Puglia, Italy · Route map
Sun-Drenched Puglia and the Salento
This route stays entirely in Italy's heel, trading the crowded north for whitewashed hilltop towns, dramatic coastal drives, and incredible local food.
- 1
Alberobello
2 nights
Iconic trulli homes and fertile Valle d'Itria
- 2
Ostuni
2 nights
The white city overlooking olive groves
- 3
Otranto
2 nights
Historic gateway to the wild Salento coast
- ✦3 stops · 6 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to the Trulli Country
Arrive into Bari Airport
Flight · Morning · Bari
Pick up hire car at Bari Airport
Car hire · Morning · Bari
Collect your vehicle for the week-long road trip.
Self-drive Bari to Alberobello
Self-drive · Afternoon · Valle d'Itria
An easy drive south into the Valle d'Itria lasting about one hour.
Wander the quiet Aia Piccola district
Excursion · Afternoon · Alberobello
Skip the commercial Rione Monti side and head here for peaceful, authentic trulli homes.
Overnight in Alberobello
Accommodation · Evening · Alberobello
Locorotondo and Vineyard Lunch
Self-drive Alberobello to Locorotondo
Self-drive · Morning · Valle d'Itria
A scenic ten-minute drive through olive groves.
Stroll the circular white lanes of Locorotondo
Excursion · Morning · Locorotondo
Stop by L'Arco di Livia for a glass of crisp Verdeca local white wine.
Wine tasting and lunch at a masseria
Excursion · Afternoon · Valle d'Itria
Book ahead at I Pastini to taste wines grown right in the valley floor.
Self-drive back to Alberobello
Self-drive · Afternoon · Valle d'Itria
Overnight in Alberobello
Accommodation · Evening · Alberobello
Monopoli Swims and White Ostuni
Self-drive Alberobello to Monopoli
Self-drive · Morning · Monopoli
Drive 30 minutes down toward the Adriatic coast.
Swim at Cala Porta Vecchia beach
Excursion · Morning · Monopoli
Leave your towel on the tiny sandy strip right beneath the historic stone city walls.
Self-drive Monopoli to Ostuni
Self-drive · Afternoon · Ostuni
A 40-minute drive passing thousands of secular olive trees.
Sunset walk in the White City
Excursion · Afternoon · Ostuni
Find the famous blue-and-green painted door at the top of the old town for photos.
Overnight in Ostuni
Accommodation · Evening · Ostuni
Olive Oil and Sandy Coves
Ancient olive oil tasting at Masseria Brancati
Excursion · Morning · Ostuni
You will touch trees that are over two thousand years old and still producing fruit.
Self-drive Ostuni to Torre Guaceto
Self-drive · Afternoon · Torre Guaceto
A 25-minute drive directly east to the coast.
Explore Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve
Excursion · Afternoon · Torre Guaceto
Rent a bike at the visitor centre to find the most secluded sandy bays.
Self-drive back to Ostuni
Self-drive · Afternoon · Ostuni
Overnight in Ostuni
Accommodation · Evening · Ostuni
Baroque Lecce to Coastline Otranto
Self-drive Ostuni to Lecce
Self-drive · Morning · Lecce
Drive south for exactly one hour to the capital of Salento baroque.
Taste Caffe in Ghiaccio with almond milk
Excursion · Morning · Lecce
Order this local cold specialty alongside a warm pasticciotto pastry at Caffe Alvino.
Self-drive Lecce to Otranto
Self-drive · Afternoon · Otranto
A 35-minute drive east to the Adriatic sea.
Marvel at the Otranto Cathedral mosaics
Excursion · Afternoon · Otranto
Look closely at the floor mosaic to spot the Tree of Life packed with mythical creatures.
Overnight in Otranto
Accommodation · Evening · Otranto
Salento Cliffs and Boat Caves
Self-drive Otranto to Castro
Self-drive · Morning · Castro
A 30-minute drive down one of Italy's most dramatic coastal roads.
Boat excursion to Zinzulusa Cave
Excursion · Morning · Castro
Pack your swimwear as most skippers will let you dive into the deep blue outside the cave.
Relax at Porto Badisco cove
At leisure · Afternoon · Porto Badisco
Grab a sea urchin panino from the local food truck parked near the beach.
Self-drive back to Otranto
Self-drive · Afternoon · Otranto
Overnight in Otranto
Accommodation · Evening · Otranto
Farewell Puglia
Self-drive Otranto to Bari Airport
Self-drive · Morning · Bari
An easy two-hour drive north majorly on the main highway.
Drop off hire car at Bari Airport
Car hire · Morning · Bari
Depart Bari Airport
Flight · Afternoon · Bari
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