Special Christmas Puglia & Matera
Tour Essentials
Select tastings included (street food, olive oil, pastry); other meals independent
Tour Details
This is not a “tick-the-boxes” week – it’s a high-quality Christmas travel package created for travellers who want an immersive, social, fully organised journey through Southern Italy at its most atmospheric. With a small group (minimum 2, maximum 8) you’ll share intense, rewarding days—guided in English by certified local guides—then unwind together in the evenings, swapping stories over aperitivi, local wine, and seasonal treats.
You’ll sleep in three very different cities – Bari, Matera and Lecce – each with its own winter charm. In Bari, you’ll dive straight into local life with a street-food experience through the old town. You’ll spend a full day between Trani and Castel del Monte, taking it slowly enough to enjoy the coast, the rhythm of the harbour, and the wonder of one of Southern Italy’s most iconic UNESCO sites. From there, you’ll move into Basilicata for Matera, where sunset light turns the Sassi into something unforgettable—especially in December, when the city becomes a living stage for nativity traditions and Christmas atmosphere.
The tour continues through the heart of Puglia’s postcard villages – Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni – where whitewashed streets and trulli are dressed in lights and decorations, then finishes in Lecce, the baroque jewel of Salento, with guided time to understand the city and free time to browse boutiques, markets and artisan shops. Throughout the week the emphasis is on flavour and tradition as much as sightseeing—this is a journey designed to help you taste the region, not just see it.
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation in Bari, Matera and Lecce
- Bari street food tour experience
- Guided touring in Trani and Castel del Monte
- Guided touring in Altamura and Matera, including Sassi area highlights
- Free day in Matera for markets / nativity scenes atmosphere
- Visits to Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni (including olive oil tasting in a trullo)
- Guided tour of Lecce, plus local pastry tasting
- Transfer to Bari on Day 7 to conclude the tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Good Morning Puglia (Hotel in Bari)
Morning: Independent arrival a Bari and accommodation in a 4-star hotel in the heart of the city.
Afternoon: Walk in the historic center of Bari Old, with a charming street food tour. Taste the famous handmade orecchiette, the focaccia barese, the sgagliozze and let yourself be won over by the scents of cartellate and Christmas sweets that fill the alleys.
Evening: Visit the San Nicola neighborhood, where local Christmas traditions find their maximum expression.
Free evening to explore Bari illuminated by Christmas lights.
Day 2 - Trani & Castel del Monte (night in Bari)
Morning: After breakfast, departure for Trani, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Stroll along the picturesque harbor and visit the magnificent Romanesque cathedral, symbol of the city, without missing the opportunity to explore the suggestive Jewish quarter.
Afternoon: Transfer to Castel del Monte, a medieval masterpiece and UNESCO site, with a guided tour that will let you discover the mysteries of this unique octagonal structure.
Evening: Return to Bari and free evening.
Day 3 - Altamura and Matera (Hotel in Matera)
Morning: Breakfast and departure for Altamura, famous for its DOP bread, considered one of the best in Italy. Explore the village and let yourself be tempted by typical sweets such as the “tetta delle monache”, a soft dessert filled with cream.
Afternoon: Transfer to Matera, the “City of Stones”. During the panoramic tour, you will explore the rock churches, cave houses and the spectacular viewpoints of Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Piazza Duomo. The city, dressed up for the party, becomes a living crib that enchants.
Evening: Overnight stay in Matera and free evening.
Day 4: Christmas Markets and Atmosphere in Matera
Free day: Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas markets of Matera, among illuminated alleys and artisanal products. Discover the decorations that transform the city into a living nativity scene and, in the evening, be amazed by the historical reenactment of the Nazareth 2000 years ago, set in the evocative streets of the Sassi.
Evening: Overnight stay in Matera.
Day 5: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni (night in Lecce)
Morning: Breakfast and departure for Alberobello, a UNESCO site since 1996. Stroll through the Aia Piccola and Monti districts, admiring the famous trulli illuminated for Christmas, and discover the traditions of this unique village. Tasting of extra virgin olive oil in a trullo.
Afternoon: Continue for locorotondo, known for its charming Christmas lights, and then visit Ostuni, the “White City”. Admire the charming old town, picturesque squares and the Cathedral. Enjoy a panoramic view of the olive groves and the sea.
Evening: Transfer to Lecce and overnight stay.
Day 6: Lecce, the Baroque City
Morning: Guided tour of the historic center of Lecce, famous for its baroque architecture and local craft shops. Visit the main points of interest: Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Church of Sant’Irene. Conclude with a tasting of the Typical Italian cake with custard cream filling, the sweet symbol of the city.
Afternoon: Free time to explore Lecce, visit the Christmas markets or buy traditional nativity scene puppets made of papier-mâché.
Evening: Overnight stay in Lecce.
Day 7: Goodbye Puglia
Morning: Breakfast and transfer to Bari.
End of tour: Take with you unforgettable memories and the promise of returning to a land that conquers the heart.
Tour Highlights
- Fully organised, guided touring with certified local guides
- UNESCO trio: Castel del Monte, Alberobello and Matera
- Bari old town street-food experience (a true local introduction)
- A full, unhurried day between Trani and Castel del Monte
- Matera’s Sassi and Christmas atmosphere, markets and nativity traditions
- White towns and villages: Locorotondo and Ostuni
- Baroque Lecce guided tour plus time to shop and explore independently
- A festive, food-forward itinerary centred on regional flavours and traditions
Accommodation
You’ll stay in comfortable 4‑star accommodation, basing in three cities to keep the route practical while still allowing time to enjoy each destination in the evenings. Accommodation will be situated in the following locations:
- Bari (city centre)
- Matera
- Lecce
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Moderate: walking tours in historic centres with uneven streets and steps (including Matera’s Sassi areas).
Exclusions
- Meals not explicitly included as part of tastings/experiences
- Personal expenses (shopping, additional activities in free time)
- Travel insurance
General Notes
- Designed for travellers who enjoy organised touring, comfort, and meeting like-minded people
- Christmas in Puglia is as much about tradition and food as it is about sights: lights, markets, aperitivi culture, and seasonal local recipes
- Solo travellers are welcome (travel companions can be matched)
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
Gallery
Explore Basilicata, discover more of Puglia or browse all Italy tours
Ready to travel?
Tell us about your plans and our team will get back to you with everything you need to know about Special Christmas Puglia & Matera.
- We respond within 1 business day
- Your details are kept completely private
- Happy to speak by phone
- Australia-based team, Italy experts
A Week In Venice, Florence & Rome
Travel from Florence through the Chianti hills, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, on a day trip to Badia di Passignano; the hilly landscape, basking in golds and greens, is filled with
Lake Como with Bernina Express
A private Lake Como escape with a full-day Bernina Express experience to St Moritz, combining alpine scenery, flexible free time, and comfortable lakeside accommodation.
Local Tour of Puglia 2026
UNESCO-listed Alberobello and Matera, baroque Lecce, and Adriatic coastal gems. Enjoy a locally hosted small group week in Puglia with guided day tours, hidden villages, and authentic regional experiences.
Amalfi Coast Tour 2026
An immersive journey along the Amalfi Coast, blending iconic destinations with authentic local experiences, regional cuisine and the rhythm of everyday coastal life
