When I first drove into Apulia, the landscape felt quietly confident: whitewashed hill towns perched on ridges, olive groves stretching as far as the eye could see, and a coastline alternating between dramatic cliffs and long sandy beaches. I remember pulling over at a random viewpoint just to take it all in the scent of wild herbs, the cicadas buzzing in the heat, and the pale blue haze over the Adriatic. It was one of those moments when you realize a place has more to offer than the guidebooks ever manage to capture.
On my first trip I rushed around, trying to tick off Alberobello, Lecce, and Polignano in just a few days. It was beautiful, but I felt like I was always in the car, always watching the clock. When I came back a year later, I slowed down. I spent two nights in a trullo in Locorotondo, lingered over long lunches of handmade orecchiette, and learned which coastal viewpoints were worth the drive. That’s when Apulia started to make sense to me not as a checklist of towns, but as a region where food, history, and landscapes fit together in everyday life.
This guide is a mix of those experiences and the practical details that would have saved me time on my first visit. You’ll find 15 can’t-miss experiences, region-by-region suggestions, itineraries that actually work if you have two days or a full week, and little pieces of advice I picked up along the way.
My hope is that you’ll feel like you’re getting recommendations from a friend who’s already been someone who can point you toward the best gelato in Monopoli or remind you to pack reef shoes for rocky beaches. If you want a region where you can wander Baroque streets one morning, swim in a turquoise cove that afternoon, and end the day with burrata drizzled in olive oil, Apulia delivers.
Snapshot: Best Time to Visit
Apulia is one of those regions that manages to appeal to a wide mix of travelers, but for different reasons. If you love food, it’s almost impossible not to get swept up in the region’s flavors of orecchiette with turnip greens in Bari, creamy burrata from Andria, or the flaky pasticciotto pastries in Lecce.
Couples often come here for the mix of romance and ease: a sunset stroll through Ostuni’s glowing alleys or a long dinner in a countryside masseria feels like a slice of Italian slow living. Photographers won’t run out of subjects, whether it’s cliff-divers leaping into turquoise water at Polignano a Mare, the fairytale trulli of Alberobello, or the sun-baked fishing harbors along the coast. Families find it friendly too, with plenty of shallow beaches like Pescoluse where kids can paddle safely, and towns that welcome children rather than treat them as an afterthought.
The timing of your trip really shapes your experience. Spring (April to early June) is when the countryside is green and the weather is comfortable for exploring towns without sweating through your shirt. Autumn (September into early October) is my personal favorite: the sea is still warm enough for long swims, but the summer crowds have mostly gone home. High summer July and August comes with its own energy: festivals, buzzing towns, and lively beaches, but also packed streets and higher prices. If you can handle the heat and book well ahead, it’s still a magical time, just in a very different way.
How much time do you need? You can absolutely get a taste of Apulia in a weekend by basing yourself in Bari and doing a quick side trip to Alberobello. With four or five days, you can slow down and add Ostuni or Lecce, maybe even fit in a couple of beaches. Give yourself a full week, though, and you’ll start to understand the rhythm of the region: one day you’re wandering trulli towns, the next you’re stretched out on Salento’s sand, and by the end of the week you’ll probably be planning when to come back to explore Gargano or the Tremiti Islands. Apulia isn’t a place you can tick off in a hurry it rewards travelers who linger.
Top 15 Things to Do in Apulia
Walk the trulli lanes of Alberobello
Alberobello looks like it belongs in a storybook. The little trulli houses, with their conical roofs and whitewashed walls, make the town look almost unreal. The main streets can get crowded, but wander a little further and you’ll find quiet lanes where people still live in these homes. Spending a night in a trullo is worth it when you wake up to birdsong and church bells in a place that feels centuries away from modern life.
Cliff-dive at Polignano a Mare
Perched on limestone cliffs, Polignano a Mare is both dramatic and charming. From the old town you can watch locals and daredevils dive into the turquoise waters far below. Even if you don’t jump, sitting by Lama Monachile beach with a gelato in hand is one of those scenes you’ll remember for years.
Marvel at Lecce’s baroque churches
Lecce has a slower rhythm than many cities, and its beauty is in the details. The golden stone glows in the late afternoon, and every street seems to lead to another ornate church. Known as the “Florence of the South,” it’s rich in architecture, but without the crowds. Take time to wander, and make sure you try a pasticciotto along the way.
