Walking in Puglia & Matera

Name: Walking in Puglia & Matera
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.5 (10 reviews)

10 reviews

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Walk through the South Italian countryside and stay in the fairytale trio of Alberobello, Ostuni and Matera

The heel of Italy’s boot, formed of the Puglia and Basilicata regions, offers trails through olive groves and towns seemingly plucked from a storybook – ideal for a culture-packed walking adventure. This walking holiday in Puglia and Matera begins among the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello and continues to the highlights of the region: the Itria Valley hills; the white city of Ostuni; and the cave town of Matera − 10,000 years old with a spectacular ravine-edge location.

Key Information

Trip Code: TEV2
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Italy
Carbon Footprint: 25.3kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels)
All breakfasts, two dinners, one wine tasting
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. On this trip local taxes (approx. €10) are not included.

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Leisurely: 3mph (4kph)

Terrain:

Low altitude; well marked trails; some uneven rocky terrain

Day 2: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 3: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Day 5: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Day 6: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 7: 7 km / 4.3 miles

Highlights

Hike the finest trails in Puglia and Matera, guided by our expert tour leader
Wander among the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello
Discover the extraordinary cave town of Matera, among the oldest towns in the world
Explore the viewpoints and ancient churches in the all-white hilltop town of Ostuni
Walk over the Itria Valley hills to Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy

Itinerary

First Destination: Alberobello
Next Destination: Matera

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Alberobello
Next Destination: Matera

This walking trip starts in Alberobello, a town almost entirely formed of trulli, fairytale-like dwellings with conical grey-stone roofs. The origin of these UNESCO-protected limestone houses is obscure; however, local farmers claim they were originally built to evade taxes. When the tax inspectors were nearby, the dry-stone walls could easily be dismantled by removing the keystone above the door, and quickly rebuilt after the inspection.

Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers over an aperitif, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over a group dinner.

Want more time in Alberobello? Speak to your sales representative to add extra nights.

Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar)
Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Dinner

We start with a walk to Locorotondo. Sitting on a hilltop, our destination is among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Following narrow country lanes, we walk over the Itria Valley hills, which are dotted with olive trees, vineyards and trulli. In Locorotondo, enjoy free time to explore before we visit a winery for an expertly guided tasting and lunch.

At the end of the day, we take a short train or bus ride back to Alberobello.

Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar)
Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, we take a private transfer to the whitewashed hilltop city of Ostuni. After free time, in which you can visit viewpoints and centuries-old churches, we explore the surrounding countryside on foot, walking through ancient olive groves and vineyards overlooking the Adriatic.

Along the way, we stop at Agnano Archaeological Park, where we walk a winding path to see church ruins and the bones of a lady within a cave, before transferring to our hotel for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Hotel La Terra (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to discover the many jewels of this beautiful region and there are plenty of optional activities to enjoy.

You may wish to tour the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, and home to more than 40 churches and countless palaces, plus a Roman amphitheatre. Alternatively, travel to Bari for a street food tour or visit an olive mill in Ostuni for a guided exploration.

In the evening, we regroup for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel La Terra (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we drive to the stylish seaside town of Polignano a Mare, which is raised above the Adriatic on a limestone cliff. We first walk along the coast for beautiful sea views before exploring the historic centre, where alleys wind among white houses and lead to terraces with more views over the Adriatic.

In the afternoon, we transfer to the cave town of Matera, which is thought to have been inhabited for around 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest towns in the world. James Bond fans may recognise it as the scenic background for a thrilling car chase in No Time to Die (2021), while scenes for Wonder Woman (2017) and The Passion of the Christ (2004) were also shot here.

Its crumbling beauty is undoubtedly a lure for film directors and location scouts, but it’s the ancient Sassi districts, formed of ancient cave dwellings dug into the limestone, that are the true star here. Our hotel is in the middle of the sassi; after check-in, we enjoy our first glimpse of the enchanting alleys and unique architecture of this troglodyte town.

Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Transfer by bus to the outskirts of Matera, reaching the ridge of the deep limestone canyon on which the town was built to begin our hike. Our route takes in the dramatic landscapes of the area, discovering different caves, rock churches and rock villages.

Returning to the town, we join a knowledgeable local guide in the afternoon to explore the narrow alleys of the cave-dwelling district and learn about the history of this fascinating place.

Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Enjoy a short hike to the Murgia plateau, a vast protected area home to more than 150 Rupestrian churches dating to the eighth century, adorned with Byzantine frescoes and once inhabited by hermits. We follow a pathway on the edge of the ravine with a spectacular view of the Sassi district. Then we descend Matera’s canyon until we reach a suspension bridge, which allows us to cross to the other side of the valley (weather dependent) and reach Matera centre on foot.

Back in Matera, the rest of the day is free to discover the city independently.

Please note, those with vertigo or who have difficulty with heights may not wish to cross the suspension bridge today. If this is the case, speak to your tour leader at the start of the trip and they will be happy to explain your options.

Accommodation: Hotel Sassi or Fra I Sassi Residence (or similar)
Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

The trip ends in Matera after breakfast. If you’d like to explore this wonderful destination a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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 1 844 462 4317

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

A selection of hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Room upgrades: Upgrade your room on Day 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 of this itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Walking hours: Three to six, including lunch and photo stops. Walking durations stated in the itinerary are approximations and vary depending on the group’s pace.
Terrain and path type: Vary from paved tracks to gravel. The terrain on the trails near Matera can be uneven or rocky, so trekking shoes or boots with good grip are required. The walks are easy; however, there are some ascents and descents, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Astoria, Viale Bari, 11, 70011 Alberobello BA
Phone: +39 080 432 3320
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening.
Airport: Bari Airport (BRI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 10min drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

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, one lunch, three dinners, and one wine and local produce tasting are included.

The regional cuisine has strong links to the land and sea. This area is a paradise for food lovers and the abundance of delicious vegetables also makes it a great destination for vegetarians.

A selection of the food on offer includes: the pasta delicacy orecchiette, which is typically served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta; cavatelli pasta with pulses; aubergine (eggplant) and parmesan bake; grilled fish and seafood; burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese); plus excellent wines.

Puglia has a Mediterranean climate with year-round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure the green is never too far away. Although Puglia covers a large area, it is long and narrow – not more than 18mi (30km) across. This means you’re never far from the sea, which has a moderating effect on the weather. Please note, Puglia can be very hot, particularly in summer when temperatures can near 40C (104F).

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.

Reviews

Add new review

Daniela Fonseca

Added November 2024

Amazing walking holiday!

From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized, allowing us to fully enjoy every step of the journey. The tour strikes a perfect balance between enjoyable walks and breathtaking views of stunning destinations like Alberobello, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Matera.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring the fairy-tale trulli in Alberobello was absolutely magical, with their unique charm and picturesque setting. Another highlight was visiting Masseria Morrone, where the delicious dinner stole the show. The authentic flavors and locally sourced ingredients made it a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Finally, wandering through the ancient sassi of Matera brought the region’s rich history to life. Each of these moments felt like a window into Italy’s incredible heritage and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Iona was fantastic! She was incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and always ensured everyone felt comfortable and included. Her passion for the region and its history added a unique depth to every stop along the way, making the experience truly unforgettable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Added November 2023

Really enjoyed it but the walks the least good bit!

We visited lovely towns and stayed in nice hotels and ate good food! Having been to this area before it was as expected and lovely to see again. I'd never been on a walking holidays and last time in Puglia I toured by bike. Whilst some of the walks were...

Read all reviews

Walking in Puglia & Matera

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Walk through the South Italian countryside and stay in the fairytale trio of Alberobello, Ostuni and Matera

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Highlights

Itinerary

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.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

A selection of hotels

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Italy