Most lists of things to do in Puglia stop at Alberobello and Polignano.
The region is bigger than that: from the Gargano spur down to the tip of the heel is a long drive, and a lot of the best stops have prices, closing days or seasonal rules that change. This list of things to do in Puglia (and what to do in Puglia on a wet day) is grouped by area, so you can plan a day without doubling back, and every price and hour below was checked against an official or operator page on 30 October 2026.
We haven't walked every street here.
This is desk research from ticket pages, timetables, operator notices and local news, and where sources disagree we say so rather than pick one. Where we couldn't confirm a number, we left it out or wrote "about". For the big picture, start with our Puglia travel guide.
Updated October 2026. Some links below are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Short on Time? The Best Things to Do in Puglia
- Best first day: walk Bari Vecchia, then the street food tour (4.9 from about 850 reviews).
- Best view: a boat trip from Polignano a Mare with cave stops and a swim, rated 4.7 from nearly 2,000 reviews.
- Best UNESCO day: Castel del Monte if you have a car, or the Alberobello and Matera tour from Bari if you don't.
- Best rainy-day pick: the Grotte di Castellana, a steady 18 °C underground, from €22 for the shorter route.
- Best stay: a masseria near Monopoli such as Masseria Torrepietra, or a boutique hotel in Lecce such as Palazzo De Noha.
Bari and the Adriatic Coast
1. Walk Bari Vecchia and San Nicola
Bari's old town is a maze of lanes, courtyards and laundry lines, and it works best on foot with no plan. The Basilica di San Nicola was built between 1087 and 1100 and holds the relics of St Nicholas in its crypt; sailors from Bari brought them from Myra in 1087.
The basilica's own site lists daily hours from early morning to evening, Sundays running later.
Other listings give slightly different times, so check before a late visit. Our Bari travel guide covers where to eat and where to stay.
2. See Orecchiette Made on Arco Basso
On Strada Arco Basso, near the castle, local women shape orecchiette by hand and dry them on trays outside their doors. It is still a working street, not a stage.
Local press reported in September 2026 that the tradition continues, mostly with older women, after a 2025 crackdown on unlicensed stalls. That means fewer tables than older photos suggest. Be polite, ask before taking photos and buy something.
3. Tour the Castello Svevo
The Castello Svevo sits at the edge of the old town and is the easiest indoor stop in Bari. The Ministry of Culture lists the full ticket at €10 and the reduced ticket at €2, with the castle closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:00.
On Sundays it's a morning visit, closing at 13:30, though the same page carries a seasonal note that conflicts with that. First Sundays of the month are free.
4. Eat Your Way Through Bari
If you'd rather not decide where to eat in a new city, the Bari street food walking tour with a local guide is an easy first evening. It's rated 4.9 from about 850 reviews on GetYourGuide. Bari's snacks are what you came for: focaccia barese, panzerotti and fresh seafood are all local staples.
5. Swim at Lama Monachile in Polignano
Polignano's old town sits on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic.
The postcard view is Lama Monachile, a small pebble cove reached by steps under the old Roman bridge. It's very crowded in July and August, and we found no official cap on visitor numbers. Our verdict: skip the cove on August afternoons, and go early or see it from a boat.
The best way to see the cliffs is from the water.
This boat trip with cave stops, a swim and an aperitif is rated 4.7 from nearly 2,000 reviews. Our Polignano a Mare travel guide has the rest, and our best beaches in Puglia covers beaches further afield.
6. Climb Monopoli's Castello Carlo V
Monopoli's castle sits on the headland at the edge of the old town and is a good place for the harbour view. The municipality lists new hours from 1 September 2026: closed Mondays, Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, Saturday with the evening session until 21:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 21:00. We couldn't find a ticket price on the municipal page.
Read our Monopoli travel guide before you go.
7. Go Underground in the Grotte di Castellana
The Grotte di Castellana are about 18 °C inside and around 90% humidity, so bring a layer even in August.
The full route is about 3 km and takes around 100 minutes, ending in the Grotta Bianca. Per the caves' own site the adult ticket is €25 (€22 for ages 6 to 14); the shorter 1 km route takes around 50 minutes and costs €22 (€19 for ages 6 to 14).
Children under 6 get in free with ID.
Arrive 15 minutes early. We couldn't confirm the 2026 tour times because the timetable is published as an image, so check the site. The FSE line from Bari serves two stations, and the caves' station is the one named Grotte di Castellana.
This is our best rainy-day pick in Puglia.
The Itria Valley: Trulli and White Towns
8. Walk Alberobello's Trulli
Alberobello's trulli are the round stone houses with conical roofs that appear on every Puglia postcard.
