Introduction
This itinerary has been prepared for a couple from the U.S. planning a balanced road trip through southern Italy from 20–29 December 2025. They were inspired by Puglia’s whitewashed hill towns, cave dwellings, festive traditions and food culture, but it will be their first time exploring the region. December brings mild temperatures (usually around 10–15 °C with long cool evenings) and a festive atmosphere. Christmas lights adorn the streets, and towns like Alberobello and Matera host presepe vivente—living nativity scenes where locals enact the Nativity in historic settings. Olive harvesting and wine making are in full swing, markets overflow with seasonal treats like focaccia, orecchiette pasta and citrus fruits, and the coast is blissfully uncrowded.
The following ten‑day itinerary is designed to balance exploration and relaxation. It strings together Puglia’s highlights—Bari, Polignano a Mare, the Valle d’Itria, Matera and Lecce—using scenic drives, with time for leisurely walks, cultural immersion, culinary adventures and off‑the‑beaten‑path detours. You’ll stay in characterful and budget‑friendly accommodation, from Bari’s historic quarters to a trullo house and a cave hotel, and travel in your own car. Where relevant, we suggest guided experiences through partners like GetYourGuide or Viator, but feel free to mix and match based on your interests. We also sprinkle in practical tips and optional stops for those who crave a deeper dive.
Tip: Before you go, review our guides on how to handle currency exchange like a pro and ultimate packing essentials for travelers to ensure a smooth trip.
10‑Day Puglia & Matera Itinerary for First‑Time Visitors by Elias JireisDay 1 — Bari Arrival & Old Town Welcome
Morning – Arrive at Bari by car or flight and check into a budget‑friendly B&B such as B&B Murex or Palazzo Calò in Bari Vecchia (old town). Staying inside the old quarter immerses you straight into a labyrinth of narrow alleys, churches and shrines and puts you within walking distance of everything. After settling in, grab a warm cornetto and coffee at a neighbourhood café.
Bari Vecchia Stay Picks (Walkable, Festive & Winter-Friendly)
Palazzo Calò puts you right inside Bari Vecchia’s stone-paved maze with chic studio apartments, kitchenettes, and a cozy rooftop for winter sunsets over church domes. You’re steps from Strada delle Orecchiette, the Cathedral of San Sabino, and the evening stroll along the Lungomare—perfect for a relaxed first night with everything walkable.
- 🧳 Apartment-style comfort (kitchenette + extra space)
- 🏰 Prime Old Town location (Cathedral & piazzas nearby)
- 🌆 Rooftop nook for golden-hour views
Prefer a different vibe? Consider these:
Warm, simple rooms tucked into Bari Vecchia’s lanes—ideal if you want value and local vibes with bakeries, cafés, and evening passeggiata just outside your door.
Book hereElegant waterfront hotel on the Lungomare with sweeping Adriatic views—great if you’d like a classic grand-hotel atmosphere, on-site dining, and easy sunset strolls.
Book hereAfternoon – Spend your first hours simply wandering. Bari Vecchia is a maze of alleyways; no map is needed. Head to Via Arco Basso (nicknamed Strada delle Orecchiette) where women sit outside their homes making ear‑shaped pasta by hand and selling local snacks like taralli and sun‑dried tomatoes. Pop into Bari Cathedral (San Sabino); its austere Romanesque interior shelters relics of Saint Sabinus and underneath lies an archaeological museum with mosaic floors and a section of Roman road. In nearby Piazza Mercantile and Piazza del Ferrarese you’ll find lively cafés and street musicians; criminals once endured public humiliation on the Column of Justice here.
Evening – As dusk falls, follow the sea air to the Lungomare Nazario Sauro. This sweeping promenade along the old harbour is one of Bari’s greatest pleasures; in the mornings fishermen unload their catch, but in the evening locals come out to stroll and watch the sunset. For dinner, book a table at La Tana del Polpo near Piazza Mercantile—its octopus and seafood platters are a feast. Finish with a scoop from Antica Gelateria Gentile before turning in early. If jet lag hits, consult our how to avoid jet lag guide for quick recovery.
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Day 2 — Bari’s Romanesque & Culinary Wonders
Morning – Begin at the Basilica di San Nicola. This important pilgrimage church was built between 1087 and 1197 specifically to house the relics of St. Nicholas. Its plain façade belies the treasures inside: a 12th‑century tabernacle, Vivarini’s Madonna painting, a marble bishop’s throne and the tomb of Bona Sforza. In the crypt, you can see the vault containing St. Nicholas’s remains. Continue down the street to the Castello Svevo. Originally a Byzantine structure, it was rebuilt in 1233 and later converted into a palace; today it houses a museum with Apulian‑Norman sculptures.
