Castel del Monte from Bari: how to reach the octagonal castle
Translated from the Italian original. Facts and figures are checked on the original.
Short answer
Castel del Monte is 59 km from Bari, about an hour by car, on the hill above Andria. Cars are left in the car parks at the bottom, linked to the castle by a shuttle or by about a 20-minute walk. The visit takes about an hour: pair it with Trani for the afternoon.
When to go
Morning or late afternoon, with low light on the stone. Clear days give you the view over the Murgia.
When to avoid
The hottest hours of summer days, if you walk up from the car park: there is no shade.
Castel del Monte is Frederick II’s castle: a perfectly octagonal building with eight eight-sided towers, standing alone on top of a hill in the Murgia. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and it is the castle on the Italian one-cent coin.
How to get there from Bari
By car: about 59 km, one hour. Follow the signs for Andria and then for the castle. Cars are left in the car parks below: from there take the shuttle or walk up, about 20 minutes.
Without a car: Ferrotramviaria train (Bari–Barletta line) from Bari Centrale to Andria, then a local bus or taxi for the last uphill kilometres. Doable, but a tour or a car saves you half a day.
The visit
The interior is bare: no furniture, no frescoes. The appeal is the geometry. Eight identical rooms on the ground floor, eight on the upper floor, the octagonal courtyard in the middle. Allow about an hour. Opening times and tickets change between summer and winter: check them before you go.
What to pair it with
Morning at Castel del Monte, lunch and afternoon in Trani, with its cathedral on the sea. Back to Bari by train or car in under an hour.
FAQ
Why is Castel del Monte octagonal?
It was built in the XIII century at the wish of Frederick II of Swabia, with an eight-sided plan and eight octagonal towers. The exact meaning of the shape is still debated by historians.
Can you drive all the way to the castle?
No: access to the hill is restricted and cars stay in the car parks below. From there you take the shuttle or walk up.
Can you get there by public transport?
Yes, but it takes time: Ferrotramviaria train from Bari Centrale to Andria, then a local bus or taxi to the castle. Check the timetables before you set off.
Sources
Facts checked on 28 October 2026. How I check facts.
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