The Perfect 7 Day Puglia Itinerary (Without A Car)

Dreaming about planning the perfect 7-day Puglia itinerary, but not sure how to actually make it work without renting a car or stressing about train schedules in a language you don’t speak?

Because honestly, same!

Before my own trip, I kept seeing these beautiful photos of whitewashed towns, sandy beaches, and those iconic Trulli houses… but almost every itinerary assumed I’d have a car.

And I know for me, as a solo female traveller, I just didn’t want that pressure!

So this itinerary is the exact route I followed for a perfect 7 days in Puglia – as a solo female traveller, using only public transport.

It’s based mainly in Bari, so you don’t have to drag your suitcase between hotels every day.

And there are perfect, easy day trips to Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Lecce, and Matera, before finishing with a bucket-list overnight stay in Alberobello!

I’ll also share exactly how to get everywhere without a car, what to do at each place, where to eat, where to stay, and all the little tips I wish I’d known before my own trip.

Ready to plan your perfect one week in Puglia?

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What You Can See With 7 Days in Puglia

I designed this itinerary to give you a real feel for Puglia, rather than just ticking off places.

You’ll base yourself in Bari and then take easy day trips to Puglia’s best old towns and beaches, before ending with a slower, magical final night in a Trulli hut in Alberobello!

Here’s exactly how your 7 days in Puglia will look:

• Day 1: Arrive in Bari (explore the old town)
• Day 2: Monopoli (beaches + relaxed coastal old town)
• Day 3: Lecce (baroque architecture in “the Florence of the South”)
• Day 4: Polignano a Mare (more beach time + that iconic clifftop viewpoint)
• Day 5: Matera (this unique cave city is an unforgettable day trip)
• Day 6: Alberobello (stay overnight in a traditional Trulli house)
• Day 7: Alberobello + leave Puglia

I personally loved this one week in Puglia itinerary because it perfectly mixes relaxed beach days with spectacular sightseeing in Matera and Alberobello – WITHOUT constantly having to pack up and change hotels every morning.

It’s realistic, perfectly balanced and actually enjoyable as a solo traveller!

How to Get Around Puglia Without a Car

This itinerary works perfectly for no car because it keeps logistics simple with just two bases.

You’ll spend most of your trip based in Bari, which is the region’s main transport hub, meaning there are easy, direct trains to almost everywhere you want to go.

I found that the trains were affordable, fairly frequent and reliable, and easy to navigate (even though I’d never used Italian trains before!)

For Monopoli, Lecce, Polignano a Mare and even Matera, the trains work really well.

Then, at the end of your 7-day itinerary in Puglia, you switch things up with a magical one-night stay in Alberobello.

When I was planning this Puglia itinerary for me, I wanted to make sure I still enjoyed that bucket-list Trulli experience – but without sacrificing ease for the rest of my trip.

And it worked SO well!

You can take either a regional train or bus to Alberobello, but again I found that the journey was smooth and straightforward (and there were lots of other tourists doing the same).

Katie’s Top Tip: Google Maps is very reliable, so make sure you download offline maps for each town before you travel. And Trenitalia is my go-to for checking train times and booking tickets.

The Ultimate Puglia Itinerary Without A Car

Day 1: Arrive in Bari (Your Base for Exploring Puglia)

Having Bari (Puglia’s main transport hub) as your base makes exploring Puglia without a car SO much easier and stress-free!

But first things first, you have to get to Bari.

Bari has its own well-connected international airport (Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport).

There are around 50 connections to and from Bari, including with Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Zurich and more.

Then, once you land, getting into the city is also very straightforward. You can take:

• The FM2 train (It takes around 20 minutes to Bari Centrale, and the train station is connected to the airport via a pedestrian tunnel, so it’s super easy).
• The airport bus (This is slower, taking 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. You can take the Urban bus 16 or the dedicated shuttle).
• A taxi (The most expensive option, but if you have luggage or are arriving late, it’s a stress-free choice).

Where to Stay in Bari

When it comes to where to stay in Bari, I recommend you either stay:

• Near Bari Centrale – best for convenience
• In Bari Vecchia (Old Town) – more atmospheric

Personally, I stayed at Hotel Adria, close to Bari Centrale, because I wanted to prioritise convenience for all of the amazing day trips I had planned by train.

But if you want a more authentic, atmospheric base, Bari Vecchia is beautiful, and I recommend the spectacular Palazzo Calò for an unforgettable stay!

Bari Vecchia is around a 15-minute walk from Bari Centrale Station.

