On this information, we share with you our good 7-day Puglia itinerary for vacationers. Puglia is considerably of an Italian hidden gem, however increasingly more persons are discovering it yearly. Our Puglia itinerary covers the principle sights and cities of Puglia, in addition to some hidden gems we found alongside the way in which.
However earlier than we get all the way down to the itinerary, listed below are some issues you must know earlier than visiting.
The place is Puglia?
Puglia, or Apulia as it’s generally referred to as, is situated within the fifth a part of Italy. For a very long time, this hidden gem in Italy was recognized solely to Italian and European vacationers, however yearly it turns into much less and fewer hidden.
For many worldwide guests, you’ll fly into Karol Wojtyla Worldwide Airport in Bari. Nevertheless, there’s additionally an airport in Brindisi for regional vacationers. However it’s price noting that flights to Bari are restricted and as such costly. Because of this, it could be cheaper to fly into one in all Italy’s main airports after which catch a high-speed practice to Puglia.
There are quick trains to the area from Rome, Venice and Naples. Nevertheless, we advocate renting a automotive when you arrive within the area.
Do I would like a automotive for this Puglia itinerary?
As a much less densely populated and hidden gem in Italy, it’s maybe not shocking that public transport in Puglia is virtually non-existent between the smaller cities and villages and the principle sights. Because of this, it’s important to rent a automotive for this Puglia itinerary.
Whereas touring with youngsters, we’d usually choose for a bigger automotive. Nevertheless, in Puglia we advocate getting a compact automotive every time you’ll be able to. The rationale for that is that a number of the cities and villages in Puglia are previous and have very slender streets.
On our first go to to Puglia, I bear in mind arriving in Ostuni late at evening and discovering myself on one of many narrowest roads I’ve ever pushed on. Because of this, we advocate getting the smallest, most compact automotive attainable in your journey.
The place to remain in Puglia?
For this itinerary, there are undoubtedly two choices the place to remain. You may transfer day by day to cut back your driving time. Or you’ll be able to select a middle the place you’ll keep after which go on a collection of day journeys.
Nevertheless, as we wished to cowl as a lot of Puglia as attainable, which is a big area, we determined to relocate for our journey.
It is also price making an attempt to ebook a keep in an actual home at at the very least one of many stops. Rotten homes are the long-lasting residences of the area. You may see lots of them within the city of Alberbello, however staying in a single is among the most original issues to do within the area.
Additionally, in case you are staying with youngsters and are going to Puglia in the summertime, we advocate that you simply attempt to keep in a number of locations with entry to a swimming pool. Puglia is one in all Italy’s warmest areas, and the pool is an effective way to spend a free afternoon.
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7-day Puglia itinerary
Notes on this Puglia itinerary: This itinerary is designed to be in any order so be happy to maneuver the times round as you see match. And when you have lower than 7 days, we advocate you to decide on your favourite days, watch out to not stress about journey time in restricted time.
A short overview of the Puglia itinerary
– Day 1: Bari
– Day 2 – Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
– Day 3 – Matera
– Day 4 – Alberobello, Ostuni and Martina Franca
– Day 5 – Gallipolo
– Day 6 – Seaside
– seventh day Return to Bari
Day 1 – Bari
Most guests to Puglia will arrive in Bari. Because of this, we advocate beginning your Puglia itinerary in Bari. Though Bari is the capital of the area, it’s undoubtedly not my favourite half. Nonetheless, it is price devoting half a day to analysis.
Upon arrival in Bari, we advocate that you simply go to the principle sights of town – the Basilica of San Nicolo and the Cathedral of San Sabino earlier than amassing your rental automotive and heading to Monopoli, the place you’ll keep for the primary half of this itinerary.
2nd day: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
Polignano a Mare is maybe essentially the most internationally recognized place in Puglia for its stunning seaside and that was undoubtedly the principle motive why we determined to go to.
At this time, though stunning, the seaside right here is surprisingly small. So we advocate getting there early to seize a great spot on the seaside.
Additionally, should you come particularly with youngsters, it’s price noting that the seaside is extraordinarily rocky. Subsequently, if you wish to swim or are touring with the household, you’ll want to have high quality water sneakers with you to guard your ft from the jagged edges.
After you are executed on the seaside, you may also:
- go on a ship journey
- discover the previous city of Polignano a Mare or
- expertise a singular eating expertise at Grotta Palazzese.
For individuals who do not know, Grotta Palazzese is definitely some of the well-known Italian eating places and is situated in a cave proper on the coast. It’s an expertise that gourmets in Italy should expertise. Nevertheless, remember the fact that in case you are touring with youngsters, you’ll have to go to lunch or the primary dinner sitting down at 6 p.m.
