A short guide to Cisternino the most charming town in Puglia

Cisternino is the most charming town in Puglia! It is tiny and so sweet you will fall in love with it. Most people stay a few hours but you can also stay overnight to really soak up the charm. Cisternino isn’t a showy town, it doesn’t have a ton of big ‘must see’ attractions. What it has is heart. This is your short guide to Cisternino, the most charming little town in Puglia!

Where is Cisternino

Cisternino is located just east of Locorotondo in Puglia, Italy. It is only 10km from Locorotondo and 75km from Bari. It is a great addition to your Puglia road trip or easy to access from Locorotondo and Bari by public transport.

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Where to stay in Cisternino

These are our top picks of the best places to stay in Cisternino.

Budget: La casa di Alice, Suite Conte Verde, cas’Elisa, Dimora Cappuccini Guest House, La Lanterna

Midrage: Sardedd White Luxury, Alcova Cellini Bell’Italia,

Luxe: La casa di Alice

What to do in Cisternino, the most charming town in Puglia!

Visit the churches

There are so many old churches in Cisternino. Discovering them is a lovely way to soak up the history of the town. The main church is Chiesa Madre S.Nicola di Patara. The simple exterior of the church matches the interior, it is as unassuming as the town itself.

Chiesa Madre S.Nicola di Patara in Cisternino is the most charming town in Puglia, Italy

Chiesa Madre S.Nicola di Patara, Cisternino

Torre Normanno Sveva XII-XIII secolo

The Torre Normanno Sveva XII-XIII secolo is a historical landmark right next to Chiesa Madre S.Nicola di Patara. This anceint tower once guarded the town from intruders. When it is open you can go inside to learn about the history of Cisternino.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

In the centre of Cisternino, this Piazza is so pretty. The white buildings and tiny lanes create a labyrinth of charming little alleys and squares. There are loads of sweet balconies, little artistic corners and colourful flower pots.

Walk the charming streets of Cisternino

Walking the labrynth of Cisterninos streets is honestly a so lovely. You will fall in love with the heart of the most charming town in Puglia.

Villa Comunale Guiseppe Garibaldi

Villa Comunale Guiseppe Garibaldi offers beautiful views over the Valle dÍtra. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the views and some shade in the hot Italian summers. Watch locals stroll through in the afternoons, look over the olive groves and trulli houses. It is a great place to take a coffee or picnic.

Views over the Valle d'Itra from Cisternino, Puglia, Italy

Ponte della Madonnina

Walk the Ponte della Madonnina, it isn’t a bridge but runs along the pretty town and overlooks the Valle dÍtra.

Cisternino is the most charming town in Puglia, Italy

Porta Piccola

The Porta Piccola means small window, this little lane shows a small window over looking the Valle dÍtra. The little lane is so charming and sweet. Honestly it is places like this that cement Cisternino’s reputation as the most charming town in Puglia!

Eat Bombette

Bombette is a local delicacy of Cisternino. In the cute centre of town you will find lots of little butchers that sell the bombette and other meats and sausages. Purchase them and they will cook them up for you! They have little tables and chairs outside to sit and eat. We went to Cisternino too early for this as they weren’t open yet, however the shops looked so cute!