Afternoon – Take a break for lunch at Panificio Fiore for a slice of Bari’s legendary focaccia topped with tomatoes and herbs. Afterwards, join a GetYourGuide walking or food tour. Guides not only orient you in the maze but introduce you to the city’s best bites—freshly pulled mozzarella, fried polpette, sgagliozze (fried polenta) and robust primitivo wine. Alternatively, self‑drive to Pane e Pomodoro beach just outside the city for a quiet seaside stroll (though too cold for swimming, the beach is an easy urban escape).
Evening – Splurge on an evening at Teatro Petruzzelli, Bari’s opulent opera house. Completed in 1903, it burned in 1991 and was lovingly reconstructed, reopening in 2009. Check schedules; winter often brings ballet performances or symphony concerts. A cheaper but equally atmospheric option is to enjoy aperitivo in the Borgo Murattiano, the 19th‑century new town with elegant Liberty‑style buildings, cafés and shopping streets. Wrap up with dinner at Black & White for modern Puglian fare or sample rustic plates at Trattoria Le Antiche Sere.
Day 3 — Coastal Escape: Polignano a Mare & Monopoli
Morning – Collect your car and drive about 35 km south to Polignano a Mare, one of the Adriatic’s most photogenic villages. Park outside the centre (ZTL zones are enforced) and enter through the Arco Marchesale, the 16th‑century gate. Wander the cobbled streets dotted with churches, craft shops and poetry verses painted on staircases. Reach the Lama Monachile bridge for the classic view of houses clinging to limestone cliffs and the pebbled cove below. Weather permitting, consider a short boat tour (book via Viator) to explore sea caves like Grotta Palazzese, where emerald light filters through the rock.
Afternoon – Drive a further 10 km to Monopoli. Its fortified port and pastel houses are postcard‑perfect. Visit the baroque Cathedral of the Madonna della Madia, peek inside the Castello Carlo V and walk along the harbour to watch fishermen repairing nets. Enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch at La Locanda sul Porto or, if you prefer casual street food, try Il Guazzetto for panzerotti (fried stuffed dough). Consider a brief detour inland to the Grotte di Castellana for a guided cave tour of stalactites and stalagmites.
Evening – Continue south to the Valle d’Itria and check into a traditional trullo or masseria near Alberobello. Staying in a restored dry‑stone hut will be a highlight. Spend the evening warming by the fireplace and tasting home‑cooked dishes like orecchiette con cime di rapa and local white wine. Tomorrow you’ll explore the trulli in daylight.
Day 4 — Valle d’Itria: Alberobello & Locorotondo
Morning – Wake up amid Puglia’s iconic cones. Begin in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its concentration of over 1,500 trulli. These circular houses, built from roughly worked limestone without mortar, have conical roofs often painted with mythological symbols and topped with decorative pinnacles. Explore the Rione Monti and Aja Piccola districts; peek into the tiny Trullo Sovrano to understand life inside these dwellings. You may also visit Casa d’Amore and the Museo del Territorio.
Afternoon – Drive 10 minutes to Locorotondo, one of Italy’s Borghi più belli d’Italia (Most Beautiful Villages). Its circular historic centre, perched on a hill, is a labyrinth of whitewashed lanes lined with Le Cummerse, geometric houses with sloping limestone roofs. Stroll through the quiet alleys, stop at Chiesa Madre San Giorgio and enjoy panoramic views over vineyards and olive groves. Locorotondo is renowned for crisp white wines (Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano grapes); book a tasting at Cantina Cardone or I Pastini. If you’re hungry, Controra offers seasonal dishes at a fair price.
Evening – As twilight sets in, return to your trullo or masseria. For dinner, consider dining in Cisternino, another nearby town famous for its fornelli pronti, butcher shops that grill meat to order. Alternatively, join a cooking class at your accommodation where you’ll learn to make panzerotti or focaccia. December nights can be cold; bring a warm jacket and savour the silence of the countryside.
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Day 5 — Ostuni, Olive Oil & On to Matera
Morning – Check out and drive to Ostuni, the “White Town.” Its old town sits atop a hill, fortified by ancient walls. Wander through narrow lanes between whitewashed buildings, admire the 15th‑century Ostuni Cathedral with its rose window and visit the Bishop’s Palace The surrounding countryside is dotted with fortified farmhouses known as masserie—many now house agriturismi where you can stop for brunch or an olive oil tasting.
