Driving in Puglia: What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to Puglia, this question usually comes up pretty quickly:
Do we actually need a car?
Short answer… yes.
Longer answer… you’re going to be very happy you said yes.
Puglia isn’t a place where you check into one spot and stay put. It’s a region you experience by moving through it — town to town, road to road, sometimes just following whatever looks interesting in the moment.
And that’s where having a car changes everything.
Do You Need a Car in Puglia?
Technically, you can get around parts of Puglia without a car.
But it usually looks like this:
waiting on a train that runs less often than you’d hope
trying to piece together buses between small towns
or skipping places entirely because they’re just not easy to reach
And those smaller towns? That’s where a lot of the magic is.
Places like Locorotondo, Cisternino, and even parts of Martina Franca are much easier to explore when you’re not relying on a schedule.
With a car, your trip opens up in a completely different way.
What Driving in Puglia Is Actually Like
This is where most people are pleasantly surprised.
Driving in Puglia is not like driving in Rome or Naples.
It’s slower.
Quieter.
And honestly… kind of relaxing.
You’ll spend most of your time on:
simple two-lane roads
countryside routes lined with olive trees
short drives between towns that rarely feel rushed
And the scenery does a lot of the work for you.
One minute it’s stone walls and trulli.
The next it opens up into rolling countryside.
Then suddenly you’re pulling into a town you hadn’t planned on stopping in.
It’s not just how you get around — it becomes part of the trip.
Distances Between Popular Towns
One of the things that makes Puglia so enjoyable is how close everything feels — especially if you’re based in the right place.
From Martina Franca, you’re roughly:
15 minutes to Locorotondo
20 minutes to Alberobello
20 minutes to Cisternino
35 minutes to Ostuni
30–40 minutes to the coast
These aren’t long, draining drives. They’re the kind where you can head out in the morning, explore one or two towns, and still be back in time for a relaxed evening.
And after a couple of days, it starts to feel easy. Familiar, even.
Renting a Car in Puglia
Most people pick up a car at:
Bari Airport
or Brindisi Airport
Both are straightforward, and you’ll be on the road pretty quickly.
A few simple tips that go a long way:
Book ahead, especially in summer
Go with a smaller car (you’ll thank yourself later)
Automatic is easier, but usually more expensive
Take a quick video of the car before you leave the lot
Nothing complicated here. Just a few small things that make everything smoother.
Roundabouts in Puglia (You’ll See a Lot of Them)
If there’s one thing you’ll notice quickly while driving here, it’s the number of roundabouts.
At first, they can feel a little chaotic. After a day or two, they actually make things easier.
Here’s the simple way to approach them:
Slow down as you approach
Look to your left and yield to cars already in the roundabout
When there’s space, enter smoothly
Use your signal when exiting
That’s it.
Most roundabouts are small and straightforward, and traffic tends to flow naturally. People aren’t overly aggressive, and once you get used to the rhythm, it becomes second nature.
Parking in Towns Like Martina Franca
This is usually the part people worry about—and it ends up being much simpler than expected.
Most historic centers (including Martina Franca) are limited to local traffic.
So instead of driving in, you:
park just outside the old town
and walk in
Parking basics:
Blue lines = paid
White lines = free
Yellow lines = reserved
After your first day, it becomes second nature.
And honestly, there’s something nice about leaving the car behind and stepping straight into quiet streets and piazzas.
If you’re staying in the historic center, this rhythm just becomes part of the experience.
Tips for Driving in Puglia
A few things that make the whole experience feel easy:
Take your time. No one’s in a rush
Expect a few narrow streets here and there
Use Google Maps or Apple Maps — they work well
If you miss a turn, it’s not a big deal (you’ll probably find something better)
And most importantly, don’t overthink it
Driving here is far less intimidating than it sounds before you arrive.
Why Driving Makes the Trip Better
This is the part you don’t really understand until you’re here.
Some of the best moments in Puglia aren’t planned.
They happen:
on a quiet stretch of road
when you pull over for a view
or when you stop somewhere that wasn’t on your list
A small café.
A vineyard you didn’t expect.
A town you decide to explore “just for a bit.”
Those are the moments you remember.
And having a car gives you the freedom to find them.
It also makes coming back at the end of the day that much better — especially when you’re returning somewhere central, walkable and part of a real town.
In Martina Franca, evenings slow down in a way that’s hard to describe until you’re in it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to explore Puglia fully, having a car isn’t just helpful.
It changes the pace of your trip.
It gives you:
flexibility
confidence
and a little more freedom to follow your instincts
And when you pair that with a central base like Martina Franca, everything just starts to feel easier.
Less planning.
Shorter drives.
More time to enjoy where you are.
Which, in Puglia, is kind of the whole point.
Planning Your Stay
If you're looking for a charming place to stay directly in the historic center of Martina Fraca, our restored apartments — Dimora Pietra Dorata and Dimora Pietra Chiara — offer a comfortable and authentic base within walking distance of Martina Franca’s cafés, piazzas and restaurants.
