The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Puglia, Italy
- Esther Mehesz
- Jul 24
- 6 min read
3 Day Itinerary for Puglia, Italy: Polignano, Matera & Alberobello
If you only have a few days in southern Italy, this 3 Day Itinerary for Puglia, Italy covers the highlights: the seaside town of Polignano a Mare, the cave dwellings of Matera, and the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello. It’s the perfect mix of coastline, beaches, charming towns, history, and culture in one long weekend. And don't forget the focaccia and the gelato!
Whether you’re arriving by direct flights into Bari Airport or traveling by train from the major cities, the best way to experience this region is with a rental car. It gives you the freedom to explore smaller towns, pull into unexpected parking lots near the historic center, and make spontaneous day trips to some of Italy’s most picturesque towns.
This is my version of the perfect Puglia itinerary for 3 days, based on my own experiences — what I’d do again, and what I’d skip.
First Day in Puglia: Arrival in Bari and Drive to Polignano a Mare
Landing around noon at Bari Airport and heading over to rent the car from Sixt was easy. Make sure to book your car ahead of time during the high season in Italy because you may not have a car if you just walk up to the desk. For some reason, I always think car rentals are going to take up so much time, but there's never a line when I'm renting from either Sixt or Avis. There was a line at the other (no name) rental car desks.
Three things to do when renting a car:
Make sure you know what card you're using for your car rental and what insurance it has when you book it on that.
Take a video of your car before driving away. Mark any scratches, big or small, or ANYTHING! Don't rush off. Take the extra few minutes to note these.
Don't forget to fill up your gas tank BEFORE returning the car!
The drive to Polignano a Mare is about a 60-minute drive, and honestly, it’s the easiest way to kick off your Puglia road trip.
Parking Tip: Parking in Polignano can be a bit of a headache. Hotels with a parking garage or parking spaces are worth the extra cost. Ours had a lot for €15 per day — totally worth the peace of mind.
Polignano a Mare Highlights
Lama Monachile: A rocky but beautiful beach, with those iconic panoramic views of the cliffs. It’s crowded during high season, but it’s also where the Red Bull cliff diving happens. It’s a great place for photos, though maybe not the most relaxing beach day. Also, it's constantly ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches (and famous beaches) in Italy and the Puglia region.
Focaccia: Don’t miss it. Seriously. Puglia is known for it, and I can confidently say it’s some of the best food in Polignano. And no need to go searching far for it, as you're walking to Lama Monachile and down the narrow alley, there's a perfect focaccia spot where they cut the slice based on how much you're craving. (Now that's my kind of food right there -- choosing a size based on your hunger for that time)!
Evening in the Old Town: Polignano is a small town with an easily walkable historic center. In the late afternoon, take a stroll through the narrow streets and grab dinner. Many restaurants need reservations, but you can usually find good places without too much trouble.
Restaurant in a Cave (Grotta Palazzese): Yes, it’s Instagram famous. No, it’s probably not worth €250 per person. Worth visiting for the view, but not for the food. There's a little street where the entrance to Grotta Palazzese is, where you can look over and see a glimpse of the restaurant in the evening. But if you do go on a boat tour in Polignano, you'll go by the cave where the restaurant is and into one of the caves next to it. But a little insider from a local who had gone for the views, he said he was definitely not impressed by the food.
Tip: If you’re an early riser, go for an early morning run or walk along the coast. The main beach (Lama Monachile) and the city center are quiet, and the sunrise views over the Adriatic Sea are unbeatable. And this way, you get to experience Lama Monachile without the crowds, and it really is something special with not a single soul.
Second Day: Monopoli and Matera
With a high-season heatwave, the only logical plan was to stay on the sandy beaches during the day. This brought us to our next location in Puglia.
Monopoli: Less crowded than Polignano’s main beach, with a more local vibe. Perfect for swimming and people-watching.
Picnic Lunch: One of the best things about Italy? Grocery stores. Grab some olives, fresh cheese, and meats for a picnic. No need for fancy restaurants every meal.
In the late afternoon, we drove an hour and a half to Matera, home of the Sassi di Matera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If it looks like a movie set, that’s because it is — fun fact, Mel Gibson filmed The Passion of the Christ here.
Best time to visit Matera: Arriving around 7:30 PM gave us the perfect lighting, and it was no longer scorching hot. It also still gave us plenty of time to walk to get the picture-perfect shots, the historic buildings glowed, and there were fewer tourists than midday.
Tip: Matera is amazing for photos, but we didn't feel like we would have needed more time here. A half-day trip is enough unless you’re doing a full guided tour.
Third Day: Boat Ride, More Beaches, and Alberobello
We thought seeing Polignano from the water would be special, so we booked a boat ride on GetYourGuide. Honestly? I’d skip it. The sea caves and cliffside restaurants are impressive from the water, but the boat couldn’t get close to the coast due to some regulations and water police monitoring them, and it felt rushed.
Instead, spend that time in another beautiful city or coastal towns nearby.
More Monopoli Beaches: Some are rocky (extra tip: bring water shoes), but the sandy ones are worth visiting. What's nice is that these beaches are all next to each other, so if you don't like the rocky one, you can walk right over to the sandy one next to it.
Alberobello: Only a 45-minute drive from Polignano, it’s famous for its Rione Monti district filled with white houses and trulli. Arriving around 7 PM was ideal — still busy, but cooler and easier to wander the main streets. Alberobello is straight out of a fairytale and may be one of my new favorite towns because of how unique they are. Once again, not too much to do here, so a few hours can be plenty.
Final Morning: Coffee, Pastries, and Farewell
On the last morning, I did one more early morning run along the coast before grabbing a coffee and the most perfect pastry — a Pasticciotto, a custard and jam-filled pastry, easily in my top 3 pastries ever. If you ever see this pastry and you love sweets, this IS the pastry to have. I even brought a few back to Hungary for my friend to taste, as we are dessert connoisseurs, and it's true, this is the real deal if you're a sweets person!
Cafes in Puglia, Italy: Don’t miss the local bakeries. Not only for the pastries, but also for the coffees and the gelato. There was not a single bad cafe during the trip. They’re simple, affordable, and full of amazing, delicious surprises.
Tips for Planning the Ultimate Puglia Itinerary
Best time to visit: Late spring or early June for good weather and fewer tourists. Avoid high season if you can. During high season, it's very hot and busy.
Best way to get around: A car rental is the best way to explore the main towns and smaller towns. You’ll want the flexibility. Make sure you're aware of where to park. In Italy, the parking is painted for blue, white, and yellow parking spots - know where you can park and where you can't park.
Public transport: Trains connect the larger towns and major cities, but reaching smaller towns and charming towns often requires a car or booking a day trip or half-day trip to the location.
Where to stay: Look for a boutique hotel in Polignano or Monopoli. A short walk to the city center makes all the difference.
How to pay: Card is accepted everywhere, but it's good to have some Euros on you for a bathroom stop or if a small shop doesn't take card under a certain amount.
Final Thoughts
Puglia is the ideal place for a great time in southern Italy. Between beautiful towns, great restaurants (with great food), olive groves, and the endless coastline of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, it’s a great place to experience a different region of Italy. It definitely differs from many other Italian cities and locations!
And honestly? Sometimes the best things in Puglia are the simplest: a gelato on a main street, a sunrise run, or a glass of local wine in a historic centre.
If you’re planning your ultimate Puglia itinerary, keep it flexible, leave room for spontaneity, and don’t forget to bring your camera — because this is one of Italy’s most picturesque regions, and every corner is worth visiting.
Ciao for now!
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