Puglia, the sunbaked heel of Italy’s boot, has been coveted since the Greeks and Romans traded olive oil and wine along its shores. Normans left castles, Byzantines left mosaics, and the Baroque blossomed in Lecce’s honey-colored stone. Today, whitewashed towns tumble to the sea and centuries-old olive groves carpet the countryside.

This 5-day itinerary focuses on two hubs—Bari and Lecce—ideal for savoring Puglia’s top attractions. Expect UNESCO gems like Alberobello’s trulli and Matera’s cave dwellings, a sweep of Salento towns from Otranto to Gallipoli, and coastal highlights near Polignano a Mare. You’ll sample focaccia barese, orecchiette with cime di rapa, burrata, and robust Primitivo wines.

Practical notes: Summer (July–August) is hot and busy; late spring and early fall are perfect. Many historic centers have ZTL (limited traffic zones)—park outside and walk. Trains connect major towns efficiently; cash is still useful for small bakeries and markets. This Puglia travel guide balances must-see sights with local favorites so you can wander, taste, and linger.

Bari

Seafront Bari is Puglia’s gateway and a terrific base for day trips. In Bari Vecchia, women hand-roll orecchiette in the lanes by Basilica di San Nicola; the Norman-Swabian castle stands guard near the harbor; Teatro Petruzzelli recalls a gilded Belle Époque. The Murat district brings café-lined shopping streets and lively piazzas.

• Top sights: Basilica di San Nicola, Castello Normanno-Svevo, Bari Vecchia’s “orecchiette street,” Teatro Petruzzelli, Lungomare Nazario Sauro.
• Local flavors: Focaccia barese (tomato-olive-studded), panzerotti (fried pockets), raw seafood plates, orecchiette with turnip tops, sgagliozze (fried polenta squares).
• Fun fact: Bari Vecchia is nicknamed “the city of 1,000 alleys”—getting lost is half the joy.

Stay: Search stays near Bari Vecchia or Murat for easy walking and dining: VRBO Bari | Hotels.com Bari

Getting to Bari: Fly into Bari (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS). For flights within Europe, compare on Omio (Flights). For rail into Puglia (e.g., Rome–Bari ~4–4.5h, often $35–$70), check Omio (Trains). Buses from Naples/Rome are also frequent via Omio (Buses). From Bari Airport, the FM2 train reaches Bari Centrale in ~17 minutes (about €5).

Day 1: Arrival in Bari, Seaside Old Town Stroll

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab a first taste of Puglia at Panificio Fiore (historic bakery near the Basilica) for warm focaccia barese and taralli.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Bari Vecchia: Basilica di San Nicola’s relics and Romanesque façade, the Norman-Swabian Castle walls, and Strada Arco Basso where nonne roll orecchiette at their doorways. Pause for a pick‑me‑up at Martinucci on Via Sparano (pasticciotto, rustico leccese) or Gelateria Gentile (old‑school gelato since the 19th century).

Evening: Aperitivo in Piazza Mercantile—try spritz or local rosato with olives. Dinner ideas: La Tana del Polpo (beloved for octopus, crudo, and seafood pastas); Al Pescatore (grilled catch by the castle); or La Uascezze (homey plates like orecchiette with cime di rapa and bombette pork rolls). Nightcap at La Biglietteria, a creative cocktail spot near the theater.

Day 2: Bari Street Food, Coast Time, and Teatro Petruzzelli

Morning: Join this flavorful walk through Bari Vecchia to learn the stories behind focaccia, panzerotti, and orecchiette while visiting key landmarks: Bari: Street Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide.

Fuel up first at Panificio Santa Rita (thick slices of tomato-studded focaccia). If you prefer a hands-on morning, browse the fish market near the old port where locals savor raw seafood with a squeeze of lemon.

Afternoon: Sun and sea along Lungomare Nazario Sauro, then a dip at Pane e Pomodoro beach. Optional coastal adventure: train to Monopoli (~35 minutes) for a scenic cruise into the sea caves of Polignano a Mare, with an onboard aperitif—gorgeous in late light: Boat tour from Monopoli to the Polignano caves with aperitif.

If you stay in Bari, tour the opulent Teatro Petruzzelli or shop Via Sparano’s boutiques.

Evening: Casual dinner at Mastro Ciccio (famous octopus “burger,” pucce sandwiches, towering ciabatte) or Terranima (Pugliese classics with a modern touch). Dessert stroll for gelato at Gentile or a slice of almond torta. For drinks, try craft beer at Eataly Bari’s rooftop bar seasonally, or sip Primitivo at a local enoteca near Piazza del Ferrarese.

Day 3: Full-Day UNESCO Highlights — Alberobello and Matera

Make today your big day trip: conical-roofed trulli in Alberobello (Puglia) and the cave city of Matera (Basilicata). This guided excursion streamlines logistics so you can maximize time on foot among whitewashed lanes and dramatic ravines: From Bari : Unesco Tour - Guided Tour of Matera and Alberobello.

Expect roughly 9–10 hours with transport. Pack water and a hat; both towns are hilly with sun-exposed lanes. Back in Bari, reward yourself with a late dinner at Al Pescatore (try the seafood risotto) or Biancofiore (seasonal menus, elegant but relaxed).

Lecce

Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” dazzles with ornate facades carved in soft pietra leccese. Piazza del Duomo glows at golden hour; the Roman amphitheater slumbers under today’s city; cafés spill into cobbled streets scented with pastries and espresso. It’s a wonderful base for exploring the Salento from the Adriatic to the Ionian Sea.

