Matera & Salento Coastal Walk

Welcome to Bari, the starting point of your walking adventure!

Take some time to stretch your legs and explore Bari’s charming old town, the historic port, and lively streets. This is the perfect chance to soak in the atmosphere, enjoy local flavors, and prepare for the days of walking ahead.

Today your journey begins with a private transfer from Bari to Santeramo, the starting point of your walk. From here, you set off on foot through the heart of the Alta Murgia National Park. In spring, the landscape is dotted with colorful wildflowers, while in summer it takes on a striking, almost lunar appearance with warm shades of sun-burnt grass.

Along the way, you pass white rural farmhouses, ancient jazzi (traditional animal enclosures), archaeological remains, and caves once adorned with frescoes. By the end of the walk, you arrive in Altamura, a town that captures authentic Apulian life, with its lively main street, locals gathering in the piazzas, and the unmistakable scent of its famous DOP durum wheat bread baking daily.

A highlight of your visit is the Archaeological Museum, dedicated to the Altamura Man — a remarkably preserved Neanderthal skeleton discovered in a nearby cave. While the original remains rest undisturbed in the cave, the museum displays a fascinating life-size reconstruction.

Distance: 24,4 km

Elevation gain: +300/-337 m

Today you walk through open countryside dotted with sunflower and grain fields, herb gardens, and wide pastures. The route leads you to Gravina, a town whose name means “canyon” and which is dramatically perched on the edge of a deep ravine. After admiring the breathtaking view, you can visit the beautiful cathedral overlooking the gorge.

To truly understand Gravina’s history, you must go underground. Beneath the modern town lies a hidden city carved into the soft tufa rock over centuries, with ancient cellars, rock churches, and stables. This underground world can be explored on a guided tour led by passionate young local volunteers.

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: +300/-337 m

Today you travel by train from Gravina in Puglia to Matera. Upon arrival, you discover one of southern Italy’s most extraordinary cities, famous for its ancient Sassi districts, where houses, churches, and streets are carved directly into the rock. Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a unique blend of history, culture, and atmosphere, with breathtaking views, stone pathways, and a timeless sense of place shaped by centuries of human settlement.

Today is a leisure day to fully enjoy Matera at your own pace. The city is a true open-air museum, a maze of stone alleyways lined with charming bed and breakfasts, artisan workshops, and small local restaurants. Perched above a deep ravine, Matera offers countless viewpoints and a unique atmosphere, inviting you to wander, relax, and soak in its timeless beauty.

Today a transfer takes you from Matera to Alberobello, where you will spend the day. Alberobello is famous for its iconic trulli, the traditional white limestone houses with conical roofs that make the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into a fairytale village, with hundreds of trulli, small shops, and panoramic viewpoints that showcase one of the most distinctive landscapes in Apulia.

Today a transfer takes you from Alberobello to Monopoli, where you will spend the day. This charming coastal town is known for its historic old town, lively harbor, and crystal-clear Adriatic waters. Stroll through whitewashed streets, enjoy the seaside atmosphere, or relax along the waterfront before continuing your journey.

In the afternoon, you take the train to Lecce, heading south into the heart of Salento.

Today is a leisure day to explore Lecce at your own pace. Known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce is celebrated for its stunning Baroque architecture, ornate churches, and elegant piazzas carved from local golden stone. Wander through the historic center, visit artisan papier-mâché workshops, or relax at a café and soak in the lively atmosphere of Salento’s cultural capital.

Today a transfer takes you to Otranto, where you will spend the day. This picturesque coastal town lies at Italy’s easternmost point and is known for its clear turquoise waters, historic harbor, and charming old town. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Otranto, famous for its extraordinary medieval mosaic floor, and enjoy time wandering along the sea walls or relaxing by the Adriatic, surrounded by a unique blend of history and seaside beauty.

Winding through the narrow alleys of the old town, you reach the new port, where a flat gravel path follows a series of coves. Along the way, you pass WWII bunkers and can take a short detour to a striking “bauxite lake” inland. The coast offers several small beaches with crystal-clear waters, leading to the Punta Palascia Lighthouse. In some areas, knee-high Mediterranean vegetation can be dense, but as long as the lighthouse is ahead and the sea is on your left, you’re on track. On clear days, the Albanian mountains rise across the Adriatic—Punta Palascia marks Italy’s easternmost point, just 71 km from Albania.

Distance: 12,5 km

Elevation Gain: +270/-240 m

The first stop of today’s walk is the charming inlet of Porto Badisco, just before the local bar/newsagent where you can grab excellent coffee and sandwiches for a picnic. Follow the coastal shepherds’ path, passing the traditional “pagliari,” round, flat-topped dry stone huts once used by shepherds. Then leave the coast and climb to the inland plateau, winding through narrow field paths. A small pine forest offers a perfect shaded picnic spot. The final stretch is along a paved road, descending to the spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its wonderful swimming spots. 

Distance: 13 km

Elevation Gain: +200/-170 m

From Santa Cesarea, start by climbing the paved road until it gives way to an old gravel and grass track bordered by dry-stone walls. Head inland along narrow paths through the fields until you reach the ancient Messapian town of Castro, notable for its towering walls. Spend some time exploring the old town and maybe enjoy lunch before descending to the port, where a refreshing swim awaits. The trail then follows a rugged, rocky stretch along the coast to Acquaviva Cove, a hidden gem with a freshwater spring at sea level—perfect for a dip. The final part winds uphill through the lush Acquaviva valley, leading to Marittima.

Distance: 11,5 km

Elevation Gain: +310/-370 m

After picking up a tasty sandwich in Marittima, begin along a paved road winding through orchards of ancient, towering olive trees. Soon you’ll reach the first of several traditional “tratturi,” old paths once used by locals to reach the sea or connect villages and orchards—each stone telling the story of a hard peasant life. The trail descends to Tricase Porto, where you can enjoy a refreshing “caffè in ghiaccio” (iced coffee) and take a swim. The final stretch follows some asphalt roads to today’s destination, Marina Serra, a small coastal hamlet known for its excellent swimming spots.

Distance: 13,5 km

Elevation Gain: +310/-370 m

The final day’s walk begins with a short uphill trail known as the “Enemy’s Path” (Sentiero del Nemico), once the perfect spot for ambushing unsuspecting visitors. After a stretch on the coastal road, the route turns inland along more ancient “tratturi,” eventually reaching Novaglie, a scenic rocky beach. From here, the breathtaking “Cipolliane Path” begins, named for the caves you can explore along the way, leading to the Ciolo Bridge—the last major swimming spot of the trip. From the tiny Ciolo Cove, the trail climbs through the Ciolo Valley to Gagliano del Capo, where you catch the train to Bari for your final night.

Distance: 12,5 km

Elevation Gain: +530/-380 m

Our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights or other services with us.

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

This Matera and Salento walking tour is perfect if you enjoy coastal scenery, quiet inland villages, and authentic local communities. The route starts from the sea and continues inland toward Matera, passing through remote villages and lively towns.

Daily walks are moderate but long, requiring some preparatory training. Sections may include rocky, uneven terrain that can be slippery and challenging.

Ideal for travelers who want a blend of sea views, swimming opportunities, and off-the-beaten-path exploration and many rest or leisure days to explore the South of Italy.