If you’re still wondering what to see in Puglia, Italy, or how to plan your days, here’s a simple 5-day itinerary based on the one I personally recommend to my guests — whether they’re coming from Rome, Naples, or directly after visiting Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Every year, through My Exclusive Italy, we organize dozens of private tours across this region — and every itinerary starts with a genuine connection to the land, the people, and the local traditions. I personally return to Puglia every year, not just to relax, but to scout new experiences, shake hands with local partners, and deepen relationships with the families behind the restaurants, vineyards, villas, and farms we love.
Day 1: Discover Monopoli and Polignano a Mare
Start your journey by settling into one of our handpicked accommodations in Monopoli — whether it’s a boutique hotel with a sea view, a charming suite overlooking the town’s stunning cathedral, or one of our exclusive villas, masserie, or trulli just outside the city, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees.
It’s the ideal base to explore Puglia — close to the sea, yet just minutes from the countryside.Spend the morning wandering the old town: cobbled alleys, tiny churches, fishermen’s boats rocking in the harbor. Around lunch, your private driver will be at your disposal, ready to accompany you comfortably to Polignano a Mare, one of the most iconic towns in Southern Italy, where cliffside views and poetic energy fill every corner.
Optional: In the late afternoon, enjoy a private boat tour departing from the picturesque port of San Vito, just outside Polignano. You’ll sail along the coast and explore spectacular sea caves accessible only by water, swim in hidden coves, and enjoy an aperitivo on board with prosecco and local taralli — all with music, relaxed vibes, and a view of the sunset.
End your evening with dinner by the sea, tasting fresh seafood and a chilled glass of local rosé.
Day 2: Alberobello – Locorotondo – Martina Franca
Duration: 8 hours
Explore the heart of the Itria Valley, where every village looks like a living postcard — full of charm, history, and authenticity.
Begin in Alberobello, a truly magical place that feels like stepping into a fairytale. With over a thousand whitewashed trulli — the iconic cone-shaped houses adorned with mysterious symbols — this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most fascinating stops in Puglia. Locals still live in these ancient stone dwellings year-round, and wandering through the winding streets of the old town is like walking through living history.
Next, you’ll visit Martina Franca, a graceful hilltop town known for its elegant Baroque architecture, noble palaces, and richly decorated churches. Its historic center is full of hidden corners and stunning views — every turn reveals a new gem.
You’ll then continue to Locorotondo, perched on a hill surrounded by vineyards and trulli. This peaceful, flower-filled village is one of the most beautiful in Italy, with its circular layout giving it its name. It’s also home to a delicious local white wine DOC, and the aroma of rustic Puglian cooking fills the quiet alleyways.
Throughout the day, you’ll also enjoy the countryside drive between towns, with two hours dedicated to pick-up, travel time, and scenic views along the way.
Day 3: Ostuni – Lecce
Duration: 8 hours
Description:
Start the day in Ostuni, the “White City”, gleaming under the southern sun with panoramic sea views. Then head south to Lecce, often called the Florence of the South, where golden baroque facades, hidden courtyards, and artisan workshops await.
This tour blends architecture, history, and elegance — and through our connections at My Exclusive Italy, we can suggest the best local restaurants, family-run shops, and even artists’ studios, where tradition still lives and breathes.
Day 4: Matera with Local Guide
Duration: 8 hours
Description:
Just beyond Puglia’s borders lies Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. With a local guide, you’ll explore the Sassi cave dwellings, centuries of human history etched into stone, and get a glimpse into the transformation of this once-forgotten town into a cultural capital. Over the years, we’ve built relationships with local guides, chefs, and hosts in Matera who offer not just information, but stories — personal, moving, and rooted in this place. Ask us, and we’ll arrange a special lunch or a tasting in a hidden courtyard you’d never find alone.
Day 5: A Day of Relaxation by the Sea
After days of exploration, today is all about relaxing. Head to one of the beach clubs in Capitolo, a stretch of coastline we know and love.
Here the sea is crystal clear, the lounges are shaded and comfortable, and the seafood risotto is best enjoyed with bare feet in the sand. Through My Exclusive Italy, we can reserve your spot at our favorite beach clubs — the ones we return to ourselves, not because they’re trendy, but because they’re real.
At My Exclusive Italy, we don’t just suggest places because they’re on a list — we recommend them because we’ve lived them, enjoyed them, and shared a meal with the people behind them.
From winemakers to villa owners, from chefs to farmers, we’ve built this network with our hands, our heart, and our time.
Because in the end, the only way to truly recommend something… is to have experienced it yourself, to have loved it — and to pass it on with passion and a deep love for Italy.