Where to Eat in Bari

• Mastro Ciccio (international)
• La Baresana (the most delicious pizza!)
• Orecchietteria San Nicola (seafood)

Things To Do in Bari

I have included this section on day one because that is when I explored Bari (after an early arrival in the city on my Europe Interrail itinerary), but you can explore Bari on any day!

Whenever you visit, I recommend you head straight for the beautiful Bari Vecchia.

The spectacular old town juts out into almost a peninsula in the sea, and I loved spending time just walking the quaint streets without any map or plan.

It’s so small and contained, so you can’t really get lost!

Along your walk, you can’t help but stumble across the beautiful, stone Basilica di San Nicola, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in southern Italy.

And nearby is also the 13^th-century Cathedral of Saint Sabinus, which is just as beautiful.

Then, once you’ve finished exploring the compact old town, I highly recommend continuing just a short way to the lungomare (seafront promenade) for the most relaxed evening walk!

If you fancy some more beach time on this itinerary, you could even walk to the Pane e Pomodoro beach (which literally translates as Bread and Tomato beach!)

Day 2: Monopoli

Getting to Monopoli from Bari is one of the easiest journeys in this entire Puglia itinerary!

Direct trains run very regularly from Bari Centrale and take around 30 minutes. Then, from Monopoli Station, it is just a 15-minute gentle walk to the Centro Storico and beaches.

Once you arrive, I highly recommend heading straight into the Centro Storico (old town) first, as it is popular with tourists and more enjoyable to explore earlier in the morning.

Like Bari Vecchia, Monopoli’s Centro Storico is compact – but absolutely spectacular!

It’s all whitewashed buildings, laundry hanging across the tiny streets, bursts of colour wherever you look from potted flowers, and decorations hanging from the balconies.

And again, I think the best way to explore Monopoli is to allow yourself to just wander where your feet take you – without a map or a plan.

On your walk, you will naturally stumble across the Basilica Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia (Monopoli Cathedral), which I think is the most beautiful cathedral in Puglia!

I especially loved taking a photo of the cathedral from the archway opposite.

You could also walk to the stone fortress Castello Carlo V and Faro Rosso lighthouse, at the edge of the old town, for spectacular coastal and harbour views.

Then, from there, wander down towards the harbour (Porto di Monopoli), where you’ll see traditional fishing boats bobbing in the water, against a backdrop of whitewashed houses!

After a morning walking, you might also want to grab lunch at Al Maré in Monopoli harbour.

Then, in the afternoon, it’s time to relax and unwind on the beach!

Cala Porta Vecchia is the easiest option right by the old town, and is perfect for swimming and sunbathing against the beautiful backdrop of the Centro Storico.

But this beach is also very small and affected by the tide.

If you’re happy to walk a bit further on (around 10-15 minutes), Cala Cozze or Porto Bianco are quieter, more spacious, and feel more local.

Katie’s Top Tip: Go early! Arriving before late morning means you’ll see Monopoli Centro Storico at its calmest and quietest, before heading to the beach to relax for the afternoon.

Day 3: Lecce

Lecce is often called “The Florence of the South,” and I can understand why!

The Centro Storico, in particular, is full of historic buildings – from the Roman Amphitheatre of Lecce that wouldn’t look out of place in Rome, to the grand Basilica of the Holy Cross to rival Florence’s famous Duomo.

I will say Lecce is a bit grittier than Rome or Florence, though (especially away from the old town). I was a bit more alert as a solo female traveller, but I never felt unsafe.

And to get to Lecce is easy too! Direct trains run regularly from Bari Centrale and take around 1.5 hours. Then, from the station, it is a 15-minute walk to the Centro Storico.

I found the journey to be straightforward and comfortable. But this is definitely a good day to start a bit earlier, to make the most of your time in Lecce without feeling rushed.

Walking from the station, you will first come to Lecce’s ancient cathedral (Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Assunta). It is located in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo.

The cathedral is actually composed of several chapels, and it also has a crypt and a grand bell tower to admire and photograph.

From there, explore the baroque stone Centro Storico, where I recommend you wander without any real plan or map to see the most beautiful corners of the old town.

But naturally, on your walk you will come to a number of beautifully preserved Roman ruins, including the Teatro Romano and – my favourite – the Anfiteatro Romano di Lecce.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into Rome at the Amphitheatre of Lecce – just without the crowds!

For food, Lecce is known for its pastries (especially pasticciotto, a lemon custard-filled pie), so definitely stop at a café for a sweet treat!

