Last updated on November 25th, 2025
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From the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce to the charming Polignano al Mare and the ancient city of Matera, this Puglia 5 day itinerary will take you through all the unmissable highlights of the area.
Known for its charming white-washed towns, stunning coastline, and authentic vibes, there’s so much to discover in the heel of Italy’s boot.
This is why Puglia was on my radar for yeeeaars. Still, it never felt right to visit until having done all the other Italian classics: Rome, Florence, Verona, Tuscany, among others.
I basically treated Puglia as my Italian dessert—the cherry on top—a location I would go to after having explored all the must-visit Italian spots. And I’m happy I did it that way.
I’ll get into that later.
The region’s laid-back rhythm makes it easy to tick a lot of places off your list in a shorter amount of time—you can always stay longer—but for the sake of being efficient, this 5-day Puglia itinerary will guide you through the unmissable spots in this unique region of Italy.
An itinerary complemented with the best places to eat in the area you are in, of course—a must in all my itineraries, as I think that food is as important as the place… especially in Italy.
So let’s get to it!
Puglia 5 day itinerary: Things to know
What to expect when visiting Puglia
Planning a trip to Puglia probably means that, like me, you have already covered a good portion of other Italian destinations, and if you haven’t, it’s good to know what to expect when visiting Italy’s heel.
The vibe in Puglia is incredibly different from that in any other popular Italian destination.
It feels so authentically Italian; life is slower, there are no massive museums with never-ending lines, or restaurants to book months in advance.
It’s mostly charming towns that would take you less than an hour to walk from one side to the other. It’s cozy, it’s romantic, and it’s the perfect place to slow travel and savour the everyday, even if 5 days in Puglia is all you have.
Where to stay in Puglia as a base
One of the main questions that comes up when planning a road trip in Italy’s heel is: what is the best place to stay in Puglia as a base?
If I were to do it over again, or for the next time we visit, I think I would opt to stay in Monopoli, which, ironically, we didn’t get to visit this time around.
Since we knew he had a car the whole time, we chose a nicer, bigger accommodation in a very small town for most of the trip. The downside to this is that there were fewer options for dinner after a long day of exploring, or a quick breakfast when waking up early to start road tripping.
For this, I’d rather choose to stay in a city I also want to explore, so even if it’s just for the evening or early in the morning, you are still ticking off another destination on the list.
And looking at the map, Monopoli seems like the perfect place to do this, and still be incredibly central to most towns you will want to see—if you want to stay in one place.
Or, if you are like us and don’t mind the moving around, we slept the first day in Matera, as I wanted to wake up in the city center to explore in the morning, and by the end of the trip, we stayed in Lecce also, to have a day and a half. And then the last night in Bari, as this is where we were traveling out from.
| Itinerary | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
| Explore | Matera | Polignano a Mare & Alberobello | Ostuni & Lecce | Lecce | Bari |
| Sleep In | Matera | Monopoli | Lecce | Lecce | Bari |
How to move around Puglia
For complete freedom of movement while exploring Puglia, the best thing you can do is to rent a car.
While it is possible to explore many places in Puglia without a car, you would have to rely on group tours to get you to harder-to-reach areas like Alberobello.
Which means you also lose control over the itinerary, and I like to plan my days freely, so having a car is the best way to do this.
This is why this itinerary is aimed at travelers who are planning to rent a car for a Puglian road trip.
I will be working on a car-free itinerary in the future.
Driving in Puglia
While driving in Italy can seem like an incredibly intimidating task, Puglia is a much more relaxed place to drive than anywhere else we saw in Italy.
Roads are less busy, people are more relaxed, and most drives are lined by fields of olive trees. Ultimate Italian road trip vibes!
The one thing you must be aware of is ZTL zones (Limited Traffic Zone). These are historical and central areas of Italian towns that are off limits to non-resident traffic.
If you end up driving or parking inside one of these sections, you are guaranteed to be fined, so pay close attention to ZTL signs when driving towards your destination.
When booking accommodation inside an “old town”, make sure to reach out to your host and ask for a recommended parking area to avoid being fined.
