7 Day Puglia Travel Itinerary: Exploring by Train Bari to Lecce

If you love Italy but hate the idea of stressful driving, Puglia is one of the easiest regions to explore by train.

This relaxed 7 day Puglia itinerary takes you from Bari to Lecce via Monopoli, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni and Polignano a Mare — all without hiring a car. We even had time to include a trip to Otranto and Gallipoli.

We include tried and tested tips on travelling through Puglia by train and when we couldn't use the train, we share bus and taxi options.

Perfect for couples and midlife travellers, this route combines coastal towns, slow travel and easy rail connections. We enjoyed this trip so much that Puglia is now one of our favourite spots in Italy.

Why Puglia is Perfect for Train Travel

One of the biggest advantages of train travel is no worrying or stress about driving overseas, finding parking or getting accurate directions. Here's why we found train travel in Puglia so easy:

• Trains are regional and frequent — the main line between Bari and Lecce serves all the key coastal towns.
• Changing tickets WITHOUT A FEE is easy. We regularly went on the app and simply changed our time if we wanted less or more time in a particular town.
• Most stations on the route are central so when you arrive you can walk everywhere.
• Trains in Italy have a number which makes travelling even easier. Similar to a flight number, they are listed along with the destination both on the information board and on the front of the train as it arrives.

We have used trains in Italy many times now. Read our Italy by Train Itinerary post which has more detailed information about getting around other regions of the country.

Quick Itinerary Overview

We split our time into three 2-day stays:
Monopoli (2 nights), Alberobello (2 nights), Lecce (2 nights).

This worked well as we felt we had a central base and enough time in each area. We generally took morning trains arriving in our next place by midday.

If you prefer less unpacking you could do Alberobello as a day trip and then have 3 nights in Monopoli and 3 nights in Lecce.  
However, staying in Alberobello and in a trulli house was pretty special so I would build at least one night here.

Quick Overview of Travel Times and Costs per Adult (2026)

All fares shown are for single journeys — a return is generally double the price. In Alberobello and Locorotondo, rail work was going on but replacement buses were efficient and didn't delay us.

From Monopoli to Alberobello we travelled by bus as the train journey was routing us back via Bari. We took a taxi to nearby Fasano from Alberobello when we wanted to move on to Lecce — more on both those later.

Regional trains in Puglia are easy to use — quiet platforms, clear signage and affordable fares

Buying Train Tickets

The easiest way to purchase your train tickets is to download the Trenitalia App and buy them online. This way tickets are stored, changes can be made easily and you can see journey time options.

Why Start in Bari

Most international visitors arrive via Bari. It's the biggest airport in Puglia and the easiest gateway into the region.

Having said that, it's still much smaller and far less busy than Rome, Milan or Venice, so with fewer flights arriving, we had a quicker journey through immigration.

You can land, collect any checked luggage and be on a direct train south within an hour — no stressful driving, parking or motorway navigation required. We landed at 10am and were on our way to Monopoli by 10:30am.

Train to Monopoli

This involves one simple connection, as follows:

1. Purchase ticket from Bari Airport (known as BARI AEROPORTO KAROL WOJTYLA) to Monopoli. Journey time: 20 minutes to Bari Central.
2. Change at Bari Central. Your train is likely to say Lecce or Brindisi so look for the train number on the information board if unsure. Journey time: 30 minutes.

Monopoli's old town — colourful historic buildings line every narrow street

Monopoli Highlights

Monopoli is a great base and was our first stop. It combines beautiful sea views, a walkable old town, quality restaurants in a relaxed atmosphere and interesting day trip options.
We spent one afternoon, two evenings and a morning in Monopoli and these were our favourite things to do.

1. Explore the Old Town

Our Monopoli highlights included wandering around the delightful alleyways, popping into churches and relaxing in piazzas — you can easily while away the hours here. Expect to get lost — we did, several times — but then we discovered more hidden spots.

It's not a big town so you don't really need a map, however there is a tourist information office open daily who provide these, or ask at your hotel.

Visit Monopoli's huge and beautiful Cathedral — Basilica Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia. Free to enter. Open daily from 7:30am–12pm and from 4pm–8:30pm.

Monopoli's magnificent cathedral is free to enter and one of the finest baroque churches in Puglia

Early evening is the perfect time to wander slowly before dinner, when locals begin gathering outdoors and the streets take on a warm glow. If you want to explore more at this time with a local, book a 90 minute Free Evening Walking Tour.

