Apulia (Puglia) is Italy’s sun-drenched heel, famed for whitewashed towns, olive groves, and an Adriatic coastline that glows at golden hour. Its capital, Bari, has reinvented itself: a lively port with a medieval heart, stately boulevards, and one of Italy’s great food scenes. In one week you can savor Bari Vecchia’s lanes, boat through caves in Polignano a Mare, wander the trulli of Alberobello, and step into the stone time capsule of Matera.

Bari’s story runs deep. The relics of Saint Nicholas drew pilgrims here in the 11th century; Frederick II’s Swabian castle and the Roman street plan still anchor the city. The Petruzzelli Theater—reborn after a 1991 fire—signals the city’s cultural verve, while the fish market and nonnas hand-rolling orecchiette keep traditions alive.

Expect generous portions and genuine hospitality. Pack modest attire for churches, a light scarf for breezy evenings on the lungomare, and cash for small bakeries and markets. Summer afternoons can be hot with a midday pausa; plan museums in the heat and coastal walks at dusk.

Bari

Bari is best explored on foot: from the seafront promenade to Bari Vecchia’s maze, then into the 19th‑century Murat district lined with cafes and boutiques. Eat focaccia barese still warm from the oven, panzerotti oozing mozzarella, and orecchiette with bitter greens (cime di rapa).

• Top sights: Basilica di San Nicola, Cattedrale di San Sabino, Castello Normanno-Svevo, Teatro Petruzzelli, Teatro Margherita (exhibition space), Lungomare Nazario Sauro.
• Where to stay: For sea views and a pool, book iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni. For belle époque flair in Murat, try iH Hotels Bari Oriente. For a modern business-leisure hybrid with spa, see Nicolaus Hotel Bari. For value near the station and Old Town, Hotel Adria. Browse more stays: Hotels.com Bari or apartment options via VRBO Bari.
• Getting in: Fly into Bari (BRI). For European flights and rail, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From outside Europe, check fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Bari Centrale station links Rome (~4–4.5h) and Naples (~3.5–4h) by train—prices vary, often $25–$70.
• Day-trip transport: Regional trains to Polignano a Mare and Monopoli run ~every 30 min (35–45 min, ~$4–$8 each way; book via Omio trains). Buses reach Alberobello (~1h15, ~$7; Omio buses). Matera is ~1h45 by regional train/bus (from ~$7).

Day 1: Arrival, Lungomare Stroll, and Old Town at Dusk

Afternoon: Arrive in Bari and check into your hotel. Stretch your legs along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro—the Adriatic breeze, Liberty-era lamps, and sea-facing palazzi set the mood. Pop into Teatro Margherita’s waterfront pavilion for whatever exhibition is on.

Evening: Ease into Pugliese flavors. For a casual first bite, try Mastro Ciccio (giant panini with octopus, burrata, or parmigiana). For sit-down seafood, book La Tana del Polpo (grilled octopus, crudi, troccoli allo scoglio) or Al Pescatore by the old fish market for ricci di mare in season. Finish with gelato at Martinucci Laboratory and a passeggiata around Piazza del Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile.

Day 2: Bari Vecchia Icons + Pasta-Making with a Local

Morning: Start with focaccia barese at Panificio Fiore (tomatoes, oregano, olive oil—breakfast of champions). Walk Bari Vecchia: Basilica di San Nicola (pilgrim magnet since 1087), the Romanesque Cathedral of San Sabino, and the crenellated Castello Normanno-Svevo.

Afternoon (guided experience): Join a small-group walk that ends with rolling orecchiette at a local’s home: Bari Walking Tour with Pasta Experience. You’ll weave through hidden lanes, meet the ladies on Arco Basso hand-shaping ear-shaped pasta, then cook and taste your creation with wine.

Evening: Aperitivo near the harbor with a spritz and olives. Dine at La Uascezze (family-style antipasti, bombette, burrata) or Terranima (traditional tiella barese—rice, potatoes, mussels—served the old way). If you’re up for a late walk, admire Teatro Petruzzelli lit up on Corso Cavour.

Day 3: Polignano a Mare Day Trip + Cave Boat Tour

Morning: Take a regional train to Polignano a Mare (35 min; ~$4–$8 each way via Omio trains). Wander white lanes, terrace viewpoints, and Lama Monachile’s dramatic cove. Order the town’s signature “caffè speciale” (espresso with sugar, lemon zest, and cream) at Il Super Mago del Gelo—an institution.

Afternoon (on the water): See the coast the way locals do—by boat. Book the Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves with aperitif to glide beneath sea grottoes like Grotta Palazzese and Grotta degli Innamorati.

For lunch, Pescaria serves the celebrated raw-fish panino (tuna tartare, burrata, tomatoes) and fried seafood cones. Prefer table service? Da Tuccino by the marina is a seafood classic.

Evening: Train back to Bari. Dinner at Al Pescatore for spaghetti alle vongole or at Per Bacco for a solid Apulian wine list (Primitivo, Negroamaro) and seasonal plates.

Day 4: Alberobello Trulli and Matera’s Sassi (Full-Day Tour)

Today is a deep dive into two UNESCO wonders. Join a private full-day outing from Bari: Alberobello and Matera private bus tour from Bari. You’ll stroll Alberobello’s fairy-tale trulli districts (Rione Monti and Aia Piccola), learn why these cone-roofed homes dot the Itria Valley, then continue to Matera to wander rupestrian churches and cave dwellings in Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.

