Things to do in barletta

2. Things to Do and See in Barletta

1. Discover Barletta Intra Moenia (Inside the Old City Walls)

Barletta features one of the most extensive historic centers in Puglia. Each of its three districts—Santa Maria, Sette Rue, and San Giacomo—holds its own unique treasures and charm. Starting with a tour of the historic center is the best way to discover Barletta without strictly following a pre-packaged itinerary. You can begin from the Castle area and wander on foot through churches, ancient palaces, squares, and narrow streets that still preserve their medieval atmosphere.

2. Discover the Mennea Seafront

This may not be the longest seafront in Italy, but it is certainly the "fastest," as it is named after the greatest Italian 200m athlete, Pietro Paolo Mennea, who set the world record in 1979. The seafront begins at the port—currently not open to visitors—and continues towards Pantaniello, the area closest to the Ofanto River. Along the way, you can catch sight of the ancient part of the city resting on the walls, along with the Paraticchio bastion. The sandy beaches enrich the landscape, being quite rare in northern Puglia.

3. Archaeological Excursion

The Archaeological Park of Canne, located within the territory of Barletta, is one of the most important visible sites in Puglia. Remembered for the famous Battle of Cannae in 216 BC, today it is a deeply stratified site. The annexed museum is extremely interesting.

4. Countryside Excursion

Montaltino is a hamlet inhabited since the 1500s and lies 7 km from Barletta. In a city home to Italy's second oldest lighthouse, Montaltino stands as a reminder of Barletta's greatness not only by the sea but also inland. After all, until a few centuries ago, Barletta was the only Puglian city extending between Terra di Bari and Terra di Capitanata: "the city over which the land never set." The village of Montaltino is compact and easy to visit. A few educational farms enrich the experience in the Barletta countryside.

5. Discover Barletta's Local Specialties

If you visit Barletta, you cannot miss tasting Barletta DOC, a wine with a controlled designation of origin. You can enjoy it as a red based on Uva di Troia or as a white based on Malvasia. Barletta's pastry tradition is recognized nationwide, with numerous confectionery shops in every corner of the city. There isn't a single signature sweet, but rather many different specialties. A special mention goes to the dragees (confetti) by Antonio Maria Arbues, a historic Barletta company with over 80 years of history making confetti. Taste them and you will never go back.