Bari to Santa Maria di Leuca: Via Francigena in the South,
April 3 - April 17, 2026

Overview

This 15-day journey follows the southern Via Francigena from Bari to Lecce, then continues along the Cammino di Salento to Santa Maria di Leuca, the dramatic point where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. It is a walk of history, pilgrimage, and natural beauty, blending bustling coastal towns, peaceful countryside, and unforgettable seascapes.

We begin in Bari, where pilgrims have set out for centuries, and trace the Adriatic south. The route passes Torre a Mare, Mola di Bari, and Polignano a Mare, perched on its limestone cliffs. Monopoli, with its old harbor and medieval heart, welcomes us before we move onward through Egnazia, Savelletri, and Torre Canne. From here we walk to Torre Santa Sabina, then reach Brindisi, the great Roman port at the end of the Via Appia, once the main embarkation point for crusaders and pilgrims bound for the Holy Land.

From Brindisi the Via Francigena heads inland through Torchiarolo and farmland to Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South” for its dazzling Baroque architecture. Here we join the Cammino di Salento, a newer route that carries us to the tip of Italy’s heel. Along the way we visit San Foca, Otranto with its remarkable cathedral mosaic, and Santa Cesarea Terme, a spa town overlooking the Adriatic.

The final stretch is the most dramatic: through Marina di Serra and along rugged cliffs before arriving at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Sanctuary of Finibus Terrae stands at the edge of land and sea. This symbolic ending place has drawn pilgrims for centuries and remains one of Italy’s most stirring destinations.

Daily distances are moderate, transfers are provided where needed, and luggage is carried for you. Each night offers welcoming accommodations and the renowned cuisine of Puglia: fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and robust wines. This is a journey of landscapes, culture, and faith, culminating at the southernmost point of the Via Francigena.