In the immediate vicinity there are many destinations of tourist, cultural and naturalistic interest. Starting from the Grotte di Castellana and the next historical centres of Conversano and Putignano, and continuing towards Polignano a mare with its houses overlooking the water, the beaches and coves of Monopoli, Alberobello with its trulli, the archaeological excavations of Egnazia, a pre-Roman city, and the millenary olive trees of Savelletri, and finally Locorotondo and Martina Franca overlooking the Valle d'Itria.

A few more kilometres away you can reach the white city of Ostuni 40 km, the marine nature reserve of Torre Guaceto 60 km, Matera, dug into the tuff and inhabited since prehistoric times, 60 km. Or the ravines of Mottola, Gravina di Puglia, Laterza, Ginosa, 35-60 km, the itinerary of the cathedrals of the Romanesque Apulian (Bari, Giovinazzo, Molfetta, Trani, Barletta, Ruvo, Bitonto) and Castel del Monte, 80 km. Lecce, baroque city is 120 km away.

In the Countryside

Both the town dwellers and country people of Puglia represent without doubt one of the major attractions of the region.

Whilst the countryside is always the countryside!

The reminders and remnants of bygone times that you will come across whilst walking along the narrow country lanes or past rock cut houses are so numerous that you can very easily imagine what happened there centuries ago.

Whilst passing in succession “specchie” (stone burial cairns), dry stone walls, millstones, threshing floors, olive groves and still more olive groves, stop for a moment and, using your imagination, try to hear the sound of people's steps along the country lanes, see the hands that placed the stones, feel the toil and sweat of those who shaped the land so as to be able to draw from it what they needed to live, but without depriving it of its life force.

A life force which still exists in some places and those who know how can hear its very breath.

On the Beach

Serragambetta’s nearest seaside resort is Polignano a Mare, 12 km away.

It is the ideal place for those who love rocky seascapes and snorkelling.

15 km away, Monopoli’s coastline ranges from the small beaches immediately south of the town, the so called 'Calette' or coves with their rocks and cristalline waters which adorn the “Cala Verde”, right up to the long open beaches which run between Capitolo and Savelletri.

The beaches described above are the most handy to reach being about 20 to 30 minutes away from Serragambetta by car.

Bathing at other beach resorts a little bit further away can easily be included in your visits to some of the many towns close to the coast.

For example, an excursion to the Torre Guaceto Natural Reserve combines really well with a visit to Cisternino and Ostuni .

Grotte di Castellana

Around 4 km away.

The marvellous “Grotte di Castellana” known throughout the world for their splendid caverns and alabaster formations.

Discovered in 1938 by Professor Franco Anelli, (the first exploration was actually carried out by Vicenzo Longo from Castallana at the end of the 18th century) the karstic cave complex is formed by various caverns which extend for over 2 miles and is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of rare beauty which culminate in the Grotta Bianca with its incomparably beautiful alabaster caskets of brilliant white calcite.

It is not without reason that this chamber has been defined one of the most beautiful caves in the world.

Conversano

6 km away.

Conversano is the ancient and noble town of the Counts of Acquaviva of Aragon. 

But long before, during the iron age, the Japigie and Peucezie peoples encircled the highest point of the hill with the still in part remaining megalithic walls thus founding the town of Norba.

Rich and prosperous for centuries, Norba disappeared with the incursions of the barbarians who swept down through Italy following the destruction of the Roman empire.

It was then reborn under the name of 'Casale Cupersanem' in the 10th century AC.

The Normans and the Aragonese left their mark on the rest of its history.

Polignano a Mare

12 km away.

Polignano a Mare is a small town set on top of coastal cliffs.

The bridge and balconies facing seaward command some of the most beautiful and picturesque views. 

But with a calm sea a boat trip offers the visitor its best views.

The coastal caves viewed in the morning light call to mind the colours and reflections of the Isle of Capri.   

Alberobello

Around 18 km away.

The first impression of Alberobello might be that one has entered into the realm of Tolkien's Gnomes, the Smurfs or some other imaginary beings.

The success of the architectural structure that goes under the name of 'Trullo' (dwellings built from the 16th century onwards on the hills of the southern central Murgia) is due to two fundamental factors: the abundance of stone easily worked by hammer and the reduced taxation liable for dry stone construction. And it was for this reason that in Alberobello, (then located in what was still a largely wooded interior and consequently poor), an entire village was built at the end of the 16th century using this construction technique.

It has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO and is one of the best known tourist destinations in the region.

This should not deter the visitor who wants to avoid the souvenirs and bric-a-brac 'made in Taiwan' sold on every street corner. There are other quarters (for example Il Rione Aia piccola) that are free from such problems.

By all good accounts a walk late at night or at first light draws the visitor into its truly surreal atmosphere.

Monopoli

A seaside town, Monopoli was once the prestigious seat of the viceroy of the Kingdom of Spain. The 17th century Spanish presence has left clear traces on the architecture of its historic centre. Its splendid baroque buildings and numerous churches with their facades of tufa eroded by time and salt air give Monopoli a particular air of sumptuous decadence. For a tasty conclusion to your visit - try a panino filled with grilled octopus.

Ostuni

”La citta bianca” (the White City). This is how it is described in all the tourist guides and to judge by the well kept, immaculate white painted houses it is easy to understand why Ostuni deserves this title. Its white rocky promontory offers the visitor stunning glimpses and panoramic views of olive groves which sweep down to the sea.

Matera

Located 60 km from Castellana, Matera offers a setting like no other. It was chosen by Pasolini as the set for his 'Gospel according to Matthew'. Suspended in an atmosphere which ranges from the dreamlike to the surreal, faced with its primitive architecture one can only exclaim (like Toto in another of Pasolini's films) “Aah heartrending, wondrous beauty of creation”.

Lecce

Renowned for its baroque buildings and skilled artists and craftsmen Lecce also boasts a prestigious tradition for carving wooden nativity scenes. It is a capital city with a human dimension in the centre of Puglia's Salento, a doorway to the east. Once there it would be a real shame not to grasp the opportunity for a visit to Otranto if only to admire the mosaic pavement in the cathedral which represents the tree of life.

Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte lies north of Bari.

The mystery of the construction of the most important of Frederick's castles continues to create differences of opinion amongst historians, archaeologists and esoteric experts. However, everyone is in agreement about the fact that Castel del Monte with its unusual octagonal layout remains a splendid example of medieval architecture. If you want a souvenir of your visit all you need is a 1 cent Italian euro coin on which is portrayed in relief the enigmatic piece of architecture.