Monopoli's streets come alive in the evenings — perfect for a slow pre-dinner wander

2. Visit the Old Harbour

This small fishing harbour, also known as the Old Port (Porto Antico), is one of Monopoli's prettiest spots. Lined with traditional blue fishing boats and next to old historic buildings, it's centrally located.

We watched fishermen at work on their nets or unloading catch. It's ideal for relaxed photography and for evening aperitivo stops overlooking the water. It's a spot we personally kept revisiting as it was so pretty.

Monopoli's old harbour at sunset — one of the most photogenic spots in all of Puglia

3. Walk the Seafront & City Walls

The coastal promenade around the old defensive walls gives panoramic Adriatic views and is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. Without a stop, the stroll from Porto Antico to Porto Rosso is about 20 minutes.

Whilst we were there, certain parts of this route had work going on so a couple of viewing points were restricted but it was still a lovely walk.

Traditional fishing boats line Monopoli's Porto Antico — a quintessential Puglian scene

The Italian tradition of a pre-dinner drink and snack is such a great idea — walks might take longer than 20 minutes as there are several spots to stop and sample an aperitivo!

4. Relax in Piazza Garibaldi Square

Piazza Garibaldi is the heart of Monopoli's social scene — perfect for people-watching over an aperitivo

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a gorgeous square where we spent time simply relaxing, having drinks, ice-creams and people watching.

Restaurants we ate at were N24 Bar a Vin, located in a tucked away street and so pretty lit up at night — their seafood pasta was fantastic.

We also enjoyed Tamborr near the entrance to the harbour. Have you ever had a caesar salad served in a pizza bread bowl? I hadn't until then but it was both unique and delicious.

Evening dining in Monopoli — the restaurant scene here is excellent, with fresh seafood and local wines

Where to Stay in Monopoli

Monopoli has a great range of accommodation — from boutique apartments to well-appointed hotel rooms

There are a number of hotels in Monopoli but apartments are much more common. We loved our apartment Palazzo Mulini in the heart of Monopoli's historic area.

Our standard room was spacious and well equipped with a terrace and sea-views. Only a 10 minute walk from the station, it was easy to get to and our host Ida was fantastic too! A bonus was the private rooftop terrace for guests to enjoy.

Explore Accommodation in Monopoli

Ostuni's sun-drenched piazzas and whitewashed buildings are unlike anywhere else in Puglia

Morning — Explore Ostuni

20 minutes from Monopoli by train is the stunning UNESCO town of Ostuni. This was one of our favourite places — it's small and more like a village.

With a very relaxed vibe, I just loved wandering around the whitewashed mazed streets. Built entirely on a hill, wear comfortable walking shoes as streets are cobbled and stepped in many places.

Ostuni's narrow whitewashed streets are adorned with colourful flowers — a photographer's dream

Top Things to Do in Ostuni

1. Stroll the winding streets stopping in the delightful shops and pottering around. You will get lost but that's part of the charm. There are some lovely coffee shops — we had a delicious cappuccino at Bar Perso, the views were an added bonus.
2. Piazza Della Liberta is a huge square in the heart of Ostuni. You can't miss the 20 metre obelisk of St Oronzo, known as the protector of the town. It's another great photo spot for views across to the cathedral. You'll also find the tourist information office here — they're super helpful.
3. Visit Ostuni Cathedral which is at the highest point in town and enjoy the fantastic views over the Puglian countryside and out to the Adriatic Sea.

The cathedral archway at the top of Ostuni — the views from here across the Adriatic are breathtaking

4. Borgo Antico is one of the most popular eating spots in town. Book in advance if you want a table here for lunch.
5. Walk the Ostuni City Walls — there are some hard to beat viewpoints as you stroll around the amazing architecture.

Tuk-tuks are a brilliant way to get around Ostuni's steep cobbled streets without breaking a sweat

Ostuni's charming streets are lined with local shops, market stalls and artisan boutiques — perfect for a slow morning wander

Getting to/from Ostuni Station

This railway station is not in the centre of town. When we arrived, there was a minibus type taxi waiting to take passengers up to the town — at €5 per person it seemed pretty reasonable.

However, with the other cabs quoting €20 for the 3km routeIt filled up quickly  so the driver said he'd be back soon.  How long is soon in Puglia?? We weren't sure either!  

There is also a bus stop at the station but we had just missed one and the timetable was showing a 30 minute wait for the next one.  We decided to walk — it was steep and uphill the whole way so it took us about 35 minutes.  

