Castellana Grotte

A small town in the Valle d'Itria famous for its spectacular cave system, among the most impressive in Italy. The caves feature soaring stalactites and a dazzling white cave called La Bianca.

Things to do

• Tour the Grotte di Castellana — Choose the full 3km tour to reach the white La Bianca cave—book ahead in summer.
• Night Caves Tour — Special evening tours with theatrical lighting create an eerie, magical atmosphere.
• Explore the Old Town — Walk the historic centre and visit the Mother Church with its baroque facade.
• Cycle the Valle d'Itria — Rent a bike and ride through trulli-dotted countryside to nearby towns.
• Visit Grotta Bianca Museum — A small museum at the cave entrance explains local geology and speleology.

Food to try

• Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa — Puglia's signature ear-shaped pasta tossed with sautéed bitter turnip tops.
• Pane di Altamura — Dense, flavourful DOP bread made from semolina wheat, baked in a wood oven.
• Canestrato Pugliese — A firm aged sheep's milk cheese with a basket-weave rind, earthy and sharp.
• Sgagliozze — Fried polenta squares sold as street food, crispy outside and soft inside.

Local customs & good to know

• Wear Layers in the Caves — The cave temperature stays around 15°C year-round—bring a light jacket even in summer.
• Book Cave Tours in Advance — Timed-entry tickets sell out quickly in peak season; reserve online.
• Respect Cave Formations — Never touch stalactites or stalagmites as oils from hands damage them irreversibly.