Puglia (Apulia) has long fed Italy and the wider Mediterranean with olive oil, durum wheat, and seafaring trade. Bari—its vibrant capital—was shaped by the Byzantines, Normans, and Frederick II; today, pilgrims still arrive to honor Saint Nicholas, whose relics rest in the basilica that bears his name. The region’s whitewashed towns, limestone cliffs, and ancient “trulli” houses offer a one-of-a-kind canvas for slow travel.

This 7-day itinerary anchors you in two coastal bases—Bari and Polignano a Mare—so you can day-trip to UNESCO sites like Alberobello and Matera without packing and unpacking every day. Expect walks through Bari Vecchia, a cliff-boat tour of Polignano’s sea caves, and countryside tastings in the Itria Valley. Trains are frequent, affordable, and scenic along the Adriatic coast, making this an easy, car-free escape.

Come hungry. You’ll try focaccia barese still warm from the pan, panzerotti oozing with mozzarella, octopus “alla pignata,” and orecchiette tossed with cime di rapa. Spring and fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds; summer offers swims and long dusk hours. Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones, a light scarf for churches, and a swimsuit for Adriatic dips.

Bari

Bari blends port-city grit with southern Italian grace. In Bari Vecchia, laundry flutters between stone archways as nonne hand-roll orecchiette on wooden boards. The seafront Lungomare dazzles at sunset, and Teatro Petruzzelli—rebuilt after a 1991 fire—hosts opera and concerts in a coral-hued jewel box.

• Top sights: Basilica di San Nicola, Cattedrale di San Sabino, Castello Normanno-Svevo, Museo Archeologico (Santa Scolastica), Lungomare Nazario Sauro.
• What to eat: Focaccia barese, raw seafood at the Old Port, panzerotti, orecchiette alle cime di rapa, primitivo and negroamaro wines.
• Insider note: Early morning at the fish market you’ll watch fishermen fillet catch and “massage” raw octopus to tenderize—an unforgettable Bari ritual.

Where to stay (Bari): For convenience and sea views, consider the waterfront icon iH Hotels Bari Grande Albergo delle Nazioni or its sister listing Grande Albergo delle Nazioni. In the elegant Murat district near Via Sparano, try iH Hotels Bari Oriente or the business-friendly Nicolaus Hotel Bari. For value near the station, see Hotel Adria.

More Bari stays: Browse apartments and guesthouses on VRBO Bari or compare hotels on Hotels.com Bari.

Getting to Bari: Fly into Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI). For flights within Europe, check Omio Flights (Europe); from outside Europe, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. From Rome, the Frecciarossa to Bari takes about 4 hours; book via Omio Trains. Regional trains in Puglia are frequent and inexpensive—perfect for day trips.

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is a poet’s balcony over the Adriatic: white houses cling to cliffs, stairways are scribbled with verse, and coves glow turquoise. It’s the hometown of singer Domenico Modugno (“Volare”); his statue near the waterfront invites you to throw your arms wide to the sea.

• Top experiences: Boat into limestone sea caves, swim at Lama Monachile beach, stroll the three panoramic terraces, and linger over sunset aperitivo.
• Fun fact: Red Bull Cliff Diving routinely chooses Polignano for its dramatic over-the-water leaps—locals grow up fearless around these cliffs.

Where to stay (Polignano): Opt for a seaview B&B in the historic center or a coastal apartment with terraces. Compare options on VRBO Polignano a Mare and Hotels.com Polignano a Mare.

Getting there from Bari: Take the Regionale train Bari Centrale → Polignano a Mare (approx. 35 minutes; typically €3–€5); departures run roughly every 30 minutes. Book via Omio Trains. Morning departures make for a smooth hotel check-in and beach afternoon.

Day 1: Arrival in Bari, Saints and Seafront

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags at your hotel. Ease into Bari Vecchia: visit the Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola and the crypt where the saint’s relics lie. Wander Arco Basso to watch nonne hand-making orecchiette; ask (politely) for a quick demo.

Evening: Sunset stroll along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro—the lamps, palms, and sea air are Bari’s calling card. Dinner near the Old Port: try La Tana del Polpo for tender octopus, seafood risotto, and local whites; or Al Pescatore for the catch of the day and crudo. Finish with pistachio gelato at Gelateria Gentile on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Day 2: Bari’s Bites, Castles, and a Hands-On Kitchen

Morning: Espresso and a “pasticciotto” at Martinucci on Via Sparano, then join the fishermen at the Old Port for a vivid market scene. Walk to Castello Normanno-Svevo to trace the city’s Norman and Swabian layers, and circle back for a piece of still-warm focaccia barese at Panificio Fiore (tomatoes, olive oil, and a cloud-soft crumb).

Afternoon: Tour the coral-toned Teatro Petruzzelli (check same-day times) or swim at Pane e Pomodoro Beach, a local favorite near town. Light lunch at Mastro Ciccio—try the polpo sandwich or burrata-stuffed rolls.

Evening: Roll up your sleeves for a Bari home-kitchen experience:
Apulian cooking class fresh pasta and focaccia. Learn to make orecchiette and focaccia, sip local wine, and dine on your creations—a memorable introduction to Puglia’s soul food.

Day 3: Day Trip — Alberobello Trulli and Locorotondo Wine

Spend a full day in the Itria Valley exploring fairy-tale conical roofs and hilltown lanes with a driver-guide. It’s picturesque, compact, and deliciously slow-paced—perfect for tastings and photos.

Alberobello, Locorotondo & Wine Tasting: Private Tour typically includes a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Rione Monti trulli district, a stop in elegant whitewashed Locorotondo, and a countryside tasting of primitivo or verdeca.

