Brindisi to Valle d'Itria to Lecce. Short drives, white villages, turquoise beaches and slow food culture — the real south of Italy.
Driven these roads and eaten at these tables. The itinerary is built from the actual experience, not the reputation.
The smartest way to start this itinerary.
Brindisi sits at the natural starting point for this round-trip loop through Ostuni, the Valle d'Itria, Monopoli and Lecce. Public transport between Puglia's towns is limited and infrequent, so a rental car isn't optional — it's the main tool for the entire week. Landing and returning through the same airport keeps logistics simple.
A 7-day Puglia road trip is one of the most rewarding family itineraries in southern Italy — short driving distances, safe walkable towns, shallow Adriatic waters, and a food culture that children take to immediately. This itinerary runs from Brindisi to Ostuni, through the Valle d'Itria and its trulli, along the Adriatic coast to Monopoli and Polignano a Mare, then south to Lecce and the Salento peninsula.
Puglia is the Italy most visitors never reach — which is exactly what makes it right. The whitewashed villages, the ancient olive groves, the evening passeggiata through Ostuni or Lecce — this is the version of Italy that stays with you. This itinerary is built to let you experience it without wasting a day on logistics.
Alberobello is best before 9am or after 5pm — the trulli district fills with tour buses mid-morning and empties again in the evening. Masseria check-ins are often strictly 3pm and the properties are remote enough that arriving late without notice is genuinely inconvenient: call ahead. And a detail worth knowing: Lecce restaurants do not open for dinner before 8pm, and most locals eat closer to 9:30pm — plan children's energy accordingly.
The best time to visit Puglia for a family road trip is June or September. June offers warm Adriatic water, long evenings, and the region before the August influx. September is equally good — the sea stays warm, the villages quieten, and the harvest season adds a layer of local atmosphere that summer doesn't have. May and October also work well for couples or adults-only groups looking for fewer crowds and lower prices. Avoid August if possible: Alberobello and Polignano a Mare in particular become very crowded, and accommodation prices peak significantly.
For a 7-day Puglia road trip, three bases work better than moving every night. Ostuni for the first two nights — a masseria in the olive grove countryside gives you the authentic Puglia experience from day one. Monopoli for nights three and four — well-positioned for the Adriatic coast and Polignano day trips. Lecce for the final two nights — the most beautiful city in Puglia deserves time, and staying in the historic centre means the baroque streets are yours in the evening when the day visitors leave.
Instant PDF download — start reading in 60 seconds.
Get this plan for CHF 24.99* →