Perfect Puglia Itinerary for a Road Trip

Puglia or “Apuglia” describes a beautiful region in Southern Italy, known for its rocky coastline, sunshine, and picturesque towns. If you look on a map, Puglia is the “heel” of the Italian boot.

Choose Puglia as a destination if you love Italian sights, food, and culture, and want the opportunity to explore at your own pace.

You need at least 4 or 5 days to travel around Puglia, since towns and beaches are spread out. Don’t even try to see Puglia in 3 days, because you’ll be rushed and barely able to see anything.

A week is ideal, and more time will allow you time to relax and soak up the sun. Rent your car (see transportation), book your travel insurance and pick two or three areas to stay as bases for your Italian road trip.

Technically it’s possible to explore Puglia by public transport, but you’ll need to research routes and check timetables in advance and have a lot of patience and lots of time.

Puglia Road Trip Itinerary

How to Get to Puglia

The Puglia region has two airports- Bari or Brindisi. Both are on the east coast, with Bari about 77 miles (124 km) north of Brindisi. Both are international.

Flying into one of these airports is the easiest way to reach Puglia and start out on your journey. However, it is also possible to take a train to Bari, Lecce, or Brindisi (this is a good option if you’re traveling throughout other parts of Italy).

Once in Puglia, the best way to get around is to drive. Here’s a guide to renting a car in Italy. There is not an extensive train network in Southern Italy. If you are not comfortable driving yourself, you can hire a driver or take a group tour (offered by many different tour companies). These options are more expensive, and tours offer less freedom to choose your own itinerary.

Lots of visitors cross from Puglia to Basilicata to see Matera, because it’s so nearby. You could even drive to Positano from Puglia if you wish.

🚙 For the best road trip search for your car at Discover Cars. It has plenty of options including small compact cars or bigger vans for family trips.

When to Do a Puglia Road Trip

Visit Puglia in late spring or early fall to enjoy comfortably warm weather without the summer crowds. Summer is also an option, but the weather can get hot, and you will have to contend with both local and tourist traffic.

There is less to do in winter, and you won’t get to fully enjoy the beaches; however, this is an option if you’re looking to save money. Pre-Christmas decor in Italy is stunning all over the country, especially in Puglia.

What to Pack

What to pack really depends on the time of year that you go to Puglia. In general, essential items include a bathing suit, sunscreen, hat, and comfortable, breezy clothing.

Pack comfortable shoes for wandering through uneven village streets and rocky coastlines. Italians are fashionable, so it’s a good idea to pack some nicer clothing, especially for fancier meals!

Pack pants with pockets or a coin purse – you’ll need these coins in Italy for tipping.

The Best Itinerary For Puglia

Puglia is an option that I believe can be a great alternative to those who already tried an itinerary for first-time visitors and want to experience something new – beyond Rome, Florence and Venice.

A trip to Puglia should involve exploring cities, villages, and the countryside,