Ask your guide for a Matera lunch stop—Trattoria del Caveoso is known for orecchiette with cruschi peppers and legume soups. Expect an 8–9 hour day; wear sturdy shoes for cobbles and steps.

Day 5: Monopoli Harbors, Beaches, and Slow Lunch

Morning: Train to Monopoli (40–45 min; ~$5–$9 via Omio trains). Start at the old harbor where candy-colored boats bob below the bastions. Step inside the Cathedral of Madonna della Madia, then drift the alleys to Cala Porta Vecchia for a dip if seas are calm.

Afternoon: Lunch at Osteria Perricci (fishermen’s haunt; try zuppa di pesce or spaghetti con cozze). Linger over coffee in Piazza Garibaldi and browse small artisans selling linen, ceramics, and olive-wood boards.

Evening: Back in Bari, nab a table at La Tana del Polpo if you missed it earlier, or keep it light with panzerotti and sgagliozze (crispy chickpea polenta squares) from Bari Vecchia’s fry shops—perfect with a cold Peroni and sea air.

Day 6: Beach Morning + Bari Cooking Class and Wine

Morning: Easy swim at Pane e Pomodoro beach (closest city beach) or walk the lungomare to the sail-shaped monument and watch anglers at work. Grab a pasticciotto and espresso at Pasticceria Boccia in the Murat district.

Afternoon (hands-on experience): Learn Puglia’s greatest hits in a convivial kitchen: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine in Bari. You’ll master fresh pasta shapes and whip up tiramisù, paired with Prosecco and local wines.

Evening: Celebrate your new skills with an aperitivo on a rooftop—if you’re staying at iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni, the sea-view terrace is ideal. For dinner, Terranima’s seasonal cucina povera or La Uascezze’s antipasti spread are reliably satisfying.

Day 7: Markets, Museums, and Departure

Morning: If it’s early, swing by the old harbor for the informal fish market at Nderr’ a la Lanz (mornings; raw-seafood tastings when available). Museum options before checkout: Pinacoteca “Corrado Giaquinto” on the seafront for 19th‑century art, or contemporary shows inside Teatro Margherita.

Afternoon: Last bites: focaccia for the road and jars of sun-dried tomatoes, taralli, and orecchiette from neighborhood shops. Depart Bari by train or plane; compare schedules and fares on Omio (trains), Omio (flights), and for long-haul flights Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Polignano a Mare

Clinging to limestone cliffs above turquoise water, Polignano a Mare is postcard Puglia—dramatic viewpoints, pebble coves, and a soundtrack of Domenico Modugno’s “Volare.” Explore balconies carved into rock, then head out by boat to see the famous sea caves.

• Don’t miss: Lama Monachile bridge view, Grotta Palazzese (seen best from the sea), “caffè speciale,” and a cliff-top sunset walk.
• Eat and drink: Pescaria for seafood sandwiches; Da Tuccino for classic seafood dining; gelato by the piazza as the sky turns pink.
• Getting there: Train from Bari ~35 minutes, frequent departures; book on Omio.

Alberobello

Alberobello’s conical trulli feel lifted from a storybook. The oldest quarters (Aia Piccola) still feel residential; Rione Monti is more bustling but great for rooftop views. Visit a trullo interior to see how farmers once lived.

• Good to know: Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photos; combine with Locorotondo or Ostuni if you have extra time.

Matera

Across the regional border in Basilicata, Matera’s sassi cave districts tumble down a ravine—hauntingly beautiful and cinematic. Churches carved from rock, cave houses, and belvederes make it an unforgettable day trip from Bari.

• Tip: Wear grippy shoes; the polished stone lanes can be slippery. For public transport, allow ~1h45–2h each way; tours maximize time on the ground.

Monopoli

Monopoli mixes sandy coves with a photogenic old port and fortress walls. It’s ideal for an unhurried lunch and a swim, with plenty of shady lanes for a mid-afternoon wander.

• Eat: Osteria Perricci by the harbor for fishermen’s recipes; cafes in Piazza Garibaldi for people-watching.

Optional Add-On: Bari Street Food Tour

If you’re hungry for even more local bites, join a guide to sample panzerotti, sgagliozze, and focaccia while hearing Bari Vecchia stories: Bari: Street Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide.

Where to sleep (quick picks):

• iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni — seafront icon with pool and rooftop views.
• iH Hotels Bari Oriente — historic elegance steps from shops and cafes.
• Nicolaus Hotel Bari — modern rooms, spa, and good parking if you rent a car.
• Hotel Adria — reliable, walkable base near Bari Centrale.
• Or scan all options: Hotels.com Bari and VRBO Bari.

How to get around (at a glance):

• Flights: Compare Europe routes on Omio; long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains and buses: Use Omio (trains) and Omio (buses) for Bari–Polignano–Monopoli–Alberobello–Matera. Expect 35–45 min to coastal towns; 1–2 hours inland.
• Ferries: Seasonal Adriatic links appear on Omio (ferries) if you’re pairing Puglia with Croatia, Montenegro, or Greece.

In seven days you’ll have tasted Bari’s kitchens, sailed beneath Polignano’s caves, touched the trulli of Alberobello, and traced Matera’s millennia in stone. It’s a itinerary designed for flavor, light, and easy logistics—leaving room for improvisation and another spritz by the sea.