If you’re wondering whether Martina Franca is worth visiting, my answer is a definite yes. We’ve visited Martina Franca multiple times over the years, and have loved each visit. In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated towns in Puglia!
On our most recent trip to Puglia, we visited as a family. While Martina Franca isn’t packed with child-focused attractions, it was really lovely to come back and explore through our children’s eyes.
We all loved wandering the historic centre, stopping for gelato, and the relaxed atmosphere this small town has to offer. It’s the kind of place where the simple pleasure of exploring is the main attraction.
In this guide, I’ll share why Martina Franca deserves a place on your Puglia itinerary, along with the best things to do, where to eat, and practical tips for planning your visit.
- Where Is Martina Franca?
- Is Martina Franca Worth Visiting?
- How Long Do You Need In Martina Franca?
- Where To Stay In Martina Franca
- Best Things To Do In Martina Franca, Italy with Kids (or without them!)
- Map of Things to do in Martina Franca
- Best Things To Do Near Martina Franca, Puglia
- FAQ's on Martina Franca, Italy
- Final Thoughts on Visiting Martina Franca
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Where Is Martina Franca?
Martina Franca is a beautiful little town in the heart of the Valle d’Itria. This is a picturesque region in Puglia known for its whitewashed towns, rolling countryside, and iconic trulli houses.
Martina Franca sits between several of Puglia’s most popular destinations, including Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Ostuni. Despite its central location, it often receives far fewer visitors than its famous neighbours, giving it a calmer, more authentic feel.
Thanks to its central location, Martina Franca makes an excellent base for exploring the region. We stayed in Martina Franca during our first visit to Puglia.
Martina Franca is easy to reach from many of southern Italy’s most popular destinations. However, public transport in the South of Italy is limited. Having a car to explore is ideal. Check the best rental car prices here.
By car, Martina Franca is around 20 minutes from Alberobello, or around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Bari. We parked at a car park called Parcheggio Piazza Filippo D’Angiò, which seemed to be free.
Wandering the pretty streets of the historic centre.
Is Martina Franca Worth Visiting?
While it is only small, I absolutely feel like Martina Franca is worth visiting.
My husband and I explored a lot of Puglia pre-kids, our first visit being around 10 years ago. Martina Franca is a place that has stayed in my mind as one of the most beautiful in the Puglia region.
Our most recent trip, with kids, was a 10 day Southern Italy road trip. Read our detailed itinerary here. As we were restricted by school holidays (and we also had some terrible weather), we couldn’t show our children everywhere. Martina Franca was a place I prioritised going back to!
How Long Do You Need In Martina Franca?
As I mentioned, Martina Franca itself is a small town. You can easily explore the best of it in a few hours; half a day is perfect.
However, due to its central location, it does make a great base for exploring more of Puglia. On our most recent trip, we only had two nights in Puglia. Honestly, I would have liked a lot more! 4 would have been great, but you could easily fill a week.
It’s an area I absolutely plan to bring my children back to explore more of!
Where To Stay In Martina Franca
On our first trip to Puglia, we stayed in a traditionall trulli a short drive outside the centre of Martina Franca.
This was years back, and it doesn’t look like it’s available anymore. If I were booking Martina Franca now, my choices would be Martine Dimore Storiche di Puglia for a traditional stay right in the heart of Martina Franca.
If you’re looking for a little more space and outside area, try searching a little further from the centre. Trulli Mamima would make a great budget-friendly option. Alternatively, Trulli Difesa is more luxurious and has a swimming pool!
On our most recent trip, we chose Trulli Arborea, which was just outside Alberobello. We had such a lovely family stay here and would absolutely recommend it! You can read more about this stay, trulli houses and things to do in Alberobello in our guide, linked here.
Trulli Arborea in Alberobello, just a short drive from Martina Franca.
Best Things To Do In Martina Franca, Italy with Kids (or without them!)