Puglia 5-day itinerary: The ultimate road trip
Day 1: One day in Matera
Hear me out, while Matera is geographically not in Puglia—it’s part of the Basilicata region instead—this town is one of the most incredible places I have ever visited, and it’s so close to Puglia that I have no doubts it’s a must-visit when spending 5 days in Puglia.
Learn about Matera at Casa Noha
The first best thing to do when spending one day in Matera is to stop by Casa Noha.
Casa Noha is a historic house that has been turned into a multimedia project for visitors to learn more about this incredibly unique city and its fascinating history.
The entrance fee is only €3, and the activity takes less than 15 minutes, making it an easy, affordable way to get an introduction to this city and its inhabitants throughout time.
Stop by the Cathedral and admire the views from Piazza del Duomo
After getting an introduction to the city, it’s time to explore.
To begin, head over to the charming Cathedral of Maria Santissima of Bruna & Sant’Eustachio, more casually known as Matera’s Cathedral.
From the outside, you can admire the regional Apulian Romanesque architectural style, with its cute central rose window.
Visiting the Matera Cathedral is free; if you want to take a look. Otherwise, just in front of the Cathedral, you will find one of my favorite viewpoints in the city, Piazza del Duomo.
From here, you can see many layers of the Sassi from an angle that makes it all look like a very intricate movie set, which it has been used for.
Visit Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario
While enjoying the incredible views of Matera is highlight enough, it really helps to learn more about the city and its history to fully appreciate what’s around you.
For this, a great addition to your itinerary is a visit to Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a historical cave house set up with authentic tools and furniture to help you travel in time.
Even if on a tight schedule, and maybe even more so, I think a visit to this historic house is a must, to fully grasp what all the caves around you represent and the history of the people who used to live in them up until the 1950s (!!!).
A visit to Casa Grotta only costs €5, which is a bargain for how much information and details you get out of it.
Lunch at Piu Sud Pizza restaurant
After learning all about the fascinating history of Matera and its caves, it’s time for lunch.
For one of the best pizzas in Matera, head over to the centrally located Piu Sud Pizzeria to enjoy a delicious margherita served inside a beautifully renovated cave.
If possible, I would recommend booking a table in advance; they were a bit weird about us showing up without a reservation, for some reason, even though the place was empty. So better play it safe.
The pizza is worth it, believe me!
Hike across the Gravina gorge for incredible views of Matera
While exploring the city and its viewpoints, it’s impossible not to notice the stunning canyon at the edge of the city—the stream running down under, lined on one side with the Sassi of Matera and on the other with green hills dotted with caves.
If you have a good non-slip, grippy shoe—it can get quite slippery on the trail—and are relatively fit, a 40-minute hike will get you to the other side of the gorge, where you can visit old caves, and get incredible views of Matera from afar.
For more detailed information on it, check out this section on our one-day in Matera itinerary.
If you decide to skip this somewhat demanding physical activity, you could fill in the time with simply wandering Matera’s beautiful winding streets, and maybe enjoying a little gelato at Cremes Bureau Gelato Artigianale.
Marvel at the Palombaro Lungo
Finally, on our sightseeing tour of Matera, is the Palombaro Lungo, a spot that I was skeptical about visiting at first, but quickly changed my mind once inside.
Palombaro Lungo is an underground cistern dating back to the 16th century, which worked as the city’s water reserve for centuries.
A visit will take you down to the bottom of its fourteen-meter-deep spacious room that was carved into the rock. Its dramatic arches make the place look like an underground cathedral more than a water reserve.
A visit to this central cistern is very affordable and quite quick, definitely an interesting addition to your Matera itinerary.
Dinner at Keiv Ristorante
To finish off the first full day of your Puglia 5-day itinerary, you will want to make a dinner reservation for Keiv Ristorante.
While I say at the beginning of this post that you don’t need to book things so far in advance, Matera is tiny, and if it’s high season, you might end up without a dinner spot, so it’s better to make reservations.
