Last Updated on: 10th February 2025, 06:22 am
The Beautiful Region of Puglia Without a Car Located at the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is famous for its whitewashed hill towns, stunning coastline, and incredible food. While many visitors opt to rent a car to explore the region, it's entirely possible to navigate Puglia using buses and trains - it just requires a bit of planning. For an entire two weeks, I explored Puglia without using a car, relying solely on the region’s public transport system. It was pretty easy to hop between historic cities, charming villages, and coastal towns, proving that you can experience the beauty of Puglia without the stress of driving. While some connections took a little bit more effort, slowing down and embracing the journey made the experience even more rewarding, especially since I didn’t have to navigate narrow, windy streets or find parking. In fact, one of my favorite parts of traveling car-free was being able to stop whenever I wanted, chat with locals, and soak up the atmosphere in each place. In this blog post, I’ll share my itinerary, transport tips, and lessons learned from travelling around Puglia car-free.
Bari 2-3 nights
My journey began in Bari, a lively port city with a charming old town, bustling markets, and a fantastic food scene. For the first night, I highly recommend this street food tour - it was a great way to discover the city and try some amazing food. Wandering through Bari Vecchia, I loved watching the local women making fresh orecchiette pasta in the narrow alleyways, visiting the impressive Basilica di San Nicola, and enjoying delicious seafood along the seafront. In hindsight, I wish I had booked three nights here instead of two. There is a lot more to see and do than I expected, and it would have been nice to have an extra day to take a side trip to Trani. For a more detailed post on Bari, read this: One Perfect Day In Bari, The Gateway To Puglia.
Matera 3 nights
From Bari, I took an hour-long bus ride to Matera, a UNESCO-listed city famous for its ancient cave dwellings. While not actually located in Puglia, Matera is close enough to make the detour worthwhile. Visiting Matera on a day trip from Bari is easy, but I highly recommend staying a few nights to get the full experience. I explored the Sassi di Matera, visited rock-hewn churches and underground cisterns, and soaked in the magical atmosphere of this unique town. Three nights felt just the right amount of time to soak up the history, do some hikes, and enjoy the views at different times of the day. I booked my bus ticket from Bari to Matera in advance here. You can also buy it on arrival at Bari Airport. For a more detailed post on Matera, read this: How To Spend Two Wonderful Days In Matera
Lecce 2-3 nights
Next, from Matera, I took a three-hour bus ride to Lecce, the Florence of the South, known for its stunning Baroque architecture. The city is compact and walkable, with highlights like Piazza del Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Roman amphitheatre. While I loved the food and the elegant streets, two nights in Lecce would have been enough for me. However, I did have a great time taking a pasta-making class. Lecce also makes an excellent base for exploring the Salento Peninsula, but it’s a bit tricky without a car. This highly rated tour will help you explore the region. I pre-booked my bus ticket from Matera to Lecce via the Omio app. For a more detailed post on Lecce, read this: How To Spend Two Days In Lecce.
Ostuni 2 nights
From Lecce, I took a train to Ostuni and then a bus up to the old town. Known as the White City, Ostuni is stunning with its maze-like alleys, panoramic views, and vibrant piazzas. I loved just wandering the streets, stopping for an aperitivo, and soaking in the atmosphere. On arrival at Ostuni Station, buy your bus ticket for the bus into town from the newsagent in the station. You cannot pay on board the bus, but for most of the bus journeys mentioned in this post, I used the Omio app. For a more detailed post on Ostuni, read this: One Perfect Day In Ostuni.
Locorotondo 2 nights with a side trip to Alberobello
Reaching Locorotondo from Ostuni requires a bus, possibly with a change, but it is worth it. This small town is incredibly picturesque, with whitewashed buildings, a vineyard, and a peaceful vibe. For me, this was my favorite spot in Puglia, one of those places that makes me think, “Ooh, I could live here.” Alberobello, known for its iconic trulli houses, is a bit more touristy but still definitely worth a visit. I recommend going early to avoid the crowds. It’s just a twenty-minute bus ride from Locorotondo. You can buy your bus ticket at a Tabaccheria in town - just look for the big T sign.
