The Valle d’Itria:
A Timeless Landscape
Mura di Levante lies at the heart of a landscape shaped by time, light, and the gentle hand of nature. Here, the countryside blends with the sea, olive groves stretch to the horizon, and ancient dry-stone walls and trulli dot the land.
This is the true soul of the Valle d’Itria: authentic, slow, and timeless.
The Valle d’Itria, a gentle and fertile area in the heart of Puglia, stretches across the provinces of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto.
Set within the southern Murge plateau, this unique landscape is shaped by rolling limestone hills, ancient olive groves, endless dry-stone walls, and the timeless architecture of trulli and masserie.
Ostuni — the White City — along with Cisternino, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Alberobello, forms a constellation of historic towns where traditions, craftsmanship, and rural life remain vibrant.
Renowned for its natural beauty, rich gastronomy, and warm hospitality, the Valle d’Itria is a place where authenticity becomes extraordinary.
Ostuni
With only 5 minutes’ drive from Mura di Levante, Ostuni rises like a mirage, a labyrinth of dazzling whitewashed houses glowing against the Apulian sky. Known as La Città Bianca — the White City — Ostuni’s historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, arched stairways, and sun-drenched piazzas.
Among its treasures:
- The majestic Cathedral of Ostuni (15th century, Gothic-Romanesque) with its rose window.
- The lively Piazza della Libertà, heart of the city’s social life.
- Charming artisan shops, small trattorie, and hidden gardens behind ancient walls.
From the ramparts, gaze across olive groves to the Adriatic — the sea just a breath away. Ostuni is also famous for its vibrant weekly markets, its cultural events, and its location close to beautiful coastal spots like Torre Guaceto, a Nature Reserve only 20 minutes’ drive.
Cisternino
Famous for its whitewashed houses, flowered balconies, and slow food traditions, Cisternino is one of Italy’s Borghi più belli (Most Beautiful Villages). Lose yourself in its labyrinth of alleys, and enjoy a dinner of grilled meats in traditional butcher restaurants (fornelli pronti).
Ceglie Messapica
A historic town with deep culinary roots. Known as the “capital of gastronomy” of the region, Ceglie offers charming historic lanes, artisan bakeries, and authentic trattorie. Visit its Ducal Castle and savor typical dishes like orecchiette and local pastries such as biscotti cegliese.
Martina Franca
An elegant baroque town famous for its white noble palaces, grand churches, and shaded piazzas. Stroll through its refined old town, visit the magnificent Basilica di San Martino, and explore the vibrant cultural life.
Martina Franca is also home to the famous Festival della Valle d’Itria (opera and music festival).
Locorotondo
Named for its perfectly circular old town (locus rotundus), Locorotondo is an enchanting village of white houses trimmed with flowers and narrow stone streets. It’s also famous for its crisp white wine (DOC Locorotondo) — perfect to enjoy on a sunny terrace.
Alberobello
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello is a fairytale town where hundreds of trulli cluster together. Stroll among these iconic conical-roofed houses, visit the Trullo Sovrano, and experience a place unlike anywhere else in the world — a true treasure of Apulian history.
The Countryside by the Sea
At Mura di Levante, the countryside and the sea are part of the same horizon. In less than twenty minutes, you can move from olive groves and trulli to the crystalline beaches of the Adriatic.
Discover unspoiled stretches of coast like Torre Pozzella, Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve, or the golden sands near Pilone.
The sea breeze carries the scent of salt and wild herbs through the fields — a constant presence that makes this countryside unique.
Useful Link
Learn more about the enchanting villages of the Valle d’Itria: 👉 Visit Italy – Villages in the Itria Valley