Eight days across Puglia and Basilicata: from Brindisi and Bari to the sanctuaries of the Gargano, from the trulli of Alberobello to Baroque Lecce, from Otranto to Gallipoli, and on to the Sassi of Matera. A grand tour of the heel of Italy, with one day in Basilicata, the region next door.
This itinerary crosses Puglia almost from end to end and crosses once into Basilicata, the ancient Lucania, to see Matera. Eight days and seven nights, with three bases in turn (Brindisi, San Giovanni Rotondo and Lecce), taking you from the Adriatic ports to the sanctuaries of the Gargano, from the trulli to the Baroque of the Salento, and then to the cave houses of Matera.
Day 1: Brindisi
The journey begins in Brindisi, a city steeped in history and culture. After checking in at the hotel, the first visit is to the beautiful harbour, overlooked by the columns that marked the end of the Via Appia, the great Roman road from Rome to the Adriatic, and by the Sailor’s Monument. This port was a key point of departure for the ancient Romans, and the view from it is still superb. The afternoon is free for a stroll through the lanes of the old town, where every corner has its own story. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Bari and San Giovanni Rotondo
Bari, the regional capital of Puglia, is the first stop of the day. The visit takes in the Basilica of San Nicola and the cathedral of San Sabino, two perfect examples of Apulian Romanesque, then the Swabian castle and the old fishermen’s quarter, with their stories of ancient battles and everyday life. After lunch in a traditional restaurant, the route moves on to San Giovanni Rotondo, known for the places linked to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio. A visit to the main sites, then dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Monte Sant’Angelo and Vieste
The day starts in Monte Sant’Angelo, with the Sanctuary of San Michele, a pilgrimage site with a long history. Next comes Vieste, for a lunch of fresh fish. The afternoon is for this picturesque seaside town: its beaches, its old towers and its historic centre. Back to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight, with the stories and landscapes of the Gargano still fresh in your mind.
Day 4: Alberobello and Ostuni
The fourth day leads to Alberobello, famous for its trulli, the cone-roofed stone houses found nowhere else in the world. The walk through the old town takes in the Sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the Trullo Sovrano, the Casa d’Amore, the Trulli Siamesi and the trullo-shaped church of Sant’Antonio. After lunch at a local restaurant, the route continues to Ostuni, known as the “White City” for its lime-washed houses: narrow lanes and wide views over the coast. The day ends with the transfer to Lecce, for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Lecce and Otranto
The morning is for Lecce, the “Florence of the South”: Baroque churches, carvings in the local stone and historic palaces. Piazza del Duomo, with the seminary, the bishop’s palace and the bell tower, is a spectacular sight. Next comes Piazza Sant’Oronzo, with its Roman amphitheatre, and the church of Santa Croce, the symbol of Lecce’s Baroque. After lunch, a visit to Otranto, with its magnificent cathedral and the floor mosaic of the Tree of Life. A walk through the old town and along the fifteenth-century walls, then back to Lecce for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Gallipoli and Galatina
The morning of the sixth day is given over to Gallipoli, known as the “Beautiful City”, from its churches to its historic palaces. After lunch, the route heads to Galatina to see the fourteenth-century church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria and the old town. Back to Lecce for dinner, with a good Apulian red wine, and overnight.
Day 7: Matera and Taranto
After breakfast, the route crosses into Basilicata for Matera, famous for its Sassi, the old cave districts that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit takes in rock-cut and Romanesque churches, in the unique atmosphere of this ancient city. Lunch is at an agriturismo, a working farm that serves its own produce, before continuing to Taranto, the city of two seas, and its fascinating old town. Back to Lecce for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Nardò and the end of the trip
The last day leads to Nardò, a town that grew up along the old road to the port of Gallipoli: Baroque palaces, Piazza Salandra and the Norman cathedral. Lunch in a traditional restaurant, then a free afternoon to explore further or simply relax before the tour ends, taking home the memories of a journey through Puglia and Lucania.
Practical information
- Length: 8 days and 7 nights.
- Bases: Brindisi for the first night, San Giovanni Rotondo for nights 2 and 3, then Lecce.
- Good to know: days 5 to 8, Matera included, are all done from Lecce.
More ideas for longer trips on our page of multi-day itineraries in Puglia.