• Top sights: Basilica di Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, Roman amphitheater, Porta Napoli, paper-mâché workshops (cartapesta).
• Local bites: Pasticciotto (cream-filled), rustico (puff pastry with tomato-mozzarella), ciceri e tria (pasta with chickpeas), pezzetti di cavallo (slow-cooked horse meat, a traditional dish), and Salice Salentino wines.
• Good to know: Lecce comes alive at night—plan slow, shaded afternoons and luminous evening walks.

Stay: Look for rooms in the Centro Storico or near Porta Napoli: VRBO Lecce | Hotels.com Lecce

Travel Bari → Lecce: Take a Regionale Veloce train (~1h35–1h45; typically €11–€16). Check schedules and book via Omio (Trains). Early trains around 8–9 a.m. make for a seamless handover. Buses are a backup via Omio (Buses).

Day 4: Transfer to Lecce, Baroque Masterpieces, and Aperitivi

Morning: Train to Lecce and check in. Coffee and a classic pasticciotto at Pasticceria Natale off Via Trinchese. Begin at Basilica di Santa Croce’s exuberant façade—lions, cherubs, and vines carved in soft limestone—then walk to Porta Napoli for photos.

Afternoon: Explore Piazza del Duomo (cathedral, bell tower, episcopal palace) and the Roman amphitheater on Piazza Sant’Oronzo. If you’d like a guided tasting walk that blends history and street food, join: Lecce History and Street Food Tasting Small Group Tour.

Cool off with a caffè leccese (iced espresso with almond milk) at Caffè Alvino under the loggia.

Evening: Aperitivo at Quanto Basta (award‑winning cocktails) or the stylish Doppiozero Bottega (great wine list and nibbles). Dinner picks: Le Zie Trattoria (slow-cooked Salento home cooking—reservations advised), Trattoria Le Zie’s ciceri e tria and meatballs in sauce, or Pizza&Co for what many call the best Roman-style slices in town. Sweet finish: another pasticciotto at Natale or pistachio gelato at Susan.

Day 5: Salento in a Day — Otranto, Leuca, Gallipoli, Galatina

See the breadth of the Salento, from the Adriatic fortifications of Otranto to the Ionian sunsets of Gallipoli, with a driver‑guided loop that connects four postcard towns: Tour to 4 Towns of Salento: Otranto, Leuca, Gallipoli, Galatina.

Expect a full day: Otranto’s cathedral mosaic (a medieval “Tree of Life”), Santa Maria di Leuca’s lighthouse where two seas meet, Gallipoli’s island old town with fishermen mending nets, and Galatina’s Santa Caterina frescoes. For breakfast, grab a rustico or sweet pasticciotto to go; for lunch, try frisella (barley rusk with tomatoes and oil) or a seafood pasta in Gallipoli’s old town. Back in Lecce, celebrate with Salice Salentino at 00 Doppiozero or a seasonal menu at Alle Due Corti.

Departure Tips

From Lecce, trains to Brindisi Airport take ~35–45 minutes (plus a short bus/transfer). For European flights, search Omio (Flights). If you’re continuing by rail to Bari, Polignano a Mare, or Ostuni, check Omio (Trains). If your onward journey begins outside Europe, explore long‑haul options on Kiwi.com (Flights).

Where to Eat and Drink (At a Glance)

• Bari breakfast/coffee: Panificio Fiore (historic bakery), Martinucci (pasticciotti), Pasticceria Boccia (classic counter and pastries).
• Bari lunch: Mastro Ciccio (puccia, octopus sandwich), Panificio Santa Rita (focaccia barese), La Uascezze (traditional plates).
• Bari dinner: La Tana del Polpo (seafood), Al Pescatore (grilled catch by the castle), Biancofiore (seasonal Pugliese).
• Lecce breakfast/coffee: Pasticceria Natale (pasticciotto), Caffè Alvino (caffè leccese, rustico).
• Lecce lunch: Doppiozero Bottega (salads, cured meats, cheeses), Pizza&Co (by‑the‑slice), All’Ombra del Barocco (light plates near Santa Croce).
• Lecce dinner: Le Zie Trattoria (home cooking), Alle Due Corti (classic recipes), Osteria degli Spiriti (refined Salento cuisine).

Optional Add‑Ons if You Have More Time

• Polignano a Mare beach time at Lama Monachile and cliff‑view gelato.
• Mozzarella and burrata tasting at a countryside masseria (various experiences run daily from central Puglia).
• Winery dinner among the vines near Brindisi or Manduria (great for Primitivo lovers).

Why this flow works: Bari anchors your first three days with easy access to UNESCO sites and coastal jaunts. Lecce closes with Baroque splendor and a sweeping Salento circuit. Trains keep it simple; tours unlock depth without the hassle of driving.

Quick Booking Hub: - VRBO Bari | Hotels.com Bari - VRBO Lecce | Hotels.com Lecce - Omio (Trains in Europe) | Omio (Buses) | Omio (Flights) | Kiwi.com (Flights)

Summary: In five days, you’ll taste, stroll, and sail through Puglia’s highlights—Bari’s seaside soul, trulli and caves on a UNESCO day, Lecce’s Baroque glow, and a grand tour of Salento. It’s a perfect blend of culture, coastal views, and cuisine you’ll dream about long after you leave.