Bari is one of the best bases in southern Italy for day trips. The city sits on a main rail line, has an airport and is within about two hours of an unusually rich spread of destinations, from pale cathedral towns on the coast to inland fortresses, caves and ancient cities carved from rock. This guide groups the best excursions by direction, with rough travel times and suggestions for combining them.
North along the coast: Trani and Castel del Monte
Trani is about 40 minutes to an hour by regional train, and its Romanesque cathedral stands almost in the sea beside a working harbour, the Swabian castle and a quiet old Jewish quarter. A half day is enough, with a long seafood lunch on the quay. Castel del Monte, the octagonal hilltop castle of Emperor Frederick II, lies inland from Trani and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Public transport is thin, so a car or a guided trip is far easier. The two combine well in a single day, with the castle in the morning and Trani for lunch.
South along the coast: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
Both are a short train ride from Bari, about half an hour to 45 minutes. Polignano a Mare perches on limestone cliffs above a small cove, with a boat trip into its sea caves as the highlight. Monopoli is a calmer fishing town with a castle on the sea wall, a cathedral and a harbour lined with painted boats. They sit close enough together to visit both in one day by train, with a boat trip in the morning and a harbour lunch in Monopoli.
Inland: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Martina Franca
The Itria Valley lies inland from Bari, about an hour and a half by the regional rail line or an hour by car. Alberobello is the headline stop, with its UNESCO-listed trulli, and Locorotondo and Martina Franca add a round white town and a Baroque centre, all within a few minutes of each other by car. Together they make a satisfying day, ideally starting with Alberobello early to avoid crowds and ending in Locorotondo with a glass of local wine at sunset. Ostuni, the White City, is a little farther south and can be added by car.
Underground and on the plateau: Castellana and Altamura
The Grotte di Castellana, a vast cave system about 40 kilometres south of Bari, are reached by a guided tour that runs beneath the hills through huge chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, and the temperature is steady throughout the year, which makes the caves a good option in hot or wet weather. Altamura, on the Murgia plateau to the west, has a Swabian cathedral and famous bread, and it sits on the road to Matera, so the two combine nicely.
Matera and the Sassi
Matera is across the regional border in Basilicata, about an hour from Bari by road, and its Sassi districts of cave dwellings and rock churches are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy shoes, because the paths are steep, and consider a guided walk to understand the layers of the old city. Matera deserves a full day, though a shorter visit is possible if you combine it with Altamura. Summer days are very hot, so start early.
Farther south: Lecce and Salento
Lecce, with its golden Baroque churches, is roughly two hours from Bari by train. It makes a long but rewarding day trip, and many visitors prefer to stay overnight to see the city in the evening. From Lecce you can reach Otranto, with its remarkable mosaic floor, and Gallipoli, an island old town on the Ionian Sea, which are better suited to an overnight stay or a Salento extension than a quick day out.
Train, car or tour
Trains are cheap and good along the coast and through the Itria Valley, but they are less convenient for Castel del Monte, the caves and the countryside, where a car or a small group tour is easier. Guided day tours are useful if you do not want to drive and can combine several stops, though they usually move quickly. Whatever you choose, check the timetable for your return train, particularly in the evening, and allow extra time in summer.
Choosing your day
If you have only one day, choose the Itria Valley for the classic Puglia mix of trulli and white towns, or the coast for sea and food. For history and architecture, add Trani and Castel del Monte, or Matera. For a relaxed pace, base yourself in a coastal town and let the trains do the work, saving the long drives for a single big day.
