Make the most of summer in Apulia with this 8-day self-drive tour. You’ll stay in typical accommodation, such as trulli or masserie and you will do lots of activities including trekking, chilling on the beach, and visiting beautiful Pugliese towns and nature reserves. This round trip from Bari covers around 500km and is the perfect introduction to Southern Italy.
Day 1: Bari
Arrive in Bari where a private transfer will wait for you to get to pick up your car. Check-in to your accommodation before getting out and exploring the city of Bari.
Day 2: Bari – Polignano – Monopoli
After breakfast at your accommodation, you will leave Bari for Polignano a Mare, a small town famous for its white tiny houses and incredible high cliffs and jagged coastline that makes it one of the beautiful locations of Apulian coastline. We recommend of course to have a break at Lama Monachile, which is complete with a cool beach and Roman ruins! After an enjoyable day at the beach. Drive on to Monopoli, where you will spend the night in a typical local accommodation.
Day 3: Monopoli – Egnazia – Ostuni
Egnazia is your next stop of the day 3. Borgo Egnazia is a small seaside village that rises among the Roman ruins. Here you will have your place booked in a fancy beach resort: enjoy sea, sun and relax in this enchanting place. After lunch on your own, also the afternoon will be dedicated to relaxing on the beach! When you’ve packed up your towels, it’s onto Ostuni where you’ll stay for the night.
Day 4: Ostuni – Porto Selvaggio – Nardo
This will be a great day for outdoor enthusiasts. After breakfast, leave Ostuni in the morning for Porto Selvaggio, where there is a stunning nature reserve, which is great for trekking. You can take in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, forests, and caves, all in the same day! Lunch will be on your own and the rest of the afternoon can be spent on the beach near the Porto Selvaggio reserve. In the evening you will go to Nardò where we will have reserved a special dinner for you.You’ll feel exhausted buy satisfied before heading onto your accommodation in Nardo.
Day 5: Nardo – Marina di Andrano- Otranto
After a busy day of hiking, day five is all about relaxing at a beach resort which has been booked for you at Marina di Andrano. You will be free to organize lunch as you prefer and in the afternoon a lot of sea and beach again! Arrival in Otranto in the evening where you will dine on your own and spend the night.
Day 6 – Otranto – Baia della Orte
Today, you’ll head to the easternmost point on the Italian mainland – Baia della Orte. You’ll have a guided tour of this area that has no human settlements, and you’ll also get to visit the Bauxite caves! There’s only one building – a lighthouse which marks the end of land before you get to the Balkans! Afternoon is spent at your own leisure on the beach and there will be a delicious authentic dinner booked for you in Otranto, where you will also spend the night.
Day 7 – Otranto – Torre Guaceto – Bari
Your last full day sees you drive 200km back to Bari. Although it sounds like a long journey, it’ll be broken up with a stop at the pretty Torre Guaceto nature reserve. You will be able to spend time immersed in this natural and uncontaminated space. For lunch you can organize as you prefer and in the afternoon you will return to Bari where you will have time to take a walk in the city. Dinner on your own and overnight in Bari.
Day 8 – Bari
After returning your car, you’ll be transferred to Bari Airport for your flight home or anywhere else in Bari.
Other tour in Apulia
If you like this tour, try also this Private Tour of Alberobello's Trulli with wine tasting, or this Full Day Private Tour, with guide, of the Gargano Area by Boat!