You won’t find lots of soft plays or kid-focused activities in Martina Franca, so the best things to do are really the same, with or without kids! I’ll share the best things to do in Martina Franca, Puglia, below.
Wander The Historic Centre
The main thing to do in Martina Franca is to simply wander the Historic Centre, also called Centro Storico or The Old Town.
Here you’ll discover picture-perfect whitewashed streets, elegant architecture and pretty flower-filled balconies. Around almost every corner, you’ll find another beautiful doorway, hidden piazza or side street that feels made for photography.
One of my favourite things about Martina Franca is that it feels much quieter than some of Puglia’s more famous towns. During our visit, we could stroll at our own pace and simply enjoy getting lost amongst the winding streets.
Many of the streets were also decorated with colourful displays hanging overhead. We spotted everything from a wicked witch to these cute dolls pictured below. Finding these decorations became a fun game for my children and added to the charm.
Admire The Basilica Di San Martino
Basilica di San Martino is one of the town’s most impressive landmarks and a must-see when you’re in Martina Franca.
Located in the heart of the historic centre, the basilica is famous for its ornate Baroque façade, which is covered in intricate carvings and decorative details. Even if you’re not particularly interested in churches, it’s worth taking a few moments to admire the craftsmanship from the piazza outside.
The church is open to visitors, and there is no entrance fee, making it one of the best free things to do in Martina Franca.
Don’t forget to look back at the basilica as you explore the surrounding streets, as its impressive façade is one of the defining sights of Martina Franca.
The Basilica di San Martino in Martina Franca.
Relax in Piazza Maria Immacolata
At the heart of Martina Franca’s historic centre, you’ll find Piazza Maria Immacolata, the most beautiful square lined with cafés and gorgeous arches.
With views of the magnificent Basilica di San Martino, it’s one of the best places in town to sit and watch the world go by. It’s also a great place to eat.
We stopped for coffee and crepes at Caffetteria Cremeria Vienna, which were delicious. The square was also pretty quiet in the morning, so our kids could have a little run around.
We also ate at Trattoria Ai Portici on a previous trip, and I was happy to see it was still there!
Piazza Maria Immacolata.
Walk Through Porta Santo Stefano
This is the historic gateway into the old town. While walking through it’s not an activity that will take long, it’s still a cool thing to do in Martina Franca.
This elegant archway once formed part of the town’s defensive walls, and today it acts as a dramatic introduction to the Centro Storico. As you pass underneath it, you immediately transition from the modern streets outside into a maze of whitewashed alleys, Baroque façades and quiet piazzas.
It’s also a great starting point if you want to explore the old town on foot, as it naturally guides you into the heart of Martina Franca without needing a fixed route. From here, it’s an easy wander towards Basilica Di San Martino and the surrounding streets.
Porta Santo Stefano.
Search for Via Cartaro
We happened to come across Via Cartaro while exploring the streets of Martina Franca, and it was an incredibly sweet find! A real hidden gem!
This little street is absolutely covered in heart decorations! Our whole family was quite fascinated by looking at these; it also makes a good photo opportunity.
I haven’t seen this street featured anywhere else, so I’m not sure if the display is always there. Our visit wasn’t during a special occasion, such as Valentine’s Day, which you might expect people to decorate for, so I’m hoping that they are always there!
Cute heart decorations on Via Cartaro.
Discover Hidden Alleys
One of the best things about Martina Franca is simply wandering. This is how we found Via Cartaro. There are lots more gorgeous streets in the surrounding area. During our visit, they were all very quiet.
If you’re visiting with children, they will love running about and working their way through the maze of little alleyways!
Explore Piazza Roma and Visit Palazzo Ducale
Located on the edge of Martina Franca’s historic centre, Piazza Roma. The spacious square is lined with elegant buildings, cafés and shady trees. There is also a fountain and some sculptures that children will like to look at.
Dominating one side of the square is Palazzo Ducale, a grand palace that today is used as the town hall and a museum.
