9 Amazing Places to Visit in Puglia

This guide aims to show you some great day trips from Bari. It’s meant for all kinds of travellers, especially those who prefer taking trains. And if you prefer letting others do the work while you have fun, we’ve also included some of the best organized tours from Bari.

When it comes to day trips from Bari, you can’t deny Puglia’s beautiful coastline, with white stone towns and rugged coves alongside a stunningly bright sea. As Puglia’s biggest transportation hub, Bari offers many tempting day trips. Whole regions beckon you – the Valle d’Itria and Salento to the south, Murgia and Gargano northward, or Gravina and Basilicata inland.

For these day trips from Bari, you’ll find detailed train information here for travel via public transportation, plus logistics details. We expect that if you rent a car, you already know how to use a GPS system. So we didn’t include much detail for driving directions.

The tours let you explore Puglia’s undiscovered beauty in the “heel” of Italy. You’ll uncover labyrinthine ports, whitewashed villages, and unique ancient dwellings. Experience traditional southern Italy on a relaxing trip to unspoiled areas.

Day Trips from Bari: The Salento Peninsula

The Salento Peninsula offers some great options for day trips from Bari.

1. Brindisi

If you like learning about ancient Rome or the Crusades, you should go to Brindisi. The Romans made the Appian Way as a straight road from their city all the way to Brindisi. They marked the end with a pair of giant columns. One of these still stands tall over the harbour today.

The capital on top is a replica, but the original is preserved nearby at the Palazzo Granafei-Nervegna. We recommend walking over to examine its detailed carvings up close. This lets you appreciate the true massive scale.

Just a few blocks away stands the Tempio di San Giovanni al Sepolcro church. A Crusading prince built it as a tribute to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Both sites connect you to Brindisi’s ancient history.

Brindisi’s massive harbour was Italy’s main departure point to the eastern Mediterranean. The harbour mixes historic and modern elements. Nearby, you’ll find the cathedral which hosted many important events before an earthquake badly damaged it in 1746. As a result, it had to be completely rebuilt. However, a few original pieces remain inside for you to see, like some mosaic floor tiles.

Fortunately, the neighbouring Portico dei Cavalieri Templari withstood the earthquake’s impact. With its Norman architecture, this little portico now stands out prominently in the plaza you visit. Additionally, it provides your entry to the Ribezzo Archaeological Museum.

This museum will likely be a highlight of your Brindisi visit. The large collection is free for you to explore. It includes ancient bronze statues salvaged from shipwrecks. In particular, the statues look hauntingly eroded from years underwater.

Getting to Brindisi

Brindisi lies along the same train route as the coastal towns mentioned further down in this post. Trains from Bari run about twice per hour, allowing you to arrive just over 60 minutes later. Once there, it’s only a 10-minute walk from the station to the harbour area you’ll want to see.

2. Lecce

Its fanciful architecture sets it apart from classic gilded Baroque styles, as detailed in our full post. Moreover, as you wander Lecce’s medieval streets and plazas, ancient Roman ruins will surround you. These include an atmospheric theatre, a massive 25,000-seat amphitheatre, and a towering column originally marking the Appian Way’s end in Brindisi. Today, this epic column is topped by a statue honouring Lecce’s patron saint. Indeed, immersing yourself in these contrasting layers of history makes Lecce a captivating stop.

Several dozen trains run to Lecce from Bari each day. Most take roughly 90 minutes for the trip. Additionally, the station is about a 5-minute walk from the historic centre.

3. Matera

Matera is built in and around twin depressions on the side of a rocky gorge. These “sassi” depressions look like a giant hand scooped out two areas of the hillside. Specifically, an elevated area connects the two sassi to the newer part of town higher up the ridge.

The upper areas have more amenities and tourist activity. You can begin your exploration at Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where the Chiesa di San Domenico and Chiesetta dei Cavalieri di Malta churches are located. From here, you can descend into the Sasso Barisano depression or wander along the ridge towards the Sasso Caveoso depression. Consequently exploring reveals Matera’s unique landscape and architecture.

The Sasso Caveoso contains the rock-cut churches of Santa Maria di Idris and Santa Lucia alle Malve, as well as the haunting Casa Grotta. However, simply wandering around the sassi might be the most rewarding experience.

The layout defies traditional boundaries – one resident’s roof forms another’s garden, while countless outdoor communal living rooms line the winding lanes. Ultimately, exploring this organic environment truly immerses you in Matera’s unique character.

