Puglia is the heel of Italy — bigger than first-timers think. Most travelers split nights between 2-3 towns. Here's the honest map.
Bari — for transit and city base
Bari has the airport, the train hub, ferries to Croatia/Greece. Bari Vecchia is the atmospheric old town. Best for: 1-2 nights at start/end of trip, city focus.
Lecce — for the baroque
Lecce — the "Florence of the South" — has Italy's densest baroque architecture. Best for: 2-3 night stays, photo focus, day-trips to Otranto, Gallipoli, and Salento beaches.
Alberobello — for the trulli
Alberobello is the trulli (cone-roof) UNESCO town. Day-trip from Bari or Lecce works. Stay 1 night for the dawn experience without crowds.
Polignano a Mare / Monopoli — for the coast
Polignano is the famous cliff-top town. Monopoli is just south — quieter, more residential. Both worth 1-2 nights as side trips.
Best 7-day Puglia
- Day 1: Bari arrival
- Day 2: Bari + Polignano day-trip
- Day 3-4: Alberobello + trulli
- Day 5-7: Lecce + Otranto + Gallipoli day-trips
Cost reality
Puglia is 30-40% cheaper than Tuscany for equivalent product. €80-€180/night for boutique hotels, €15-€30 dinners.
What to skip on a 7-day trip
- Matera (technically in Basilicata): 1h drive west of Bari but adds 2 nights minimum.
- Tremiti Islands: Beautiful but ferry-eats-day.
- Salento far south: Lecce-base day-trips work better than relocating.