I'd like to visit puglia end of October has anyone else gone this time of year? Thinking of basing ourselves in lecce 4 nights with a car then going to matera for 3 nights, any advice appreciated

It will be quiet, but Lecce has a university so feels vibrant -- that is where I would want to be in late October.

Thanks

We visited Puglia in 2009 for 10 days.
We enjoyed it very much.
We stayed in Lecce for 3 nights.

Here is my web page about this trip:
A 10 Day Visit to Puglia

I’m sure you realize that a car is not needed to go from Lecce to Matera?

Also, FWIW, I loved Matera, but 3 nights would be 1 too many for me.

But don't I need a car to explore areas from lecce? Where should I go for one other night between lecce and matera.

I'd have a car myself. I think it will be a great time to be in those cities. Possible stay before Matera would be Gallipoli or a smaller seaside town north of there; also look at map to see if you could stay in Bernalda as a small detour.......Bernalda is Italy from the movies of the 50s...I adored it. I had three nights in Matera and thought it was good. Where are you going after and before? Fying in and out of.....???

Are you very interested in food/restaurants? Cause there is a great restaurant in Bernalda. And you can have a drink in the Francis Coppola hotel. We stayed in an agriturismo not far from there for two nights, en route to Puglia. This is Basilicata, as is MAtera.

Yes you will want the car in Lecce--find a place with parking. We spent one day driving each coast. Plus, there are many places you could stop en route from Lecce to Matera, and when in Matera it was really nice to have the car as well (did not make it to Bernalda, but visited Laterza and Craco).

Ny to Bari then lecce than matera than home only traveling for a week or so

I'd have a chat with the people you are staying with in Lecce as to where you should park. There are places but you want one close to where you are staying and that are not so tight that you cannot get in without taking the paint off.

You don't need a train to get from Lecce to Matera; whether you want one while in either city is another question. As you can see, some people think a car is necessary; I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the area without one. Different strokes....

I visited Matera, Trani, Alberobello, Lecce, and Polignano a Mare before flying out of Bari, and did all of that comfortably and conveniently by train. YMMV.

So in and out of Bari??? Our three trips to Puglia were only for one week each one......you can do it easily just do not ry to cover too much....I like Lecce,, Bernalda and Matera......Matera is magical. And yes to Cracco.