7 Best Day Trips from Bari, Puglia
Are you planning to base yourself in Bari while visiting Puglia? It’s a great option! To help you plan your itinerary, I'd like to share 7 of the best day trips from Bari.
If you prefer a bit of nightlife and plenty of dining options, Bari makes the perfect base for exploring the region. It is also centrally located in Puglia and has an airport. And the city is surrounded by some of the most stunning towns and villages in the region.
The day trip destinations in this post are all within 70 minutes of the city. Do you need a car to get to these destinations? No! I’ll mention which ones you can easily reach by public transportation.
I spent time exploring the area and found these day trips to be absolute gems. From ancient cave dwellings to charming beach towns, here are 7 of the best day trips from Bari that highlight Puglia’s character and beauty. Andiamo!
Monopoli
Distance from Bari: 40 minutes by car, 35-40 minutes by train
Why Visit: Monopoli is a charming, historic port town. It isn’t as busy as some other destinations on this list. You’ll love wandering its sundrenched, stone alleys filled with pops of color and little shops and restaurants.
Top Things to Do:
Explore the old town.
Enjoy casual to upscale seafood at restaurants like Calamari & Liquori, Portavecchia Terrazza, and Osteria Sangiovanni.
Walk the waterfront.
Photograph the the blue fishing boats at Porto Antico (old port).
Go for a swim at Cala Porta Vecchia or Spiaggia di Cala Cozze.
How to Get There: It is equally convenient to get to Monopoli from Bari by train or car. The train station in Monopoli is a short walk from the historic center. It is also easy to find parking outside of the historic center.
Polignano a Mare
Distance from Bari: 30 minutes by car, 25-30 minutes by train
Why Visit: Polignano a Mare has become a very popular spot for visitors to Puglia. The town boasts a picturesque beach, tons of great eateries, and a beautiful historic center. You could wander its character-filled streets for hours, finding the bits of poetry scattered on walls and doors.
Top Things to Do:
Swim or soak up the sun at Lama Monachile beach.
Take some amazing photos of the town, beach, and coastline from Belvedere su Lama Monachile, a scenic lookout spot.
Visit the statue of Domenico Modugno, the singer of the ultra-famous Italian song that many know as “Volare”.
Try Puglia’s famous sweet or savory snacks: Focaccia at Focacceria del Corso or pasticciotto at Martinucci Laboratory
Wander through the labyrinth of charming streets in the old town center.
How to Get There: It is easy to get to Polignano a Mare by train or car from Bari. The train station is only a 5-minute walk from the center of Polignano a Mare. It is a lovely coastal drive by car. There is a lot of paid parking. Find a residential area away from the center for free parking.
Pro Tip: If you have your heart set on lounging and swimming at the iconic Lama Monachile beach, get there early (before 10 am) or go late in the day to avoid the crowds.
Also Read: 11 Best Tips to Travel Italy on a Budget
Ostuni
Distance from Bari: 1 hour by car, 45 minutes by train (plus some walking)
Why Visit: Known as the “White City", Ostuni is unique and, dare I say, special. Unlike some of the other beautiful, white towns, Ostuni feels lived-in and a bit more rugged. It feels like a real place, where real people live. There are all sorts of nooks, crannies, alleys, and levels to explore in this city.
Top Things to Do:
Walk along the city walls for great views of the surrounding olive trees and the sea.
Grab a gelato or a sandwich and find a spot to people-watch in Piazza della Libertà. For sandwiches, try Crumb35 or Pizza & Patata. For gelato, head to Mandorlata or Cremeria alla Scala.
Book a memorable olive oil or wine tasting experience at Domus Oleorum.
Wander and photograph the maze of streets all around the historic center.
How to Get There: The easiest way to reach Ostuni is by car. There are paid parking lots just outside of the historic center. You can also find free parking if you’re willing to walk a bit, in the newer area of the city south of the historic center.
Reaching Ostuni by train can be a bit challenging. The train station is about a 40-minute walk from the city center. You may be able to catch a bus or a taxi from the train station, depending on the time of day.
Pro Tip: Ostuni has a great Saturday market. It’s full of local produce, meats, cheeses, and home and clothing items. It’s always fun and interesting to have a market experience in Italy, so visit Ostuni on a Saturday, if possible.
Locorotondo
Distance from Bari: 55 minutes by car, 1 hour 20 minutes by bus
Why Visit: Locorotondo is a gorgeous, quiet whitewashed town that is on the list of Italy’s most beautiful villages (I Borghi più Belli d'Italia). The locals really put a lot of effort into making the town pretty and charming by keeping it very clean and placing colorful flowers and decorative items outside their homes. Locorotondo is perched on a hill, making it the ideal location to view the surrounding trulli houses and olive trees.
