Puglia in 4 days
The heel of Italy's boot: the trulli of Alberobello, the whitewashed lanes of Ostuni and the cliffs of Polignano a Mare above a turquoise sea. Between swims, head for baroque Lecce or cross into Basilicata for the sassi of Matera. Meals revolve around homemade orecchiette and oil from centuries-old olive trees.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
The trulli of Alberobellofree · about 1 h 30Around 1,500 conical drystone houses, UNESCO-listed; Rione Monti is full of shops, while Aia Piccola is still lived in and quiet.
- Afternoon
The Castellana Cavesabout 2 hA cave system stretching about three kilometres underground; the guided tour passes giant stalactites and ends at the Grotta Bianca, the white cave.
Day 2
- Morning
Polignano a Mareabout 2 hThe old village sits on cliffs above the Adriatic, with dizzying viewpoints over Lama Monachile, the beach wedged between two rock walls.
- Afternoon
Ostunifree · about 1 h 30The white town winds up its hill in whitewashed lanes, stairways and arches to a Gothic cathedral looking over ancient olive groves.
Day 3
- Morning
Baroque Leccefree · about 2 hBaroque carved in honey-coloured stone that glows at sunset: the façade of Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo and a Roman amphitheatre, all on foot.
- Afternoon
Otrantofree · about 2 hItaly's easternmost town looks towards Albania from its walls; the cathedral holds a vast medieval floor mosaic and the Chapel of the Martyrs.
Day 4
- Morning
Matera and its sassihalf a dayAn amphitheatre of cave dwellings cut into the soft rock, inhabited since prehistory, with rock churches painted with Byzantine frescoes and restored cave houses.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: Vieste and the Gargano.
Where to sleep in Puglia
- Hotel Adria · €65 a night
- B&B Hotel Bari · €60 a night
- Hotel Lanzillotta · €85 a night
- Hotel Ostuni Palace · €120 a night
- Hotel Torre del Parco · €130 a night
- Hotel Covo dei Saraceni · €170 a night
- Borgo Egnazia · €650 a night
- Masseria San Domenico · €480 a night
- Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita · €350 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.