UNESCO lists more than 1,500 of them, across Rione Monti and Aia Piccola. Rione Monti has the shops and the crowds; Aia Piccola is quieter.
Day-trip groups make the middle of the day the busiest, so skip midday.
Our recommendation: stay one night in the Itria Valley rather than rushing it as a day trip. We couldn't confirm a 2026 access fee for the districts. The Trullo Sovrano museum was listed at €2 on a 2024 museum database, so check that before you plan around it.
Our Alberobello travel guide has more. If you want a night here, Trulli e Puglia Resort is in Alberobello itself, rated 9.1 on Booking.com when we checked.
9. Visit Ostuni and Its Olive Groves
Ostuni, the white town on a hill, is best seen from the road below at sunset, then explored on foot.
The plain between the town and the sea is covered in ancient olive trees, and a farm tour with olive oil tasting near Ostuni is the simplest way to see one up close. It's rated 4.7 from about 580 reviews.
Puglia produces a large share of Italian olive oil; the Ministry's 2026 stock report put Puglia at 38.3% of Italy's olive oil stocks at the end of 2025. Xylella has hit the groves hard: Coldiretti reported in 2023 more than 21 million infected trees, about 40% of the region. See our Ostuni travel guide.
10. Wander Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca
These three towns sit close together and work well as a slow half day by car.
Martina Franca is the baroque one, with the Palazzo Ducale in Piazza Roma, listed as open 10:00 to 12:30 and 16:00 to 18:00. Locorotondo and Cisternino are smaller and best for a walk and a long lunch. See our towns of Puglia guide to compare them.
11. Taste Puglia's Red Wines
Puglia is red-wine country.
Primitivo di Manduria is a DOC (not a DOCG) that must contain at least 85% Primitivo and comes from the Taranto area, with a few Brindisi towns. Salice Salentino is the Negroamaro DOC around Lecce and Brindisi.
A guided wine tasting with local appetisers in Martina Franca is rated 4.8 from about 160 reviews. Our Italian wine regions guide puts Puglia in context.
North Puglia: Castles and the Gargano
12. Visit Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is the octagonal castle of Frederick II, on a hill in the north of the region.
The Ministry of Culture lists the ticket at €10, with a reduced €2 ticket for young adults and free entry for under-18s. A combined ticket with the castle in Trani is €15.
Hours are 10:00 to 18:45 from April to September and 9:00 to 17:45 from October to March, closed 25 December and 1 January. You park below and walk or take a shuttle up; we couldn't confirm the shuttle's price from an official page. It's a half-day trip by car from Bari.
Book a skip-the-line ticket or buy on the day.
13. See Trani's Seaside Castle and Cathedral
Trani pairs well with Castel del Monte.
The Castello Svevo costs €8 (€2 reduced) and is open Monday to Saturday 8:30 to 18:30 and Sunday 8:30 to 12:30. The cathedral on Piazza Duomo has a crypt and a 59 m bell tower; we couldn't confirm its hours or prices.
14. Climb to the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo
The Sanctuary of St Michael at Monte Sant'Angelo is part of the "Longobards in Italy" UNESCO site, inscribed in 2011.
The basilica is open all year, while the crypts and devotional museum are listed for the morning from 9:00 to 12:15 and the afternoon from 15:00 to 16:30, with a later evening session in summer. We found no admission fee on the sanctuary's site.
The Gargano is a long drive from Lecce, so it works best as part of a separate northern trip. Skip it if you only have three or four days.
15. Take a Boat to Vieste's Sea Caves
Vieste is the Gargano's main base for boat trips.
A group tour of the sea caves takes about three hours and was listed at around €35 for adults and €20 for children, with two departures a day. That comes from a booking listing, not the operator, so treat the price as indicative.
16. Sail to the Tremiti Islands
Ferries to the Tremiti Islands run year-round from Termoli (in Molise), operated by NLG, with crossings taking roughly 50 minutes to an hour. From Vieste they run only in season, roughly late April to mid-September.
NLG's 2025 page listed a one-way adult fare of about €21 from Vieste, plus a small island landing charge, but we couldn't confirm 2026 fares. Check the operator before you plan a day around it.
Salento: Lecce, Otranto and the Heel
17. Explore Lecce's Baroque Churches
Lecce's baroque churches are the reason to stay a night.
The LeccEcclesiae circuit ticket covers the cathedral, the bell tower, the diocesan museum and several churches including Santa Croce. The operator lists the full ticket with the bell tower at €21 and a version without it at €11, valid for 15 days, with hours of 9:00 to 21:00 in summer and 9:00 to 18:00 in winter.
In Piazza Sant'Oronzo you can see the Roman amphitheatre.