We didn’t have a reservation, so we didn’t get to eat until 9 pm when they took us in, but honestly, it was so worth it!
We followed our waiters’ recommendations, and loved it all— bruschetta, orecchiette pasta, and tiramisu. Our waiter also recommended a glass of the regional Primitivo di Manduria, which has now become our favorite wine.
Definitely one of the best meals we had on our 5-day Puglia trip, and the best spot to finish off your one day in Matera.
Day 2: Polignano a Mare and Alberobello
An unmissable stop in your 5-day Puglia itinerary is the incredibly picturesque Polignano a Mare, and the fairytale Alberobello. Luckily, you can fit both into one day.
We decided to start the day by driving to Polignano a Mare, even though Alberobello is closer by, for the simple reason that I prioritized seeing the beautiful small cove earlier in the day to try and avoid crowds.
So you could switch the order of the destinations around if you are more interested in avoiding crowds at Alberobello.
Breakfast at Martinucci in Polignano a Mare
If you follow our lead and drive to Polignano a Mare first thing in the morning, upon arrival, make your way to Martinucci for your first of many pasticciotto of the trip.
Martinucci is a regional bakery specializing in pasticiotto, a dense sweet breakfast pastry of the south of Italy.
These oval-shaped pastries can be filled with different types of creamy flavors, but my favorite is the classic one with custard.
You’ll find this unique pastry throughout the region, and honestly, I never missed an opportunity to enjoy it, as it’s a treat hard to find outside of Puglia.
Make sure to accompany your pasticciotto with a morning cappuccino for the ultimate Puglian breakfast.
Admire the views of the striking Cala Monachile or Lama Monachile
Now for the main event we all came for, the picture-perfect Cala Monachile, Polignano a Mare’s striking narrow cove lined by dramatic cliffs, right in the heart of town.
If visiting in the summer months, this is the spot to stop by and sunbathe; however, be warned that the space is very tight and will probably be very, very busy.
If visiting in the shoulder season—or in the summer but don’t want to be squeezed in with the other sunbathers—the best next thing to do is simply to admire the dramatic view of this picturesque cove from above.
To get one of the best views of the popular little beach, head to Belvedere su Lama Monachile.
For a different angle, go to the other side of the cove to the Belvedere su Polignano a Mare. If doing this, make sure to stop by to admire the statue of Domenico Modugno, the singer of “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” (the Volare song).
If visiting in the summer months, you will probably have better luck finding a spot to lay your towel on this side of the cove instead of on the main beach.
Stroll the charming streets of Polignano a Mare
As mentioned in the introduction, most of these towns are small enough to cover in less than an hour, so exploring them is all about leisurely getting lost in the small streets and alleys.
Take the time to explore this charming town, find different viewpoints over the strikingly turquoise ocean, and check out the narrow white-washed alleys, before heading off to our next stop of the day.
Afternoon: Drive and arrive at Alberobello
Hop back in the car and make your way to the fairytale town of Alberobello for the afternoon, which is only a short 30-minute drive from Polignano a Mare.
We parked in this paid parking lot, which is one of the closest to the trulli area.
Lunch at La Lira Focacceria
If you’re getting hungry upon arrival, fear not, I have the perfect casual lunch spot for you, La Lira Focacceria.
I love having quick, easy lunches that don’t take too much out of my exploration time, and this place is perfect for that, all while still having some delicious local food.
La Lira Focacceria is an interesting little spot in the heart of Alberobello, selling their own creation: pizza made with focaccia dough—simple with a twist, and delicious!
We tried a few, but my favorite has to be the one with straciatella and prosciutto.
They also sell some local products, like delicious handmade taralli, which I got a bag of, since I became obsessed with these little salty snacks during our Puglia road trip.
Admire the views and wander the Trulli-lined streets
It’s much easier to explore once fed, so let’s get going and climb some steps to get to the Vista Panoramica Alberobello for a viewpoint over the town’s iconic houses, the cone-shaped trulli.
While you can get some nice views from here, the best thing to do is to get lost in the streets and explore these incredibly unique little houses.
