Puglia Road Trip: Seven Day Itinerary Off the Beaten Track
So you’ve decided to explore Puglia, the heel of the boot and still what we would consider a hidden gem in Italy. In this article we share our itinerary along with some alternate options to consider depending on your travel plans.
Before diving in, we have some insider tips for you:
Puglia is pronounced “a-poo-lee-ah” in Italiano. Nothing screams tourist like saying “poog-lee-ah”
The region is best explored by car and with a driver who enjoys speeding
Puglia is mostly comprised of locals and Italians vacationing so there are some towns where little English is spoken. We recommended bringing your cell along for Google translator or a good old fashioned Italian-English translation book just in case
Get ready for charm, charm, charm! It’s literally everywhere you turn in Puglia so be prepared to soak it in and capture those moments on film.
PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY?
The Citrine Compass is a boutique travel advisory group that helps busy, sophisticated world explorers create curated and authentic travel experiences through concierge-style travel planning, custom itineraries and curated guides.
Check out our Services to learn more about how our team can help you plan your perfect trip!
7-DAY ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAY ONE: Locorotondo + Lecce
DAY TWO: Otranto
DAY THREE: Otranto
DAY FOUR: Otranto
DAY FIVE: Monopoli
DAY SIX: Monopoli
DAY SEVEN: Monopoli + Polignano e Mare
DAY ONE: LOCOROTONDO + LECCE
Logistics: Fly into Bari Airport (easy flights from Rome) and pick up a rental car from Sixt. Drive to Locorotondo (1 hour drive) for the afternoon and then head to Lecce (1 hr 15 min drive). Check with your cell provider to see the cost an international plan, Google Maps makes it easy to navigate around Puglia.
Accommodations: Nuvole Barocche B&B (1 night)
Must do: Take the afternoon to explore Locorotondo, a gorgeous whitewashed town atop a hill. In the evening, spend time in the historical heart of Lecce - there are so many quaint alleys to get lost in. Make sure to see the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta and surrounding plaza at night.
Must eat: Pasticciotto, Italian pastry filled with custard. Recommended restaurants in Lecce:
DAY TWO: OTRANTO
Logistics: Drive to Otranto (30 min drive)
Accomodations: Masseria Muntibianchi Agriresort (3 night - this place is insanity, you won’t want to leave)
Must Do: Relax by the pool and order copious amounts of fresh fish and cocktails at the poolside bar
Must Eat: Local Salento olive oil + Cerignola green olives. Recommended restaurant:
DAYS THREE + FOUR: OTRANTO
Must do: Day Trips, detailed below
DAY THREE: Hop from beach to swimming holes from Torre d’Orso Beach to Grotta della Poesia
DAY FOUR: Take a coastal drive along the Adriatic Sea from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca (approx 2.5 hours round trip). Recommended pit stops (in order) down the coast:
Santa Cesarea Terme, a charming seaside town
Spiaggia Porto Miggiano for a dip
Castro Marina for sunbathing with the locals
Grotto Zinzulusa for a locals-only dip
Piscina Naturale di Marina Serra
Leuca (Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae for views)
Pescoluse, often call the “Maldives of Puglia”
Must eat: Terra degli Ulivi Restaurant - magical candlelit restaurant in an olive grove on property at Masseria Muntibianchi
DAY FIVE: MONOPOLI
Logistics: Drive to Monopoli (1.5 hour drive)
Accomodations: Airbnb - Casa Graziella (3 nights)
Must do: Rent a bike + explore Monopoli
Must eat: Aperol Spritz - you’re in Italy after all!
DAY SIX: MONOPOLI
Must do: Post up at a beach club with swimming access. Recommended clubs:
Cala Cerasa (recommended by our Airbnb hosts and we loved it)
Purple Beach
Lido Bambu
Must eat: Caffe in ghiaccio (also known as caffe leccese and pronounced “cafe in yacho”) is a drink unique to Puglia that consists of espresso, almond milk and ice. Be warned, if you try to order this anywhere else in Italy people will look at you like you are crazy.
DAY SEVEN: POLIGNANO E MARE
Logistics: Head in to Polignano e Mare by taxi or by train (just watch what time the trains stop running as it’s around 10pm some nights)
Must do: Explore the town of Polignano e Mare (bring your swimsuit)
Must eat: Gelato - another Italian classic, peeps.
Recommended restaurants:
Grotta Palazzese - located in a cave and definitely fine dining, if you know what I mean $$$
DAY EIGHT (TRAVEL DAY): BARI
Logistics: Drive from Monopoli to Bari Airport (40 minutes from Monopoli). Return rental car to return home or head to Rome
Must eat (if time allows): Recommended restaurants:
