8 days in Puglia

We stayed in Monopoli in old town. A charming town and also a perfect location for exploring along the coast and all the way to Lecce, as well as the towns more inland, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Ostuni. We rented a gorgeous water from balcony apartment from Santa Maria 24.

Alberobello definitely worth visiting, I'd also che the area called "murgia", very characteristic!

Thank you. A huge help.

I just stayed in the most amazing Airbnb in Poglimare a Mare and in Monopoli - Palazzo Indelli. I had 2 fantastic experiences. Btw thank you to those of you who recommended Palazzo Indelli.

Polignano a Mare or Monopoli on the coast
or
Alberobello or Locorotondo in the interior.

Choose only one of the above locations (all within a short distance from one another) and from there you can visit almost everything else in central Puglia, including Ostuni and other towns (Martina Franca, Grottaglie, etc.).

Lecce, Otranto and Gallipoli are a bit to the south, so it's a drive from the above locations. You can take a day trip from there, but I'd rather have a separate base for these (Otranto on the coast, or Lecce, a beautiful city a bit off the coast). The 3 towns can be visited from one single locations since they are about 40 min from one another.

If the Gargano peninsula is part of your itinerary, then you need a separate base there (e.g. Vieste) as the Gargano is a bit of a drive from anywhere else.

Matera (Basilicata, but bordering Puglia) can be reached on a day trip from the locations I mentioned on top, within 75 to 90 min drive. However most people would recommend to spend at least one night in Matera.