After you have got completed in Polignano, we advocate that you simply return to Monopoli within the night. Additionally a brief drive from Polignano is the Grotte di Castellana (Castellana Caves). A land cave system that may attraction to youngsters. It is not a should, however it’s undoubtedly price a cease when you have time in your itinerary.
Day 3 – Matera
Matera is among the oldest elements of Puglia that has been inhabited since prehistoric instances. Nevertheless, she has change into extra well-known lately, particularly after the James Bond film No time to die, it was filmed within the metropolis.
When you’re touring to Puglia in the summertime, it is price noting how heat the area is. However Matera will get notably scorching so we advocate making an attempt to begin very early on the day you resolve to go to Matera.
When you solely have at some point in Matera, we advocate that you simply first head to the Sassi space, which is known for its historical cave dwellings. Sassi means hill or rock in Latin, and Matera was included within the UNESCO World Heritage Listing in 1993 due to these cave dwellings.
Some locations price mentioning on this space embrace:
- Lengthy diver – this underground cave was used to gather rainwater for town and is an interesting cease in Matera
- Church buildings – there are numerous church buildings price noting in Matera, however a number of the highlights embrace: the stone church buildings of Santa Maria de Idris and Santa Lucia alle Malve
- Viewpoints – a few of our favorites embrace Luigi Guerricchio’s Belvedere – The Three Arches and Emilio Colombo’s Belvedere.
Please Observe: in case you are touring to Italy with a small baby or child and are going to Matera, we advocate utilizing a child service as an alternative of a stroller. Though many elements of Italy are accessible with good high quality strollers, Matera shouldn’t be actually one in all them. Matera is a metropolis with many hills, so a transporter is a significantly better choice.
Day 4: Alberobello, Ostuni and Martina Franca
After Polignano a Mare, most likely essentially the most well-known place in Puglia is Alberobello. Alberobello is named the true city of Puglia. Though I do not suppose any go to to Puglia is full and not using a go to to this stunning metropolis, it’s price noting that this is among the most touristic and crowded locations within the area.
We advocate spending the morning in Alberobello and wandering across the previous city and shopping for souvenirs earlier than heading to the close by cities of Ostuni and Martina Franca within the afternoon. These white-washed cities are simply as stunning, however a lot much less crowded than Alberobello.
Each Ostuni and Martina Franca are stunning cities to wander round and an ideal place to spend a day.
However for the night, we advocate that you simply go to the close by masseria il frantoio. This out of doors eating expertise (in summer time) was the most effective meal we had throughout our Puglia journey. The whole lot is sourced domestically and you’ll even see the wonderful native olive oil being made whilst you’re on web site.
Day 5 – Gallipoli
Gallipoli is one other stunning place in Puglia and the place you’ll spend the fifth day of your itinerary. There aren’t actually any vehicles on the town, which is nice should you’re visiting with household. We advocate parking your automotive close to the port earlier than beginning your day of exploring.
It is a wonderful metropolis to wander round and the harbor is a good place to observe.
Day 6 – Seashores in Torre Lapillo
Puglia is known for its stunning seashores and your final full day in Puglia is devoted to them. Though there are numerous stunning seashores within the Gallipoli space, we advocate that you simply select one and keep there.
That’s, the seashores through the peak of the summer time season may be very busy, so it’s higher to discover a place and revel in all of it day.
Torre Lapillo is situated on the Ionian coast of Italy and is known for its stunning blue water. However households will get pleasure from it as a result of in contrast to Polignano, it is a stunning sandy seaside.
Day 7 – return to Bari with a attainable cease in Lecce
On the seventh day, you’ll most likely return to Bari to catch your flight or high-speed practice. Relying on the time of your transfers will rely on how lengthy it’s important to spend at stops on the way in which up.
Nevertheless, when you have extra time then you’ll be able to cease by the gorgeous metropolis of Lecce. Dubbed the Florence of the South, this stunning metropolis is thought for its unimaginable church buildings and extraordinary artwork.
Like Gallipoli, town middle is car-free, so you will must park and stroll to the historic middle.
Continuously requested questions on this Puglia journey itinerary
Greatest time for this Puglia journey itinerary?
Most guests to Puglia arrive in summer time, as it’s the good time to benefit from the seashores for which the area is known. Nevertheless, belief me once I say the temperatures are getting scorching scorching scorching.
That is additionally the costliest time to go to. If you wish to get pleasure from good climate, seashores, however much less crowds, then June or September can be the most effective.
What to pack for this Puglia itinerary?
It is necessary to pack for the solar should you’re visiting Puglia in the summertime. Subsequently, we advocate packing a number of mild, breathable materials akin to cotton and linen. For an entire Puglia packing record, see this put up.
And there’s our favourite Puglia journey itinerary. However when you have any questions on touring round Puglia, remember to depart us a remark under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as attainable.