We caught the bus back to the station. Head to Via Cesare Braico bus stop and either buy your tickets on the bus or at the tourist information office in Ostuni. They were €1 each and the ride takes 10 minutes.

Book a Guided Tour of Ostuni

Ostuni's architecture is a delight — every corner reveals another perfectly whitewashed street or archway

Afternoon — Polignano a Mare

Polignano is a beautiful seaside town with dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and a tiny beach set between these cliffs. It shares the same train line as Monopoli and Ostuni.

After our full morning in Ostuni, rather than head straight back to Monopoli, we stayed on the train for an extra 5 minutes to reach Polignano a Mare for the afternoon. It's a 5 minute walk from the station down to the centre of town.  

For a bit of fun, we jumped in a tuk-tuk .  We loved our little adventure on this!

Jumping in a tuk-tuk is one of the most fun ways to arrive in Polignano a Mare's historic centre

Top Things to Do in Polignano a Mare

1. Visit Lama Monachile Beach (also known as Cala Porto) — this famous pebbly beach is right in the centre of town. Seeing it from the Ponte Borbonico bridge is wonderful but if you want to get closer, follow the steps down from the bridge.   It will only take 5 minutes and even if you don’t swim in the sea (we didn’t) walking down to the beach is a laid back stroll.      
2. Explore the narrow labyrinth streets in Centro Storico (historic centre). It's another place where you most likely get lost as you wander past restaurants, boutiques and gift stores but eventually you'll come to spectacular viewpoints of Cala Porto cove.
3. Check out the famous statue of Domenico set in a large open square overlooking the sea. Domenico was a songwriter from Polignano who wrote the song Volare, winning Grammys in 1959!
4. Enjoy a short boat trip along the coastline to view Polignano from the water, explore sea caves and take a swim in the Adriatic Sea. We suggest around 2 hours if you want to fit this in.

Polignano a Mare's famous cove — turquoise waters framed by dramatic limestone cliffs

Book your Polignano Sea Caves and Boat Trip

Alberobello is only 21 km from Monopoli so it worked well as the next stop on our Puglia itinerary. For this part of the journey, we don't recommend train travel as it will route you back through Bari and cut into a good chunk of your day.

Options for Travelling From Monopoli to Alberobello

1. Taxi — fastest but most expensive — we were quoted €80 one way.
2. Bus — the cheapest, and with a journey time of 55 minutes, it's quick. Buses run 3 times a day but check the schedules for up to date information. Book your bus ticket online and in advance as it's a busy route. We recommend you arrive about 20 minutes in advance at the bus stop.

Book your Bus Tickets Monopoli to Alberobello

Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of Alberobello — hundreds of trulli houses tumbling down the hillside

Alberobello is one of the most memorable towns I've ever been to. Hundreds of unique cone shaped trulli houses cascading down a hillside made me feel like I had stepped back in time. They really are incredible to see in person. If you're staying in Alberobello, then really you have to book a Trulli for your accommodation.

Without going into too much history, the Trulli houses came about as a way of avoiding heavy taxes. Their dry stone slab walls were built in the 15th century, without mortar to form a self-supporting dome.

Roofs could be quickly dismantled which meant the houses were deemed unfinished and exempt from taxes. Alberobello has a population of around 10,000 and since 1996 has been a UNESCO site.

This makes it a top destination for day-trippers so explore early morning or when tour buses leave. Over the two days in Alberobello we had plenty of time to enjoy this small town.

Many of Alberobello's trulli have been converted into charming shops, cafes and boutiques

Our Top Things to Do in Alberobello

1. Explore the Trulli-lined streets — This is the top activity in Alberobello and it's what everyone comes to do. Some might say it is a bit touristy but it's totally unique and I loved it. Some of the trullis are homes but many are cute shops, small cafes and restaurants. We spent half a day just wandering around popping into the different houses.
2. Visit the Heritage Museum — If you aren't staying in a trulli in Alberobello, head to Trullo Sovrano which is a museum housing original traditional trulli furnishing and artifacts. Open daily with some seasonal variations, entrance is €2.50.


Alberobello's streets are full of local artisan crafts — perfect for picking up a unique souvenir

3. Dine inside a Trulli — It's fun to eat inside a trulli restaurant where seating is set within the circular stone walls. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Corte dei Trulli — they certainly know how to flavour their food!
4. Climb to Belvedere Viewpoint — This is a great spot to get a panoramic viewpoint of the Rione Monte so head there early morning or sunset for top photos.
5. Join a Walking Tour — If you prefer to learn more about the history, join a local guided walking tour.
6. Enjoy a Local Winery and Food Tasting Tour — Lasting about 3 hours, you'll experience a tour of a local vineyard and sample local products like cheese and cold meats.