Stroll Ostuni’s whitewashed alleys
Ostuni is often called the White City, and from afar it looks like a shining crown on a hill. Its narrow alleys, hidden staircases, and bougainvillea-draped balconies are perfect for slow exploration. Arrive in the late afternoon to catch the glow of golden hour, then head up to a rooftop bar to watch the sky change colors over the town.
Boat to hidden sea caves
Between Polignano and Monopoli, the coast hides dozens of caves that you can only reach by boat. Skippers steer through narrow openings to reveal secret beaches and shimmering pools. On a hot day, the best part is diving straight off the boat into the clear blue water.
Eat orecchiette and burrata in Bari Vecchia
Bari’s old town feels alive with tradition. Women roll orecchiette by hand on wooden tables in the streets, while the smell of sauces and bread drifts through open windows. Sit down for a plate of pasta with turnip greens, paired with fresh burrata, and you’ll taste the essence of Apulian cooking.
Explore the Salento coast
The Salento peninsula is dramatic and full of contrasts. Otranto combines seaside charm with history, while Baia dei Turchi offers wide sandy beaches backed by pine trees. Gallipoli’s old town is perfect at sunset, when its sea walls glow in the fading light. It’s a place to mix lazy beach days with small-town discoveries.
Hike Gargano National Park
In northern Apulia, Gargano feels like a world of its own. Forested hills give way to white cliffs and hidden beaches. The Foresta Umbra, with its dense canopy, is a cool retreat in summer. Offshore, the Tremiti Islands invite you to swim and snorkel in some of the clearest water in Italy.
Descend into the Grotte di Castellana
The caves of Castellana stretch deep underground, filled with surreal formations. Tours take you past stalactites and stalagmites that seem to drip from the ceilings or rise from the floor like sculptures. The White Cave, glittering in pale light, is the highlight and feels like stepping onto another planet.
Sip Negroamaro in Salento
Wine in Apulia is earthy and bold, and Negroamaro is one of the region’s best. Around Nardò and Lecce you’ll find small wineries that welcome visitors. Sitting with a glass in hand as the sun sinks over the vines is as close to perfection as it gets.
Cycle through the Valle d’Itria
The rolling hills of the Valle d’Itria are perfect for cycling. Paths lead past olive groves, dry stone walls, and clusters of trulli. Stop in Locorotondo or Martina Franca for a coffee or a gelato before pedaling on its slow travel at its best.
Visit Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte rises out of the landscape like a mystery. Its octagonal shape is striking, and historians still argue about its purpose: was it a fortress, a hunting lodge, or an astronomical observatory? Whatever the answer, its symmetry and solitude make it unforgettable.
Try olive oil at a masseria
Apulia is an olive oil country, and visiting a masseria is the best way to experience it. Walk through groves of ancient trees, learn about the harvest, and taste oil so fresh it almost tingles on your tongue. Many masserie also offer rustic but comfortable stays, giving you more time to soak up the atmosphere.
Sunbathe at Pescoluse
Nicknamed the “Maldives of Italy,” Pescoluse is all about soft sand and shallow turquoise water. Families love it because children can play safely, but it’s also a great spot to spend a lazy day reading, swimming, and doing nothing much at all.
Day trip to Matera
Matera isn’t technically in Apulia, but it’s close enough to include. The cave dwellings carved into the rock are unlike anything else in Italy. Visit at dusk, when the sassi lights up and the city looks like a scene from another time.
Food & Drink Guide
Eating in Apulia is more than just refueling between sightseeing stops; it’s a full immersion into the region’s culture. The dishes are simple, but they’re tied to centuries of tradition and made with ingredients that taste like they’ve just been pulled from the earth or sea.
One of the first things you’ll probably try is orecchiette alle cime di rapa, the pasta that defines Bari. Orecchiette means “little ears,” and you’ll often see women sitting outside their houses shaping them by hand. The pasta itself has a rough texture that clings perfectly to the sauce of bitter turnip greens, garlic, and anchovies. It might not sound luxurious, but once you try it in Bari Vecchia with a glass of local wine, you’ll understand why it’s beloved.
Cheese lovers will be in heaven here. Burrata was born in Apulia, in the town of Andria. At first glance it looks like mozzarella, but slice it open and creamy stracciatella spills out, rich and decadent. Spread it on fresh bread with just a drizzle of olive oil and it’s a meal all by itself.
