Villages to visit in the Itria Valley

The Itria Valley is by far one of the most beautiful clusters of land we have in Italy.

It’s actually difficult to select the best aspect; it could perhaps be that each town is so characteristic, rustic and imbued in authenticity - yet it could also be the postcard worthy views across the valley itself, that seep towards the glistening sea, passing olive groves and terracotta coloured land. Then of course there’s its cuisine; the land of capocollo and caciocavallo, orecchiette and tarallucci; it certainly makes the ranking as the top three culinary destinations in Italy (at least, that’s what we think!). From the baroque façades of Martina Franca to the whitewashed city of Ostuni, here are our favourite villages to visit in the Itria Valley.

Ostuni street view

lunch at Operaprima, Ostuni

The best breakfast or aperitivo at Burro, Ostuni

View over Ostuni

Ostuni

Antiques shopping at La Mercanteria

Ostuni

Ostuni

OSTUNI

Perhaps the most renowned town in the Itria Valley, Ostuni is perched above a hilltop with whitewashed façades that gleam in the southern sun. A vision on the horizon as you drive through the country lanes to reach this White City. Upon parking the car, take a stroll through the narrow alleys of the historic centre, stumbling upon small, off-the-beaten track treasures. From snapping up cute finds in smaller boutiques such as Officine Silentio to savouring fresh bakes and a cup of coffee at Burro, perhaps the coolest cafè in the entire region, , or local antique shopping at La Mercanteria, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Furthermore, if you're lucky to visit on the second Sunday of the month, there's the monthly antique market in Porta San Demetrio. For lunch, one of our favourite stops is Opera Prima while as evening falls, head to Acquasanta Dispensa e Vino to sip a negroni while the town glows in the golden light of the setting sun. See also our previous blog 'Ostuni as a Local'.

MARTINA FRANCA

In terms of size, this is the largest in the Itria Valley, located on the southeastern Murgia plateau. Martina Franca is a city that treasures within one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region, bathed with Baroque splendour and quiet charm, often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbours. Stroll past ornate, charmingly run-down palazzi, visit the 18th century Basilica di San Martino with its elaborate Rococo façade as well as the Palazzo Ducale, a grand 17th-century building now housing art exhibitions and municipal offices. Also, if you enjoy rummaging through antiques, there's the monthly Antique Market in Piazza Marconi every 3rd Sunday of the month. For bringing back a few mouthwatering souvenirs stop by Cervellera for capocollo and Caseificio La Valle for all your dairy products. Finally, if you’re thinking of staying for dinner, highly recommended is Il Sagittario, a very modest restaurant with excellent local dishes (and the best bread you’ll ever taste).

Lazy morning in Martina Franca

A perfect dinner in Osteria Carosero, Castellana Grotte

Martina Franca

Martina Franca

Locorotondo

LOCOROTONDO 

Locorotondo is one of Puglia's most enchanting towns, celebrated for its perfectly circular layout that crowns one of the hills of the valley. One of the first things you will notice while walking around are the little flowerpots that adorn the majority of the houses here. Then there’s the Chiesa di San Giorgio Martire, with its striking neoclassical façade that’s a must-visit, as well as the Chiesa di San Nicola, a very small church (probably one of the smallest churches in the world) with a beautiful frescoed ceiling. PS. While you’re here, make sure you try the Locorotondo DOC white wine; it’s fruity, crisp, perfect for a warmer day and even better that it’s made within a 10km radius.

CISTERNINO 

Where Martina Franca is the largest city in the Itria Valley, Cisternino is among the smaller, quieter destinations. Similar to Locorotondo, it’s a whitewashed village with winding alleys, flower-draped balconies, and postcard-perfect piazzas. Begin your exploration at the Centro Storico, where you’ll find stone archways, quaint courtyards, and artisan shops tucked into centuries-old buildings. Our favourite day to visit is on a Monday, when there’s the weekly market in which you’ll find all the most delicious local treats including cured meats and cheeses (you could take some back to your villa and prepare the most extraordinary aperitif!). If you’re looking for somewhere to eat a quick bite pop into Rosticceria L’Antico Borgo, renowned for its fornello pronto tradition, selecting cuts of meat to be grilled on the spot. For dinner on the other hand, we recommend Le Chicche di Zia Rosa, for a typical home-cooking style dinner or of you prefer something a little bit more modern book a table at Giardini 36.

CASTELLANA GROTTE

Castellana Grotte is a town best known as the gateway to the Grotte di Castellana, a remarkable network of underground caves carved over millennia by water erosion. While this is certainly a stop to make, there is a lot more in the historic centre to discover; The Chiesa Madre di San Leone Magno, for example, is worth a visit for its intricate Baroque architecture, as is taking a simple stroll through the centre, stumbling upon local artisan shops and authentic trattorias. We have two to recommend; the first is undoubtedly Osteria del Caroseno, where the owner and chef Giovanni Longo reinterprets traditional with innovation. The second restaurant is the perfect example of tradition: Trattoria il Casalicchio, and if you visit, you will have to order the Orecchiette al Ragù con la Brasciola - absolutely sublime.

Do you also want to discover Puglia? Have a look at our holiday villas in Puglia here.