The trulli of Alberobello are a UNESCO World Heritage Site — their unique cone roofs are unlike anything else in the world

Book your Guided Trulli Walking Tour

For breakfast in Alberobello, try Cosi Comera who offer a buffet breakfast with fresh ingredients and great coffee. It's right in the centre of town.

To be honest, you only really need a day exploring Alberobello. So, on our second day, after breakfast and a morning stroll (without the day trippers) we headed to Locorotondo. It is only 5 minutes from Alberobello so it's an ideal day trip.

Locorotondo from above — the circular hilltop town is surrounded by vineyards and trulli-dotted countryside

Locorotondo

If you can say the name of this town, well done! Pronounced loh-koh-roh-TAWN-doh, it's set amongst rolling vineyards and olive groves in the Valle d'Itria.

Locorotondo is much less touristy than Alberobello and is known for its small historic centre and countryside views. It's a much quieter town to visit for half a day. We found it very atmospheric!

Best Things to Do in Locorotondo

1. Wander the Circular Old Town — Locorotondo literally means "round place," and the historic centre is designed in a circular layout overlooking the countryside. We enjoyed strolling through the narrow whitewashed lanes admiring the flower balconies and courtyards.
2. Enjoy Wine Tasting in the Valle d'Itria — The town is known for its crisp local white wines, particularly Locorotondo DOC. Small wine bars around the old town offer the perfect spot to enjoy a glass with fresh bread and cheese.


Locorotondo's streets are beautifully decorated with flowers — a quieter, more authentic alternative to Alberobello

3. Take in the Panoramic Countryside Views — Several viewpoints along the edge of town overlook the Valle d'Itria trulli-dotted landscape. We weren't there long enough for sunset, but from day time viewing I can imagine it is a beautiful spot. If you want to explore more of the countryside of Valle d'Itria, E-bike tours are increasingly popular. Something I'll do next time.

Book your Bike Hire in Valle d'Itria

Locorotondo's historic centre is a joy to wander — far fewer tourists than Alberobello and all the more charming for it

Where to Stay in Alberobello

Staying inside a trulli is a truly special experience — the stone walls keep it cool in summer and warm in winter

We stayed in Trulli Soave which was part of a group of houses under Trulli Holidays. It was located in the Rione Aia Piccola district which is quieter than the main area of Rione Monti. Super spacious and clean inside and really warm.

Head to their reception area and they take you to your trulli. Staying in one of these traditional stone houses is a unique experience and one which I'll always remember. Do book in advance — they're very popular.

Explore Trulli Options in Alberobello

Travelling from Alberobello to Lecce

Some online searches seem to show routes that make this train journey look quick, but when I dug deeper into the timetables, it wasn't. If you take the train, it routes you back to Bari and as we previously mentioned, parts of the journey may be a bus replacement.

We found the quickest and most cost effective way to get from Alberobello to Lecce was to take a taxi south to Fasano (20 minutes away) and then pick up the direct train from there to Lecce. Fasano Train station is not in the centre of town but a few miles out so it's something to be aware of.

Uber is an option for the transfer but we found a local company called ToGoTo who were cheaper and efficient — chat to them through WhatsApp. The taxi fare from Alberobello to Fasano was €45.

The train from Fasano to Lecce took just over an hour. Leece station was also undergoing work when we arrived. But it's very central and we only had a 10 minute walk into our accommodation near the Old Town.

We arrived by lunchtime, giving us all afternoon to explore Lecce's historic streets.

Lecce's café culture is one of its great pleasures — aperitivo hour is not to be missed

Lecce Highlights

Lecce is bigger than other small coastal towns in Puglia and is often referred to as 'The Florence of The South'. With its spectacular baroque buildings, a Roman amphitheatre, an impressive cathedral and over 40 beautiful churches not to mention gorgeous courtyards and mazed streets, there's lots to see and explore. Oh…and the food is incredible!

We list here our highlights which we enjoyed exploring over our few days in Lecce.

1. Explore the historic centre — We loved just wandering around the historic centre of Lecce without a set itinerary and just soaking up the atmosphere, stopping for a drink or coffee in one of the many cafes and piazzas. As we strolled, we were wowed by the never-ending honey coloured churches which glow from the golden limestone they are built from.
   