I particularly loved seeing everyday businesses housed inside these cartoon-looking buildings, such as dentists’ offices, and grocery stores—it’s just so cute!!
For the most trulli-concentrated area, go to Rione Monti, where you’ll find various souvenir shops along the way.
Make sure to take some sidequests and explore the smaller streets, you never know what you’ll find!
Grab the best souvenir from the Shop Oil Intini
One thing I really wanted to do during this trip and didn’t get the chance to, was to go olive oil tasting; however, a stop at Shop Oil Intini fixed this.
We stopped at this small shop out of curiosity for the fancy-looking olive oil bottles on display.
After popping our heads in, we were happily surprised by the welcoming service of the “olive oil sommelier”, who, without hesitation, invited us to try different types of olive oil while explaining to us the differences.
I was shocked at how different and good olive oil could taste—did you ever take a full sip of olive oil?! It’s wild!
Needless to say, we walked away with a small bottle that changed the course of every meal we had for the next couple of months.
So, I would highly recommend anyone with enough checked baggage to stop by this shop, learn more about this iconic Italian product, and take some home to bring a little bit of Puglia with you.
Drive back to your home base for dinner
For dinner, it’s time to put your new purchase to good use.
If you want to follow our real itinerary, stop by the local grocery store, stock up on some fresh bufala, tomatoes, prosciutto, bread, and olives, and have an Italian-style “girl dinner” back in your home base.
It all goes great with a glass or two of Primitivo di Manduria—all in the name of enjoying the local flavors. Cheers!
Day 3: Ostuni and Lecce
For the third day of your 5-day Puglia itinerary, it’s time to visit the fairytale-like, fortified Ostuni.
The drive is a scenic route through a sea of olive trees, and you’ll notice the city coming up as the white-washed walls appear on a hill in front of you.
Arrive as early as possible in Ostuni to explore this charming city before the bus tours arrive at around 10 am.
Breakfast in Ostuni’s Old Town
During our visit to Ostuni, we went to a modern coffee shop for brunch, and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. It was much more expensive than an Italian breakfast—which is to be expected—but I just didn’t find it worth it.
Instead, to stick with our hearty pasticciotto and cappuccino diet, visit Pasticciotti Traditionali or Bar Pasticceria da Pasquale in Ostuni’s Old Town for another Italian breakfast round.
Or, if you need a break from the breakfast pastries, I like to grab a yogurt and a banana at the closest grocery store. You do you.
Explore the Old Town of Ostuni
After breakfast, it’s time to explore Ostuni, and like other small and charming Puglian towns, the best way to do this is to simply wander around aimlessly.
Get lost in the winding, white-washed streets of the Old Town. The alleys are just so picturesque and look straight out of a movie set.
Make sure to stop by the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, a charming Gothic-style church with a beautiful rose window in the heart of the Old Town.
Walk through the historic Baroque Arco Scoppa, the grand entrance to the town’s beautiful cathedral.
Walk along Ostuni’s Cinta Muraia
An interesting thing to do while visiting Ostuni is to walk along the Cinta Muraia, Ostuni’s fortified city walls, which you likely noticed when driving in.
They’re part of what gives Ostuni its unique “faraway land” look.
These ancient fortifications were originally constructed in the 1300s (!) to protect the old town of Ostuni from external threats.
Nowadays, they serve as the perfect viewpoint over massive fields of olive trees spreading in the distance all the way to the sea.
Local lunch at Osteria Pizzeria Sant’Oronzo
After wandering Ostuni up, down, and all around, it’s time for lunch at Osteria Pizzeria Sant’Oronzo.
It’s housed inside a beautiful all-white building that, if I remember correctly, used to be horse stables—you can even see the shape on the walls where the horse feed would have been.
Inside this unique location, you’ll find delicious regional dishes, like orecchiete pasta—I had the orecchiete with tomato sauce and local burratina cheese, and loved it!—and of course, pizza, which we didn’t have but also looks good.
The food is great, the service is friendly, and the setting is very unique to the region—a winner all around.