Afternoon – Visit Masseria Brancati or Masseria Il Frantoio, where centuries‑old olive trees produce peppery oil. Take a tour through the groves, see underground presses and sample freshly pressed extra virgin oil drizzled on bread. December is harvest time, so you may even witness picking. After lunch at the masseria (most offer simple farm‑to‑table menus), begin the 1 h 40 min drive to Matera in neighbouring Basilicata.
Evening – Arrive in Matera and check into a cave hotel like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, L’Hotel in Piazza or budget‑friendly Il Belvedere. This UNESCO city is famed for the Sassi districts—ancient cave dwellings carved into rock that have housed people continuously since prehistoric times. Tonight, simply soak in the atmosphere. Wander the softly lit alleyways, then dine at La Lopa or Ristorante Francesca, savouring dishes like cavatelli with crusco peppers and aglio olio. The next two days will delve deeper into Matera’s past.
Day 6 — Exploring the Sassi & Cave Churches of Matera
Morning – Join a guided walking tour to fully grasp Matera’s layered history. Begin in Sasso Barisano with visits to Casa Noha and Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, reconstructed cave homes that illustrate daily life before the 1950s resettlement. Continue to Sasso Caveoso and the 13th‑century Matera Cathedral, built atop the highest spur in Romanesque style. Learn how the earliest houses were simple caves enclosed by stone walls and how the Sassi remained inhabited for millennia.
Afternoon – Sample local cuisine at Trattoria Lucana (try peperoni cruschi and bread soup). Afterwards, explore rock‑hewn churches such as Santa Maria de Idris and San Pietro Barisano, carved into tufa cliffs; inside you’ll see fragile frescoes dating to the Middle Ages (please don’t touch the paintings). Cross the ravine to the Belvedere di Murgia Timone for panoramic views of the Sassi and the Gravina gorge.
Evening – December nights in Matera can be magical. Dine at Regia Corte or Baccanti; afterwards, if you feel festive, join locals in a piazza for a glass of mulled wine. On this date (25 December) some attractions may close early—use the evening to relax in your cave lodging.
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Day 7 — Murgia Park & Altamura
Morning – Drive out to the Parco della Murgia Materana, a protected area of ravines and plateau dotted with prehistoric caves and rupestrian churches. Hike one of the short trails (e.g., to Chiesa di San Falcione). The views back towards Matera are spectacular, especially in winter light. Birdwatchers may spot buzzards, kestrels and owls.
Afternoon – Continue west to Altamura (about 45 min). This lovely town is partly encircled by medieval walls. Visit the 13th‑century Altamura Cathedral, noted for its intricately carved doorway depicting biblical scenes, and wander the quiet streets. Altamura is famous for its Pane di Altamura—a chewy, durum wheat bread baked in wood‑fired ovens. Visit a bakery such as Panificio Di Gesù to watch the process and taste warm slices.
Evening – Return to Matera for dinner and perhaps a craft beer at Birrificio 79. If you missed olive oil shopping earlier, check out Enoteca Piccioni.
Day 8 — Matera’s Living Nativity & Drive to Lecce
Morning – Today you’ll experience Matera’s living nativity scene (Presepe Vivente), an event that runs on selected dates including 20–21 and 27–28 December 2025. The route winds through the Sassi and presents six scenes from the Christmas story, each lasting around 40 minutes; tickets must be booked in advance. The combination of candlelight, costumes and ancient caves creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
Afternoon – After lunch, set off toward Lecce (approx 2 hr 15 min drive). Break up the journey with a stop in Grottaglie to browse ceramics workshops; or in Manduria for a Primitivo wine tasting (pre‑book via GetYourGuide). Upon arrival in Lecce, check into a central B&B such as Palazzo Massari or B&B La Finestra sul Duomo.
Evening – Begin your Lecce experience with a passeggiata around Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the partially excavated Roman amphitheatre, which dates back to the late 2nd century BC and once held up to 25,000 spectators. Sample a sweet pasticciotto pastry and finish with an aperitivo of negramaro wine.
Day 9 — Lecce: Baroque Splendour & Salento Charms
Morning – Start with the Basilica di Santa Croce, whose façade is a riot of carved cherubs, animals and foliage; construction spanned more than 200 years before it opened in 1695. Continue to the Church of Saints Niccolò and Cataldo, built by King Tancred of Sicily in 1180 and later embellished with Baroque decoration. The blend of Norman austerity and flamboyant Baroque offers a lesson in changing styles.
