Touch down at Bari Centrale Station and keep the first stop simple: grab water, a snack, and anything you forgot from the little shops inside the station before heading out. If you’re driving, this is also the easiest place to get your bearings before the short transfer south to Monopoli. On a Sunday evening, traffic is usually manageable, and the whole point is to keep things unhurried so you can arrive settled rather than scrambled.
After you drop your bags, head to the waterfront for a decompressing walk along Lungomare Nazario Sauro. This is one of those classic Bari moves: sea air, fishermen, locals out for their evening stroll, and a great way to shake off travel stiffness. It’s especially nice around sunset and after dark when the promenade lights come on; plan about 45 minutes, and don’t worry about doing much besides wandering.
If you still have energy, slip into Bari Vecchia for a quick visit to the Basilica di San Nicola. It’s one of the city’s most important churches and usually open into the evening, though exact hours can vary with services, so keep it brief and respectful if there’s a mass going on. The walk through the old lanes is half the experience anyway—narrow stone streets, laundry lines, and little glimpses into everyday life that feel very Bari.
For dinner, go straightforward and local at Pizzeria Enzo & Ciro. It’s the kind of first-night place where you can eat well without overthinking it: pizza, simple appetizers, and a laid-back atmosphere, usually around €15–25 per person depending on what you order. Afterward, wander a few minutes to Piazza Mercantile for a low-key nightcap or just to sit and watch the old town breathe at night. It’s lively without being exhausting, and it’s the perfect way to ease into the trip before the full Monopoli base and day trips begin.
Arrive in Monopoli with enough time to ease into the day, then start where the town makes the most sense on foot: the tight little lanes of Centro Storico di Monopoli. This is the part of town that feels most lived-in in the early hours, with whitewashed alleys, laundry lines, tiny churches, and fishing boats down below the walls. Give yourself a slow wander for about an hour and a half, letting the route stay loose so you can actually look around instead of rushing between sights.
From there, loop into Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia, the city’s main church and one of those places that anchors the whole old town. It’s usually open in the morning and free to enter, though it’s always worth checking if there’s a service in progress. The interior is worth a quiet stop, especially if you like Baroque details and a more local, less touristic feel than some of the bigger Puglian churches. A few streets later, you’ll be at Cala Porta Vecchia, where the old stone seafront opens up and the views suddenly widen. This is the classic Monopoli photo stop, especially with the walls, the water, and the beach in one frame.
Stay near the waterfront for an easy coffee break at Caffè del Porto, right by the harbor and ideal for a quick espresso, pastry, or a light bite before the boat. Expect roughly €6–12 per person depending on whether you keep it simple or add a sandwich or aperitivo-style snack. It’s a good place to pause and watch the harbor scene without overthinking lunch — in Monopoli, the day works better if you leave some appetite and energy for the water later. If you need a bathroom or a sit-down reset, this is the moment to do it before heading down to the port.
Make your way to Porto di Monopoli for the boat ride, which is really the highlight of the day. Most operators leave from the harbor area and do a scenic run along the coastline with grotto views and swimming stops when conditions allow. Plan on about 2 hours on the water, and in April the sea can still feel fresh, so bring a light layer even if the sun is out. If you’re choosing between options, a smaller boat usually feels more personal and lets you enjoy the coastline without the crowding you can get on bigger excursions.
After you’re back on land, head south to Lido Santo Stefano / nearby beach club area for a slower finish. This is the right part of the day for a swim if the weather cooperates, or just an easy aperitivo with your feet near the sand and the light softening over the water. Depending on the exact venue, it may be more seasonal than the town-center spots, so it’s smart to keep expectations flexible and pick whichever beach club is actually open and lively that afternoon. The rhythm here should stay unhurried: after the boat, this is your decompression stop, not another “must-see.”
Start early in Rione Monti before the buses and tour groups thicken up; this is when the trulli feel the most magical and you can actually hear your footsteps on the stone lanes. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to wander slowly through Via Monte Pertica, Via Monte San Michele, and the little side alleys that peel off from the main drag. Most of the shops open by around 9:30 or 10:00, and even if a few are still shuttered, the quiet is worth it. If you want a coffee first, grab one near the center and keep moving — this part of town is best enjoyed standing still for a moment, then turning a corner and finding another postcard view.
