Lecce: An hour and 40 minutes away is the beautiful city of Lecce. Blessed with an abundance of lavish Baroque buildings and adorned with cherubs, Lecce is not to be missed when visiting this part of Italy. Visitors can enjoy the historic old town, Basilica di Santa Croce and the Roman amphitheatre.
Matera: Matera is famous for the cave dwellings that are cut into the rock, and the city is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited settlements in the world. Some of these dwelling no longer look like caves, but more like homes piled on top of one another. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matera’s highlights are the frescos painted on the walls of its rupestrian churches, and the stunning views over the valley.
Monopoli: A 40-minute drive from Bari is Monopoli, and no, the town has nothing to do with the board game. Monopoli is, in fact, a beautifully historic southern Italian settlement with a couple of picturesque sandy beaches to boot. Take a walk around the colourful food market, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach. If you prefer history to sunbathing, take a walk around Monopoli’s fortified walls and tour the castle.