Planning a road trip through southern Italy gives you the freedom to combine some of Puglia’s most beautiful towns, beaches and countryside with a visit to extraordinary Matera in neighbouring Basilicata.
Our route starts and ends at Rome Fiumicino Airport and takes us south through Cassino and Matera, before continuing into Puglia to Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Lecce and Gallipoli.
This page started as our own planning guide for the trip. We’ll update it along the way with the places we actually visited, where we stayed, parking information, driving tips, restaurants, costs and the things we would do differently next time.
Puglia Road Trip at a Glance
Dates: September 28 – October 6, 2026
Duration: 8 nights
Starting point: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
End point: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Transportation: Rental car
Travellers: 2 adults
Main route:
Rome FCO → Cassino → Matera → Alberobello → Locorotondo → Ostuni → Monopoli → Polignano a Mare → Brindisi → Lecce → Gallipoli → Anagni → Rome FCO
Overnight bases:
- September 28 – 29: Cassino
- September 29 – October 1: Alberobello / Valle d’Itria
- October 1–3: Monopoli
- October 3–5: Gallipoli / Salento
- October 5 – 6: Anagni
- October 6: Flight from Rome FCO
Our Puglia Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Rome Fiumicino to Cassino
September 28
Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at approximately 1:00 PM, pick up the rental car and begin the drive south.
Rather than attempting to drive all the way to Puglia after an overnight flight, we decided to break the journey with one night around Cassino.
Driving
Route: FCO → Cassino
Distance: 151 km
Driving time: 2h 15 min
Tolls: [add]
Where We Stayed
Hotel: Il Maniero
Address:
Via Santa Scolastica 2C, Cassino, Italy, 03043, Cassino, Italia
Price: EUR 80.00
Booked through: Agoda
Why we chose it:
Free WiFi, Breakfast included, Free Parking, Free Cancellation, Exceptional reviews, looks very Italian
Parking: Free
Would we stay again?
What to Do
Depending on arrival time and energy:
- Monte Cassino Abbey
Parking: A large, dedicated parking lot sits just steps from the main entrance of the abbey.
Car Parking Fee: Typically ranges from €3 to €8 per day depending on the season or attendant, which sometimes contributes to upkeep or site access.
Visiting Hours: The monastery is open every day with hours varying by season (see web site below). Currently it opens at 8:30 or 9 AM and closes at 5PM in winter or 7PM from late March through October. On Sundays and holidays it’s open from 8:45 until 5:30 but the church cannot be visited during mass. In winter the museum is only open on Sundays. - Cassino town centre
Parking ( Free parking lot ): Parcheggio Cassino Campo Miranda, Piazzale Nicholas Green - Dinner in Cassino
OUR EXPERIENCE:
[Add after trip]
Day 2: Cassino to Matera and Alberobello
September 29
Today we continue south toward Matera, one of the most extraordinary historic cities in southern Italy.
Matera is technically in Basilicata rather than Puglia, but it makes an excellent stop on a Puglia road trip.
Cassino → Matera
Distance: 322km
Driving time: 3h 14min
Tolls:
Visiting Matera by Car
Parking: Parking Sant’Isidoro, Parking Via Timmari – SISAS, Parking Via Saragat
More details: materaturismo.it
Street Parking (Blue and White Lines):
White Stripes (Free): Free street spots are available outside the central ZTL zones on roads like Via Santo Stefano, Via Piave, and Via Lanera. Always check signs carefully to avoid accidental ZTL entry.
Blue Stripes (Paid): Street parking costs roughly €0.70 to €1.00 per hour, active daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You can pay at nearby meters or use mobile apps like EasyPark or Telepass Pay X.
Walking route:
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto
- Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio. This viewpoint gives you your first breathtaking look at the sprawling Sassi labyrinth and the Matera Cathedral rising above it
- Palombaro Lungo
- Wander Sasso Barisano & Sasso Caveoso
- Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario or Casa Grotta “C’era una volta”
- Matera Cathedral (Duomo)
- Church of Saint Mary of Idris
- Piazzetta Pascoli
Time needed: [add]
Matera → Alberobello
Distance: 73km
Driving time: 1h 15min
Where We Stayed
Hotel: Agriturismo Arco di Sole
Address:
Contrada Colucci Zona B 144, 74015 Alberobello, Italy
Nights: 2
Parking: Free
Price: CAD 396.22
Why we chose it: saltwater swimming pool, free WiFi, breakfast included, free parking, free cancellation, exceptional reviews
Check-in from 15:00 to 20:00
Check-out until 10:00
OUR EXPERIENCE:
[Add after stay]
Day 3: Alberobello, Locorotondo & Valle d’Itria
September 30
A full day exploring the Valle d’Itria, famous for its whitewashed villages, olive groves and traditional conical-roofed trulli.
