Italy
GREAT ROUND TRIP IN PUGLIA
- 7 days
- couples
- spring, summer, fall
Puglia is a beautiful part of Italy. In these seven days, you will drive through quite a large part of this region. You'll visit historic sites, picturesque towns and villages, take in the local countryside and sample plenty of local specialities. You will get to know a bit of the Ionian and Adriatic coast. Especially in spring and autumn, you will find peace and quiet here and you won't meet crowds of other tourists. In summer, it can get a little busier, but even so, Puglia is not one of the most popular places among tourists. Unjustifiably so, because it really is a great place for an explorative, active holiday!
Arrival in Bari, transfer and visit the mysterious Castel del Monte. Tour of the town of Gravina in Puglia. Accommodation and tour of the centre of Altamura.
Arrival – Bari Airport is a smaller airport just outside the seaside resort of Bari. You can find the car rental service right in the arrivals hall (AVIS). Beware of limited mileage rentals – you will drive a minimum of 800 km. Consider getting full car insurance, traffic tends to be quite heavy, and the streets narrow. If possible, choose to arrive as early in the morning or morning as possible!
Less than an hour away is Castel del Monte, a castle that still hides many mysteries and questions. The route is here. You have to leave your car in the car park down below the castle (here) and then walk or take local transport up to the castle. It's a bit uphill on foot, but no big deal, you'll be at the top by the castle in about 20 minutes. Admission costs 10 EUR per person. The castle has stood here since the 13th century and was listed as a UNESCO heritage site in 1996. It remains a mystery until today why the castle was built and what purpose it served. Strangely, there are no kitchens or stables. Another mystery is the repeating number 8; the layout of the castle is an octagon, there are eight corner towers whose height is three times the number eight, and there are eight halls inside the castle. Go see this beautiful castle and maybe you will be the one to crack the mystery.
There are two restaurants in the parking lot, but they're quite touristy and I don't really recommend them for lunch. Have just a small snack and head to Gravina in Puglia (route).
Gravina in Puglia is a beautiful ancient town. You can find the remains of cave settlements here, as well as the beautiful Cathedral of Gravina in Puglia and the bridge Ponte Viadotto – Acquedotto Madonna della Stella. Don't miss any of these! For lunch we found the Osteria Sant'Agostino restaurant to be a good choice! We also left our car parked in front of it and walked around the town on foot (route). We spent a little over an hour on the walk, taking photos and exploring the cathedral.
Now a short transfer to the town of Altamura awaits (route). Hotel Svevia is a cheap hotel close to the centre (plus it has its own parking). It's past its prime but our stay was just fine. The parking is an advantage. It can also be booked through booking.com. Alternatively go for the lovely B&B Novecento Italiano. Parking can be a bit tricky, (except at Hotel Svevia) so check when you book your accommodation for options on where to leave your car.
Altamura is a beautiful town full of wonderful streets and hidden corners. The Gothic-Romanesque Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is worth a visit. Its construction began in 1232 and was completed in 1543. Its entrance portal is considered the most beautiful Gothic portal in the whole province of Puglia. Altamura is an ideal town to just wander the streets, sit down for a coffee and find a nice restaurant for dinner. We had a great meal at Tre Archi restaurant – great food and wine and very moderate prices!
TIP – Altamura Man, the 400,000 year old calcified skeletal remains of the species homo heidelbergensis, was found in the nearby Lamalunga Cave. This species is considered by many scientists to be the oldest form of homo sapiens.
Alternatives: on the crossing from Castel del Monte to Gravina in Puglia, stop for a walk at the abandoned Ruderi del Castello del Garagnone. And if you want to do one more little walk, then a beautiful place can be found at Pulo di Altamura – Il Pulo.
International car rental company with a wide range of services and branches at most airports.
The castle has stood here since the 13th century and in 1996 it was added to the UNESCO heritage list. It is a mystery why the castle was built and what purpose it served. There were no kitchens or stables. Another mystery is the recurring number 8 – the castle’s ground plan is an octagon; the castle has eight corner towers whose height is three times the number eight. And there are eight halls inside the castle. It’s strange and it’s nice.
You must leave your car in the car park and either walk the rest of the way or use the local shuttle bus. It’s a bit of an uphill walk, but it's good to stretch out your legs on the way.
The town’s cathedral and the Orsini family castle are remarkable local monuments and there are a number of cave dwellings in the area as well. There are also museums of local costumes, archaeology, and pottery in the town. It’s a nice little town and it’s perfect for a stop for lunch and for a little exploration of the history.
A nice small restaurant. Simple food, but well cooked. They have really good homemade pasta. Have an appetizer too, you won’t regret it.
A very nice cathedral from the outside. Unfortunately, I wasn’t inside as it was closed when I visited. But according to other travellers it is lovely. The cathedral has stood on this site since the 11th century, but of course it has undergone some changes since then.
Bridge over the Gravina stream. Formerly used to access the church of Madonna della Stella. The bridge connects two fountains. It is 90 metres long and 37 metres high. Walk across – you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the caves that used to serve as human dwellings.
Nice accommodation. Newly renovated. It is located right in the historical centre. Beautiful clean room, great breakfast, very friendly owner. Free parking on the surrounding streets.
Cathedral with a magnificent entrance portal. The wooden coffered ceilings and the 16th century wooden pulpit are also very nice. The women’s gallery is also accessible for 3 EUR. The foundation of the building dates back to the 13th century, but the cathedral has been rebuilt many times.
A great restaurant. They grow their own vegetables and pay a lot of attention to the choice of ingredients. The pizza was really delicious and the cheese selection at the end of the night absolutely great. Prices are reasonable. Staff is very nice.
Better make a reservation.
Niky Malečková
17.07.2024
450
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