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Highlights
Discover the fabulous towns and Baroque-style cities of southern Italy
Discover an ancient hillside complex of cave dwellings in the Sassi district of Matera.
Explore the heart of Puglia, walking its picturesque towns perched on the last eastern edge of the Murgia Plateau.
Walk among the age-old oak forests of Bosco Selva, enjoying the beautiful country roads and gently sloping paths of Alberobello.
Delight in Ostuni's majestic olive trees, sampling the most refined olive oil and discovering an ancient underground oil mill.
Explore the best of Southern Italy's Basilicata and Puglia regions, walking the ancient paths of d'Otranto and Terra di Bari as they were once historically known. Setting out from the City of Rocks (Matera), this spectacular 8-day walking tour will take you through the enchanting towns of Italy's heel, leading you to the most beautiful city of Puglia, Lecce.
Walking at your own pace, you'll spend your days discovering cities and natural landscapes that will take your breath away. Walk through the fairytale-like UNESCO town of Alberobello, where you'll be pleasantly charmed by its one of a kind historic "Trulli" buildings with their whitewashed walls and corbelled roofs. Revel in the captivating beauty of the Baroque cities of Lecce and Martina Franca, taking in grand churches and noble palaces. Spend an evening delighting in Locorotondo's famous wines, getting lost in the tiny streets of the old town perched upon a hill. Welcome the magical presence of the Adriatic Sea as your final days on the walk will lead you to the easternmost point of Italy, where the "first dawn" rises.
Soak up the best of these regions, experiencing them on foot and immersing yourself fully in the beauty of the land.
Explore the best of Southern Italy's Basilicata and Puglia regions, walking the ancient paths of d'Otranto and Terra di Bari as they were once historically known. Setting out from the City of Rocks (Matera), this spectacular 8-day walking tour will take you through the enchanting towns of Italy's heel, leading you to the most beautiful city of Puglia, Lecce.
Walking at your own pace, you'll spend your days discovering cities and natural landscapes that will take your breath away. Walk through the fairytale-like UNESCO town of Alberobello, where you'll be pleasantly charmed by its one of a kind historic "Trulli" buildings with their whitewashed walls and corbelled roofs. Revel in the captivating beauty of the Baroque cities of Lecce and Martina Franca, taking in grand churches and noble palaces. Spend an evening delighting in Locorotondo's famous wines, getting lost in the tiny streets of the old town perched upon a hill. Welcome the magical presence of the Adriatic Sea as your final days on the walk will lead you to the easternmost point of Italy, where the "first dawn" rises.
Soak up the best of these regions, experiencing them on foot and immersing yourself fully in the beauty of the land.
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Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Matera
Arrive in Matera, also known as the City of Rocks. After settling in, perhaps set out on a mini-adventure to acquaint yourself with this magical town, exploring its historical center and enjoying a dinner at one of its many inviting restaurants. Matera is known for having some of the best bread in Italy, so make sure your dinner plans include trying some!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Matera
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Matera and the Park of Rock Churches
Today, enjoy a scenic hike through the Natural Park of Chiese Rupestri, also known as the Rock Churches of Matera. Explore this stunning natural and historical landscape.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Matera
Distance: 12 km, 340m of ascent, 350 of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk the Itria Valley
After breakfast, take a private transfer to the Itria Valley. Hike along the Greenway of Puglia Aqueduct, Europe’s longest aqueduct, leading you to the charming village of Locorotondo. Afterward, return to Alberobello by public transport for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Alberobello
Distance: 14 km, 140m of ascent, 110 of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Hike to Martina Francaa
Embark on a hike from Alberobello to Martina Franca, taking in the picturesque landscape. Return to Alberobello by public transport for an overnight stay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Alberobello
Distance: 17 km, 213m of ascent, 100 of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to beautiful Ostuni
After breakfast, take a private transfer to a Masseria (old farmhouse) where your hike through the Natural Park Dune Costiere begins. Stop at a family-run farm for a nature-filled break, and optionally detour to the Sanctuary of San Biagio. Before reaching Ostuni, you’ll pass by the Archaeological Park of Santa Maria di Agnano.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ostuni
Distance: 12 km, 160m of ascent, 70 of descent
Meals: Breakfast, local produce tasting
Day 6 Ostuni to National Park Dune Costiere, then to Lecce
A morning trail on gravel roads leads you downhill towards the sea will take you to the edge of the Regional Natural Park Dune Costiere and walk further to the coast at Lido Morelli. From here, take a private transfer to Lecce.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lecce
Distance: 14 km, 10m of ascent, 220 of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Discover Otranto
After breakfast, take a public transfer to Otranto. Enjoy a loop hike in the southern part of Otranto, where you’ll visit the picturesque Orte Bay and the abandoned bauxite quarry, also known as the Blue Lake, a site offering vivid colors and striking views. Return to Lecce by public transport for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lecce
Distance: 8 km, 80m of ascent, 80 of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Depart Lecce
After breakfast, your journey comes to an end with the conclusion of services.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation on Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour
This tour is based in either 3-star or 4-star hotels and B&Bs depending on whether you choose the standard or superior package. All the hotels offer basic amenities, comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms and great locations.
Rooms are double occupancy and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel.
What’s Included in the Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included on this tour, as well as 1 tasting.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included on this tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Transfers mentioned in the itinerary, both public and private, are included on this tour. Luggage transportation from accommodations to accommodations is included on this tour.
Also Included
- Maps and route directions
- Phone assistance between 8 am and 9 pm
- Tasting of local produce on Day 5
Not included
- Flights to and from Italy
- Airport transfers
- Visas if required
- Travel insurance
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Meals or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Fees not mentioned as ‘included’
- Guide
Optional Extras
- Activities and excursions unless otherwise mentioned as included
- Single room supplements
- Solo traveller supplements
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- How hard is the Basilicata and Puglia Walking tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included on the Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour?
- What equipment should I bring on the Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Matera to start this tour?
- Where does the Basilicata and Puglia Walking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
- When is the best time to travel to Italy for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. There is a fair amount of walking involved in the tour, but most of it is not particularly strenuous. Average walking time each day is between 2.5 hours and 4 hours with a distance of 7 km to a maximum of 17 km covered.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included on this tour, as well as 3 tastings.
Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended on this tour, as well as a water bottle, sunscreen, swimming suit and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Bari Airport (BRI) is the closest airport to your start point of Matera. You can get to Matera directly from the airport by bus (approximately 1 hour), by train (approximately 3 hours), by booking a private transfer as a supplement, or by arranging your own private transfer (approximately 50 minutes).
Departing from Lecce, you can take a train to Bari Airport (BRI), taking approximately 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from Lecce to Bari Airport or arrange your own private transfer.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Italy for this tour is during the late spring (May and June) and early fall (September and October) when the weather is pleasant but not too hot.
Customer Ratings
Slow Active Tours is a tour operator specializing in “slow pace” outdoor activities, which mainly concern cycling, trekking and snorkeling in beautiful Italy. Based in Puglia, the wonderful heel of Italy, Slow Active Tours was born from a long experience in responsible and sustainable tourism, combined with a love for culture and a strong passion for traditions, history and respect for nature.
Dynamic holidays “at a slow pace”, because in this way it is possible to savor every moment of a great journey, full of adventure, hearty breakfasts, moments of peaceful well-being, food and wine tastings, fresh dips in the most beautiful seas of Italy, smiles and chat with the locals.
Each trip includes everything you need to make the experience comfortable and to be free to travel safely.