   Once again we had fun getting lost in the maze of streets…don’t worry, it will most likely lead to another wonderful building.
   
   However, if you prefer to explore with a guide, book a walking tour to learn about the history of Lecce and its Baroque Architecture.


The sunken Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Sant'Oronzo — you can walk around the outside for free

2. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre — Open 10am–9pm.
   This sunken amphitheatre is in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, a main square in Lecce. You can walk right round the outside of it for free. If you want to explore further, a ticket costs €5 for adults and €2 for children. On the first Sunday of the month it is FREE.
3. Visit Lecce Cathedral and Basilica Di Santa Croce — These two landmarks are stunning because of their incredible baroque architecture with intricate facades on both. The Basilica took almost 100 years to construct and is probably the biggest, most intricate church I've ever seen.

Lecce Cathedral glows golden in the evening light — the bell tower offers panoramic views over the rooftops

Lecce Cathedral

Open: Summer 9am–9pm, Winter 9am–6pm.
Single Ticket €6 for Cathedral, €12 to go up the Bell Tower (there is a lift!).

Built in 1659, Lecce Cathedral is in Piazza Del Duomo. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to get great sunrise photos. Return at night to see it lit up — looks so peaceful and beautiful.

The Basilica di Santa Croce took almost 100 years to build — every inch of the facade tells a story

Basilica Di Santa Croce

Open Daily: Summer 9am–9pm, Winter 9am–6pm.
 Ticket €11 for Cathedral and Basilica di Santa Croce.

With elaborate carvings of a mix of religious symbols in between mediaeval mythological creatures, your eyes are drawn to the huge rose window framed with berries and bay leaves.

Combination Tickets

If you want to see the following monuments, combination tickets are excellent value:

• Cathedral and Bell Tower — Lecce's stunning baroque cathedral set in the grand Piazza del Duomo, plus the Bell Tower offering panoramic views over the city rooftops (there is a lift!).
• Basilica of Santa Croce — One of the most ornate baroque facades in all of Italy, featuring elaborate carvings of mythological creatures, angels and floral motifs. Took almost 100 years and three architects to complete.
• Church of Santa Chiara — A beautifully decorated baroque church tucked into the historic centre, with a richly adorned interior and intricate papier-mâché altarpieces.
• Church of San Matteo — An elegant elliptical church with a striking two-level facade blending baroque and Renaissance styles — a hidden gem often missed by visitors.
• Ancient Seminary and Museum of Sacred Art (MuDAS) — A magnificent 17th-century seminary building housing an impressive collection of sacred art, religious artefacts and historical exhibits relating to Lecce's rich cultural heritage.

Costs : €21.00 for all of the above
              €11 if you don't want to visit the Bell Tower.
             Reduced rates for children.
Valid for 15 days from the time of issue.

Book your Combination Tickets for Basilica and Cathedral

Lecce's restaurants serve some of the best food in Puglia — fresh pasta, bruschetta and incredible salads

Where to Eat in Lecce

There are so many places to eat in Lecce and to be honest, I don't think you can go wrong! We enjoyed drinks and delicious meals at Doppiozero and Boccon Divino.

The salads were magnificent, pasta cooked beautifully, and fresh bruschetta with ripe sweet tomatoes so much better than my efforts at making this at home.

Book a Street Food Tasting Tour of Lecce here

Where to Stay in Lecce

Stay close to or in the historic area of Lecce.

We loved our boutique apartment only a five minute walk from the old town entrance arches. Palazzo Emy was beautiful and host Emy made our stay extra special with her homemade cakes and knowledge of Lecce. Breakfast was served in a nearby cafe at the entrance to the old town.

For a luxury hotel, choose Palazzo Sant'Anna Lecce and enjoy the rooftop dining and their spa and wellness centre.

Explore Accommodation Options in Lecce

On Day 6 of our Puglian adventure, we decided to take a day trip out from Lecce to the Salento coast. Our tour included Gallipoli and Otranto and also the southernmost point of Puglia, Santa Maria di Leuca.

This is a non-guided tour — we were dropped off, given a pick up point and time, and then explored independently. The Salento Coast trip is very popular — we booked the day before and picked up the last two available places!

Book your Salento Coast Tour

The Salento coastline is dramatic and beautiful — one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Italy

Gallipoli

• • Explore the old town island — simply wander around. Unexpected courtyards and baroque churches make this a very picturesque place.
• • Walk the Seafront Walls — colourful boats bob in the water and you'll likely see the fishermen tending to their nets.
• • Take morning coffee or lunch by the harbour.

