Food & Culinary Tours & Trips in Puglia
Picture eating your way through Puglia's distinctive cuisine. Take cooking classes making orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) by hand, visit olive groves and oil mills, and tour burrata and mozzarella producers. Try wine tasting in Salento (Primitivo, Negroamaro), seafood in coastal towns, and street food in Bari. Puglia's cuisine differs from northern Italy, with more vegetables, seafood, and simple preparations.
10 best food & culinary Puglia tours
Compiled by
MelissaPuglia travel expert at TourRadar
- Matera & Apulia Private 5 Day Tour
- Puglia Private Experience (including Matera): Great landscapes and rural heritage
- Puglia and Basilicata: Private Journey Through Apulia’s History, Flavors, and Relaxation.
- Gourmet Puglia
- Discover Matera and Taste of Salento Tour
- Puglia Culinary Tour
- Fantasia Combo: Rome & Puglia 11 days/ 10 Nights
- Secrets of Puglia 2023
- Taste of Salento-Authentic Culinary Experience
- Secrets of Puglia
Matera & Apulia Private 5 Day Tour
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Emilio, his wife Clara and their 4 children as well as Emilio's brother Miguel were the perfect hosts.”
Linda, traveled in October
Rich culinary heritage comes alive through street food in Bari's historic center, featuring sgagliozze and panzerotti. Lunch in Alberobello's trulli houses, traditional Matera bread at wood-fired ovens, and wine tasting at a family-run cellar from 1795 near Castellana Caves create lasting memories.
Duration 5 days Destinations Matera, Alberobello, Castellana, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Bari Age Range Ages 22+ Operator Soleto Travel From $3,155
20% Off- US$2,524You save $631
Culinary treasures await at traditional Lecce farms with cooking classes and olive oil tastings in ancient groves. Wine tasting in Gallipoli's vineyards and fresh seafood during private Salento coast sailing complete this gastronomic adventure.
Duration 7 days Destinations Rome, Benevento, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli, Nardo, Matera Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Europeando Europa From
20% Off- US$4,932
Culinary treasures shine at Trattoria Trullo d'Oro in Alberobello and historic osterias in Lecce. Premium estates including Semeraro Winery and Trullo di Pezza offer distinguished wine tastings, paired with regional specialties like orecchiette pasta. Sommelier-guided tours through Manduria's wine country provide expert insights.
Duration 10 days Destinations Bari, Polignano a Mare, Matera, Monopoli, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Taranto, Manduria, LecceSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Angel Wine Experiences and Enotropea Wine Experiences SL From
20% Off- US$15,301
Puglia's culinary heritage shines through orecchiette making in Bari Vecchia and capocollo tastings in Martina Franca. Local recipes come to life in Lecce's cooking class, while olive oil sampling at traditional farms and farm-to-table dinners at authentic masserias highlight the Apulian countryside.
Duration 8 days Destinations Bari, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Lecce Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Cosmos From $2,359
11% Off- US$2,109You save $250
Discover Matera and Taste of Salento Tour
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience in Salento was exceptional, the welcome received from Emilio and his family was something unique and special.”
Carole, traveled in April
The flavors of Puglia come alive at Chef Emilio's Masseria through cooking classes featuring organic produce and estate olive oil. Local wine tastings, visits to traditional pasta makers in Maglie, and fresh seafood in Porto Badisco round out the experience. Includes 6 gourmet dinners with regional wines.
Duration 10 days Destinations Brindisi, Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli, Alberobello, Ostuni, Matera Age Range Ages 20+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Soleto Travel From $3,396
20% Off- US$2,717You save $679
Puglia Culinary Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation at the Masseria was incredible. The food was wonderful there and everywhere we went.”
LynneBoyd, traveled in September
Puglia's culinary traditions shine through market tours in local towns, hands-on cooking classes at 17th-century Masseria Salamina, and visits to organic olive farms. Valle d'Itria wines like Fiano Minutolo, traditional mozzarella-making, and a finale at a Michelin-starred restaurant showcase regional excellence.
No departure dates availableDuration 7 days Destinations Bari, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Matera, Locorotondo Age Range Ages 14+ Operator Italy With Pleasure 
A hands-on cooking class in Martina Franca lets you prepare traditional Puglian dishes before enjoying your creations. Later, dinner at an authentic Masseria farmhouse near Otranto features farm-to-table ingredients grown on-site. Local wine tasting near UNESCO-listed Castel del Monte pairs regional wines with area cheeses and cured meats.
