Putignano: Puglia’s Best Kept Secret in 2024

Putignano is a celebrated and well-known destination for its esteemed Carnival celebration. For those traveling to Puglia in the summertime, experiencing Carnavale is not an option, but planning a visit to Putignano is still very much worth it. The adorable town of Putignano has much to offer beyond its historic yearly event.

Often overshadowed by nearby villages made famous through Instagram, charming Putignano slyly sits out of the spotlight. For travellers keen on getting off the beaten path, Putignano and its endearing old town, natural marvels, and quintessential hamlet atmosphere, is hands down one of the best towns in Puglia to visit.

In this short guide, you’ll find the best things to do and where to stay in Putignano.

The Essentials for Visiting Putignano

💎 The town of Putignano is located within the vicinity of other very popular destinations in Puglia like Alberobello and Locorotondo. While it’s a hidden gem for many tourists, this doesn’t mean it’s located in the middle of nowhere!

🚉 You can reach Putignano directly by train as there is a passenger train station near the town centre.

🌼 Putignano is famously known for its Carnival celebration which occurs during the winter season. Visiting during the summer is equally as marvellous of an idea.

🦇 In addition to Putignano’s charming historic town center, the second best thing to do while you’re in the area is to check out the Grotte di Castellana, a 2-mile long underground cave.

Where Is Putignano in Italy?

Putignano is located in Puglia, southern Italy. Found on the heel of Italy’s “boot,” Puglia is one of the country’s most beautiful regions, with a stunning coastline consisting of two seas, picturesque countryside, and quaint towns nestled inland. The town of Putignano is located in the province of Bari, one of Puglia’s six provinces.

Bari is Puglia’s largest city and home to the international airport, which is located within one hour of the idyllic small town of Putignano.

✈️ Find cheap flights to Bari Airport

Why You Should Visit Putignano

Many of the picture-perfect towns of the Itria Valley (Valle d’Itria in Italian) have secured their spots on the typical Puglia itinerary. For anyone who has even slightly delved into planning a trip to Puglia, you’re likely aware of Alberobello, Locorotondo, and perhaps Martina Franca.

Although the smaller town of Putignano is situated at the edge of Valle d’Itria, it shares the same amount of charm as its neighbors without the unpleasant touches of mass tourism. For the time being, Putignano has magically been left in peace and in the state of a hidden gem. The historic and beautiful city center can be enjoyed without finding €1 magnets sold on every corner. As Puglia continues to grow in popularity, finding an authentic destination to visit such as Putignano becomes increasingly rare.

Visiting Putignano is certainly appealing for anyone looking to delve into the heart of a Puglian town without crowds of tourists. However, it doesn’t stop there. Keep reading for the top things to see and do in Putignano below!

→ 📷 Book a guided tour of Itria Valley towns ←

Best Things to Do in Putignano

Visit During Carnaval

Without question, Putignano is most known for its ancient Carnival (or Carnavale). The tradition is impressively the oldest Carnival in Europe and dates back to 1394. As if being the oldest isn’t remarkable enough, it’s also one of the longest-lasting. The Carnival begins just after Christmas Day in December and doesn’t conclude until late February of the following year. Extravagant displays, detailed masks, and handcrafted characters are just some of the Carnival’s notable features that draw visitors to the town year after year. Putignano’s Carnival is a prominent aspect of the town’s entire identity, and visiting during the time of the event is sure to grab anyone’s attention.

🎊 Check upcoming dates and the program for Carnival in Putignano on the official website!

Walk the Old Town (Centro Storico)

Similar to any town or village in Italy, the historic center (or Centro Storico) tends to be the most magical and ideal for walking. Putignano’s old quarter is distinctly preserved within the city’s former defensive walls and in the shape of a circle. Throughout the old city, you’ll find no shortage of maze-like streets to get lost in, gorgeous churches to admire, and an unmatched level of flower-filled window sills and front door steps. Home design is particularly unique in Putignano as you’ll easily notice many grand stone entranceways, often featuring arches. An abundance of restaurants, cafes, and small shops is found among the quiet corners of the historic neighborhood. Without needing to look too hard, you’ll also come across ruins of old walls and other remnants of ancient architecture sprinkled throughout the streets. Important landmarks to see within Putignano’s Centro Storico include:

• Chiesa Rettoria S.Maria La Greca
• Chiesa Madre Parrocchia San Pietro
• Chiesa Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano
• Cisterna AQP Acquedotto
• Civic Museum

Find Carnaval Characters Throughout Town

During a stroll of the town center, jump into a game of hunting for Carnival displays and characters from previous years. The town of Putignano has placed existing papier-mâché giants in locations throughout the entire city, even outside of the center. At first, we were confused why there was a gigantic panda at the children’s playground but then it all made sense. As you’re walking about, you may (to your surprise or shock) run into the famous jester character waiting for you around a sharp corner. If you’re not visiting during the time of Carnival, finding these surprise creatures is the second-best way to experience the color and joy that overflows Putignano each year during the time of the festival.

