Apulia (Puglia) is the sun-drenched heel of Italy's boot, stretching along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts with over 800 km of coastline, centuries-old whitewashed towns, and a food culture that rivals anywhere in the country. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the iconic trulli of Alberobello and the enigmatic Castel del Monte — Apulia blends Norman castles, Baroque Lecce stonework, and ancient masserie (fortified farmhouses) into an unforgettable landscape.
Local currency: Euro.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Apulia.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Items
- Typical
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Apulia costs end-to-end.
Items traveller
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Travel by FSE train through the Valle d'Itria — a single-day FSE pass costs ~€10 and covers Bari–Alberobello–Locorotondo–Martina Franca–Lecce
Eat lunch at a trattoria rather than dinner — the fixed menù del giorno (2 courses + water + bread) is €12–15 at places that charge €35+ per person at dinner
Buy focaccia and street food at the market instead of sit-down restaurants for quick lunches
Stay in Lecce or Bari rather than in the tourist towns (Alberobello, Ostuni) — accommodation is cheaper and both are excellent bases by train
Visit Grotte di Castellana on a weekday morning and book online to skip the queue fee
Book car rental at least 4 weeks ahead — last-minute summer rates are 2–3x shoulder season prices
Free museum Sundays: most state museums (MArTA, Castel del Monte) are free on the first Sunday of each month
Tap water is safe throughout Apulia — refill a bottle to avoid buying water at tourist prices
Shop at local supermarkets (Conad, Coop, Despar) for picnic supplies — a full picnic lunch costs under €8
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Alberobello trulli exterior walk — wander Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola for free
Lecce Baroque old town — streets, piazzas, and church exteriors all free
Bari Vecchia evening passeggiata — join locals on Via Sparano or seafront Lungomare
Watching women make orecchiette — Via dell'Arco Basso, Bari Vecchia, most mornings
Ostuni hilltop views — spectacular from the outer walls, no charge
Polignano a Mare clifftop walkways — free and open at all hours
Trani Cathedral — free entry, donate what you can
Beach access — all Italian beaches by law must have a free public stretch
Gallipoli old town walk — cross the bridge and explore the island for free
Sunset at Santa Maria di Leuca — stand at the meeting of two seas, no charge