Castellana Caves from Bari: which tour to choose and how to get there
Translated from the Italian original. Facts and figures are checked on the original.
Short answer
The Castellana Caves are 44 km from Bari, about 50 minutes by car. You can only visit with a guide, on two routes: a short one of about 1 km (about 50 minutes) and a full one of about 3 km (about 100 minutes) that reaches the White Cave. At the ticket office a full-price ticket costs €25 for the full tour and €22 for the partial one. If you have time, choose the full one. Underground it is cool all year: bring a sweatshirt and closed shoes.
When to go
All year round, and it is the perfect trip for a rainy day or for the August heat.
When to avoid
The middle of summer weekends without a booking: the time slots fill up.
The Castellana Caves are the most famous cave system in Puglia. You enter through the Grave, a huge chasm open to the sky, and go down among stalactites, stalagmites and caverns to the White Cave, made entirely of calcite crystals.
How to get there from Bari
By car: 44 km, about 50 minutes. Car park P1, near the entrance, is paid.
With a tour: many tours to Alberobello include the caves on the same day.
The two tours
- Short route — about 1 km, about 50 minutes. You see the Grave and the first part of the caves.
- Full route — about 3 km, about 100 minutes. It continues all the way to the White Cave. This is the one worth the trip.
Tours leave at fixed times, in several languages. Inside, the temperature stays around 16.5 °C all year.
Tickets
| Ticket | Full tour | Partial tour |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15+) | €25 | €22 |
| Reduced (ages 6–14) | €22 | €19 |
| Children up to 5 | free | free |
Ticket office prices, checked on the official website on 28 October 2026. Online, tickets can only be bought up to the day before and carry booking fees; there is also a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children aged 6–14) at €61, online only. At the ticket office you can only buy tickets for the same day, until the tours are full: in summer and at weekends, buy online. Be at the entrance at least 15 minutes before your tour.
What to pair them with
Caves in the morning, then 20 minutes’ drive to Alberobello for the afternoon. Or caves and sea at Polignano: cool underground, sunset on the cliffs.
FAQ
Which tour is better, short or full?
The full one. The most spectacular part, the White Cave, is at the end of the long route. The short one only makes sense if you are short on time or travelling with small children.
Are the caves suitable for everyone?
The route has uphill and downhill stretches, steps and damp floors. People with heart or mobility problems should ask at the ticket office first.
Can you get there without a car?
Castellana Grotte is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est, but the caves are outside the town. By car or with a tour it is much simpler.
How much are tickets for the Castellana Caves?
At the ticket office: full tour €25 adult and €22 reduced (ages 6–14); partial tour €22 adult and €19 reduced. Children up to 5 go free with an ID. Online tickets must be bought by the day before, with booking fees. Prices checked on the official website on 28 October 2026.
Sources
- Grotte di Castellana — orari e prezzi
- Ministero della Cultura — Grotte di Castellana
- OpenStreetMap — distanze e percorsi
Facts checked on 28 October 2026. How I check facts.
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