Puglia in 7 days: an exceptional itinerary in Italy

Un trésor encore préservé, entre mer, villages blancs et traditions

Nestled in the heel of the Italian boot, Puglia is a region of understated elegance, far removed from the tourist hustle and bustle of Italy’s great classics. If Tuscany evokes hills and vineyards, if the Amalfi Coast embodies Mediterranean glamour, Puglia is a more secretive, rougher Italy, but one of dazzling beauty. They offer travelers a condensed version of everything we love about Italy: generous gastronomy, picturesque villages bathed in light, a crystal-clear sea, and above all, a rich historical and cultural heritage proudly handed down from generation to generation.

The visitor is greeted by a land of contrasts: between the silent plains of ancient olive groves, the craggy coasts of turquoise waters and villages frozen in time, every corner evokes an original Italy. This is a land where slowness is a virtue, where you can sit back and contemplate the evening falling on the still-warm white stone. Puglia is an invitation to slow down, to savor every moment, to put down roots.

From Bari to Lecce, from Alberobello to Polignano a Mare, each stop is an immersion in authentic Italy, bathed in the white light of limestone and the shade of thousand-year-old olive trees. This trip has been designed as a cultural, sensory and contemplative itinerary, with stops ideal for families with children as well as for travelers in search of an exclusive interlude. The itinerary is a harmonious blend of art cities, sparkling seas and unspoilt rural landscapes.

Une semaine dans les Pouilles : récit de voyage approfondi

Day 1: Bari, art of living, devotion and seafaring roots

Le charme de Bari Vecchia

Bari is an ideal introduction to this journey through Puglia. Accessible by direct flight from Paris, Lyon, Geneva or Brussels, Bari’s contrasts are immediately apparent: a lively, dynamic port city where modernity rubs shoulders with deep-rooted traditions. As soon as you step out of the airport, you’re struck by the dry light and salty air of the Adriatic.

The old town, Bari Vecchia, is best explored on foot. Here, women sit on plastic stools, shaping the famous orecchiette by hand on wooden planks, as passers-by look on in amusement. The narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and hanging laundry create a postcard setting, but nothing here is fake. The Basilica of San Nicola, an Orthodox and Catholic pilgrimage site, imposes with its Romanesque simplicity. The more sober San Sabino cathedral offers a refreshing silence. The Swabian Castle, an imposing fortress, watches over the town’s history.

The seafront is the ideal setting for a first stroll, while the children enjoy watching the fishermen mend their nets or sell live sea urchins from the makeshift stalls. The day comes to a close with a scorching panzerotto, a filled and fried pasta turnover, eaten on the fly by the sea, fingers still dusted with flour.

Jour 2 : Castel del Monte et Trani, voyage entre géométrie sacrée et dolce vita portuaire

L’énigme architecturale du Castel del Monte

Leaving Bari, the road winds westwards through landscapes of scrubland and cultivated fields to the mysterious Castel del Monte. This 13th-century octagonal castle, commissioned by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, is as much an architectural enigma as an aesthetic masterpiece. Its isolation and perfect layout have given rise to many hypotheses: a place of initiation? Solar observatory? Hunting lodge?

The tour is a delight for children and adults alike. Each room, each perspective, invites contemplation. Light enters with geometric precision, creating a play of shadow and silence.

L’élégance discrète de Trani

The afternoon continues in Trani, an elegant port town of discreet refinement. The Romanesque cathedral, set on the water’s edge, is one of the region’s most majestic buildings. The ancient port, lined with restaurants and fishing boats, is the perfect embodiment of the Pugliese dolce vita. Here, you can stroll with the kids, sit on a terrace enjoying freshly caught seafood, and soak up the almost aristocratic atmosphere.

Day 3: Alberobello and Locorotondo, immersion in the imaginary world of trulli

Alberobello, village de conte

Head south into one of Puglia’s most emblematic regions: the Itria Valley. This is a rural area of serene beauty, dotted with dry-stone walls and rows of silver olive trees. Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands like a vision from a fairytale.

Its trulli, small white houses with conical roofs, seem to have sprung from a dream. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Rione Monti district, stop in front of a ceramics artisan, climb onto a roof to take in the forest of cones. The Trullo Sovrano, the only two-storey building of its kind, tells the story of a bygone age, a story of sobriety and ingenuity.