Afternoon – Explore Castello di Carlo V, built by Charles V and now used for cultural exhibitions. Stroll over to Piazza del Duomo and climb the bell tower for views of Lecce’s golden stone rooftops. For lunch, try La Cucina di Mamma Elvira, known for traditional dishes like pitta di patate. Afterwards, shop for ceramics in artisan workshops—Lecce’s economy still revolves around olive oil, wine and ceramics.
Evening – You can either remain in Lecce or take a late‑afternoon drive to Otranto (1 hr) on the Adriatic coast. Explore its historic centre and 12th‑century mosaic floor in Otranto Cathedral, then dine at a waterfront osteria. Back in Lecce, catch a traditional pizzica folk dance performance or relax at a wine bar.
Day 10 — Coastal Drive Back to Bari & Departure
Morning – Depart Lecce and follow the coastal road north. Pause at Torre Guaceto nature reserve for a brisk walk along its windswept beaches (perfect for bird‑watching and winter photography). Alternatively, stop at the archaeological site of Egnazia, where Bronze Age, Greek and Roman remains—including parts of the Traiana Road and two basilicas—are visible.
Afternoon – Continue towards Bari, stopping for a farewell lunch at a masseria near Monopoli or back in Polignano a Mare for one last look at the cliffs. Allow time to return your car and explore any remaining corners of Bari. If you have a late flight, fit in a visit to the Pinacoteca Provinciale art gallery, known for works by Vivarini and Tintoretto.
Evening – Farewell Puglia! Reflect on a week of whitewashed villages, cave dwellings, festive nativities and warm people. Before you go, see our guide on how to manage travel anxiety if you’re nervous about the return journey.
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Budget‑Smart Hacks & Currency Tips
Managing costs in Italy doesn’t have to be stressful. Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers a multi‑currency card with excellent exchange rates and low fees—ideal for topping up euros before you arrive. For tracking your spending, use TravelSpend or Trail Wallet; these apps let you categorize expenses and set daily budgets. Dining at local trattorias and buying picnic supplies from markets saves euros, and most churches and museums offer discounted tickets for couples or free entry on certain days. In December, many attractions close early; plan visits in the morning to make the most of shorter daylight hours. Puglia’s currency is the euro; most places accept credit cards, but it’s wise to carry cash for market stalls and small towns.
Booking & Accommodation Advice
Booking early is recommended, especially for cave hotels in Matera and trullo stays near Alberobello as these unique lodgings fill fast in December. Booking.com excels in flexible cancellation policies and a wide range of B&Bs, while Vrbo is great for renting entire masserie if you’re travelling with friends. Expedia offers good flight–hotel packages; Hotels.com is useful for comparing prices and earning free nights. For tours, GetYourGuide has excellent food and walking tours in Bari and Lecce, and Viator offers exclusive boat trips to Polignano’s caves. When renting cars, choose reputable companies and opt for full insurance; note that many towns have Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) zones—entering them without a permit results in fines. Parking is easier on the outskirts; from there, walk or take a shuttle into historic centres.
Practical Information & Safety
- Visa and ETIAS: U.S. citizens can currently travel to Italy without a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, a new electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS) is set to become mandatory in 2026. This pre‑screening is not a visa but must be obtained online before departure.
- Weather & Packing: Expect daytime temperatures around 10–15 °C and cooler nights. Pack layers, a warm jacket, scarf, gloves and comfortable walking shoes. Rain showers are possible; carry a compact umbrella.
- Driving: Roads in Puglia are generally good. Be mindful of narrow streets in historic centres and ZTL zones. Always carry your international driving permit and insurance documents. Avoid leaving valuables in the car and use secure parking lots.
- Local Etiquette: Italians eat dinner late; restaurants may not open before 19:30. Dress modestly in churches, and learn basic Italian phrases—it goes a long way. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; round up the bill or leave a euro or two.
- Health & Safety: Puglia is generally safe, but watch for pickpockets in crowded places. Carry a copy of your passport and keep the original in your accommodation safe. For peace of mind, consider travel insurance covering medical expenses and trip interruptions.
Conclusion
Southern Italy in winter is an enchanting blend of warmth and tranquillity. Over ten days you’ll trace the blue curve of the Adriatic, lose yourself in stone labyrinths carved millennia ago, sip crisp white wines in hill towns and witness living nativity scenes that blur the line between past and present. This itinerary balances iconic highlights with immersive local experiences, slow lunches with scenic drives, and cultural discovery with restful evenings. We hope these notes inspire you to savour every moment of Puglia and Matera—your gateway to meaningful adventures.
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