Top Things to Do in Altamura Italy: What to Uncover

Altamura hits the sweet spot between history, food, and raw southern charm. Set in the Bari province, this town is known for its legendary DOP-certified bread, but there’s a lot more going on behind the oven doors. From exploring fossil sites and underground caves to standing beneath the striking cathedral built by Frederick II, Altamura blends archaeology, architecture, and flavor without the tourist noise. The old town’s narrow alleys are packed with stories, and nearby Puglia wineries offer the perfect pairing to your local food tour. In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Altamura, minus the clichés.

What are the best things to do in Altamura?

Visit the majestic Altamura Cathedral

Commissioned by Emperor Frederick II in the 1200s, Altamura Cathedral isn’t just another church, it’s a power move in stone. Sitting right on Piazza Duomo, the twin towers and carved rose window stand tall over the city. Romanesque at its core with some Gothic punch, it’s the kind of place you look up at and go, “Alright, that’s impressive.” Step inside for vaulted ceilings, centuries-old art, and a real feel for Altamura’s past, no museum ticket needed.

Wander through the picturesque historic center

The historic center of Altamura hits different, not because it’s trying to be pretty, but because it is. You’ve got tight alleys, limestone walls, flowered balconies, and shops that haven’t changed hands in generations. Grab a focaccia straight from a wood-fired oven, snap a shot in one of those side streets that look too good to be accidental, and just keep walking.

Savor the iconic Pane di Altamura

You can’t come to Altamura and skip the bread. Pane di Altamura isn’t just famous, it’s the only bread in Europe with PDO status, and once you try it, you’ll get why. Made from 100% durum wheat and baked in wood-fired stone ovens, it’s got that perfect crust and deep flavor. Head to Panificio Di Gesù, just outside the center, grab a warm loaf, and pair it with local pecorino or fresh ricotta, it’s one of the best things to do in Altamura during your trip.

Trek along Karst trails and sinkholes

Just outside Altamura, the wild karst terrain unfolds into a maze of sinkholes, rocky trails, and wide-open views over the Murge plateau. It’s rugged, raw, and perfect if you’re into hiking, cycling, or just standing still and taking in the silence. Bring your camera, between the light, the limestone, and the endless sky, you’re in for some seriously underrated scenery.

What are the best things to do around Altamura?

Explore Alta Murgia National Park and see dinosaur fossils

Just beyond Altamura, about 39 minutes away, Alta Murgia National Park stretches across dramatic karst landscapes, oak woods, and ancient trails, basically a playground for hikers, history lovers, and anyone craving fresh air. Among the top things to do in Altamura, this wild natural park stands out for its surprises: the Pontrelli quarry, where over 30,000 dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous period were found, and the Lamalunga Cave, home to the perfectly preserved Neanderthal skeleton known as the Altamura Man.

Discover local wines and cheese in Gravina in Puglia

Just 20 minutes from Altamura, Gravina in Puglia is where rugged beauty and bold flavors collide. Perched on the edge of a dramatic ravine, this under-the-radar town is packed with medieval charm, stone bridges, and some of the best food and wine in the region. Spend your day hopping between rustic wine bars and trattorias serving Gravina’s signature cheeses, breads, and DOC wines grown in the surrounding hills.

If you’re planning your itinerary, don’t miss our guide to the top things to do in Gravina in Puglia.

Wander through the UNESCO-listed city of Matera

Just a quick drive east of Altamura, 13 miles, Matera hits you with its raw beauty and ancient charm. The star attraction? The legendary Sassi, a maze of cave dwellings and rock-hewn churches that have stood the test of time for thousands of years. As one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Matera is an open-air time capsule, and trust us, you have to visit Sassi di Matera to truly feel its magic. But it’s not all history and stone, this area is also home to some excellent Matera wineries, where you can sample bold reds and crisp whites grown right in the rugged hills around the city.

Unearth grit and grace

Cantine Polvanera is a winery that wears its roots unapologetically, ancient limestone cellars dug seven meters into the earth, a rustic masseria from the 1820s, and organic vineyards sprawling across 120 hectares of red and white native varieties like Primitivo, Aglianico, Minutolo, and Moscato. Filippo Cassano, the winemaker, focuses on authentic expressions, aging wines in stainless steel to let the soil and vine notes stand out. The setting alone, vineyards threading through dry-stone walls and downy oaks, is worth the visit, but the experience locks in when you step into that carved cellar and taste wines that feel unmistakably of their place.

Take a coastal day trip to the ancient port city of Bari

About an hour from Altamura, the city of Bari delivers a vibrant mix of history, architecture, and food culture right on the Adriatic. Among the top things to do in Bari, Italy, are walking the seafront promenade, exploring the Basilica di San Nicola, and getting lost in the maze-like old town, where handmade orecchiette is prepared on the streets. Between Romanesque churches and Gothic facades, you’ll also find plenty of opportunities for Bari wine tastings, from sleek wine bars to family-run cellars pouring local Primitivo and Bombino. It’s a lively stop that adds a coastal flavor to your inland Puglia itinerary.

Good to know before visiting Altamura