Self Guided Walking in Puglia: From Lecce to Matera

Self Guided Walking in Puglia: From Lecce to Matera

Activity Level

Easy

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Puglia is a land forged in history by an incredible mixture of civilisations and cultures.

From the Baroque splendour of Lecce, to the unique ‘trulli’ style houses of Alberobello and the cave houses (Sassi) in neighbouring Matera, this self-guided walking trip allows you to discover the beauty of the region at your own relaxed pace. There is plenty of time to appreciate the magnificent coastline and trulli strewn landscapes, and to spend lingering afternoons savouring the traditional cuisine.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07PM
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Italy

What's Included

All breakfasts
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walk transfers (excludes rail/bus transfers)

6 days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 3: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 4: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 5: 19 km / 11.8 miles
Day 6: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 7: 7 km / 4.3 miles

Highlights

Visit the UNESCO sites of Matera and Alberobello
Discover Baroque Lecce - the Florence of the South - and the white city of Ostuni
Savour mouth-watering local food and wine
Charming hotels in great locations
Walks are optional with plenty of time to discover each destination

Itinerary

First Destination: Lecce
Next Destination: Matera

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Lecce
Next Destination: Matera

Arrive in Lecce. Enjoy some free time to discover the main monuments of the Salento region’s capital, with its baroque architecture, stunning basilica and Roman amphitheatre.

Take a morning train or bus to Otranto (train or bus ticket not included), a little seaside village facing the Adriatic sea and known as the gateway to the Orient. Visit its Aragonese castle and cathedral, home to the impressive ‘Tree of Life’ mosaic which covers its entire floor and is well worth a visit. Then follow the coastline, past imposing coastal watchtowers, to the Orte cove. Return to Lecce by bus or train (pay locally).

Meals included:Breakfast

Private transfer (1hr) to the golden sands and crystal clear waters of Lido Morelli. Then set off through the rich and verdant wetlands of the Dune Costiere Natural Park, passing traditional masserie (farmhouses) and ancient olive trees – at 1000 years old, they are the oldest in the Mediterranean. End the day in the striking hilltop town of Ostuni, known as the ‘white city’ due to its brightly whitewashed buildings clustered together on the hillside. Explore Ostuni’s enchanting maze of Greek-style winding streets before dinner.

Meals included:Breakfast

We take you (40 mins) to the sleepy village of Correggia, then make your way through the gently rolling countryside of the Itria Valley, past ancient olive groves, vineyards and trulli, to the wine town of Locorotondo. Take a short (15 minute) train ride back to Alberobello (train ticket not included). Spend the night in a typical ‘Trullo’ in the historical centre of Alberobello.

Meals included:Breakfast

Discover Alberobello, UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic town owing to the 1000 white-tipped trulli that can be found here. Alternatively, walk through a patchwork of trulli dotted meadows, wheat fields, vineyards and olive groves to the elegant Baroque town of Martina Franca. There is an optional transfer to the start of this walk to make a shorter walk of 14km.

Meals included:Breakfast

After a private transfer, this scenic walk takes you across the Murgia plateau facing Matera, and the impressive 8th century rock churches that pepper the landscape. This area is perfect for a spot of birdwatching as you walk amongst the pastures and stone farmhouses, keeping your eyes out for birds of prey as you go.

Meals included:Breakfast

Matera’s Sassi district is renowned for its cave-houses, which have been inhabited for centuries and have since been converted into comfortable accommodation. Take a guided tour to learn more of this UNESCO recognised city (payable locally), or hop on the train to Gravina, birthplace of Pope Benedict XIII, with its historic palaces and dramatic canyon. From the town’s iconic 17th century aqueduct bridge, head uphill to the Botrugno Hill for sweeping views of this picturesque town, before returning to its atmospheric centro storico. Return to Matera by train.

Meals included:Breakfast

End in Matera after breakfast.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 260 1517

Book Your Flights With Us

Window or aisle? Premium seat with extra legroom? Adding a stopover en route? We’ll sort the flights that fit your plans. With access to thousands of routes - major airlines and regional gems alike, we’ll help you fly from your preferred airport, at times that suit you. Secure your flights and trip together and enjoy peace of mind knowing everything's organized with one team here to help if plans change.

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Accommodation

All the hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location and character. In Alberobello we use a family-run hotel in beautifully restored ‘trulli’ houses while in Matera, your hotel is just a few steps from the famous Sassi district, with wonderful views from its panoramic terrace.

Essential Information

Terrain & route: The terrain and type of path will vary between manmade paved tracks, tarmac and gravel. All walks take between 3 and 6 hours including lunch stops and require a moderate level of fitness.

This is a self-guided tour; you can walk at your own pace (we recommend taking plenty of time to rest and enjoy the views!). However, on some of the walks the terrain encountered is similar to the one you would find on a moderate walking trip, hence the Leisurely/Moderate grade. Please be aware that Puglia can be very warm, possibly exceeding 30 degrees in the summer. Vehicle Support:

This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you and will be on call throughout the trip should you need. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

All breakfasts are included. In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you an example of the types of food on offer in Puglia: simple, tasty dishes such as the pasta delicacy “orecchiette” served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta-cheese, “cavatelli” with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, courgettes “alla poverella” – marinated in oil, garlic, mint and vinegar, etc., to accompany grilled fish, seafood, horse-meat chops, lamb, “burrata” (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), mozzarella and “caciocavallo” sheep’s cheese… plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise!

The Puglia region of Southern Italy enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with all year round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure that the green is never too far off. Although Puglia covers a large area it is long and narrow – not more than 30km across. This means that you’re never far from the sea which has a moderating effect on the weather.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.