Puglia has 865km of coastline — the longest of any Italian region. It wraps from the Gargano spur (wild, mountainous, sea caves) down the Adriatic (white cliff towns, crystal coves) around the heel at Lecce and up the Ionian coast (sandy, shallow, Caribbean-comparison-inevitable). The water on the Adriatic side is crystal-turquoise. The Ionian side is warm-shallow-emerald. And the towns along the way — Polignano, Ostuni, Monopoli, Otranto, Gallipoli — are each spectacular in completely different ways.
Day 1-2: Gargano — Vieste. Wild coast, sea caves by boat, Pizzomunno monolith, trabucchi fishing platforms, Foresta Umbra ancient beech forest. Day 3: Bari. Old town (Bari Vecchia), focaccia barese, San Nicola basilica. Day 4: Polignano a Mare + Monopoli. Cliff beach + sea cave restaurant + hidden coves. Day 5: Alberobello + Ostuni. Trulli village + White City + masseria dinner. Day 6: Lecce. Baroque capital, orecchiette, pasticiotto. Day 7: Otranto + coast. Cathedral mosaic floor, Adriatic swimming, southernmost point. Day 8: Gallipoli + Ionian coast. Old town on an island, Pescoluse "Maldives of Puglia" beaches. Total: 8 days, 300km, the complete Puglia coast.
Dramatic cliffs + caves: Polignano, Vieste Gargano coast. White sand + turquoise: Pescoluse, Porto Cesareo, Torre Guaceto. Rocky coves + snorkeling: Monopoli, Castro, Porto Selvaggio (best beaches →). Old town + beach combo: Gallipoli (walled island + beach on both sides), Otranto (medieval + swimming from the port).
Car essential. Rent from Bari airport → Best time: June or September (warm sea, fewer crowds than July-August). Accommodation: Masserie (farmstays, €80-250/night) are the authentic Puglia experience. Budget: Puglia is 30-40% cheaper than Tuscany/Amalfi for equivalent quality.