Good to know: If you’d rather DIY, take the morning train Bari → Alberobello via Conversano/Putignano (about 1h45 with changes; check Omio Trains). For lunch, try Trullo d’Oro in Alberobello or snack on panzerotti from a street stall.

Day 4: Matera’s Sassi, Then Back to Bari for Aperitivo

Morning–Afternoon: Cross into Basilicata for one of Italy’s most cinematic cities. The Sassi cave districts were inhabited since prehistory; carved churches show Byzantine frescoes, and golden tufa glows in every direction. Join:
Matera Tour with Guide on a Private Bus from Bari for efficient round-trip transport and a guided walk into this UNESCO labyrinth.

Evening: Back in Bari, aperitivo at Caffè Cognetti near Piazza Ferrarese. Dinner at Osteria delle Travi – Il Buco for rustic classics: fave e cicoria, grilled calamari, and house olive oil. Nightcap along Piazza del Ferrarese’s lively bars.

Day 5: Bari → Polignano a Mare, Terraces and Sea Caves

Morning: Check out and take the Regionale train Bari Centrale → Polignano a Mare (≈35 minutes; book with Omio Trains). Drop bags and take your first look over the Terrazza Santo Stefano and Terrazza Lama Monachile—the views are instant postcards.

Afternoon: Boat into grottos chiselled by millennia of waves:
Shared tour of Polignano a Mare by boat with prosecco brings you under stone arches and into blue-lit caverns—the coast at its most theatrical.

Evening: Try the famous seafood panini at Pescaria (tuna tartare with burrata is a cult favorite). For a sit-down option, Antiche Mura serves pristine crudi, handmade pasta, and a deep Apulian wine list. Gelato stroll past Lama Monachile after dark.

Day 6: Monopoli’s Harbors and Ostuni’s White City (DIY by Train/Bus)

Morning: 10-minute train to Monopoli (regional trains run often; €2–€3 on Omio Trains). Explore the old harbor’s bobbing gozzi boats, the fort walls, and the Cathedral. Coffee and a “sporcamuss” pastry at a harbor-front bar, then swim at Cala Porta Vecchia if seas are calm.

Afternoon: Train to Ostuni station (about 30 minutes) and short bus/taxi up to the old town. Wander chalk-white lanes to the Cathedral, slip into craft shops for olive-wood boards, and photograph endless doorways in lime and sky-blue.

Evening: Dinner in Ostuni at Osteria del Tempo Perso (candlelit rooms carved into rock; book ahead), then return to Polignano by train. Nightcap at Super Mago del Gelo – Mario Campanella: order the signature “Caffè Speciale” (espresso, lemon zest, sugar, cream, and a whisper of liqueur)—a local ritual.

Day 7: Polignano Slow Morning, Cooking Class, Departure

Morning: Early swim at Lama Monachile or a cliffside walk to Cala Paura. Breakfast with a still-warm cornetto and cappuccino in the old town. If you prefer market browsing, pick up taralli and sun-dried tomatoes for the road.

Late Morning–Early Afternoon: End on a delicious note with a small-group class:
Apulian Cooking Class with Aperitif and Wine in Polignano a Mare. Learn to make orecchiette and cavatelli, pair them with seasonal sauces, and toast your week with a local bianco.

Departure: Collect bags and take the Regionale back to Bari Centrale (≈35 minutes; Omio Trains), then connect to BRI Airport by local train/taxi. For flights within Europe use Omio Flights; for long-haul, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Dining Shortlist (Save for Later)

• Bari breakfast/coffee: Martinucci (Via Sparano) for pasticciotti; Caffè Cognetti (near Piazza del Ferrarese) for classic espresso and evening aperitivi.
• Bari lunch: Mastro Ciccio for creative panini di mare; Panificio Fiore for benchmark focaccia barese.
• Bari dinner: La Tana del Polpo for octopus and seafood pasta; Osteria delle Travi – Il Buco for homestyle Pugliese plates; Al Pescatore for raw and grilled catch.
• Polignano snacks/drinks: Super Mago del Gelo for the famed Caffè Speciale; sunset spritz on the terraces.
• Polignano meals: Pescaria for the city’s most famous seafood sandwich; Antiche Mura for refined crudi and pasta; trattoria-lined lanes for fresh orecchiette.
• Monopoli: Osteria Perricci, a classic fisherman’s tavern near the harbor; simple, fresh, and beloved by locals.
• Ostuni: Osteria del Tempo Perso, atmospheric cave rooms and Pugliese staples done right.

Optional Swaps and Extras

• Prefer a 3-towns sampler from Bari? Consider Private Tour in 3 Towns: Alberobello, Cisternino, Ostuni

  

  and adjust Day 6 accordingly.
• Beach day alternative: head by train to Monopoli’s string of coves or to the long sands south of Polignano; carry reef shoes for pebbly entries.
• Wine lovers: ask for Locorotondo DOC whites with seafood; switch to Salice Salentino or Primitivo di Manduria for grilled meats.

Where to book transport and stays, at a glance:

• Omio Trains (Europe) • Omio Buses (Europe) • Omio Flights (Europe)
• Trip.com Flights • Trip.com Trains • Kiwi.com (global flights)
• VRBO Bari • Hotels.com Bari • VRBO Polignano • Hotels.com Polignano

In one week you’ll taste, see, and sail through the best of southern Italy’s Adriatic coast—from Bari’s basilicas and backstreets to Polignano’s sea caves, with trulli-dotted hillsides and Matera’s ancient stone dwellings in between. This itinerary balances thoughtful day trips with unhurried mornings and memorable meals—exactly how Puglia should be savored.