Much like Lecce, Matera warrants more than a single day to fully experience. However, if your time is limited, you can manage a day trip from Bari. The historic area sits around a 10-minute uphill walk from Matera Centrale station.

Getting to Matera

Approximately 16 trains depart Bari daily, with journey times ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Occasionally, you may need to switch at Altamura to a train waiting across the opposite platform. While operators typically announce this transfer, double-checking doesn’t hurt.

Additionally, take note that Matera’s route utilizes the separate FAL line with distinct ticketing and platforms from Bari’s main station. You’ll spot FAL signage to the left upon exiting Bari Centrale. Despite the extra travel time required, Matera provides a fascinating glimpse into Puglia’s history through its unique sassi architecture. Allocating at least a day allows you to wander and appreciate this captivating city carved into the rocky landscape.

Day Trips from Bari: Stunning Coastal Destinations

Some of the best day trips from Bari can be found along the coast near the city.

4. Polignano a Mare

Many trips to Puglia start after seeing Polignano’s white clifftop buildings over the sea. With ocean views from nearly every street, Polignano became a resort town early on. Though the Cala Porto beach has pebbles instead of sand, it’s almost always crowded. But you can walk to plenty of other delightful coves with crystal-clear water, so swimmers won’t be disappointed. South of town, a promenade runs high above the water.

From Bari, many trains run to Polignano a Mare every day. The trip takes around 35 minutes. And the station is a short 10-minute walk from the historic centre.

5. Monopoli

Monopoli has plenty of sandy areas, rocks, and ledges for sunbathing and swimming. But it remains more low-key than neighbouring Polignano a Mare. The harbour contains four distinct coves. Several iconic blue fishing boats fill some coves, while another has a beach and another a small castle. There’s also a more modern harbour area, showing the town’s economy isn’t just tourism-based.

Monopoli’s neat grid of streets becomes a medieval maze between the harbour and the Baroque cathedral. This area is perfect for wandering between visits to the dozen little beaches within walking distance.

You can reach Monopoli about 5 minutes past Polignano a Mare on TrenItalia’s coastal route. Several dozen trains run from Bari every day. Some express trains also run, cutting the trip to just 20 minutes. Either way, the station is a 10-minute walk from the historic centre.

6. Trani

Trani is another excellent option for day trips from Bari. With Puglia’s stunning coastline as the backdrop, Trani boasts some of the region’s finest medieval architecture. Before the Spanish purposely allowed the harbour to silt up, Trani rivalled Bari as a powerful coastal town. No other place built both a castle and cathedral right along the water’s edge.

Trani’s renowned cathedral is a classic example of Puglian Romanesque style. You can see its tall stone walls from far away on the water. Inside, the unique structure has three separate churches stacked on top of each other. And the massive bronze doors have oxidized to match the same colour as the sea. You can also attempt to climb the 258 steps of the bell tower if you are feeling energetic. The cathedral remains an impressive sight overall.

Another church you’ll see is Ognissanti, thought to be founded by the Knights Templar in the 1100s. Nearby, the Scolagrande and Scolanova buildings have been reconsecrated as synagogues. This acknowledges Trani’s past as a thriving Jewish centre. under Frederick II’s rule. Scattered around town are Venetian-influenced palazzos from after a Spanish king pawned Trani to Venice. The architecture connects you to the city’s multilayered history.

While Trani doesn’t have a sandy beach right in town, a jetty extends from the harbour. You can dive off the rocks or simply lounge on the wide stone walkway, surrounded by blue water in every direction. Surprisingly, Trani sees far less tourist traffic than towns to the south. This was our favourite coastal town in Puglia.

From Bari, several dozen TrenItalia trains run to Trani daily. The trip takes around 40 minutes. And the station is just a 10-minute walk from the historic centre. This makes it easy to experience Trani’s charms for yourself.

7. Barletta

Want to escape the crowds? Head to Barletta. Start your day with a cappuccino at the cafe right in front of the giant Colossus of Heraclius statue. This is the largest surviving bronze statue from ancient Roman times. The Colossus stands before the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro church. This church was an important stop for Crusaders and pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land long ago. Visiting gives you a taste of Barletta’s historic charm.