Drink with a view at Borgo Antico Bistrot
Borgo Antico Bistrot is a popular aperitivo spot in Ostuni, due to the stunning view it offers over the olive trees all the way to the sea.
This is the perfect spot to finish off a day in Ostuni, sipping on an Aperol Spritz, snacking on taralli, on a white terrace under the Puglian sun.
Sadly, we weren’t lucky with the weather when we visited, so the terrace was closed. But this is something I keep on my bucket list for our next trip to Ostuni.
If you make it here, have a Spritz for me! (Whoever is not driving, of course)
Afternoon drive to Lecce
Whenever you are done exploring Ostuni, it’s time to jump back in the car to drive to our next stop on our 5-day Puglia itinerary: Lecce.
Once in Lecce, after check-in, take a leisurely walk around town at sunset, get acquainted with the city before heading out to explore tomorrow.
For dinner, I would love to have different places to recommend. I actually spent 3 nights in Lecce, and ended up eating mostly at the same place for dinner, as I loved it so much.
I did try another place once, and wasn’t amused, so I went back to my favorite one.
So for dinner, you could go to my beloved Mamma Elvira Enoteca. Just know, this is also my dinner plan for tomorrow.
If it’s not broken, why fix it, right?
Day 4: One full day in Lecce
We’re nearing the end of our Puglia 5-day itinerary, and on the fourth day, you’ll be exploring the Baroque city of Lecce.
If I’m honest, I never heard much about Lecce before, but once I started asking my Italian friends for their recommendations in Puglia, everyone seemed to agree on one thing: Lecce had to be on the itinerary.
Breakfast at Martinucci
You know the drill: if you are ready for another pasticciotto, you’re in luck, as there is a Martinucci location in Lecce, conveniently located in the main plaza.
So, once again, grab a pasticciotto and a strong cappuccino and see the locals go by on the main square.
If you’d rather have something savory, Martinucci also has various panini to choose from.
Otherwise, Filiera Café is a specialty coffee shop that offers some other “breakfasty” options, like plates of hard-boiled eggs, with bread and cheese.
Explore the central Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Lecce’s Roman Amphitheater & Porta San Biagio
After breakfast, wherever you are, it’s time to explore the small but charming heart of Lecce, starting with Piazza Sant’Oronzo.
If I’m being honest, the square is not the prettiest I’ve ever seen, but it’s definitely an interesting location where you’ll get to witness the city’s different eras, all in one place.
Here you’ll find a mix of simple fascist-era buildings, a tiny but beautiful Baroque-style church, a Renaissance hearing room, a Roman column from the 2nd century, and the unmissable Roman Amphitheater.
Lecce’s Roman Amphitheater was built in the 2nd century, and what’s crazy about it is the fact that no one had any idea that it was there up until 1901(!) when construction for some city projects started in the area—which obviously had to be put on hold.
After admiring the “recently” discovered amphitheater, make your way down the picturesque streets of Lecce to arrive at Porta San Biagio, or Gate of Saint Blaise.
Porta San Giagio is a Baroque-style city gate, one of the four original ones in Lecce, and the prettiest one, in my opinion.
Admire Lecce’s Baroque Churches: Church of Saint Matthew, Church of Santa Chiara & the Basilica di Santa Croce
After that small introduction to some of Lecce’s historic elements, it’s time to see the main attractions: Lecce’s intricate and stunning Baroque Churches.
The top Baroque churches you cannot miss while exploring Lecce are the beautiful Chiesa di San Matteo (Church of San Matteo), the Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Church of Santa Chiara), and its charming square lined with lively bars and restaurants.
The cherry on top of all the Baroque churches in Lecce is the stunning Basilica di Santa Croce, an absolute masterpiece of the Baroque architectural style. One you can stare at for hours and still find new details you didn’t notice before.
With only one day in Lecce, I prioritized admiring the exterior of the churches instead of the inside; however, if you also want to see the architecture inside, then you should consider booking the Lecce Pass.
