Puglia self-drive 7 days - Puglia Travel Package

After you arrive at Bari Airport, you will go to the car rental office to pick up the vehicle and begin the trip through Puglia. This is a region located in southern Italy, in the eastern part of the Italian "boot". It is known for its stunning coastal landscapes, rich history, delicious cuisine, and charming villages.

Then you must drive to the accommodation in the city of Bari, which is a port city located in the Apulia region, in southern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Bari and is known for its important port, as well as its rich history and culture.

You will have the rest of the day free to explore the city.

Greca Tip: Bari is known for its rich culinary tradition, which includes typical dishes from the Puglia region, such as orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta), taralli (crackers), panzerotti (fried empanadas) and focaccia barese (a type of flatbread).

After a delicious breakfast, you will still have time to discover Bari in the morning. You can visit Svevo Castle, also known as Castello Normanno-Svevo, it is a medieval fortress located in the heart of the city. It has witnessed several historical events over the centuries and today hosts exhibitions and cultural events.

Once you leave Bari, you will drive along the picturesque coast towards Lecce. It is famous for its distinctive baroque style, known as "Leccese Baroque". This style is characterized by its decorative exuberance and its elaborate details carved into the local stone, known as "Lecce stone".

The city's buildings, churches, and monuments are adorned with intricate floral motifs, grotesque figures, and elaborate architectural elements that make Lecce unique in its style.

At night, you will have your accommodation in Lecce.

Total distance: 150 kilometers.

Greca Tip: In Lecce, there is an ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD. It is partially excavated beneath Piazza Sant'Oronzo and is a reminder of the city's Roman past.

After a delicious breakfast, you will have the day free to continue exploring what is often called "Florence of the South" due to its abundance of impressive architecture and artistic treasures.

You will have the option of visiting Santa Cesarea Terme, a picturesque coastal town located about 55 kilometers away, in the Puglia region. It is known for its hot springs and its beautiful maritime landscape.

The town has several beaches with crystal-clear waters and impressive landscapes. Among the most popular are the Spiaggia di Porto Miggiano and the Spiaggia di Santa Cesarea.

Driving about 35 kilometers more you can reach Santa Maria di Leuca, it is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, where it meets the Ionian Sea, making it a strategic and picturesque place in the extreme south of Italy.

The city is known for its two emblematic lighthouses that mark the convergence of the two seas: the Faro di Punta Ristola on the Adriatic side and the Faro di Santa Maria di Leuca on the Ionian side. Both offer spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding area and the sea.

At night you will have your accommodation in Lecce.

Greca Tip: In addition to enjoying the beaches and exploring the lighthouses and sanctuary, in and around Santa Maria di Leuca you will find a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as snorkeling, diving, boat trips, and hiking along the coast.

After a delicious breakfast, you will leave Lecce and drive towards Alberobello. On the way, you can visit Brindisi and Ostuni.

Brindisi has a rich history dating back to ancient times. During the Roman period, the city was an important port on the route to the east of the Roman Empire. It was also an important commercial port in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Ostuni is known as the "White City" ("Città Bianca") due to its picturesque white houses that contrast with the blue sky and give the city a distinctive appearance.

The historic center of Ostuni is a labyrinth of narrow, steep streets, stairs, and charming squares. The white Mediterranean-style houses are built side by side, their balconies adorned with flowers and vines. The Gothic Ostuni Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is one of the city's most important landmarks and offers panoramic views from its hilltop location.

Upon arrival in Alberobello, you can begin to tour the picturesque town.

At night, you will have your accommodation in Alberobello.

Total distance: 114 kilometers.

Greca Tip: Brindisi also has some beautiful beaches in its surroundings, such as Torre Guaceto beach, which is a protected nature reserve with crystal clear waters and impressive landscapes.

After a complete breakfast, you will have free time to explore the town.

Alberobello is famous for its "trulli", which are conical stone structures with conical roofs that are unique to the Apulia region and give the town its distinctive appearance.

These traditional buildings, made from local limestone, do not use mortar and are built using an ancient technique dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The trulli have been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1996.

In the afternoon, you can drive about 15 minutes to a nearby town called Locorotondo to stroll through its beautiful streets.

Locorotondo is known for its distinctive historic center, which is characterized by its narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses, and conical stone roofs, known as "cummerse". The historic center of Locorotondo has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (one of the "borghi più belli d'Italia") due to its traditional architecture and medieval charm.

Before the end of the day, you will have to drive to Poliganano a Mare which is the next destination.

At night, you will have your accommodation in Poliganano a Mare.

Total distance: 38 kilometers.

Greca Tip: Trullo Sovrano, is the only two-story trullo in Alberobello and is now a museum that shows what life was like inside these traditional buildings.

After a complete breakfast at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful coastal city.

Polignano a Mare is known for its impressive cliffs that rise above the Adriatic Sea, creating a spectacular view. The city also has several beautiful beaches, including the famous Cala Porto, a small cove with crystal clear waters located in the historic center of the city.

The historic center is charming, with its narrow cobbled streets, white houses, and balconies with sea views. It is full of charm and offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

In the afternoon, as an option to continue exploring, you can drive 70 Km to Matera. It is a city located in the Basilicata region, in southern Italy, known for its impressive troglodyte houses, which are excavated in the calcareous rock of the region.

In addition to the troglodyte houses, Matera also has numerous cave churches carved into the rock, dating back to the medieval period. Some of the most notable ones include the Church of San Pietro Caveoso and the Church of Santa Maria of Idris.

At night, you will have your accommodation in Poliganano a Mare.

Greca Tip: One of the most famous attractions in Polignano a Mare is the Grotta Palazzese, a natural cave that houses a unique and exclusive restaurant.

After the delicious breakfast, you will continue your route to Bari where you will return the rental vehicle to end the adventure through Italy at your own pace.

Without a doubt and after spending some fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see you again to enjoy some wonderful moments that will remain forever in your memory.

Have a good trip! Or, as you will say: “Buon viaggio!”.

Total distance: 40 kilometers.

Greca Tip: Before returning the car, make a stop on Calle del Basso de Arco in the old city of Bari, where Italian women make traditional pasta called orecchiette on the sidewalk.