5 days in Puglia Itinerary

Make the Most of Your Holidays in Puglia with these 5-day Itineraries from North to South

Are you wondering what to do in 5 days in Puglia? There’s so much to see and do in Puglia that it’s hard to narrow it down to just 5 days in Puglia. This region strategically positioned along 800 km of coast from north to south, has a lot of kilometers to cover in little time. So we’ve taken three possible itineraries and divided them into areas: North, Central and Southern Puglia. Keep reading to find out the possibilities.

5 Day Itinerary: Northern Puglia - Off the Beaten Track

Northern Puglia is an area that up until now has not been explored by too many foreigners, so this is a great area for those looking to travel off the beaten track.

Day 1: Trani

Fly into Bari and head up to Trani for a seafood lunch. We recommended La Banchina, Gallo, or Corte in Fiore for a classic Trani-style lunch. If you want a Michelin-starred experience, book ahead at Quintessenza or at the new addition to the Trani food scene, Casa Sgarra. Then take a stroll through this quintessential Italian city decorated in the famous Tranese white marble. Start at the port and then head to the famous Cathedral. Fun fact: the Catherdral’s Crypt was built below sea level. From the Cathedral’s square you will also be able to see and visit the Castle.

Then stroll through the old Jewish Quarter. Stop for an evening Moscato, Trani’s famous sweet wine. At sunset head the the Villa Comunale, Trani’s park, for a walk and check out the view from the fort that overlooks the port.

Day 2: El Gargano

Head up to el Gargano, stopping at Monte Sant’Angelo to visit the gorgeous Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the castle either. From there head to the beach of Vignanotica (pictured above) for a swim and stunning sights of the Gargano Peninsula. Then head to Vieste where you can spend the night and enjoy some of the best seafood of your trip in one of the many quaint restaurants. If you have extra time, head a little further up north to Peschici.

Day 3: Isole Tremiti

Take a ferry (or for the more adventurous, a helicopter) to the Isole Tremiti and spend two nights on one of the beautiful islands. This stunning archipelago consists of five islands, but San Domino is the one that’s most set up for tourism. It is also the only island with sandy beaches. San Domino, along with St. Nicholas are the only two inhabited islands. We recommend you stay the night in San Domino.

Day 4: Isole Tremiti

Take a day trip to St. Nicholas (San Nicola) which as a medieval, fortress-like town perched above a cliff on the sea-edge and enjoy a leisurely lunch there. Go for an afternoon swim before heading back to San Domino to sleep.

Day 5: Highlights of Bari

Drive to Bari and spend half a day exploring Bari Vecchia. Take a pit stop at Santa Rita to enjoy a snack of the famous focaccia with a Peroni beer. Then check out the various plazas in the historical center, walk along the city walls and enjoy some pesce crudo, one of Bari’s specialties (ask any Barese and they’ll tell you they invented sushi) before heading to the airport.

5 Day Itinerary: Central Puglia - Famous highlights

In this Central Puglia Itinerary you’ll enjoy all the highlights of Puglia’s most picturesque and renowned spots, getting a taste for the different faces of Puglia.

Day 1 : Bari and Monopoli

Start the day exploring Bari as on Day 5 in the Northen Puglia Itinerary. Then drive to Polignano after lunch. Start by ordering a caffe speciale at the famous Super Mago del Gelo Maria Camponella Bar, a coffee served with amaretto and lemon zest, a Polignano specialty. Then walk around the old town before heading to Monopoli to spend the night. Enjoy an evening gelato in the plaza from Caruso’s.

Day 2: Monopoli and Valle d’Itria

Start your day by exploring Monopoli’s port and Old Town, enjoying an espressino (mini cappuccino) and a Cornetto in the central plaza. Go for a swim in the nearby Ignazia. You can either go to a Lido (private beach) where they have beach chairs and all the services or do it like the locals and go for a swim anywhere along the clear green Adriatic Coast that strikes your fancy. Spend the night at a trullo, one of the famous conical houses in Fasano, Cisternino, Martina Franca, Locorotondo or Alberobello.

Day 3: Valle d’Itria

Spend the day exploring the different villages in this charming valley’s white villages. No tour of Puglia would be complete without visiting the famous Alberobello. Don’t eat lunch in this touristic town, instead head to Cisternino for an authentic lunch away from the hustle and bustle of Alberobello. If you want more options for lunch, head to Martina Franca, the biggest town in the area. In the evening head to Ostuni to spend the night and enjoy a mellow evening stroll through this gorgeous white city.

Day 4: Gravina di Puglia and Altamura

Now it’s time to head to the area known as the Murgia, famous for sourdough bread and the stunning ravines of Gravina di Puglia. Enjoy a morning in Altamura, stopping at the famous bakery, di Gesù. This bakery was made famous because many years ago a McDonald’s opened in front of the bakery but Altamuranos are so fanatical about food that they drove McDonald’s out of business.

Then head after lunch to Gravina di Puglia and take a tour of the grottoes and ravine. Back in the day people built their houses as far below ground as it was high above ground so that they could hide from invaders and would later use these grottoes for.

5 Days in Southern Puglia - Hidden Gem Itinerary

This Hidden Gem Itinerary of the South will take you from Bari to the beautiful region of Salento.

Day 1: Bari and Alberobello

Start your day in Bari taking a tour of Bari Vecchia like on Day 5 of the Northern Itinerary. Then drive to Alberobello to explore the famous truly village in the afternoon/evening light, and stay at a Trullo in the surrounding area.

Day 2: Lecce

Lecce is one of the most stunning cities in Southern Italy. You can follow our guide to top 5 things to do in Lecce to see all the must-see sights and things to do in this Barroque city. Make sure to spend the night in Lecce so that you can enjoy the beauty of the city’s monuments all lit up.

Day 3: Nardò and Surroundings

Wake up in Lecce and enjoy a pasticciotto and a caffè Leccese, a typical coffee served with bitter almond extract. You can find this combination anywhere but at Caffè Cittadino has the plus of serving up specialty coffee roasted in-house. Then follow our list of the top 5 beaches in Puglia’s Salento to decide where you want to visit on your way to Nardò. Have a stroll through Nardò and an Aperol Spritz before heading to dinner at Osteria da Roberto for some traditional Salentine cuisine. Spend the night at At the Aia, an agritourism just outside Nardò for a relaxed vibe to disconnect among nature with poolside dining.

Day 4: Frascone and Porto Selvaggio

At the Aia is perfectly positioned closely to both Frascone National Park and Porto Selvaggio. Get the best of both worlds and visit Frascone in the morning, and then head to Porto Selvaggio during the hot afternoon sun to take respite under the pine trees for an afternoon rest. Have a lovely pizza dinner at Santa Maria al Bagno before spending your last night at At the Aia.

Day 5: Ostuni

Start your day early as Salento is further South than you think. Stop at Ostuni for a tour around the Old Town before heading to the airport. We recommend you fly into Bari and out of Brindisi if you home airport is connected with Brindisi.