⭐️Baroque tour in Lecce pass:
The 11-euro Lecce Pass gives you access to the inside of:
- Antico Seminario e Museo d’Arte Sacra
- The Duomo
- Chiesa di San Matteo
- Chiesa di Santa Chiara
- Basilica di Santa Croce
Stop by Piazza del Duomo & visit Lecce’s Cathedral
Slowly making your way towards the lunch spot, you’ll inevitably pass Piazza del Duomo, so you might as well tick it off the list, as it’s another must-see.
Here you’ll find Lecce’s Cathedral, another example of the city’s distinctive Baroque architectural style, with columns carved out of the local limestone and intricate elements decorating the facade.
Right next to the Cathedral, you’ll also find a papier mache workshop, a technique the city is known for. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see the craftspeople at work outside the shop.
Lunch time: Antica Pucceria Giannone dal 1941
When visiting an area for a short time, I find that trying the local flavors in every meal is a must. So for lunch, make your way to Antica Pucceria Giannone dal 1941.
Antica Pucceria Giannone dal 1941 is a small local shop specializing in “Puccia”—for over 80 years now(!)—a local street food from the Salento region, specifically from Lecce.
This popular street food is like a “regional panino”, consisting of a round flatbread filled with veggies, meats, and cheese.
I had “La Salentina” with prosciutto, cheese, and fig jam, and it was so good! The perfect quick lunch, before continuing to explore.
Shop on Via Giuseppe Palmieri & afternoon caffè Leccese
As I said before, these Puglian towns are full of charm, but quite small, so the best thing to do is to simply wander around aimlessly.
After lunch, take a stroll through Via Giuseppa Palmieri, where you’ll find many unique shops, from modern curated stores to local clothing brands, beautiful ceramic shops, and more.
It’s the perfect route to find a souvenir, and the locals’ favorite street to go for an afternoon walk, according to our guide.
If, like me, you’re always up for another cafecito, one thing you need to try while here it’s the local Caffè Leccese, the perfect summer drink.
It consists of an espresso on the rocks with a touch of almond syrup, which gives it a delicious, sweet taste. Even if you’re normally not a fan of espressos, I think you could like this one.
Most cafes in town will have it, but my favorite one was at Caffè della Lupa.
Stop by the Historic Porta Napoli
One last historic spot to visit in Lecce is the imposing Porta Napoli, a triumphal arch from the 16th century.
Porta Napoli is another one of the city’s main gates, originally part of the old city’s walls, before some sections were taken down or built into the surrounding buildings.
This triumphal arch was built in anticipation of a visit from Charles V, which is why you can see the Spanish coat of arms on it.
Aperitivo/dinner at Mamma Elvira Enoteca
Lastly, to end the perfect day in Lecce, make your way back to the city center until you find my beloved Mamma Elvira Enoteca.
Mamma Elvira is a small local chain with an enoteca and three restaurants in the city, offering homemade local dishes, as if made by your own Apulian mom.
The one I visited multiple times is the Enoteca location, as it’s right in the town’s center, making it the perfect spot for aperitivo after wandering around the city.
My favorite thing about Mamma Elvira Enoteca is that an aperitivo can easily turn into dinner with their tasty food menu.
My go-to meal here was their delicious tomato crostini, and a glass of a local red, either Primitivo or Negroamaro. The perfect, lighter meal for when you can’t even look at a pasta plate anymore.
The food, the wine, the casual vibes, and the central location are all 10/10 in my book!
Day 5: Bari
Start the day with breakfast in Lecce
If you love pasticciottos, but want to switch it up a bit, a great savory option to try is the local Rustico Leccese, a round puff pastry filled with béchamel sauce and tomato.
You can also find these at Martinucci or almost any other bakery in Lecce.
One of these flaky pastries, accompanied by a cappuccino, and you’re good to start the last day of this Puglia 5-day itinerary.
After breakfast, it’s time to get back in the car and make your way to Bari, which should take you around 2 hours, give or take.
🚗 Add-on stops: On the drive to Bari, you can also do a pit stop in Monopoli, which we didn’t make it to, but is on my list for next time, or the nearby Brindisi.
Once in Bari, you can drop off the car if you’re flying or moving by train on the following days.