Alberobello
Where to park: Parcheggio Centro Storico Via Monte San Gabriele, Alberobello Parcheggio Viale Indipendenza 6
How much time to allow:
What to see:
- Rione Monti
- Aia Piccola
- Trullo Sovrano
- Belvedere viewpoints
- Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
Locorotondo
Driving time from Alberobello:
Distance: 10km
Driving time: 15 min
Parking: Parcheggio pubblico (Free parking lot), Locorotondo parcheggio
What to see:
Locortondo is perfectly placed for sweeping views across the Valle d’Itria. Head through Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II to Villa Comunale and the 19th-century gardens which are ideal for seeking out some midday shade and enjoying the panoramic vistas from Belvedere di Locorotondo.
Optional Stops
Ostuni
Driving time from Locorotondo:
Distance: 27 km
Driving time: 32 min
Parking: Ostuni Central Parking, Parking lot ( free), Parking San Giovanni (The €10 includes the tuk-tuk shuttle service.)
What to see: The Historic Centre (Centro Storico)
The Best Viewpoints: Stop at Piazzetta Martiri delle Foibe on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
Depending on time:
Martina Franca
Cisternino
Where We Ate
Lunch:
Dinner:
Coffee / gelato:
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Day 4: Alberobello to Polignano a Mare and Monopoli
October 1
Today we leave the countryside and head toward the Adriatic coast. Possible stops can include Polignano a Mare either today or during our full day in Monopoli.
Alberobello → Polignano a Mare
Distance: 32 km
Driving time: 35 min
Parking: polignanoamare.com, Parcheggio Polignano stazione
What to see: Lama Monachile (Cala Porto), Domenico Modugno Statue, Centro Historico, Boat Tour
Polignano a Mare → Monopoli
Distance: 9 km
Driving time: 11 min
Parking: Parcheggio gratuito nazario Sauro, Parking gratuit
Free parking on Via Nazario Sauro: The parking lot in the former cement plant area is open to the public (with entrances from both the mountain and sea sides of Via Nazario Sauro). The car park is open 24 hours a day, every day.
Where can you park for free in Monopoli?
The main free car parks include the Fontanelle Car Park, Via Nazario Sauro, Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo (in the non-reserved areas) and the Ex Scie Car Park.
Where is the nearest car park to Monopoli’s historic centre?
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Piazzale Cristoforo Colombo are among the closest and most convenient options for reaching the historic centre and the Old Port.
Where We Stayed
Finding accommodation in Monopoli involved one major decision: stay directly in the historic centre or choose somewhere slightly outside it with easier parking.
The historic centre is extremely walkable and atmospheric, but many streets are inaccessible by car and parking directly beside your accommodation may not be possible.
Hotel: Le Contrade Chiasso Cafaro
Address:
Chiasso Cafaro, Monopoli City Centre, Monopoli, Italy, 70043
Nights: 2
Parking: NO
Price: CAD 386.10
Why we chose it: Historic Centre, Balcony, Terrace
Check-in from 2pm
Check-out until 10:00
Day 5: Monopoli
October 2
A full day for the Adriatic coast.
What to See
- Porto Antico
- Castello Carlo V
- Monopoli Cathedral
- Old Town
- Lungomare
- Cala Porta Vecchia
Beaches:
Cala Porta Vecchia, Porto Bianco, Spiaggia di Cala Porto Rosso, Cala Paradiso
E Bike tour:
1. Centro Storico di Monopoli: We will ride through the streets of the elegant old town of Monopoli. 25 minutes
2. Porto antico di Monopoli: You will be enchanted in one of the most romantic places of the town. 10 minutes.
3. Cala Porta Vecchia: Photo postcard in one of the most evocative places of Monopoli. 10 minutes
4. Lungomare: You will cycle along the coast of Monopoli, discovering its coves and maybe choosing where to swim after the end of the tour
5. Chiesa e Casale Rupestre dei SS. Andrea e Procopio: You will visit an ancient village carved into the rock. 40 minutes, Admission Ticket Free
6. Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio detta del Purgatorio: You will be intrigued by the portal of this church. Admission Ticket Free
Day 6: Monopoli to Gallipoli
October 3
Today we cross Puglia toward the Salento Peninsula. We will visit Brindisi to take some photos of SNIM – Salone Nautico di Puglia
Monopoli → Brindisi
Distance: 76 km
Driving time: 51 min
Parking: Free and secure parking is available directly on-site at the Marina di Brindisi (located at Via Dardanelli, 2), which features a large dedicated parking area and garage equipped with 24-hour security camera surveillance and staff
Rather than simply driving directly to Gallipoli, the route gives us an opportunity to visit Lecce.
Brindisi → Lecce
Distance: 39 km
Driving time: 28 min
Parking: Lecce Oberdan Parking, Parkejoo – Lecce, Parking gratuit, Foro Boario
Lecce
Known for its elaborate Baroque architecture, Lecce is one of the major historic cities of Puglia.
