Highlights of Puglia

Description

2 Nights – Alberobello
2 Nights – Ostuni
3 Nights – Monopoli

Optional extensions: Bari and/or Vieste

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✈️ UK – Alberobello (2 nights): On arrival at Bari airport you’ll pick up hire car (or meet your private transfer if you prefer) and take the short drive south through Puglia’s Valle d’Itria to reach Alberobello, a town famous for its fairytale trulli houses that dot the countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts the highest concentration of these cone-shaped stone buildings, constructed using a dry stone technique without mortar.  Wandering through Rione Monti is the best way to soak up the atmosphere and sights, with its pedestrianised streets lined with souvenir shops and cafés housed in converted trulli. For a more authentic experience, head to Aia Piccola, where many locals live. Highlights include the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-storey trullo (now a museum), and the climb up to the Belvedere Santa Lucia for sweeping views and the perfect photo opportunity.

🚗 Alberobello – Ostuni (2 nights): Next, you’ll take a leisurely drive through ancient olive groves to Ostuni, famously nicknamed the ‘White City’ (La Città Bianca). At first sight, this hilltop town with its white limestone buildings that dazzle against the deep blue sky and the endless olive groves below, is utterly captivating. And as you start wandering around its maze of narrow streets and sunlit squares, you’ll see it’s a delight to explore. You’ll stumble upon tucked-away trattorias, hidden courtyards and beautiful viewpoints – with essential stops for gelato or coffee along the way. The 15th-century Gothic cathedral, with its intricate rose window, crowns the city, while the remnants of the town’s medieval walls offer stunning spots for watching the sunset.

🚗 Ostuni – Monopoli (3 nights):  For the final leg of your trio of Puglian highlights, you’ll head to the coast and the beautiful city of Monopoli. The drive from Ostuni passes near the fishing village of Savelletri, a lovely spot to stop for a coffee or lunch by the harbour before continuing.  Monopoli’s historic centre is enclosed within impressive 16th-century walls, and the harbour area (Porto Vecchio) is the heart of the city. Here you’ll find fabulous restaurants perfect for long lunches of fresh seafood, and just a short walk away, you can enjoy an afternoon swim in crystal-clear waters at nearby beaches.  Around the harbour, the old town spills out with narrow lanes, piazzas, and plenty of trattorias and wine bars.  The Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia is renowned for housing a Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna, which local legend claims miraculously arrived by sea in the late 13th century. The Castello Carlo V offers stunning views and features interesting exhibitions.

No trip to this area would be complete without visiting Polignano a Mare, just a 15-minute drive from Monopoli, and an absolute must-visit.  This clifftop town is renowned for its dramatic setting, where ancient buildings perch precariously on limestone cliffs above the crystal-clear, turquoise waters. The tiny Lama Monachile beach, squeezed between towering cliffs, is the town’s iconic viewpoint. Having lunch at one of the restaurants with terraces that hang right over the sea is pure heaven!

Optional Extension – Bari (2 nights): Rather than heading straight back to the UK, you could spend a couple of nights exploring the coastal city of Bari. This regional capital of Puglia, offers an authentic glimpse into Puglian life with its pretty old town, Bari Vecchia.  This area is a maze of narrow streets and picturesque squares, featuring highlights such as the Basilica di San Nicola, a blend of Romanesque architecture and rich religious history, and the nearby Castello Svevo, a medieval fortress with fascinating exhibitions. Along the seafront, you can enjoy a lovely walk along the promenade to enjoy the views, the sea breeze and find plenty of cafés and gelaterias. By night, there are some great restaurants to explore around the old town, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, regional specialities and a lively atmosphere.

Optional Extension – Vieste  (3 nights): Vieste, located on the Gargano Peninsula, is another excellent addition to your Puglian itinerary offering chalk-white cliffs, secret grottoes, and some of southern Italy’s most beautiful beaches. The historic centre, perched on a promontory, is a maze of alleys leading to hidden viewpoints. Explore the Vieste Cathedral, walk along coastal trails, or take a boat trip to discover the sea caves tucked into the cliffs.

✈️ Flight to UK:  Heading back to Bari airport, you’ll hop on your flight back home to the UK.