Santa Maria di Leuca & Castro Marina

• • Santa Maria — the most southern point of Puglia — dramatic viewpoints.
• • Castro — ideal spot to enjoy lunch over the marina.
• • Ponte Ciolo — stony bridge with stunning gorge is an added bonus stop.

Otranto

• • Walk the historic centre — tiny labyrinth streets to wander through; pop into boutiques and art galleries.
• • Stroll the city walls — lovely walk with fantastic views over both the castle, historic centre and the harbour.
• • Visit Otranto Cathedral — Free to enter and open daily (8:30am–12 noon & 3–7pm) — has a beautiful mosaic floor said to be the best preserved in Europe.

Otranto's harbour is lined with colourful fishing boats — a perfect spot for a coffee or a stroll along the walls

Tuk-tuks are a fun way to get around Otranto's historic centre — especially useful on the hilly streets

This was a full day out — almost 9 hours — but a great one. If you want to get a feel for Puglia's coastal towns, it's perfect, so if you have the time, do it!

Because we had a 9pm evening flight back to the UK, we were lucky to have another almost full day to explore Lecce. We wandered back to the Old Town and really just enjoyed a bit more of 'getting lost' in the historic streets.

On this second day of exploring we discovered:

• • Chiesa di Santa Chiara — another beautiful church. Free to enter with the €11 combo ticket.
• • Two more historic city gate entrances (there are 3 in total).


One of Lecce's three historic city gate arches — a beautiful way to enter the old town

• • Fabulous ceramic shops — we particularly liked Shuluq (yes, we did buy some plates!).
• • Gardens just behind Basilica de Santa Croce.
• • Piazza Vittorio Emanuele Square surrounded by lovely cafes and restaurants.
• • I Galli in Piazzetta Sigismondo Castromediano — a small cafe/wine bar which served the most amazing feta salad and paninis.
• • More gelato! I loved the raspberry and vanilla mix at Agricola Gelateria — Piazza D'Italia — just fantastic!

Lecce's ceramic shops are irresistible — hand-painted plates and pottery make the perfect souvenir

Day 7 - Afternoon - Travel from Lecce to Brindisi Airport by Train

Although this is a quick journey of around an hour, the route is not direct. It involves one change where you travel by bus — but it's all very efficient.

1. Book your train ticket to Brindisi airport (your ticket includes the bus part).
2. Change at Brindisi city. Exit the station.
3. Just outside the station is the bus stop where you catch the bus to the airport. The bus will say AEROPUERTO on it.
4. This is a 5–10 minute journey taking you straight to the departure terminal.
5. Brindisi is a small airport so straightforward to get through security and passport control.

FAQs

Is it easy to get around Puglia by train?

The route between Bari and Lecce includes the coastal towns of Monopoli, Ostuni, Polignano a Mare making train travel between these places straightforward. Regional trains are frequent and comfortable.

Is it better to stay in Monopoli or Polignano?

Monopoli is larger than Polignano yet we felt it had a more relaxed vibe to it. It works well if you're after a slower pace but still want beaches and a larger historic centre. Polignano is beautiful but can get extremely busy in peak season. They are only 5 minutes apart, so you can still easily visit both.

How many days do you need in Puglia?

7 days is ideal to explore Puglia. This allows you to stay and visit several towns without feeling rushed. If you have less time, say 3–4 days, you would have to focus on one area, say Monopoli, and opt for day trips. 10 days would allow you to perhaps add car hire in for a couple of days and visit more beaches and more rural villages.

Should I fly into Bari or Brindisi?

If you are heading to Monopoli first but planning to visit Lecce too, fly into Bari and out of Brindisi. If you are just doing the Monopoli area — fly in and out of Bari. If you prefer to focus on Lecce and the Salento Coast, fly in and out of Brindisi.

Wrap Up

When we decided to explore Puglia by train, I was a little worried that we would be limiting our experiences and perhaps find regional train travel tricky. Having completed this trip, I can honestly say that it didn't limit us in the slightest.

From Monopoli to Lecce, taking in all the coastal towns and Alberobello by train was relaxing and easy and we fitted in more than I expected — including our fantastic Salento Coastal tour!

I can't wait to return to Puglia and explore more of this beautiful region of Italy.

We have also travelled around Tuscany by train and taken a 2 week Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi train trip too, so if Italy is one of your favourite destinations, then take a read of our Italy by Train Itinerary and our 6 Days in Sicily Itinerary.