The Ministry of Culture lists it at €5 (€2 reduced), closed Mondays, but its page gives conflicting hours, so check before going. Our Lecce travel guide has the details. Stay at Palazzo De Noha, rated 9.6 on Booking.com when we checked.
18. Tour Lecce's Castello Carlo V
The Castello Carlo V in Lecce is visited on a guided tour of about 50 minutes, costing €10 (€6 for ages 12 to 17, free under 11). From October to May, tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00. The castle is closed on Mondays.
A current exhibition, "La materia dei sogni", runs to 10 January 2027 for €8, or €15 combined with the castle.
19. Look Into Otranto's Cathedral Mosaic and Castle
Otranto Cathedral has a 12th-century floor mosaic of a vast Tree of Life resting on two elephants. A listing database gives free entry, with longer hours in summer, but it is a single non-official source, so confirm by phone or on site.
The Aragonese Castle is listed at €12 on the Ministry's page, though its hours conflict with the tourism portal's seasonal hours. Treat the hours as something to check, particularly outside summer.
20. Visit the Grotta della Poesia at Roca Vecchia
The Grotta della Poesia at Roca Vecchia is a famous natural pool in the rock.
Two news reports say entry to the archaeological area cost €5 for non-residents from 18 July 2026, with residents of Melendugno free and a €10 experience ticket with a guided visit. They say it was due to run to the end of September, with summer hours of 9:00 to 20:00 in June and July and 9:00 to 19:00 in August and September.
The caves are viewed from above: swimming and diving in the grotto aren't allowed. We could not find an official page, and we don't know what the rules are after September, so check the ArcheoRoca booking site.
21. Explore Gallipoli's Old Town
Gallipoli's old town sits right on the sea.
Database listings give the Castello Angioino as open daily from 10:00 to 21:00 for €8 (€6 reduced), and the underground oil mill at Palazzo Granafei as free, with morning and afternoon hours. Both listings are from 2024 and 2025, so confirm before you go.
22. Reach the Lighthouse at Santa Maria di Leuca
At the very tip of the heel, the lighthouse stands 102.3 m above sea level and has been working since 1886, with an internal spiral staircase of 254 steps. The basilica next door is listed as open daily from 7:00 to 19:00, free.
The best way to see the sea caves is by boat. A listing gives a roughly three-hour cave tour at about €33 to €37 depending on the month; the Santa Maria di Leuca boat tour is rated 4.8 from about 465 reviews.
Day Trip to Matera and Where to Sleep
23. Take a Day Trip to Matera's Sassi
Matera's Sassi were listed by UNESCO in 1993.
The town is in Basilicata, not Puglia, but it's close enough to Bari that most Puglia trips include it. By train, the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane line had a summer 2026 suspension between Bari and Gravina, with buses until 30 August; we couldn't confirm the current journey time.
Without a car, the UNESCO tour of Alberobello and Matera from Bari covers both in a day and is rated 4.7 from more than 5,900 reviews. Read our Matera travel guide first.
24. Sleep in a Masseria
A masseria is a traditional Puglia farm estate, and many now run as hotels.
Masseria Torrepietra near Monopoli was rated 9.3 on Booking.com from more than 650 reviews when we checked. Almost all masserie need a car, so compare rental prices on DiscoverCars and pick up at the airport. Our where to stay in Puglia guide goes area by area.
What's Open in Puglia From November to March
Most of the big sights in Puglia stay open all year, but the beach season ends and some tickets change. This table lists what we could check on 30 October 2026.
| Place | Status when checked | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Castello Carlo V, Monopoli | New hours from 1 Sep 2026 | Closed Mondays |
| Castel del Monte | Oct to Mar 9:00 to 17:45 | Closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan |
| Castello Svevo, Bari | Tue to Sat 9:00 to 19:00 | Closed Mondays; Sundays morning only |
| Castello Svevo, Trani | Mon to Sat 8:30 to 18:30 | Sun 8:30 to 12:30 |
| Lecce castle tours | Oct to May fixed tour times | Closed Mondays |
| Roca Vecchia, Grotta della Poesia | €5 fee reported to end Sept 2026 | Post-September rules not confirmed |
| Tremiti ferries | Termoli year-round; Vieste in season | 2026 fares not confirmed |
| Bari to Matera train | Works on the FAL line in summer 2026 | Check the operator for the current service |
How Many Days Do You Need in Puglia?
Seven days is the sweet spot for a first trip.
Our recommendation: split it between a northern base and Lecce. Spend three or four nights near the Bari coast or the Itria Valley and three in Lecce, with one day for Matera. Three days covers Polignano, Alberobello and Ostuni from a single base.