For something you’ll see in every bakery, try focaccia barese. It’s thick and soft, with the sweetness of roasted tomatoes and the briny kick of olives baked into the crust. Locals eat it any time of day for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack between swims at the beach. And then there are taralli, small crunchy rings of bread dough. They come plain, with fennel seeds, or even spicy with black pepper, and once you start nibbling on them with a glass of wine you’ll wonder why you didn’t bring home an entire bag.
Down in Lecce, mornings start with pasticciotto, a shortcrust pastry filled with custard. Served warm and fresh from the oven, it’s best enjoyed with a strong espresso at a street café while watching the city wake up around you.
Apulia is also a serious wine region. Primitivo, especially from Manduria, is bold, fruity, and a little wild, while Negroamaro from Salento has a deeper, earthy character. Visiting a winery here isn’t just about sipping it’s about sitting in a rustic courtyard, listening to the winemaker talk about their family’s vineyard, and watching the late-afternoon sun dip over the vines.
And then there are the experiences that tie food and travel together. Spend an afternoon at a masseria (a countryside farmhouse), where you can walk through olive groves that have been producing oil for centuries before tasting the liquid gold for yourself. Or roll up your sleeves in a cooking class and learn how to shape orecchiette imperfect little pasta shells that will make you appreciate every bite you eat afterward. These aren’t just meals; they’re memories you’ll carry long after you’ve left Apulia.
Itineraries
It’s easy to get carried away in Apulia because there are so many towns worth seeing, but the trick is not to cram too much into each day. The best trips here leave room for detours, long lunches, and time to simply sit with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Here’s how I’d shape a visit depending on how much time you have.
2 Days in Apulia
If you’re flying into Bari and only have a weekend, keep it focused. Spend your first morning wandering Bari Vecchia, tasting focaccia barese or watching the women make orecchiette in the narrow lanes. By midday, head south along the coast to Polignano a Mare for cliff views and a dip at Lama Monachile, then end the evening in Monopoli. Its old town is lively, and seafood dinners here are as good as anywhere in the region.
On day two, turn inland. Start with Alberobello to see the trulli, then stop in Locorotondo for a slower-paced lunch in its whitewashed alleys. End in Ostuni, the White City, and stay overnight if you can. You’ll want to see it glow pink at sunset from a rooftop bar.
4 Days in Apulia
Within four days, you can fit in both the countryside and coast. Day one follows the same pattern: Bari, Polignano, and Monopoli. Day two is for the Valle d’Itria Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Ostuni. Each town feels different: Alberobello is iconic, Locorotondo is peaceful, Martina Franca is ornate, and Ostuni is all about atmosphere.
Day three, drive south to Lecce. Spend the morning wandering golden baroque streets before heading east to Otranto. Its seaside cathedral and mosaic floor are unlike anything else, and the town has a relaxed vibe in the evenings. On your last day, go further west to Gallipoli and then round it off with some downtime at Baia dei Turchi, where the pine trees give way to a long sandy beach.
7 Days in Apulia
A full week lets you slow down. Day one, ease into Bari, sample street food and get a feel for the old quarter. Day two, head to Polignano and Monopoli for cliffside walks and seafood by the sea. Day three is the Valle d’Itria, best enjoyed at a gentle pace with a night in a trullo.
On day four, spend your time in Lecce before finishing the day in Otranto. Day five is for Gallipoli and the beaches of Salento. You could easily lose a whole afternoon doing nothing more than swimming and napping. For days six and seven, drive north into Gargano to hike in the Foresta Umbra and take in Vieste’s dramatic coastline. If you prefer history to nature, swap one of those days for Castel del Monte, whose mysterious octagonal design will have you scratching your head long after you leave.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Apulia isn’t just about having a bed for the night it can be part of the experience itself. A stay in a masseria, the region’s traditional farmhouses, is one of the most memorable. Many have been carefully restored, so you get rustic stone walls and olive groves outside, but modern comfort inside. Some masserie serve dinners made entirely from their own gardens and fields, so your meal might include olive oil pressed from the trees you walked past earlier in the day.
For something even more unusual, book a night in a trullo. These cone-roofed stone dwellings look like they’re straight out of a storybook. Alberobello has the highest concentration, but staying in one in Locorotondo or the countryside around Martina Franca can feel more authentic. The thick stone walls keep them cool even in the heat of summer, and waking up inside one is a special kind of magic.
