3 Days in Altamura, Puglia: The Ultimate Guide to Italy’s City of Bread

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If Matera is the cave city, Altamura is the city of bread, upon arriving Altamura you will be greeted with the sign of “Altamura Citta del Pane”. The bread and focaccia in this small ancient town is unreal, it is guaranteed once you try it in Altamura, you will find it hard to eat a good focaccia anywhere else!

Altamura

Sitting on a hilltop in central Puglia, just 20 minutes from Matera & 30 minutes from Bari (Puglia’s Capital), this medieval town is famous for its Pane di Altamura, cobbled streets and historic Arches and an access to the Alta Murgia National Park.

Getting to Altamura

First you need to arrive at either Bari’s Airport or Bari’s Train station to start your adventure to Altamura or if you are going to Puglia from Naples or Amalfi Coast, you would need to either take the train to Bari or drive straight to Altamura.

By Car

A Renting a car in Puglia to move around is probably the best option to explore Puglia’s hidden gems towns and beaches.

From Bari Airport rental car booths, the drive is about 35 minutes, I use Car Rentals to prebook my rented cars in Puglia.

Pro Tip: when you book your rental car, make sure to read the fine print and choose the car according to your preferences, ie. Automatic, as the general rule in Europe we drive with stick. Also, I recommend you buy a full insurance covering Theft, Fire and else at the rental car desk not through the booking page.

By Train

Altamura is on the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) line between Bari and Matera. From Bari Centrale or Matera Centrale, trains take around 40–50 minutes.

Pro Tip: In Puglia train stations tend to be outside the city centres with good walks, some have taxis waiting outside and some you need to prebook, for extra comfort it is best to prebook the taxi, contact by WhatsApp or a call for a taxi in Altamura

By Bus

Regional buses also run from Bari and Matera, check out Flexibus and this site for the bus’s timetables.

Pro Tip: cars are not allowed to drive inside the historic centre, paid streetcar parking is available around the city centre, just make sure you park at the blue lined car spaces and you could pay by App.

Where to Stay in Altamura

My top places to enjoy an authentic and historic stay in Altamura are:

L’Incanto Delle Mura

My absolute favourite B&B in Altamura is L’Incanto Delle Mure B&B, not only it is affordable, comfy, situated inside the historic centre, it also has a Spa & steam showers in some rooms, but also it is immaculately clean and within a short distance walk from the car public car parking.

The room I recommend booking and the one I stayed at was “Essenza Di Mura” the King Room with Balcony.

Malandri B&B

Malandri B&B is not just a B&B, Malandri is also a historic Palace at the heart of the historic centre.

We booked 2 rooms and the space and high ceiling and the comfy beds, we felt like Royals.They serve handmade traditional breakfasts every day.

3-Day / 2-Night Altamura Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Altamura & Old Town Charms

After you check in at your B&B, it is time to explore Altamura gems and charms during the morning until noon time:

• Walk around the main street of Corso Federico 2 di Svivia which has 2 main gates, Bari & Matera Gates “locally called Porta Bari & Porta Matera“. It is a straight road that has cute local boutiques on both side, perfect for buying fashionable italian articles
• Explore the beautiful cathedrals around the historic centre, the main Cathedral is Cathedral di Santa Maria Assunta and my personal favourite is Chiesa Saint Nicola which is not far from.
• While wandering around the narrow streets, spot Altamura city logo decorated with beautiful marble tiles at Piazza delle Republica.
• It wouldn’t be a complete visit if you don’t visit some historic Palazzos, like Palzza Badassarre and Palazzo de Angelis viti

Insider Tip: Shopping opening hours are from 10:00 – 12:00 and from 17:00 – 20:00/21:00.

In the evening, like what Italian do best, it is time for an aperitivo, grab a table at one of the cafés on Piazza Duomo to watch locals stroll by & pair a local wines with small bites of Focaccia, Calzone and Tris platter (Tris is usually a platter that includes olives, Taralli and nuts).

Insider Tip: Aperitivo time is the time where Italian go and grab a drink with light snacks before dinner, which is around 18:00- 20:00

For dinner, I recommend dining a typical Apulian dinner at Osteria Tre Archi or Osteria Santa Lucia for traditional Pugliese dishes.

Day 2 – Bread & Beyond

• Morning bread-making experience: Book a class at Forno Santa Caterina (operating since 1392!) to learn the secrets behind Altamura’s famous bread. You’ll knead, shape and taste warm loaves straight from the wood-fired oven.
• Snack on focaccia: After your class, try Altamura focaccia topped with tomatoes and olive oil.

• Explore the Arches and Claustri inside the historic city centre! The famous Arch is Arco Basso (one of the shortest Arches in Europe), just follow the signs!

Insider Tip: Claustri (for plural) or Claustro (for single) is a definition for the architecture inside the historic centre, that is given for a cluster of buildings with small, shared courtyard.

The residents take upon themselves to decorate their claustri with beautiful plants. My favourite Claustri are Claustro Dionisio Ricchetti and Claustro Piofal. Remember to roam around the centre and discover your favourite Claustro!

• Sunset stroll in the countryside: Drive or walk just outside town into the Alta Murgia National Park for sweeping views of karst hills dotted with trulli-like shepherd huts.

Day 3 – Local Market Visit & a Day Trip

After checking out from your B&B, it is time to explore the local markets and some historic towns neraby that can be reached under 30-minute drive.

• Start the day by Visiting Altamura’s weekly market (on Wednesdays) that is perfect for sampling local cheeses, cured meats, and olives. Markets usually start as early as 7:00am and usually ending around noon time 12:00. Brining cash is advised during market visits.
• Take a quick shopping break for a Coffee & Dolci at the ancient Pasticceria Delle Monache (been running since 1500s) and try the city’s famous a slice of “tette delle Monache”, the soft sponge cake filled with different creams & custards flavours.
• Choose from one of the Perfect Day trips from Altamura
  • Gravina in Puglia (less than 30 minutes drive): Explore this ancient city and walk the Bond-famous Ponte Acquedotto bridge and tour the underground city.
  • Or visit Matera (around 20 minute’s drive), one of the oldest inhabitant cities in the world for more than 9,000 years.

Best Places to Eat in Altamura

• Forno Santa Caterina: Bread-making class + focaccia heaven.
• Osteria Radici: Contemporary twist on traditional dishes.
• Caffè Ronchi: Espresso & pastries with a view of the cathedral.
• Caffetteria Del Viale perfect spot for the best Panzerotti (recommended to visit around 19:00 to taste the fried calzone filled with fresh mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce)
• Forno Antico Santa Chiara dal 1423

Insider Tips for Altamura

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are ideal for bread-making classes and hikes around the area. Summers are very hot and winter can be very cold, although Christmas in Altamura is magical!
• Car Parking: Use the blue-line spaces outside the Centro Storico and pay via EasyPark app or park at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti which is close to both stays I listed above.
• Pack light: Cobbled lanes and steps make rolling heavy suitcases tricky around the historic city centre and flats with comfy sneakers and hiking shoes is recommended.
• Combine trips: Altamura makes a perfect base for exploring Gravina, Matera and the Alta Murgia countryside or Bari, Monpoli, Alberobello and Polignano a Mare.

Pin & Save this Guide

With this 3-day / 2-night itinerary, you’ll experience Altamura’s history, flavours and landscapes at an easy pace — and bring home the smell of fresh bread in your memory. Why not to check Matera full guide too and Matera Google Pin Maps.

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