Puglia Guided Walk
8 Days Starting in Lecce, Italy and ending in Matera, Italy
Visiting: Lecce, Otranto, Ostuni, Itria Valley, Matera
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PGW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 14
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy's enchanting Puglia region with the Puglia Guided Walk. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty, starting in the historic city of Lecce and ending in the ancient town of Matera. Wander through Lecce's Baroque streets, discover the seaside charm of Otranto, and relax on the white beaches of the Dune Natural Park. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage trulli of Alberobello and the Sassi of Matera, and enjoy a pasta-making session at a traditional Masseria. With guided walks, wine tastings, and breathtaking landscapes, this tour promises an immersive and enriching experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Lecce, Welcome Aperitivo
Location: Lecce
Accommodation Name: Charming B&B
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your own way to Lecce, capital of the Salento region. From the train station you can take a taxi (allow EUR15-20) to the hotel, which is located in the historical centre of the city. Inside a 17th century building, this charming hotel will be your home for two nights.
Meet your guide and group at 6pm at the hotel followed by a welcome dinner.
Lecce has the charm of Prague, the stonework of Florence and is about the size of Siena. Within its walls are numerous churches and convents, cultural sites, ancient monuments, museums, libraries and cafes. It is a city to to meander through, not knowing what will greet you at your next turn. We recommend arriving in the afternoon and taking time to wander, explore and relax in the piazza overlooking the amphitheatre, enjoying the ambience. We can assist with booking pre-tour nights on request.
Day 2 : Visit Otranto And Adriatic Coastline Walk, Explore Lecce (4Hrs)
Location: Otranto
Accommodation Name: Charming B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
The focus today is Otranto, a small seaside village facing the Adriatic Sea, which you'll reach by train or bus. Otranto's cathedral is famous for its 12th-century floor mosaic, which covers the floor of the nave, the sanctuary and the apse. We'll then set off on foot along the coastline, discovering flowers and Mediterranean vegetation, as well as the Saracen watchtowers. We take the train or bus back to Lecce where you can enjoy a free evening discovering its main monuments.
Distance: 10km/6.2mi, ascent: +100m/328ft, descent: -100m/328ft
Day 3 : Transfer To The Charming Hilltop Village Of Ostuni, Explore On Foot (2Hrs)
Location: Ostuni
Accommodation Name: Masseria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning we'll have a guided walk through Lecce's charming streets and past its Baroque style churches and palaces. In the afternoon we will have a private transfer to Ostuni (approx 1 hr), a striking hilltop village known as the "white city" due to its fortress of whitewashed buildings clustered on the hillside. Its charm lies within the enchanting maze of Greek-style narrow streets and fine Mediterranean architecture. There's free time to discover this fairy tale-like town before we transfer to a typical Masseria for our overnight stay and dinner with local products.
Day 4 : Walk To The Coast And The Dune National Park, Return To Ostuni (3Hrs)
Location: Ostuni
Accommodation Name: Masseria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will walk from the Masseria to the coast and the Dune Natural Park where we will have time to relax on the white beaches or to swim in the sea. Back to the Masseria where we have a pasta making session followed by dinner (pasta of course!) and overnight stay.
Distance: 9.5km/6mi, ascent: +175m/574ft, descent: -100m/330ft
Day 5 : Discover The Itria Valley, Locorotondo And Alberobello, Transfer To Matera (4Hrs)
Location: Itria Valley
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will explore the Itria Valley. First up a private transfer takes us to Locorotondo where we walk along an old aqueduct which is still the largest water pipeline in Europe. We'll pass between olive trees, vineyards and trulli on our way through this enchanting landscape. There's free time to explore the iconic village of Alberobello with its streets lined by white trulli houses. Later we have a private transfer to Matera and our accommodation. Dinner at leisure.
Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +150m/492ft, descent: -150m/492ft
Day 6 : Discover Matera And The Great Canyon (5Hrs)
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Our walk this morning begins directly from the historic centre of Matera. We will pass through the Civita district and the Caveoso. From here we head towards the ravine of Matera, with a breathtaking view of the city. The landscape will change as we arrive in wooded areas with fortified structures. We return to Matera using a public bus. Following a wine tasting, dinner will be at your leisure.
Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +130m/429ft, descent: -250m/825ft
Day 7 : Discover The Murgia Plateau On Foot (3Hrs)
Location: Matera
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A wonderful walk this morning to discover the Murgia plateau. Facing Matera, the plateau has rock churches dating from the 8th century, painted with Byzantine frescoes. The landscape here is of pastures and stone farmhouses, and with luck we'll see the flight of different types of falcons. In the early afternoon we'll have a guided visit of the ‘Sassi’ area and afterwards, dinner in a typical restaurant. Overnight in Matera.
Distance: 6.5km/4mi, ascent: +350m/1148ft, descent: -350m/1148ft
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
Location: Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, your luggage will be dropped off at Matera station where the trip concludes. We can assist with a private transfer to Bari if required (a supplement applies), or with booking extra nights if you'd like to stay longer.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
2 nights in a charming B&B -
7 breakfasts
Usually buffet style with breads, spreads, coffee, tea and juice, sometimes with cold meats and cheeses, eggs and yoghurt.
-
3 picnic lunches
Picnic lunches with local products.
-
4 dinners
Generally 3 courses with local products.
-
2 nights in a typical Masseria
Accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
-
All private and public transfers
Transfers as noted and luggage transfers.
-
Guided visit of Lecce
Guided visit on day 2.
-
Wine and typical product tasting in Matera
Wine and typical product tasting session.
-
English speaking guide
An English speaking guide will accompany the tour.
-
Sassi District guided visit
Guided visit on day 7 and entrance fees at Park of the Rupestrian Churches and Sassi District in Matera.
-
Luggage transfer
Luggage transfer from/to accommodation in Matera and to Matera train station on day 8.
What's Not Included
-
Travel to Lecce and from Matera
Travel to the starting location and from the ending location is not included.
-
Meals not listed as included
Any meals not specifically listed as included are excluded.
-
Drinks
Drinks are not included.
-
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
-
Single room supplement
A supplement will apply if you require a single room.
-
Entrance fees not listed as included
Any entrance fees not specifically listed as included are excluded.
-
Transfers not listed as included
Any transfers not specifically listed as included are excluded.
-
Tips
Tips are not included.
-
Tourist taxes
Tourist taxes are not included.
-
Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
-
Beverages
Beverages are not included.
-
Dinners on days 2, 5 and 6
Dinners on these days are not included.
-
Lunches except on day 4, 5 and 6
Lunches on days other than 4, 5, and 6 are not included.
Accommodation
2 nights in a charming B&B in Lecce's old town within a 17th century building, 2 nights at a typical Masseria in Ostuni, and 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Matera's Sassi area.
What You Carry
As the trip is fully supported with your luggage transferred between hotels, you only need to carry your daily requirements in your day pack. This will generally include water, snacks, wet weather gear and your camera.
Mode of Transport
All private and public transfers as noted, including luggage transfers. Travel to Lecce and from Matera is also included.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a charming B&B in Lecce's old town within a 17th-century building for 2 nights, a typical Masseria in Ostuni for 2 nights, and a 3-star hotel in Matera's Sassi area for 3 nights. All accommodations are on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
-
What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, and 4 dinners. Breakfasts are usually buffet style with a variety of options, picnic lunches feature local products, and dinners are generally 3 courses with local products.
-
What kind of activities are included in the tour?
Activities include guided visits of Lecce and the Sassi District in Matera, a wine and typical product tasting session in Matera, a pasta making session in Ostuni, and various walks through scenic landscapes such as the Adriatic coastline, the Dune Natural Park, the Itria Valley, and the Murgia plateau.
-
Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour?
Yes, additional costs not covered by the tour include travel to Lecce and from Matera, meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance, single room supplements, entrance fees not listed as included, transfers not listed as included, tips, tourist taxes, items of a personal nature, beverages, and specific dinners and lunches on certain days.
-
What should I carry during the daily activities?
As the trip is fully supported with your luggage transferred between hotels, you only need to carry your daily requirements in your day pack. This will generally include water, snacks, wet weather gear, and your camera.
-
Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there is free time to explore Lecce on the evening of Day 2, Ostuni on Day 3, and Matera on the evenings of Days 5 and 6.
-
What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
All private and public transfers as noted are included, including luggage transfers. Travel to Lecce and from Matera is also included.
-
Is there an emergency contact available during the tour?
Yes, you will have access to an emergency hotline during the tour.
-
How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
-
What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
-
I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Monday
May 12, 2025 - May 19, 2025Monday - Monday
Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.