Ten or more lets you add the Gargano or the tip of the heel. Our Puglia itinerary turns this into a day-by-day route.
Getting Around Puglia
The coast between Bari, Polignano, Monopoli and Lecce is on the main railway line, but many of the best stops in this list, including the Itria Valley towns, Castel del Monte and the Salento coves, are much easier by car. Compare car rental prices before you book. US drivers need an International Driving Permit alongside their licence, and old towns use camera-enforced traffic zones, so park outside and walk in.
Our driving in Italy guide has the rules.
Best Time for Things to Do in Puglia
May, June and September are the best months: the sea is warm enough to swim, the beach clubs are open and the towns are less crowded than in July and August. Mid-August, around Ferragosto, is the busiest week. In winter the beach season is over but the castles, churches and caves in this list stay open.
See our best time to visit Italy guide.
Planning Puglia Holidays: Where to Stay
If you're searching for Puglia holidays from the UK, pick two bases: Monopoli, Polignano or a masseria for the north, and Lecce for the south. Masseria Torrepietra, Trulli e Puglia Resort and Palazzo De Noha are three hotels we checked on Booking.com. For more, see our where to stay in Puglia guide.
What to Do in Puglia When It Rains
The Grotte di Castellana are the best things to do in Puglia in wet weather, because the temperature underground doesn't change. In Lecce, the churches and the castle tour are indoors. In Bari, the Castello Svevo is an easy two-hour stop, and a street food tour works in light rain.
Things to Do in Puglia FAQ
What is Puglia famous for?
Puglia is famous for the trulli of Alberobello, whitewashed hill towns, baroque Lecce, about 800 km of coastline, olive oil and red wines such as Primitivo di Manduria. It also has Castel del Monte, a UNESCO site, and sits close to Matera.
Is Bari or Lecce better to visit?
Lecce is the prettier city and the better base for the Salento.
Bari is better for arriving, for trains and for day trips to Polignano, Alberobello and Matera. If you have time, split your stay between them.
How many days do you need in Puglia?
Seven days works for a first trip: three or four nights near the Bari coast or the Itria Valley, three in Lecce and a day trip to Matera. Three days is enough for Polignano, Alberobello and Ostuni.
What is the best rainy-day activity in Puglia?
The Grotte di Castellana.
They stay about 18 °C inside, the full route takes around 100 minutes and tickets are €25 for adults. Book online ahead, because online sales aren't same-day.
What is there to do in Puglia in winter?
Castles, baroque churches, caves and old towns stay open.
Check hours for Castel del Monte (9:00 to 17:45 from October to March), Lecce's castle tours and Monopoli's castle, which is closed on Mondays. Beach clubs and the Vieste ferries are seasonal.
Amalfi Coast or Puglia?
Choose the Amalfi Coast for cliffside villages and boat days, and Puglia for a road trip, masserie, food and long beaches. Puglia is flatter and easier to drive. See our Puglia vs Sicily and Amalfi Coast guides for more.
Plan Your Puglia Trip
For the full plan, read our Puglia travel guide and where to stay in Puglia.
Heading on? Our Sicily travel guide and Amalfi Coast travel guide cover the next stops.
Frequently asked questions
What is Puglia famous for?
Puglia is famous for the trulli of Alberobello, whitewashed hill towns, baroque Lecce, about 800 km of coastline, olive oil and red wines such as Primitivo di Manduria. It also has Castel del Monte, a UNESCO site, and sits close to Matera.
Is Bari or Lecce better to visit?
Lecce is the prettier city and the better base for the Salento. Bari is better for arriving, for trains and for day trips to Polignano, Alberobello and Matera. If you have time, split your stay between them.
How many days do you need in Puglia?
Seven days works for a first trip: three or four nights near the Bari coast or the Itria Valley, three in Lecce and a day trip to Matera. Three days is enough for Polignano, Alberobello and Ostuni.
What is the best rainy-day activity in Puglia?
The Grotte di Castellana. They stay about 18 °C inside, the full route takes around 100 minutes and tickets are €25 for adults. Book online ahead, because online sales aren't same-day.
What is there to do in Puglia in winter?
Castles, baroque churches, caves and old towns stay open. Check hours for Castel del Monte (9:00 to 17:45 from October to March), Lecce's castle tours and Monopoli's castle, which is closed on Mondays. Beach clubs and the Vieste ferries are seasonal.
Amalfi Coast or Puglia?
Choose the Amalfi Coast for cliffside villages and boat days, and Puglia for a road trip, masserie, food and long beaches. Puglia is flatter and easier to drive. See our Puglia vs Sicily and Amalfi Coast guides for more.
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