What to See
- Piazza del Duomo
- Basilica di Santa Croce
- Piazza Sant’Oronzo
- Roman Amphitheatre
- Historic centre
Lecce → Gallipoli
Distance: 39 km
Driving time: 34 min
Where to Stay in Gallipoli
For Gallipoli, our main priority was staying inside or very close to the historic island, so that we could leave the car and explore on foot.
Hotel: Corte Casole b&b
Address:
Via Crocefisso dei Molini, 73014 Gallipoli Provincia di Lecce, Italy
Nights: 2
Parking: YES, but check with owner
Price: CAD $321.80
Why we chose it: unbelievable reviews, close to Centro historico
Check-in from 12pm
Check-out until 10:00
What to See
Castello di Gallipoli
Sant’Agata Cathedral
Underground Olive Oil Mills
Greek Fountain
Day 7: Gallipoli & Salento
October 4
Route for day
Gallipoli → Pescoluse → Punta Ristola → Punta Meliso / Lighthouse → Ponte Ciolo → Gallipoli
An exceptional day-trip itinerary from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca combines stunning Ionian beaches with dramatic cliffside views. The most rewarding route is the coastal road (SP239 / SP91 / SP215), taking you past famous sandy shores before reaching the final point where the two seas meet.
Pescoluse
Most famous sandy beach on this stretch.
Parking: The car parks along the marina are paid in high season and fill up by late morning, so arrive early or park further away and walk. Free parking exists along the SP274, plus paid private lots closer to the beach (roughly €5-10 for the day in high season); arriving before 9am gives the best chance of a spot.
Parcheggio Lungomare, Parking plage, Parcheggio MaldiVe
Lunch: Marina di San Gregorio
Stop at this tiny, picturesque bay right before reaching Leuca. It is tucked into low cliffs and features a few coastal restaurants serving exceptionally fresh seafood and traditional orecchiette pasta right by the water.
Punta Ristola
Parking: you will find several parking areas both in Santa Maria di Leuca and in the immediate vicinity of Punta Ristola. Prices vary from 1 to 5 euros per day, depending on the season and proximity to the sea.
Parcheggio Leuca Ristola ( free roadside parking), Santa Maria Di leucca ( Free parking lot), Parcheggio Marchello (Free parking lot)
Faro di Capo Santa Maria di Leuca
Parking: Parcheggio libero, Parcheggio pubblico
Ponte Ciolo
Ponte del Ciolo is one of the most suggestive iconic places in Salento and is located on the municipal territory of Gagliano del Capo.
Parking: Parcheggio del Ciolo, Parking Ciolo (Free parking lots)
Day 8: Gallipoli to Lazio
October 5
This is the longest repositioning day of the trip. We need to drive north toward Rome while avoiding an unnecessarily stressful drive all the way to Fiumicino.
Possible Final Overnight Areas
We considered several options.
Anagni
Distance from Gallipoli: 560 km
Expected driving time: 5 h 50 min
Historic hill town conveniently located near the A1.
Advantages: attractive old town, breaks up the long drive, relatively easy access to the motorway.
Disadvantages: hotels inside the historic area can require additional local driving away from the A1.
Valmontone
Farther north and closer to Rome.
Advantages: very convenient for the A1 and leaves a shorter drive the following morning.
Disadvantages: less atmospheric than spending the evening in a historic hill town.
Frascati
Attractive town in the Castelli Romani.
Advantages: excellent final Italian evening, restaurants and atmosphere.
Disadvantages: less convenient for a simple A1 → FCO journey.
Fiumicino
Advantages: virtually eliminates airport-driving stress the following morning.
Disadvantages: means doing almost the entire Gallipoli–Rome drive in one day.
Our Final Choice
Town: Anagni
Hotel: Novecento
Price: EUR 95.00
Parking: Yes
Distance from A1:
Driving time to FCO: 1 h
Was it the right decision?
[Add after trip]
Day 9: Drive to Rome Fiumicino & Fly Home
October 6
Flight: approximately 2:00 PM
Morning Plan
Hotel → FCO
Distance: 87 km
Expected driving time: 55 min
Actual driving time:
Fuel stop:
Rental car return:
Time we left hotel:
Time we reached FCO:
Driving in Puglia: What You Need to KnowRenting a Car
Rental company:
Car:
Total cost:
Insurance:
Pick-up: FCO
Return: FCO
What We Would Do Differently
[Don’t fill this section until after the trip. This may become one of the most useful parts of the article.]
Would we stay in Matera overnight?
[Add]
Was two nights in Monopoli enough?
[Add]
Was Gallipoli the right Salento base?
[Add]
Would we choose Gallipoli or Otranto next time?
[Add]
Was stopping near Anagni/Valmontone before FCO worthwhile?
[Add]
Would we make this trip by car again?
[Add]
