Within an hour’s drive:
Alberobello: ”capitale dei trulli“ and UNESCO World Heritage site, 11km
Castellana Grotte (Caves of Castellana) One of the most amazing natural wonders of Puglia. 17km
Matera and “I Sassi“ (UNESCO World Heritage site and European Capital of Culture 2019), with its ancient cave dwellings and rocky historic centre, which has been the location for several films. 56km. Visit Altamura, famous for its bread, on the way.
Polignano a Mare, very picturesque old town perched on cliffs: the birthplace of Domenico Modugno (“Volare”), and with the famous restaurant in a cave overlooking the sea: Grotta Palazzese (high prices!) The Red Bull World Series cliff diving regularly takes place here. 38km
Conversano (with its medieval Castle, dating from the period of Norman–Hohenstaufen rule in the Kingdom of Sicily) 25km
Torre Guaceto: nature reserve with beach. 70km
Locorotondo 20km, Cisternino 30km, Ostuni 55km, Martina Franca 18km: towns in the Valle d’Itria with pretty historical centres and good restaurants
Madonna della Scala, Noci, 7 km, Benedictine monastery set on a hill, and visible from the balcony of Villa Murgese.
Santa Maria di Barsento church, 6 Km (11th/12th century). Pretty rural church with lovely views across the countryside.
Bari: shopping, Teatro Petruzzelli, port, old town, San Nicola cathedral, Muraglia. 54km
Taranto: commercial port, with 15th century Aragon castle. 50 kms
Further afield:
Brindisi: ferry port, airport, with attractive centre and harbour. 90 kms
Lecce 123km, (Baroque architecture)
Castel del Monte 110km (Frederick II) Unesco; unique piece of medieval military architecture, however still shrouded in mystery
Trani 104km, cathedral, port (also Barletta, Molfetta)
Beaches:
Monopoli, Capitolo (Adriatic coast) small sandy beaches or rocks ca. 35 km
and further down the coast: Savelletri: pretty fishing port; Torre Guaceto, Ostuni
Castellaneta Marina (Ionian coast) large sandy beaches ca. 45Km
Salento, e.g. Torre dell’Orso, Otranto (north coast, Lecce), Pulsano, Campomarino, Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli (south coast), from about 100kms.
Other activities:
Zoosafari Fasano, which includes a theme park www.zoosafari.it ca. 30km
Water theme park www.acquaparkegnazia.it Between Monopoli and Savelletri, 35 km
Bike tours
Horse riding
Tennis: several courts in Noci.
Boat tours: several offers
Golf: San Domenico Golf (18 holes, view of the sea from every hole) ca 35km; Coccaro Golf (9 hole course) ca. 32 km
Villa Murgese 