One of the best surprises of our trip to Albania was discovering just how easy and affordable it was to visit southern Italy. Thanks to Ryanair, we booked round-trip tickets from Tirana to Bari for around €30 to €35.

The flight itself was almost unbelievable — only about 30 minutes from takeoff to touchdown.

After spending time in Durres, Albania, we left around 3:00 AM for an early morning flight out of Tirana International Airport. Even with very little sleep, the excitement of hopping from Albania to Italy made the early wake-up call worth it.

Durres was our starting point before heading to Italy. After enjoying the beach, city views, and slower coastal pace, we packed up and made our way toward Tirana Airport for the next part of the adventure.

Leaving at 3:00 AM wasn’t exactly ideal, but it was worth it for what turned out to be one of the easiest and most affordable international trips we’ve ever taken.

Early Morning at Tirana Airport

Tirana International Airport was easy to navigate, and before long, we were boarding our short Ryanair flight to Bari. We even managed to score free exit-row seats, which made one of the shortest international flights we’ve ever taken even more comfortable.

The flight itself lasted only about 30 minutes from takeoff to touchdown — shorter than many drives to the airport back home.

First Stop: Bari, Italy

We landed in Bari and spent several hours exploring the city before heading toward the smaller coastal towns. Bari immediately impressed us with its historic architecture, waterfront views, and coffee culture.

One of our favorite discoveries was learning that even McDonald’s in Italy has a dedicated espresso and pastry counter. The pastries looked more like something from an upscale café than fast food.

Although Bari was only a short stop on our trip, it gave us our first taste of southern Italy’s incredible architecture, food culture, and laid-back atmosphere.

Traveling Around Southern Italy

One thing that surprised us most was how easy it was to travel around southern Italy. Train tickets were affordable, usually around €3 to €8, and the trains were clean, comfortable, air-conditioned, and efficient.

After exploring Bari, we made our way toward Giovinazzo, a smaller seaside town that quickly became one of our favorite stops.

The ability to travel between beautiful historic towns in less than an hour made exploring this part of Italy incredibly easy and affordable.

Falling in Love with Giovinazzo

Giovinazzo quickly became one of our favorite places in Italy. This little city by the sea felt peaceful, historic, and full of character.

The town is full of narrow stone streets, historic buildings, open squares, churches, and beautiful waterfront views. Every turn seemed to reveal something worth stopping for.

Walking through Giovinazzo felt less like sightseeing and more like discovering a place where everyday life and history exist side by side.

The Rocky Adriatic Coast

Unlike the sandy beaches we are used to, much of the coastline around Giovinazzo is rocky, creating dramatic views and crystal-clear water.

Sunset in Giovinazzo

Watching the sun set over the Adriatic Sea was one of those travel moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.

A Day Trip to Monopoli

We also took the train to Monopoli and spent several hours walking around before heading to Bitonto.

Monopoli was beautiful, with bright blue water, rocky swimming areas, and coastal views that looked like a postcard. It was a reminder that every beach has its own personality, and southern Italy’s coastline is absolutely worth seeing.

Exploring Medieval Bitonto

Bitonto felt completely different from the coastal towns. Instead of beaches and harbors, this city gave us medieval streets, stone passageways, historic churches, ancient artwork, and the feeling that we had wandered into a maze.

We stayed in Bitonto for the next couple of days, dodging a little rain and exploring whenever we could. The city’s old streets were full of character, and getting lost was honestly part of the experience.

One of the most memorable parts of Bitonto was seeing its history and medieval architecture. The old buildings, carved stone details, churches, and historic gates made this stop feel especially unique.

After spending our days wandering through the city’s maze-like streets, we ended many evenings relaxing on the rooftop patio at our accommodations with a glass of local wine. It turned out to be the perfect way to end our time in southern Italy.

Final Thoughts

What surprised us most about southern Italy was how affordable, accessible, and authentic everything felt. In just a few days, we traveled between countries, explored medieval towns, walked along the Adriatic Sea, and experienced a side of Italy that felt both historic and incredibly welcoming.

From the waterfront views in Bari to the peaceful streets of Giovinazzo, the beaches of Monopoli, and the medieval charm of Bitonto, every stop offered something completely different.

And yes — flying internationally in just 30 minutes still feels a little unreal.