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From the Adriatic Coast to the Ionian Coast
From the Adriatic Coast to the Ionian Coast is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided walking tour of moderate level that crosses Puglia from Polignano a Mare to Taranto, through the heart of the Itria Valley. From the cliffs of Polignano you walk to the Castellana Caves, the trulli of Alberobello, round Locorotondo, Baroque Martina Franca and Crispiano, the town of 100 masserie, before descending to the Gulf of Taranto, the city of two seas.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Polignano a Mare
Arrival in Polignano a Mare, the pearl of the Adriatic. Stop at the balconies overlooking the sea and take a photo with the statue of Domenico Modugno, the singer of “Volare”; if you have time, don't miss a boat trip to the sea caves of Polignano. Overnight in Polignano a Mare.
- Day 2
Polignano a Mare – Castellana Grotte
19.9 km · +315 m
The first stage leads into the heart of the land of centuries-old olive trees, on the “Viedulivi” route that promotes extra virgin olive oil and the gnarled trees of the Murgia of Trulli and Caves. The destination, Castellana Grotte, has carried this name since 1950 in honour of the underground world discovered in 1938 by Franco Anelli; the caves are open all year round (about 5 hours). Overnight in Castellana Grotte.
- Day 3
Castellana Grotte – Alberobello
18.5 km · +425 m
Leaving the town of caves behind, the path heads into trulli country, the dry-stone buildings known all over the world. You arrive in Alberobello, symbol of this architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: get lost in its narrow lanes and stay out after dark to enjoy its magical atmosphere (about 4.5 hours). Overnight in Alberobello.
- Day 4
Alberobello – Locorotondo
20 km · +410 m
From Alberobello you cross the hamlet of Coreggia and take the Canale di Pirro, where the landscape changes completely: a long path along the Apulian Aqueduct skirts the edge of a huge doline and crosses a nature oasis with ancient patches of oak wood. The second half runs through hamlets and paths dotted with trulli to Locorotondo, the “locus rotundus”, whose old town keeps its cummerse houses roofed with chiancarelle limestone slabs (about 5.5 hours). Overnight in Locorotondo.
- Day 5
Locorotondo – Martina Franca
16.3 km · +435 m
Today's stage, with the most climbing of the tour, takes you to Martina Franca, known for its wrought-iron balconies and elegant Baroque buildings. Its monumental symbol is the Basilica of San Martino, and the old town hides many more churches and historic palazzi. Take time to wander its paved lanes (about 4.5 hours). Overnight in Martina Franca.
- Day 6
Martina Franca – Crispiano
10 km · +374 m
A short 3-hour walk brings you to Crispiano, “the town of 100 masserie”, on the border between the Itria Valley and the Terra delle Gravine. You cross Bosco delle Pianelle, one of Puglia's largest green lungs – a holm-oak forest in the Gravina del Vuolo doline – and the Eastern Murge nature reserve, then head for Masseria Amastuola, a 15th-century fortified farm with a vineyard garden by Fernando Caruncho. From the Amastuola area the Gulf of Taranto is already in sight. Overnight in Crispiano.
- Day 7
Crispiano – Taranto
27 km · +10 m
The longest day takes you down to the Ionian Sea and Taranto, ancient Taras, the “city of two seas” between the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo. Founded in the 8th century BC as the only Spartan colony of Magna Graecia, it spreads over three natural peninsulas and an artificial island – the old town – created when the moat of the Aragonese Castle was dug. Don't miss MArTA, the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (about 6 hours). Overnight in Taranto.
- Day 8
Taranto
Breakfast and end of our services. Goodbye, Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided walking tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Itria Valley
- Distance
- 111.7 km
- Level
- Moderate
- Departures
- Dates of your choice, subject to availability
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in Comfort Plus category accommodation, double room.
- Meals
- Breakfast every day; lunches and dinners are not included.
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort PlusPer person in a double room – low / mid / high season | € 965 | € 1,070 | € 1,140 |
Seasons
| Season | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Low season | 7 Jan – 31 Mar · 7 Apr – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec | 7 Jan – 21 Mar · 5 Apr – 18 Apr · 3 May – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Mid season | 1 Jun – 13 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep | 22 Mar – 4 Apr · 19 Apr – 2 May · 1 Jun – 12 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep |
| High season | 28 Mar – 6 Apr · 14 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan | 13 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan |
Included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
- Access to our navigation app with preloaded GPX tracks, digital roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Eco bag with snacks and gadget
- Telephone assistance
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Minivan assistance
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not listed under “What is included”
Supplements
| Single room | + 30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings of 1 participant only, covers per-person logistics costs) | + € 360 |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Economy category | + € 255 per person |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Deluxe category | + € 505 per person |
Prices are per person in a double room and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? The single traveller supplement applies.
Route map
Questions about this tour
How long is the Adriatic to Ionian coast-to-coast walk and how much does it cost?
8 days / 7 nights, from € 965 per person in a double room in low season. Mid season costs € 1,070 and high season € 1,140 per person.
Where does the walk start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts in Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic and ends in Taranto on the Ionian Sea. Polignano is close to Bari airport, and from Taranto you can reach both Bari and Brindisi airports; airport transfers are not included but can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I walk?
Moderate: about 111.7 km over 6 walking days, from 10 to 27 km a day. The hilliest stage is Locorotondo – Martina Franca (16.3 km, 435 m of ascent), the longest is Crispiano – Taranto (27 km, about 6 hours).
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most pleasant seasons for walking in Puglia. Prices follow low, mid and high season, and an August supplement applies from 1 to 24 August.
What kind of paths will I walk on, and what shoes do I need?
A mix of dirt tracks, the Apulian Aqueduct path, country lanes among the trulli and quiet paved roads. Comfortable, broken-in walking or hiking shoes are recommended; you only carry a daypack, because your luggage is transferred for you.
Is luggage transfer included, and how do I find the way?
Yes: luggage transfers between accommodations are included, along with 7 nights with breakfast, our navigation app with GPX tracks and digital roadbook, luggage and health insurance and telephone assistance. Lunches, dinners, airport transfers and tourist taxes are not included.