Duration 11 days Destinations Rome, Bari, Trani, Alberobello, Matera, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, MaglieSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Carrani Tours From $3,980
15% Off- US$3,383You save $597
Rich gastronomy unfolds from traditional cheese-making in Andria to wine tasting in Manduria. Authentic cooking techniques in Ostuni's kitchens, Bari's famous orecchiette pasta, and historic bread-making traditions in Altamura captivate food lovers. Underground olive mills in Gallipoli add historical depth.
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Naples, Andria, Bari, Ostuni, Lecce, Gallipoli, Manduria, Martina Franca, Alberobello, CastellanaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Back-Roads Touring Taste of Salento-Authentic Culinary Experience
79 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The meals were perfection, all local dishes with fresh ingredients, 4 star & cooked by Emilio himself.”
Kim, traveled in April
Authentic flavors come to life at a traditional olive farm in Salento, where Chef Emilio leads daily cooking demonstrations. Artisanal producers in Maglie showcase burrata-making, while family-run wineries and traditional pasta-making techniques round out the experience. Six farm-to-table dinners highlight organic produce.
Duration 7 days Destinations Marina Serra, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gallipoli, Lecce, Alberobello, Ostuni, Maglie, Otranto, Porto Badisco, Brindisi Age Range Ages 20+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Soleto Travel From $2,519
20% Off- US$2,015You save $504
Traditional Pugliese cuisine unfolds through hands-on activities: mozzarella making in Andria, cooking demonstrations in Ostuni, and wine tasting in Manduria's renowned vineyards. Local bakeries in Altamura offer traditional bread tasting experiences.
Duration 9 days Destinations Naples, Andria, Bari, Ostuni, Lecce, Gallipoli, Manduria, Martina Franca, Alberobello, CastellanaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Blue-Roads Touring From
20% Off- US$3,779
What our customers ask about Food & Culinary Tours & Trips in Puglia
What is the best time of year for a culinary tour in Puglia?
April May and September October present the most favorable conditions for food tours in Puglia. The mild Mediterranean climate during these months creates ideal conditions for outdoor dining and food-related activities. Visitors can join seasonal traditions like olive harvesting in Ostuni or help with the grape harvest in Manduria's wine country. The temperature stays pleasant in seaside towns like Polignano a Mare making it comfortable to eat outdoors. Inland areas such as Alberobello offer good weather for market visits and cooking workshops. These months also coincide with numerous food festivals in cities like Lecce and Bari where street food and local specialties take center stage. TourRadar travelers often mention that "the spring weather was perfect for combining outdoor wine tastings with visits to local producers."
What's the typical group size for culinary tours in Puglia?
Food tours in Puglia maintain small groups typically ranging from 4-12 participants to ensure quality instruction and genuine connections with food producers. Some locations like Tenuta Linazza farmhouse limit groups to just 4 people. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Because this experience is capped at four people we really got to experience authentic local culture and cuisine."
What unique culinary experiences can I expect on a food tour in Puglia?
Puglia's food tours center on the region's "cucina povera" heritage. Visitors learn to make orecchiette pasta in Bari's old quarter and explore wine regions featuring local Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. The town of Manduria known for Primitivo wine offers tastings at historic estates paired with local foods. In Alberobello meals are served in family-run trattorias among the trulli houses. Along the coast Polignano a Mare specializes in fresh seafood served with views of the Adriatic. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The combination of wine tastings and traditional cooking experiences in authentic settings made this tour truly special."
How much wine tasting is typically included?
Tours generally feature wine with every meal plus dedicated tasting sessions. Expect 2-3 visits to local wineries along with olive oil tastings at producers like Masseria Salamina cheese demonstrations and market tours. Most packages include daily breakfast and dinner with select lunches during day trips. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The food was bountiful. The meals were wholesome and delicious with wine pairings every night."
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
These food-focused tours require moderate walking through towns markets and agricultural areas. Daily walks last 1-3 hours mostly on level ground with some inclines in places like Matera and Ostuni. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The tour offered a perfect balance of cultural visits cooking experiences and easy walks through beautiful landscapes."