Easy lunch at All’Antico Vinaio
You know me and my quick, easy lunches. For a quick lunch option in Bari, visit All’Antico Vinaio, Florence’s incredibly famous panino shop—which completely lives up to the hype, in my opinion.
The Bari location is right in front of the Bari Central Train Station, which is the perfect spot to grab a panino to go if you are dropping off the car somewhere nearby.
My go-to panino at All’Antico Vinaio is L’Italiana with prosciutto, mozzarella, rucola, and tomatoes, but I ask to switch the fresh tomatoes for sundried ones—it’s so good! The perfect summer lunch.
If you like strong flavors, you have to try La Boss, with prosciutto, semi-aged pecorino, flavorful truffle cream, and rucola—one of my favorites.
For a lunch with a view—and to kill some time, if you’re not hungry yet—you can pack your panino for later to enjoy by the seafront at Lungomare Araldo di Crollalanza, a waterfront promenade.
Explore the winding streets of Bari Vecchia
After picking up lunch, you’re ready to dive in and explore Bari Vecchia, Bari’s Historic Old Town.
Immediately arriving in Bari Vecchia, my first thought was “this is what I thought Napoli would be”, a residential old Italian city center, full of character, but also of everyday life.
Napoli was just not for me, too “raw”, but Bari looks like a quintessential, straight-out-of-a-movie old town.
There’s laundry hanging, the walls are old and not taken care of the way they are in Rome, people are out and about in the streets—it has character, but also charm.
So take the time to explore Bari Vecchia’s little alleys, and slowly make your way to the seaside, and simply wander around until aperitivo time.
Aperitivo at Mercantile Nove
For aperitivo, head back into the city center and arrive at Mercantile Nove, a spot that comes alive as the sun sets, and people gather over rounds of Aperol Spritz.
This self-proclaimed cocktail bar has a little bit of everything: great Aperol Spritz, wine, cocktails, and many delicious-looking little snacks—it’s almost impossible to choose.
Don’t overorder, though, because dinner is going to be good!
We ordered some crostini and a side of olives, and everything was delicious, a spot I would definitely come back to whenever we are back in Bari.
Dinner at Anto Ristorante Cucina Tipica Pugliese
For dinner, we are going to Anto Ristorante, a popular spot, and for good reason.
This centrally located restaurant is the perfect place to visit for travelers looking for authentic, regional, high-quality meals at affordable prices.
It’s no secret how good this place is, which is why you’ll find people lining up most days, but not to worry, the service is quick and efficient, which makes the line move quite fast.
The food is delicious, and the portions are generous.
Our favorite thing we discovered on this trip was spaghetti al’assasina, a Bari-born iconic dish, which you have to try!
Spaghetti al’assasina is a spicy, crunchy, flavor-bomb of a pasta dish that I cannot get enough of, especially with the creamy stracciatella on top. It’s just chef’s kiss!
It sounds a little bit weird, but it’s honestly SO good!
Final thoughts on a Puglia 5-day itinerary
While there are many ways to organize a Puglia 5-day itinerary, this is the itinerary I came up with after doing lots of research and deciding what towns I wanted to prioritize for our trip.
Our trip was longer than 5 days, as mentioned, I ended up spending 3 nights in Lecce alone. So, this is not exactly the way we followed it, but I think it’s the way that makes the most sense to structure it for someone only spending 5 days in Puglia.
From visiting the incredibly fascinating city of Matera, to the charming Polignano a Mare, the one-of-a-kind Alberobello, discovering the Baroque beauty of Lecce, and exploring the quintessentially Italian vibes of Bari, I think this Puglia 5-day itinerary covers the region pretty well.
The only thing I wish we had done was to visit Monopoli, which, as I mentioned in the post, you could add as a stop on the way back to Bari from Lecce.
However, I am fully obsessed with this wild region of Italy and its unique vibe, and I’m sure we will be heading down there soon enough, and I’ll be updating this post if necessary.
Which of the many beautiful Puglian towns are you most excited to visit? Let us know in the comments.