Grazie for reading my 7 Day Puglia Itinerary. I hope it helps you plan the perfect week in this magical region! ✨

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