Near the coast, Barletta’s castle grounds form a park between the cathedral and sea. The castle itself ranks among Puglia’s best. Construction began under the Normans around the early 1100s, with continual remodelling over the years. From the battlements, you get spectacular coastal views. We could have slept on top without anyone noticing – the castle was so peaceful and uncrowded during our visit. Exploring it connects you to Barletta’s layered history.

Barletta’s cathedral combines various architectural styles from its long construction period, though Puglian Romanesque remains the dominant style.

You can reach Barletta around 10 minutes past Trani on TrenItalia’s coastal route, which takes approximately 50 minutes total from Bari.

From Bari, numerous trains run to Lecce daily. And the station is just a 10-minute walk from the historic centre., making it easy to explore on foot.

Day Trips from Bari: Valle d’Itria

The Itria Valley in central Puglia provides some unique and interesting day trips from Bari.

In the heart of Puglia is the Itria Valley. This is a huge area in central Puglia. It extends between the provinces of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto. The Itria Valley doesn’t look exactly like a valley. It is actually a large karst depression at the bottom of the Murge plateau. The valley stretches from Putignano in the north to Ostuni in the south. You can explore this unique geological area when visiting central Puglia.

8. Alberobello the Home of Trulli

Alberobello is a popular choice for day trips from Bari. At first glance, Alberobello seems like any other small Italian town. The streets are narrow and hilly. The houses are white. The weather is pleasant. Life moves slowly.

But look closer at some of the houses. You’ll think you landed in a fantasy book! Small houses with cone-shaped roofs are everywhere.

If you investigate further, you’ll find these little dwarf houses are real. People actually live in them. If you want to see what a hobbit house looks like, go to Alberobello. It’s the land of dwarf houses – a small town in Puglia, southern Italy, not far from Bari.

Alberobello is famous for its unique, historical trullo houses (plural is trulli). The name comes from medieval Latin – “silva arboris belli” meaning “the wood of the tree of war.”

Travelling to Alberobello by train can take over two hours each way. You’ll likely need to transfer trains at least once. A better option – if it’s not too crowded – is the “Trulli Link” bus. It’s run by FSE from Bari Largo Sorrentino bus station next to the main train station. Or you can take an informal tour, which is basically a van with a driver.

We saw local offices on Bari’s Corso Cavour street offering full-day and half-day tours to Alberobello. The van tours get you there faster than the train.

9. Ostuni

Ostuni has a surprisingly diverse set of sights packed into the town. In the lower section, the Piazza della Libertà square has a Baroque obelisk and a Renaissance church. As you walk up the cobblestone lanes, it feels like stepping into a medieval world. Alleys twist and cross between whitewashed walls.

Along the way, you’ll get views of the surrounding valley. The contrasting architectural styles make Ostuni an interesting place to explore on foot.

At the top of the hill stands Ostuni’s cathedral. An interesting blend of arches creates an elegant and unique facade. The church was rebuilt between 1469-1495. Technically, it is considered Gothic style.

However, the old rose window and carvings remain true to the older Puglian Romanesque style. Despite this mix of architectural elements, the cathedral still stands out.

Additionally, the whitewashed walls of the town provide a striking contrast against the cathedral’s stone exterior. Inside, visitors can admire the blend of styles as well. Ostuni’s cathedral highlights how the town brings together diverse architectural influences.

Ostuni gets very crowded with tourists during peak season. To avoid crowds, it’s best to visit either early morning or late afternoon. Around 30 trains run between Bari and Ostuni each day. The average travel time is 50 minutes. Additionally, Brindisi is only 20 more minutes away on the same train line.

Getting to Ostuni’s historic centre. from the station outside of town is simple. First, stop at the tobacco shop to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. Usually, the bus waits right outside when trains arrive. However, getting back can be trickier. The buses may or may not follow the official schedule strictly. Therefore, you’ll want to factor return timing into your plans for the day.

Our Guides to Italy

Travel Planning Guide for Day Trips From Bari

Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Bari, Italy

Buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Therefore, enjoy your holiday in Italy stress-free with one of my favourite providers, Visitors Coverage Insurance.

Renting a Car in Italy

Indeed, renting a car in Italy is easy and is a great way to explore. Consequently, I recommend booking yours with Rentalcars.com – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.

Finding the Perfect Accommodation in Italy

The best way to book your accommodation in Italy is with Booking.com. In fact, it’s my go to site to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.

Booking Flights to Italy

Lastly, for air travel, I recommend booking your flight with Omio. Moreover, it has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights to visit Italy.