Puglia 5-Day Itinerary

If you plan to experience the authentic Italian vibe, here is your perfect Puglia 5-day Itinerary. Puglia is an absolute hidden gem compared to the popular cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast. Although its popularity is now on the rise, it retains a sense of authenticity and a slow-paced environment that every traveler looks forward to on vacation. 

Puglia will make you feel like you are in old Italy. Only here can you see grandmothers making their pasta by hand, and local people gather on the Piazzas every evening. Beautiful towns remain preserved. You can enjoy a wealth of experiences here, from their beautiful beaches to local cuisine and unique architecture. Below is the perfect Puglia 5-day itinerary to help you explore the highlights.

Day 1: Enjoying Coastal and Sea Cliffs

Puglia is not only known for its scenic villages; did you know that it is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy? Especially in Salento, along the Gargano Peninsula, there are far fewer tourists compared to the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. 

Polignano a Mare or Monopoli Based

• In the morning, wake up to the beauty of Polignano a Mare, and enjoy a swim at Lama Monachile. This small beach is located between two cliffs. Afterward, explore the narrow streets and a viewpoint where you can take pictures as a memory and enjoy the calmness of the sea. 

• In the late morning, you can enjoy their famous coffee, caffè speciale from Super Mago del Gelo, made with espresso, lemon zest, cream, sugar, and amaretto.

• Afternoon: Drive south to Monopoli, a busy port town with a stunning baroque cathedral, ancient city walls, and a charming harbour. Lunch at a seafood restaurant—crudo di mare (raw seafood dish) is a must.

• Evening: Return to the shore for dinner with a view. Most restaurants in both towns feature outdoor terraces with stunning sea views, serving grilled octopus, fresh fish, and local wines.

Optional Activity: Take a boat trip along the coast to discover hidden coves, sea caves, and grottoes—many accessible only by sea. These are great for off-the-beaten-path swimming and sunbathing.

Day 2: Enjoy Olive Groves, Trulli, and Whitewashed Towns

• Morning: Drive to the Florence of the South, Lecce. Explore the intricately carved Baroque facades of Santa Croce Basilica, stroll through the Roman ruins, and visit an artisanal workshop that specializes in papier-mâché products. 

• Midday: Have lunch at a local trattoria serving pasta with turnip tops, also known as the orecchiette con le cime di rapa. Try the signature custard-filled pastry, pasticcio. 

• Afternoon: Explore Otranto, a seaside gem with turquoise water and rich history. Stop by Otranto Cathedral, where you can feel the vivid medieval imagery on the cathedral’s floor. 

• Evening: Wrap your trip in the heart of Lecce, with an Aperitivo in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, where locals gather at night. 

Day 4:  Explore the Rock Cruches, Cave Houses, & Timeless Beauty of Matera

• Morning: Start your day by strolling around Sassi di Matera, a network of cave dwellings and rock-cut churches carved into the cliffs. Don’t miss the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, perched well above the ravine. To experience a taste of earlier times, visit Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a restored cave dwelling that’s packed with artefacts of everyday life in the past.

• Midday: Lunch at one of Matera’s atmospheric cave restaurants—most of which serve traditional Lucanian dishes like orecchiette with cruschi peppers or cavatelli with lamb ragù. Then stroll through the quieter Sasso Caveoso neighborhood for a panorama and tranquil stone streets.

• Evening: As golden hour approaches, make your way to Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli for the most jaw-dropping views of sunset in the old city. Finish your evening with dinner at a rooftop trattoria, where you may sip Aglianico wine under the stars while watching the town of stone radiate before you.

Optional Activity: Book a private tour from Coastal to the Inland town of Alberobello and Matera.

Day 5: Get ready to be amazed by the Coastal Flavor and Historic Streets of Bari

• Morning: Walk through Baru Vecchia, the historic downtown area with its narrow alleyways, century-old churches, and homemade orecchiette made by local artisans. Stop by the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, a stunning Romanesque structure and a popular pilgrimage site. 

• Midday: Lunch at an old-fashioned trattoria between stone streets, where seafood and focaccia barese are regular offerings. Don’t miss strolling along the ancient city wall with sea views. 

• Evening: At sundown, join locals for an aperitivo in Piazz Mercantile or Lungomare promenade. The town is alive with music, conversation, and the scent of grilled octopus. 

Optional Activity: A 3-hour Private tour in the heart of Bari with Fresh Pasta tasting