The Best of Puglia: 3 Perfect Days

Puglia isn’t a place I came to randomly. It took me longer than I would have liked to finally make the trip, but once I did, it was absolutely worth it, and then some. My grandparents are from Bari, so this part of southern Italy has always felt personal to me. It is familiar in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re walking its streets, eating its food, and settling into a slower, more deliberate pace.

The harbor of Bari, Italy, features vivid blue fishing boats bobbing on tranquil waters

Day 1: Bari—Start simple

Bari is often treated as a gateway city, but it deserves time on its own. Spend the morning wandering Bari Vecchia, where daily life still happens out in the open with women making orecchiette by hand, neighbors chatting from doorways, and laundry strung overhead.

Walk along the lungomare for some sea air, then head back inland for food. If you do one specific thing here, make it focaccia from Bakery Santa Rita. Thick, olive-oil-rich, and topped simply, it’s the kind of thing you eat standing up and remember later.

End the day with an easy dinner. Fresh seafood, handmade pasta, local wine, and don’t rush it.

Where to eat:

For something very traditional, Al Pescatore keeps things simple with fresh seafood and classic preparations. If you want something more casual and unapologetically local, La Uascezze is loud, lively, and very Bari.

A charming street in Alberobello, Italy, lined with traditional trulli houses featuring conical roofs and whitewashed walls under a clear blue sky.

Day 2: Alberobello—Change of pace

From Bari, head inland to Alberobello. It’s well known, and yes, people come for the photos, but if you time it right it still feels grounded.

The trulli aren’t just a visual curiosity, walking through them feels like stepping into a different rhythm. Wander without a plan, spend time in the quieter streets, and let the day unfold. This is more about atmosphere than checking boxes.

If you can, stay nearby for the night. Once the day-trippers leave, the town settles into something much calmer.

Where to eat:

Look for smaller, family-run places just off the main paths. Trattoria Terra Madre is a solid choice for straightforward Puglian cooking without the tourist gloss.

A stunning aerial view of Polignano a Mare, showcasing its picturesque houses perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy.

Day 3: Polignano a Mare—End by the sea

Finish in Polignano a Mare, one of the most striking spots on this stretch of coast. The views over Lama Monachile live up to the reputation, but the real pleasure is taking your time here.Wander the old town and follow the side streets toward the harbor. There are small, easy-to-miss openings in the old city walls that frame spectacular views of the harbor, the grottoes below, and the Adriatic. Stop when something catches your attention, and if the weather cooperates, get down to the water, so the next time you see those iconic beach views on Instagram, you can say you actually swam there.By late afternoon, find a spot overlooking the cliffs, order a drink, and let the trip wind down naturally.Where to eat:

Skip the cliffside spectacle and look slightly inland. Antiche Mura feels relaxed and local, with traditional dishes and an easy pace. For something quick and very of-the-place, Pescaria is hard to beat.

Need to know

Puglia is a place that rewards slowing down and paying attention. If you’re thinking about a trip to Italy and want help shaping something that feels unhurried and well considered, I’m always happy to help.