And for lunch, Terra Lecce Ristorante is an underrated choice for amazing pizza.

Katie’s Top Tip: Don’t over-plan your route! Lecce’s Centro Storico is again best experienced by wandering without a plan, to discover the tiny streets and alleys.

Day 4: Polignano a Mare

Let’s be real, this is the place that probably made you want to visit Puglia in the first place!

And again, getting here is easy. Frequent direct trains from Bari to Polignano a Mare take around 40 minutes. And the station is just a 10-minute walk from the Centro Storico.

When you arrive, your first stop should definitely be Polignano a Mare’s Centro Storico. And while it’s the smallest of the ones you’ve visited, it’s no less beautiful!

As I’ve said for every place so far, the best way to explore is to wander the streets without a plan – although this won’t take you long here, given the small size of the old town.

Along the way, definitely look out for the beautiful Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption, in the main square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

But of course, Polignano a Mare is most famous for its breathtaking clifftop viewpoints!

The best viewpoints to see these amazing cliff views are:

• Belvedere su Lama Monachile
• Bastione di Santo Stefano
• Terrazza Santa Candida
• Strada Medievale

My favourite viewpoint is the spot marked as “Strada Medievale” on Google Maps.

This is that iconic view of Polignano a Mare you’ve definitely seen online, with the whitewashed houses, jagged cliffs and secluded cove beach below!

In reality, this viewpoint is the main bridge overlooking Lama Monachile beach and is by far the best place to take photos.

But keep in mind that it does get VERY busy, so the earlier you can arrive, the better!

For lunch, Terrazze Monachile is iconic, as you can enjoy those spectacular sea views with your meal. But keep in mind that it is very popular and pricey.

For a more affordable lunch option off the beaten path, I love Bella ‘Mbriana.

After you’ve finished sightseeing around the iconic Centro Storico and viewpoints, head down to Lama Monachile itself for the most beautiful beach afternoon.

It’s busy, but you can’t visit Polignano a Mare without relaxing on its most famous beach!

Katie’s Top Tip: Polignano a Mare is where it is most important to arrive early! It is incredibly popular with visitors to Puglia, so you’ll always have the best experience in the morning.

Day 5: Matera

Matera isn’t actually in Puglia (it’s in Basilicata), but it’s close enough to Bari to make it an easy and absolutely worthwhile day trip!

To get there, you’ll take the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) train from Bari Centrale to Altamura and then on to Matera Sud. The full journey takes around 2 hours.

I’ve gotta be honest, my trip to Matera did NOT go to plan in any way – but it still ended up being my favourite stop in this entire itinerary!

The day I visited, it rained constantly, and my train back to Bari was cancelled (and then put back on at the last minute)… It was chaos, yet still incredible.

Having hardly any tourists around due to the rain made Matera even more magical!

And if anything does go wrong (delays, missed trains), don’t panic. I found the staff at Matera station were kind and helpful, which makes a big difference when travelling alone.

BUT, if navigating two trains sounds like a bit of a headache to you, you can also visit Matera on this guided day trip from Bari.

It includes a 90-minute guided walking tour with a local first (to get your bearings and learn about the fascinating history), and then plenty of free time to explore Matera solo.

It really is the best of both worlds, and I would definitely choose this tour next time!

Things To Do in Matera

Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, famous for the Sassi di Matera – ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock, and now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best way to experience it is (again!) honestly just wander. Let yourself get a little lost in the maze-like streets, follow where your feet take you, and stop at every viewpoint.

But along the way, there are, of course, some must-sees:

Make sure you visit Matera Cathedral, with its beautiful stone façade and recognisable bell tower. But also for one of the best viewpoints over the city, from Piazza Duomo.

The view from the cathedral and also from Belvedere via Duomo looks out across the entire ancient city, built into the cliffs, and it is absolutely spectacular!

Also, visit the Sassi di Matera and walk down into the streets of the old city of Matera itself for a totally different vantage point than all of the elevated viewpoints.

And you also have to visit Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli!

This is by far my favourite viewpoint in Matera and looks out across the entire old city and the Sassi, with the bell tower of Matera Cathedral looming over the skyline.

Finally, if you have time, you could also visit Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, which gives you a real insight into what life in these ancient cave homes used to be like.

And if you have a little more time and want to extend your Puglia itinerary, a stay overnight in Matera would be unforgettable!

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is a cave hotel that looks out at the entire Sassi and old city of Matera – it’s definitely on my bucket list for next time!

