7-Day Puglia Tour Packages
Want to explore Puglia without feeling rushed? Visit Lecce's baroque center (the "Florence of the South"), Alberobello's trulli houses that look surreal, Ostuni's white-washed buildings, and Polignano a Mare perched on cliffs with sea caves below. You'll eat orecchiette, burrata that's nothing like what you get at home, fresh seafood, and local wines. Just enough time for beach days along the Adriatic or Ionian coasts.
Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Puglia tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaPuglia travel expert at TourRadar
7 Days in Puglia, incl. Bari and Lecce
Coastal beauty defines this 9-destination Puglian tour, starting from Bari's historic port. The itinerary features UNESCO-listed Alberobello's trulli houses, swimming at Punta Suina beach, and Matera's ancient cave dwellings, plus drives along both Adriatic and Ionian coasts.
- Day 1
Bari
Start in Bari's old town (Bari Vecchia). Get there by early afternoon to walk the narrow streets where local nonnas still make orecchiette pasta on wooden tables outside their homes. Visit Piazza Mercantile at sunset when locals begin their evening passeggiata. Stay in the Murat district for convenient access to both the old town and transport links.
- Day 2
Alberobello & Coast
Take the morning train (45 minutes) to Alberobello to beat the crowds. Visit the trulli houses in Rione Monti district early since it gets busy after 11 AM. Head to Monopoli for lunch at one of the seafood spots near Porto Vecchio. Spend your afternoon in Polignano a Mare during golden hour when the limestone cliffs look their best. You can catch the bus back to Bari until 9 PM.
- Day 3
Ostuni & Lecce
Leave Bari early for Ostuni, the "White City." The climb to the old town needs good walking shoes since the limestone streets can be slippery. Get to baroque Lecce by afternoon and stay in the historic center. Watch the local limestone buildings take on a warm golden color at sunset.
- Day 4
Adriatic Coast
Bring water shoes for the rocky beaches. Visit Torre dell'Orso first to see the twin limestone stacks in the turquoise water. In summer get there by 9 AM to find good spots before crowds arrive. Visit Otranto in the evening to see the lit-up castle and enjoy fresh seafood by the water. The drive back to Lecce takes 30 minutes on well-lit roads.
- Days 5-6
Gallipoli
Drive 40 minutes to Gallipoli stopping at Punta Suina beach on the way. The old town is on an island linked by a 16th-century bridge. Park in the new town and walk across. Use these days to explore beaches along the Ionian coast. Try a boat trip to Marina di Leuca's sea caves. Book at the port for better prices than online.
- Day 7
Matera & Return to Bari
Drive to Matera (1.5 hours) in the morning. Visit the ancient cave dwellings before it gets too hot. Take water with you as you'll need it on the steep streets. The unique architecture makes the climb worthwhile. You can get back to Bari in an hour.
7 Days in Puglia, incl. Lecce and Gallipoli
A week in Puglia unfolds through cooking classes in Santa Maria di Leuca, wine tasting in Nardò, and visits to Lecce's baroque churches. The itinerary includes a coastal cruise near Castro and traditional olive oil production demonstrations near Gallipoli.
- Day 1
Santa Maria di Leuca
Land at Brindisi Airport and make your way to Santa Maria di Leuca. The drive takes about 1.5 hours. Try to schedule your flight for mid-afternoon to avoid the busy morning port traffic in Brindisi. Start your trip with a traditional Pugliese aperitivo in the evening. Bring a light jacket since the sea breeze gets cooler after sunset.
- Day 2
Cooking in Salento
Start your food adventure with a hands-on cooking class using local seasonal ingredients. Get to the morning markets by 8 AM when the locals do their shopping. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool. In the evening head to a local pizzeria for authentic pizza and finish with the regional digestivo Amaro del Capo.
- Day 3
Castro & Otranto
Take a 2-hour morning boat trip from Castro to see the sea caves. Make sure to pack water shoes because the limestone rocks can get slippery. Head to Otranto in the afternoon. It's the easternmost point in Italy. Visit the 11th-century cathedral between 3-5 PM to see its impressive floor mosaic when there are fewer tourists around.
- Day 4
Market Day & Pasta Making
Hit the local markets early since vendors usually pack up around 1 PM. Learn to make Puglia's signature ear-shaped pasta orecchiette. While the dough rests for 30 minutes you can prepare other ingredients. Spend your evening visiting nearby towns and trying local specialties.
- Day 5
Nardò & Lecce
Begin with wine tasting in Nardò focusing on local Primitivo and Negroamaro wines. Head to Lecce in the afternoon known as the "Florence of the South." Take a guided walk through its baroque center. As one visitor shared: "Walking Lecce's historic center around 6 PM is magical - the limestone buildings glow golden in the setting sun."
- Day 6
Gallipoli & Olive Oil Experience
Visit a traditional frantoio (olive oil mill) in the morning before 11 AM when the sunlight through the ancient trees looks best. Spend the afternoon exploring Gallipoli's port and old town. Stop by the fish market around 4 PM when the boats come in. End your trip with a farewell barbecue featuring Pugliese specialties.
- Day 7
Departure from Brindisi
Head back to Brindisi Airport. The drive takes about 1.5 hours so book flights after 11 AM for a relaxed transfer. Some travelers like to spend extra time exploring Brindisi's historic port before leaving.
Puglia Private Experience (including Matera): Great landscapes and rural heritage
A local immersion through 9 Puglian cities spans from Alberobello's trulli to Matera's Sassi. The week includes cooking classes at traditional farms, olive oil tastings, and private sailing along Salento's coast, with nights in historic accommodations.
Puglia 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
7-Day Puglia & Matera Explorer (Age 21 To 41)
Luxury Gay Salento Food & Wine Vacation with Italy Gay Travels
Puglia Private Experience (including Matera): Great landscapes and rural heritage
Taste of Salento-Authentic Culinary Experience
Special Christmas Puglia & Matera, group trip to Unesco wonders
Gay Singles Week - Foodies Tour of Puglia
7 Day Highlights of Puglia Tour Package
7-Day Puglia Essence: Alberobello, Otranto and Lecce, Private Tour
7-Day Venice & Bari Discovery – From Canals to Coastlines
Puglia by Train - 7 days
What people love about 7-day Puglia tours
We were 2 couples on this small group tour during October- and had a marvellous time with Emilio, Clara, Michele and Antonio - staying in guest accommodation on an olive farm at Castoglione - with daily tours to see all the major tourist sites in this part of Italy. Because of the small and personal nature of the tour we were able to experience this part of Italy with much more of a "local flavour" than is normally possible - which we all appreciated. Emilio is an excellent chef and provided us with authentic ‘Pugliesi’ cuisine - something we looked forward to at the end of each day.
Taste of Salento-Authentic Culinary Experience
- Matera & Apulia Private 5 Day Tour
Its a family atmosphere into the typical salentos farm,wich youll taste the experience of salento(wine food and places)
- Matera Local Experience Private Tour
The Matera Experience was wonderful in many ways. The hostess and family were very gracious and accommodating. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable. This was a 5star tour and my wife and I thank Soleto travel for making this happen. Jerry G
