GuardTrailsItaly · May
The classic
The Classic Apulia & Basilicata Highlights
The stops adventure tour operators put in their flagship trips here — even if it strays a little from your request.
Discover the essential wonders of Southern Italy, from the ancient cave dwellings of Matera to the iconic trulli of the Itria Valley and the baroque architecture of Lecce.
- days11
- bases6
- stages7
- nights10
- transfer days4
- stage to stage522 km
- at the wheel, day by day6 h 58
Who this itinerary is for
This itinerary suits a traveller looking for: a trip in May, getting around by car, sleeping in hotels, a village stroll, a town walk (2 h), strolling, with no sporting programme, kayak or canoe, easy cycling, via ferrata, wildlife watching, a museum or cultural visit and a park or garden.
What this itinerary does not do: a day hike.
The area
The historic Sassi of Matera, the iconic trulli of the Itria Valley, the whitewashed alleys of Polignano a Mare, and the baroque elegance of Lecce.
The map
Loading the map…
The days at a glance
One line per day: where you sleep, what the day is, the road, and how its time is split.
| Day | Evening base | The day | Road | Time of the day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day1 | Evening base : Bari | ArrivalBari, arrival | Road 14 min | |
| Day2 | Evening base : Matera | TransferThe Ancient Sassi of Matera | Road 1 h 04 | |
| Day3 | Evening base : Matera | Day on siteThe Ancient Sassi of Matera | — | |
| Day4 | Evening base : Alberobello | TransferThe Trulli of Itria Valley | Road 1 h 23 | |
| Day5 | Evening base : Alberobello | Day on siteThe Trulli of Itria Valley | — | |
| Day6 | Evening base : Polignano a Mare | TransferThe Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli | Road 33 min | |
| Day7 | Evening base : Polignano a Mare | Day on siteThe Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli | — | |
| Day8 | Evening base : Lecce | TransferThe Baroque Elegance of Lecce | Road 1 h 26 | |
| Day9 | Evening base : Lecce | Day excursionThe Coastal Beauty of Salento | Road 1 h 32 | |
| Day10 | Evening base : Brindisi | TransferBrindisi, departure | Road 34 min | |
| Day11 | — | DepartureBrindisi, departure | Road 12 min |
- programme
- road
- free time
12.0 h usable every day
Good to know
What it leaves aside
This classic route focuses on the most famous and culturally significant highlights of the region. To maintain a relaxed pace with minimal base changes, we stay in central hubs and explore nearby gems via short day trips.
Places it did not keep
The Gargano Peninsula and the Tremiti Islands.
Getting there
Fly to Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI), 14 min by road from the start.
Train to Bari Centrale, 4 min by road from the start.
Fly home from Brindisi Casale Airport (BDS), 12 min by road from the end.
Train home from Brindisi Centrale, 2 min by road from the end.
The rental car is returned at Brindisi Casale Airport, not where you pick it up: allow for a one-way drop-off fee.
Where you sleep
The region offers a variety of accommodations including boutique hotels, traditional masserie farmhouses, and guesthouses, with advance booking highly recommended during the peak summer season.
Safety
Italy: no warning from the UK authorities (FCDO). Advice of 2026-11-03 · Official advice
Check before booking and before taking out insurance: the advice may have changed since.
Why this version, the cost in detail and the sources are on the method page. Read the method →
When, and for how long
How long?
- You ask for
- 10days
- The area needs, at least
- 11days
- Days kept
- 11days
Travelling in May.
The climate — May
- Daily high, 1 day in 4 is hotter
- 23 °C
- Daily high, 1 day in 20 is hotter
- 26 °C
- Unfavourable day
- 7%
- Windy day
- 7%
Rain, wind and temperature are measured over the 8 h in the middle of the day, on a historical baseline of 55 observations (Open-Meteo). It is a measuring window, not the length of your day: each day of the programme counts 12 h of usable time.
The itinerary, day by day
7 stages over 11 days, in the order of the days. A stage appears on the day you first reach it: you sleep several nights at some, and a day trip leaves from your base and brings you back to it. Each day has its own page.
Every day of this trip has 12 h of usable time. Room to breathe — we have not padded these days to fill them: the free time left is part of the trip.
- Day 1ARRIVALBari, arrival · night in Bari3 h planned · 14 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 2The Ancient Sassi of Matera · night in Matera5 h 30 planned · 1 h 04 on the roadSee the day →
- Day 3AT BASEThe Ancient Sassi of Matera · night in Matera4 h 30 plannedSee the day →
- Day 4The Trulli of Itria Valley · night in Alberobello5 h planned · 1 h 23 on the roadSee the day →
- Day 5AT BASEThe Trulli of Itria Valley · night in Alberobello9 h 30 plannedSee the day →
Stage 4 · Polignano a Mare
The Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli
2 nights · climate favourable
- Day 6The Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli · night in Polignano a Mare6 h planned · 33 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 7AT BASEThe Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli · night in Polignano a Mare6 h plannedSee the day →
- Day 8The Baroque Elegance of Lecce · night in Lecce5 h planned · 1 h 26 on the roadSee the day →
Stage 6 · Otranto
The Coastal Beauty of Salento
Day trip from Lecce · no night here · climate favourable
- Day 9EXCURSIONfrom Lecce → The Coastal Beauty of Salento5 h planned · 1 h 32 on the roadSee the day →
- Day 10TRANSFERBrindisi, departure · night in Brindisi2 h planned · 34 min on the roadSee the day →
- Day 11DEPARTUREBrindisi, departure · end of the trip2 h planned · 12 min on the roadSee the day →
What it costs, roughly
€1,435 to €2,276 per person
€130 to €207 per day
Based on: 2 people.
The cost estimate and the availability of accommodation, transport and activities are as of 1 November 2026: prices and availability change over time.
Where the money goes, and how this figure is obtained →To check
3 points to look at before booking.
D2Timed-entry slot: book your slot in advance — The Ancient Sassi of Matera
a timed-entry slot to apply for ~7 days ahead — to arrange before you leave
D6Check opening times and crowds for this season — The Cliffs of Polignano & Monopoli
Spring winds may occasionally disrupt coastal boat tours and paddleboarding activities.
D9Check opening times and crowds for this season — The Coastal Beauty of Salento
Unfavorable sea conditions may affect coastal boat excursions.
The method
Why this version, what sets it apart from the others, the cost in detail, the interest of the places, the automatic review and the sources.
Read the method →