Top Things to Do:
Leisurely stroll and photograph the picturesque streets.
Relax with a glass of Locorotondo DOC sparkling wine at Vinifera Vini & Affini wine bar.
Check out the views from the community garden, Villa Comunale.
Rent bicycles from Puglia On Bike and explore the area from a different vantage point.
How to Get There: The best way to reach Locorotondo is by car from Bari, although you can also take the bus. The train journey is too long, at over 2 hours. If you travel by car, there are several free parking lots around Locorotondo, such as this one.
Pro Tip: I had an excellent lunch and experience at L’Arco Dei Tipici. They serve beautiful, typical dishes and charcuterie plates with local products. If you’re able to stop there for lunch, you won’t regret it!
Alberobello
Distance from Bari: 50 minutes by car, 1 hour by bus, 2 hours by train
Why Visit: One of the most unique destinations in Puglia, Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its high concentration of trulli, the adorable, conical-roofed houses that have become a symbol of the region. The town also has plenty of pretty little shops that sell handmade and locally crafted items.
Top Things to Do:
Walk the whole village and photograph the trulli.
Grab a sweet treat at Dolce Arte Cafe, Pasticceria Martinucci Laboratory, or La Bottega del Gelato.
Take advantage of the many shops and find some local products to bring home.
Visit Trullo Sovrano, a heritage museum, to see what life was like inside a trullo many years ago.
How to Get There: It’s pretty simple to get to Alberobello by car and find parking. But you can also get there easily by bus from Bari. The train is another option, but it is a 2-hour journey.
Pro Tip: I suggest combining a trip to Alberobello with visits to Locorotondo and Martina Franca. They are all within a short distance of one another, even by train. You could visit Alberobello in the morning, get to Locorotondo in time for lunch, and reach Martina Franca by late afternoon/early evening. If you need to use public transportation, travel between the 3 towns by train, but use the bus to leave and return to Bari.
Martina Franca
Distance from Bari: 1 hour 5 minutes by car, 1 hour 30 minutes by bus
Why Visit: Martina Franca is a lesser-known town on this list, but that is its appeal. Its Baroque architecture and grand piazzas are stunning. In the evening, the town is dreamy and lively. It’s full of locals and fewer tourists.
Top Things to Do:
Wander the old town and admire the beautiful architecture in Piazza Maria Immacolata.
Visit Palazzo Ducale to see the interior of a palace with period pieces of furniture and frescoed walls and ceilings.
Have lunch or dinner at the restaurant recommended to me by locals, Al Sagittario.
Explore Frantoio Rosso Ipogeo, an underground olive mill, where you can do a self-guided tour or enjoy a complete tasting.
How to Get There: The car is the best option for traveling to Martina Franca, but the bus is also a workable alternative if you need to use public transportation. The train is not a good option between these two destinations, as it’s a 2-hour 30-minute ride.
Also Read: My Italy Bucket List (And How to Make Yours)
Matera
Distance from Bari: 50 minutes by car, 1 hour by bus
Why Visit: Words alone cannot accurately describe Matera. You need to see it for yourself! It is an ancient city that feels like the setting of a 2000-year-old story. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a maze of cave dwellings that transport you back in time.
Top Things to Do:
Explore the ancient Sassi di Matera, the oldest part of the city, where you’ll find the cave dwellings.
Sample the food of the region (not Puglia, but Basilicata) at Cantuccio or Osteria MateraMì.
Visit the Matera Olive Oil Museum to tour an olive press in a cave system dating back to the 1400s.
Hike across the bridge, Ponte Tibetano della Gravina, to get a great view of the city and explore some caves.
Learn more about the history of Matera and its people through videos at Casa Noha.
Go underground to see the Palombaro Lungo, an impressive cistern built in the 1500s, carved into rock.
How to Get There: You can easily reach Matera by car from Bari and find street parking in the newer section of town. If you cannot go by car, then definitely make the effort to go by bus. You can catch a bus to Matera on via Capruzzi, behind the central train station in Bari.
Pro Tip: If at all possible, stay in Matera for at least one night. The city is extraordinary at night, lit up in beautiful, warm lighting and with far fewer tourists than during the day. You can also find some truly unique, special accommodations in the old part of the city.
Bonus Tip
If you’re not planning to travel by car in Puglia, I highly recommend downloading the Trainline app. You can view train and bus times and purchase tickets in advance on this easy-to-use app. I find it much simpler and faster than booking with Trenitalia.
Whether you visit all or some of these destinations, you’ll be wildly impressed by Puglia and its beauty! If you make Bari your home base during your stay, you certainly won’t run out of exciting things to see and do a short distance away.
What are you most looking forward to seeing in Puglia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