Explore the Caves

Grotta del Trullo is one of the most unique attractions in Putignano and somehow still manages to fly under the radar. Typically, caves are already one of the most fascinating geographical wonders as they are, but the one in Putignano is enchantingly accessible through a trulli home. Having only been discovered in the 1930s, the natural phenomenon includes fossils, mesmerizing calcareous formations, and is available for tours. The grotta is located just outside of Putignano’s center and costs under $10 to visit.

Just a few kilometres east of Putignano is where you’ll find Grotte di Castellana, a much larger and extensive system of caves. As a result of once being a river many lifetimes ago, the cave network is an outstanding 200 feet (61 meters) deep and almost 2 miles (3 km) long. With so much emphasis on hitting the beach while visiting Puglia, this extraordinary visit to the region’s caves should not be missed if you have the time.

→ 🦇 Book a guided tour of Grotte di Castellana ←

Lastly, the Monte Laureto is not only a stunning cave, but it also includes an ancient church inside of it. Resembling something out of a movie set, descending down the steps of the cave and discovering the beautiful room of the chapel is truly a special atmospheric experience. The entrance to the concealed cave is also rather unassuming and shares a parking lot with a hospital. This attraction is a must when visiting Putignano, but only if you’re able to catch it on a Sunday from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Go Thrift Shopping

Unlike a shopping spree in Milan, Putignano won’t be filled with visits to luxury brand stores. Instead, take the opportunity to hunt for vintage and one-of-a-kind items. There are a couple of thrift stores and flea markets in Putignano, but our personal favorite is Mercatino, which also happens to be a franchise in Italy. For interior design lovers or admirers of anything retro, one can easily spend an hour perusing through layers of inventory. From original ceramic pieces, priceless tchotchkes and paintings to a never-ending variety of rattan furniture pieces, Italian secondhand stores simply do it better. Shopping at these types of places for souvenirs is also highly recommended over picking up one of those cheap figurines sold at tourist kiosks.

Tour the Neighboring Beautiful Towns

Choosing where to stay in Puglia as a base can be challenging because of the many attractions spread throughout the large region. For travelers most interested in a tour of Puglia’s most attractive hamlets situated in the Itria Valley, staying in Putignano is absolutely ideal. Putignano is strategically located for exploring the dreamy towns of Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and even Cisternino. If you’re still looking to spend some time at the beach, Putignano is located only 20 km from the iconic Lama Monachile in Polignano a Mare or Monopoli and its extensive choices of breathtaking beaches.

• Putignano to Alberobello: 13 km / 8 mi
• Putignano to Locorotondo: 22 km / 14 mi
• Putignano to Monopoli: 20 km / 12 mi

→ 🌾 See the best of Valle d’Itria including Polignano a Mare ←

People Watch With a View at the Main Square

Located just outside of the Centro Storico is a large public town square. We happened to find ourselves here during the early evening hours, and after riposo (the Italian version of a siesta) when the town begins to come back to life. People join together for their passeggiata, grab an aperitivo, and children play a game of football before dinner. The large square is lined with incredible Carnival photos from previous years, another great way to experience just a glimpse of Putignano’s tradition without being there for it. From the deck, there is also a tranquil and panoramic view of the valley and farmland below.

Where to Stay In Putignano

→ 🛏 Find affordable hotels, farm stays and apartments in Putignano ←

How to Reach Putignano

Driving & Parking

If you are flying to Puglia, you’ll likely arrive at Bari’s international airport. From Putignano, Bari is a short 40 km (25 mi) journey by car. We strongly believe that Puglia is best discovered by driving, as public transportation in southern and rural Italy isn’t the most efficient. Putignano is well connected by major roads from all directions, and getting there by car is not difficult, even for beginner road trippers. Another convenience factor for visiting Putignano by car is the ease of parking. Parking in Putignano is mostly free or costs much less in comparison to hotspot destinations like Alberobello.

By booking a compact car with a manual transmission, you can save a ton when selecting a rental car.

→ 🚗 Book a cheap rental car in Puglia ←

By Train & Bus

Putignano is in close proximity to other major towns and the big cities of Bari and Monopoli. This means it’s easily reached by train and bus. The station is also a short 10-minute walk from Putignano’s town centre. From Bari’s airport, you must catch the connecting bus to Bari Centrale station. The bus tends to run more frequently than the train, but time-wise, they are equal, and the journey from Bari to Putignano takes just under 1.5 hours. As expected, public transportation is very affordable, and a one-way ticket will cost less than €5.

→ 🚉 Book affordable train tickets to Putignano ←

Getting around among the towns of Itria Valley, such as Locorotondo and Alberobello, to reach Putignano is very straightforward. There is at least one departing option every hour during normal daytime hours, either by bus or train. In short, using public transportation to reach Putignano, especially during peak season, is an easy and inexpensive method.

→ 🚍 Compare routes and book cheap bus tickets in Puglia ←

Putignano Travel Resources

TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

TRAINS, BUSES, FERRIES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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