A short walk brings you to Trullo Sovrano, the best place to understand why these roofs are built the way they are. Plan on about 45 minutes here; it’s compact, usually open from morning through late afternoon, and the entry fee is modest. From there, continue to your pastificio/caseificio locale for the pasta class while your energy is still high. This is a good mid-morning slot because the dough work is hands-on and a little tiring in the best way. Expect roughly 2 hours, and if the class includes tasting or a cheese demo, even better — you’ll be happy you didn’t leave it until after lunch.
After the class, sit down at Ristorante Trullo d’Oro for a proper lunch instead of trying to graze around town. It’s the kind of place where the room feels calm and local, and the menu usually leans into Pugliese staples like orecchiette, meatballs, burrata, and seasonal vegetables. Budget around €25–40 per person depending on wine and extras, and don’t rush it; lunch here naturally becomes a reset before the afternoon views. If you’re driving, parking is usually easiest if you’ve stayed near the center rather than trying to move the car between every stop.
With lunch behind you, head to Belvedere Santa Lucia for the classic rooftop panorama over Rione Monti. This is the money shot of the town, especially in late afternoon when the light softens and the trulli look almost chalk-white. Thirty minutes is enough unless you’re the type who likes to stand around taking 40 photos from the exact same spot, which, honestly, is understandable here. Finish with a short, calm walk through Giardini Pubblici “A. Moro”, a pleasant little breather close to the center where you can slow the pace before the drive back. It’s a good final pause: trees, benches, fewer people, and just enough time to let the day settle before you head onward.
Roll into Ostuni with the day still cool if you can, because the white stone shines best before the sun gets sharp. Start at Piazza della Libertà, which is the easiest place to get your bearings: it’s the town’s everyday living room, with cafés, locals crossing in and out, and a good first look at how the Old Town rises above you. From there, wander uphill on foot rather than trying to “see everything” at once — Ostuni rewards slow zigzags, not rushing. If you want a coffee stop, grab one standing at the bar; that’s the local way and keeps the day moving.
Continue into the historic center to Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, usually open in the morning and free or very low-cost to enter. The façade is one of the prettiest in Puglia, and inside it’s worth a short pause even if you’re not usually a church person. Just a few minutes away is Arco Scoppa, a classic photo stop that frames the stone lanes beautifully and gives you that slightly cinematic Ostuni view. Give yourself time to wander a couple of side streets here too — the best moments are the ones you don’t plan.
By midday, head to Osteria Del Tempo Perso for lunch. It’s one of those places that feels right for Ostuni: tucked into the old town, atmospheric, and ideal for a long lunch without needing to think too hard about the rest of the day. Expect roughly €30–45 per person depending on wine and dishes, and it’s smart to book ahead because the best lunch slots go fast. This is the meal where you lean into the region: fresh orecchiette, seafood, burrata, and a slow pace. Don’t over-order unless you’re skipping dinner entirely.
After lunch, leave a little room in the schedule and take the short drive out toward Specchiolla or a nearby Adriatic lookout. This is the reset that keeps the day from feeling too vertical and stone-heavy. Even 30–45 minutes of sea air makes a big difference, especially after wandering the old town in the sun. If you’re driving, this part is easy and low-stress; just pull over where it’s clearly legal and enjoy the view, because there’s no need to turn it into a big production.
For your final evening, head to the Ristorante Grotta Palazzese area / Grotta dining reservation in Polignano a Mare. This is the trip’s marquee dinner, so treat it like a special-occasion night: arrive a little early, dress a touch nicer than usual, and keep the rest of the evening simple. Reservations are essential, and the price can be high depending on the exact menu and drinks, so consider it the splurge meal of the itinerary. If you have a bit of time before seating, take a short stroll near the cliffs and then settle in for the dinner you’ll probably remember most from the trip.