La douceur de vivre à Locorotondo

Just a few kilometers away, Locorotondo reveals itself as a peaceful gem. This circular, hilltop village dominates the valley. The houses are dazzling white, the alleys full of flowers. You’ll discover an intimate Italy, far from the crowds. Lunch in an osteria takes on a whole new dimension: bombette pugliesi, grilled meat rolls with cheese, are a delight.

Jour 4 : Ostuni et les grottes de Castellana, entre lumière et souterrain

La cité blanche face à la mer

The fourth day begins in Ostuni, the famous Città Bianca. Seen from afar, it dazzles. Up close, it bewitches. Perched on three hills, it overlooks plains of olive groves stretching down to the sea. The historic center, entirely pedestrianized, is a maze of staircases, arches and winding lanes. The cathedral blends Gothic and Byzantine influences, while secret squares invite you to stop for a coffee or a glass of local white wine.

L’univers souterrain des grottes de Castellana

In the afternoon, head for the Castellana caves, a veritable geological treasure trove. This spectacular network of caves extends underground for almost three kilometers. A fun and informative guided tour fascinates children as they discover this strangely shaped underground world. The Grotte Blanche, with its glittering walls, is the highlight of a magical descent.

Day 5: Lecce and Otranto, between Baroque art and the call of the sea

L’exubérance baroque de Lecce

The day begins in Lecce, the Baroque capital of the south. It’s like entering an open-air theater. The local stone, soft and golden, has allowed sculptors to express a rare exuberance. Each church, each facade, each balcony seems animated by a life of its own. The basilica of Santa Croce is a splendor, as is the Piazza del Duomo, which impresses with its perfect balance.

Lecce is also a lively city, where students, artists and families mingle. Children love its large squares, ancient bookshops and fountains.

La douceur méditerranéenne d’Otranto

Late afternoon, off to Otranto in the far east. Its Romanesque cathedral houses a fascinating medieval mosaic: the Tree of Life, a combination of bestiary and biblical legends. The old town, encircled by ramparts, opens onto a quiet little port. The sea is clear and welcoming. The Grotta della Poesia, a natural pool carved out of the rock, is one of the region’s most beautiful bathing spots.

Jour 6 : Polignano a Mare, poésie verticale sur l’Adriatique

Entre ciel et mer

Head north for a day dedicated to the sea. Polignano a Mare is one of Italy’s most photogenic towns. Perched on the edge of steep cliffs, it seems suspended between sea and sky. Its white houses, sometimes clinging to the void, dominate emerald waters.

The Lama Monachile cove, framed by cliffs, is accessible on foot via an old Roman bridge. Here you can swim and marvel. The more adventurous dive from the rocks, watched by the strollers. Take a boat trip to discover the sea caves and secret cavities carved out by erosion.

The city is full of poetic details: verses engraved on steps, balconies in bloom, cafés suspended in the air. The afternoon unfolds to the slow rhythm of a granita, homemade lemonade, sketchbook open on the lap.

Day 7: Matera, immersion in a mythical troglodyte town

Les mystères des Sassi

To round off your stay, a trip to Basilicata is a must. Just an hour’s drive away, Matera is one of Italy’s most spectacular towns. Its Sassi, ancient troglodytic districts carved out of the tufa rock, form a unique urban landscape, suspended between sky and time.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Matera was abandoned for a long time before being reborn thanks to an exemplary restoration policy. Discover cave-houses, frescoed rock churches and secret passageways. Children have the impression of exploring a forgotten city, while adults are touched by the austere beauty of the place.

The light is exceptional, filtered through the white walls, and the panoramas stretch to infinity. Matera is a masterly conclusion, a final thrill before the return to Bari.

Les Pouilles, un voyage entre raffinement discret et culture profonde

This holiday in Puglia is a true immersion in a region of Italy that brilliantly combines simplicity and sophistication. At every stop, visitors are invited to slow down, taste and observe. Whether it’s the Baroque architecture of Lecce, the enchanting trulli of Alberobello, the underground caves of Castellana or the bewitching cliffs of Polignano, Puglia offers a diversity of unique, intimate and memorable experiences.

For families, this trip is also a great opportunity to share cultural discoveries with children, to introduce them to Mediterranean flavors, to let them touch the stone, the sea, the stars, to explore exceptional natural sites and to understand, day after day, that true luxury is found in the time given to simple things.

PrestigeVillaRental.com is at your disposal to organize this exceptional stay, offering you an exclusive selection of villas, charming masserie or renovated trulli with swimming pool, for a tailor-made stay, with family or friends, in the heart of the most secret Puglia.