Valle D'Itria, Four Towns

Valle d'Itria, Four Towns, 7.5 - 10 hours, rated 4.6 across 1,161 traveller reviews.

Overview

This day trip from Bari bundles three Puglia towns into one coach run: Polignano a Mare, Ostuni and Locorotondo. Apulia Smart Tour handles the driving and the logistics, then hands each guest a brochure with maps, walking routes and tips so the towns themselves are explored independently rather than with a walking guide. Total time on the road and on the ground runs between 7.5 and 10 hours depending on the option chosen.

The format is simple. Check in at Largo Eroi del Mare in Bari, ride an air conditioned GT coach to the Adriatic coast, and get roughly two and a half hours in Polignano a Mare for the old town, the cliffs and a possible swim. From there it is about an hour to Ostuni, the whitewashed hill city with its cathedral and olive grove views, for another self guided block of around two and a half hours. A short transfer brings the day to Locorotondo, where sloping stone roofs and narrow paved lanes fill a final stretch of about an hour and a half.

It suits travellers who like wandering at their own pace without a guide narrating every step. Reviews repeatedly praise the comfortable bus, the punctual drivers and the amount of free time in each place. Anyone who wants a live guide explaining history in person, or who would rather not manage their own route, should look at guided alternatives instead.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Largo Eroi del MareMeet staff at Ex capolinea 1/4 in Largo Eroi del Mare in Bari for check in and to collect the information brochure. A second option exists: skip the Bari departure and join the group in Polignano a Mare at 11:30 AM on Via Guglielmo Marconi 6.
2. Coach to Polignano a MareRoughly 45 minutes on the air conditioned GT coach from Bari to the coast.
3. Polignano a Mare, 2.5 hoursFree time for swimming, photos, shopping and a self guided walk through the old town above the sea caves and cliffs. It is named the Pearl of the Adriatic.
4. Coach to OstuniAbout 1 hour by coach from the coast inland to the White City.
5. Ostuni, 2.5 hoursIndependent time to wander the alleys, see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its rose window, and take in views over olive trees and the sea from the upper town.
6. Coach to LocorotondoA short transfer of about 30 minutes into the heart of the Itria Valley.
7. Locorotondo, 1.5 hoursFree time in a village decorated with the Italian Touring Club's Orange Flag, known for its cummerse houses with sloping stone roofs and lanes paved in chianche stone.
8. Return to Bari or Polignano a MareAbout 1 hour back by coach. The drop off depends on the departure option selected, Bari or Polignano a Mare.

What To Expect From The Tour

The day runs on free time, not guided walks, so a little preparation goes a long way.

• Self guided format. No guide accompanies the group through the towns. The printed brochure, digital maps and an audio guide in five languages do that work instead. One reviewer said this format let them explore at their own pace rather than in a tight tour group, and reviewers generally praised the freedom this arrangement gives.
• Bring swim gear. Swimming among the caves and coves during the Polignano a Mare stop is a highlight. Pack a suit and a towel if the season allows.
• Plan your own lunch. Meals and drinks are not included, so lunch falls inside the free time in one of the towns. Reviewers mentioned nothing about food problems, only that the time in each place felt sufficient.
• Audio guide needs no headset. Headsets and earphones are not needed for the audio guides. It works in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish. One reviewer with limited English said the instructions in the booklet made everything easy to follow anyway.
• Steady but full day. Expect close to a full day out, between 7.5 and 10 hours depending on the option. Multiple reviewers described the pace as well suited to each town, with enough time everywhere.
• Photos and views. Each stop is built around photo moments: the cliff edge in Polignano, the panorama over olive groves from Ostuni, and the white lanes of Locorotondo. The brochure provides facts, maps and tips for each town, which helps with planning where to go during the free time.

Common issues. The main caveat is clarity of the format: some travellers said clearer information on the self guided arrangement and the meeting points would have helped, so read the two meeting point options carefully before booking. One reviewer reported that some links in the digital materials did not work, though the printed brochure carried the useful information anyway. A live guide is not included, only the driver and remote assistance, which will disappoint anyone expecting in person commentary. Meals and drinks are extra, and headsets are not provided, though they are not needed.

Common Questions