As for bases, it depends on your trip. Bari is best for arrivals and departures and has the energy of a proper city. Monopoli is my go-to if I want the sea at my doorstep but still easy access to the Valle d’Itria. Ostuni is ideal if you like staying in a hill town with atmosphere and views, while Lecce works perfectly as a hub for Salento. You can do day trips to beaches and smaller towns while returning to a lively city each evening.
Activities & Experiences
Beyond sightseeing, Apulia shines when you dive into its experiences. Taking a boat out from Polignano a Mare to explore the caves carved into the cliffs is unforgettable. You drift into turquoise grottos, light bouncing off the water, and sometimes even land on hidden beaches only accessible by sea.
Staying in a trullo or masseria is more than just accommodation, it’s a way of connecting with the traditions of the region. If you visit in autumn, you may find opportunities to join the olive harvest. Picking olives alongside local farmers and then tasting the freshly pressed oil is a rare treat.
Apulia also loves a good festival, and the biggest of all is La Notte della Taranta, held every August in Salento. It’s a night of music and dance that brings entire villages together. If you prefer something quieter, a guided walk through the Castellana caves is another kind of adventure, revealing a whole world beneath the earth. And if you’re feeling brave, Polignano offers safe spots to try your hand at cliff diving though just watching the locals leap gracefully into the sea is entertainment enough.
Beaches & Coastal Advice
The coastline here is long and varied, so knowing how beaches work in Apulia helps. Many Italians head to private beach clubs, or lidos, where you rent a sunbed and umbrella for the day. It usually costs between €15 and €25, but you get shade, bathrooms, and sometimes even food service. Public beaches are free, but they can fill quickly in high summer, so it’s best to go early if you want space.
Each stretch of coast has its own personality. Lama Monachile in Polignano is the classic postcard view, with cliffs towering above a pebbly cove. Baia dei Turchi feels more natural, framed by pine forests, while Torre dell’Orso is family-friendly with shallow water and wide sands. If you’re chasing that tropical vibe, Pescoluse is where the water is so clear and the sand so fine that it’s earned the nickname “the Maldives of Italy.” For snorkelers, the Tremiti Islands offer some of the best underwater visibility in the region.
Budget & Timing
Apulia can be as affordable or as indulgent as you want it to be. If you’re on a backpacker budget, expect to spend around €50–70 a day, staying in hostels or simple B&Bs and enjoying street food or pizza for dinner. A comfortable mid-range trip usually runs €100–150 a day, with stays in small hotels or agriturismo and a mix of trattoria meals and a few splurges. If you’re leaning boutique, with nights in a masserie and dinners in stylish restaurants, €200–300 a day is a good range.
Timing makes a big difference. July and August are buzzing with festivals and packed beaches, but also the most expensive months. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer a sweet spot: warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. September is especially nice because the sea is still warm from the summer, but the atmosphere is calmer.
Responsible Travel & Etiquette
Apulia’s charm comes from its traditions and landscapes, and travelers play a part in keeping them alive. Eating at small trattorias or staying in agriturismo puts money directly back into the local community. Olive groves, while beautiful, are usually private land, so admire them but resist the temptation to wander in without asking. Churches are central to local life, so dress modestly when visiting covered shoulders and knees are appreciated.
Above all, travel slowly. Instead of racing between towns, spend a couple of nights in one place and let yourself settle into the rhythm of piazza life. Apulia rewards travelers who linger: you’ll notice the quiet of mornings, the lull of afternoons when everything closes, and the joyful buzz of evenings when whole families gather in the square.
Conclusion
Apulia is one of those regions that never feels one-note. One day you’re jumping into the turquoise sea from a cliff in Polignano, the next you’re sampling olive oil at a centuries-old Masuria, and by nightfall you’re wandering Ostuni’s glowing alleys with a glass of wine in hand. It’s a region where simple things like fresh burrata, a sunset over the sea, or a walk through ancient olive groves turn into memories you’ll carry with you.
If it’s your first visit, I’d suggest starting with Bari, Polignano, and Alberobello, then heading south to Lecce and the Salento coast if you have more time. Whatever route you take, don’t leave without tasting burrata where it was born. It sums up Apulia perfectly: simple, rich, and unforgettable.