Katie’s Top Tip: Wear proper shoes with a good grip. The stone streets are uneven and can get slippery, especially if it rains (yep, I learnt this the hard way in my wildly impractical sandals!)

Day 6: Alberobello

For the final part of your trip to Puglia, it’s time to switch hotels to stay in magical Alberobello!

From Bari Centrale, you can take the local train to Alberobello, which takes around 1.5 hours. Or you can take the bus from Bari Largo Sorrentino to Alberobello in around 1 hour.

I personally took the bus on my trip, and it was very straightforward!

But why go to all of this effort – of switching hotels and regional transport – for one place?

Well, Alberobello is famous for its Trulli houses, which are those whitewashed, cone-roofed buildings that look like they should be in a fairytale rather than real life!

And I don’t know about you, but I desperately wanted to stay in one during my trip to Puglia.

The Best Trulli Huts in Alberobello

I personally stayed in Mirum Apuliae, in the heart of Alberobello.

It wasn’t quite a traditional Trulli hut, but it was absolutely gorgeous, with whitewashed interiors, adorable décor and the most picture-perfect location!

I personally chose this over a traditional hut due to location (a lot of the Trulli are a bit more remote) and also budget (the huts that are central are SO pricey).

But even though, from the outside, it wasn’t a traditional hut, I still fulfilled my dream of staying overnight in this gorgeous, whitewashed fantasy!

And I also loved that the location allowed me to explore Alberobello in the early morning and evening, when it was so quiet and peaceful.

But if you do have the budget to stay in a real Trulli hut (this is still on my bucket list for next time), then I have heard amazing things about this one called Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso.

What To Do in Alberobello When You Arrive

I personally arrived in Alberobello in the mid-afternoon, after spending the morning in Bari, as I knew it would be super busy (and not very enjoyable) if I arrived earlier.

This allowed me to check into my accommodation straight away, before heading for a relaxed dinner at Ristorante La Cantina.

I also went for a walk around Rione Monti after dinner, but saved the majority of my sightseeing in Alberobello for the next morning – and an early start!

Katie’s Top Tip: Book your Trulli stay as early as possible. There aren’t loads of them, and the good ones (central, more affordable) get snapped up quickly, especially in peak season.

Day 7: Alberobello + Leave Puglia

My final morning in Alberobello (and Puglia) was my favourite!

Alberobello has the danger of feeling touristy and gimmicky, but at this time of the day, before the day-trippers arrived, it was calm and peaceful.

As I have said throughout this itinerary, the best way to experience the famous Rione Monti district is simply to wander along the rows of Trulli huts without any real plan.

Honestly, just a simple walk is the experience here!

And as you walk, you’ll stumble across quirky decorations hanging above you, pot plants bursting with colour, and adorable little side streets.

A walk through Alberobello in the early morning is every photography lover’s dream!

Some of my favourite Trulli huts to photograph were:

• Trulli, Rione Monti
• Trullo Siamese
• Pozzo Via Monte San Gabriele
• Trulli con il tetto dipinto

Also, make sure you visit the Alberobello Cathedral, which is actually built in that distinctive Trulli style. (I’ve never seen a cathedral like it, anywhere else in the world!)

And you can’t miss Vista Panoramica dei Trulli and the Belvedere Rione Monti, for the best views over the iconic rooftops of the whitewashed Trulli huts!

Leaving Puglia

When you’re ready, make your way back to Bari (either on the regional train or bus). And then head back to Bari airport (on the train, airport shuttle bus or with a taxi).

To make the most of your remaining time in Puglia, I recommend getting the bus from Alberobello because it is a lot quicker than the train. And then the train to Bari airport.

But of course, always build in buffer time, just in case of delays.

Katie’s Top Tip: In Alberobello, set your alarm a little earlier than you think you need to, and head out before the day-trippers arrive. Exploring Alberobello when it’s quiet makes SUCH a difference!

So, Is 7 Days in Puglia Enough?

Yes, for a first trip, one week in Puglia gives you the perfect balance!

You’re able to see the highlights – from coastal gems like Monopoli and Polignano a Mare to spectacular old towns like Lecce and Matera – without feeling rushed.

Could you spend longer in Puglia? Absolutely!

There are so many hidden gems, beyond these highlights, that could extend your stay.

But I felt that 7 days in Puglia was the perfect amount of time that left me feeling like I genuinely experienced the very best of the region!

FAQs About This 7 Day Puglia Itinerary

Read More About Travel in Italy:

• The Perfect 7 Day Puglia Itinerary (Without A Car)
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