We didn’t go inside, but it is open to the public from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and then 3 pm – 6:30 pm daily.
Eat Gelato at Latteria Del Ringo
When in Italy, you need to have multiple gelato breaks! Located in the heart of the town, Latteria Del Ringo is famous for its gelato. They also serve crepes, waffles and lunch food such as paninis.
Note: this place doesn’t open until 4 pm, which is why we didn’t eat here on our most recent trip!
Playgrounds for Kids in Martina Franca
If you are visiting Martina Franca with children like mine, they’ll love a playground stop. I researched a couple of playgrounds we could visit. However, we actually didn’t make it to either.
The first, called Giardini Villa Madonna del Carmine, looks like a fun area with a climbing frame (jungle gym) and slides. This one is a little further out of the centre in the opposite direction from where we parked, so we decided to go to the one closer to the car.
Unfortunately, it was closed. I can’t find opening times anywhere online, but Parco Giochi Bambini could be a good option for younger children if you find the gates unlocked!
Wander Villa Garibaldi
As the playground was closed, we went into a park called Villa Garibaldi, in the hope of finding another. Unfortunately, there is no playground, but it is a quiet, grassy area that kids could run about in!
Villa Garibaldi.
Map of Things to do in Martina Franca
Below is our map of all the things to do in Martina Franca (the purple pins). Plus, I’ve pinned places to eat and where we parked. This is an interactive map; simply click the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.
This map also includes Alberobello (the red pins). Read our full guide on Alberobello here.
Best Things To Do Near Martina Franca, Puglia
Martina Franca makes a great base for exploring the wider Puglia region. There are some other incredible places to explore.
Our most recent visit treated us to torrential rain for most of our time in Puglia/ This meant we didn’t get to explore as much as we’d have liked. However, in previous years (before I started this blog), we had explored much of the region.
Some other places in Puglia to visit include;
- Alberobello – Famous for its unique trulli houses, Alberobello is one of the most visited destinations in Puglia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its fairytale-like streets make it a must-visit, especially for first-time visitors to the region. Read our full guide here.
- Bari – Puglia’s vibrant capital city combines a charming old town with a lively waterfront and excellent food scene. Don’t miss wandering through Bari Vecchia, where locals still make fresh orecchiette pasta by hand in the streets.
- Monopoli – a beautiful coastal town is known for its picturesque harbour, historic centre and crystal-clear waters. It’s one of the best places in Puglia to combine sightseeing with a relaxing day by the sea.
- Poligano a Mare – Polignano a Mare is one of the most photographed towns in Italy. The stunning views, charming streets and famous beach make it an unforgettable stop on any Puglia itinerary.
- Locorotondo – Often considered one of the prettiest towns, Locorotondo is known for its circular historic centre, whitewashed buildings and sweeping countryside views.
- Lecce – The city is packed with historic landmarks, beautiful churches and some of the finest architecture in southern Italy.
We also visited Matera. (Full Matera guide here!) While it isn’t technically in Puglia, it is only an hour and a half drive away. It is also one of the most unique places we’ve ever been, and I would highly recommend it!
Exploring Alberobello, just a short drive from Martina Franca.
FAQ’s on Martina Franca, Italy
Absolutely. Martina Franca is one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia, with elegant architecture, charming piazzas and a relaxed atmosphere. While it may not be as famous as nearby Alberobello, that’s part of its charm. We have visited multiple times and still consider it one of Puglia’s hidden gems.
While Martina Franca isn’t a destination with many child-focused attractions, children will still enjoy visiting here. Our children loved wandering the pretty streets, spotting the colourful decorations hanging overhead and, of course, stopping for crepes and gelato along the way. If your family enjoys exploring beautiful towns together, Martina Franca makes a lovely day trip.
Martina Franca and Alberobello are completely different experiences, and both are worth visiting if you have the time. Alberobello is famous for its unique trulli houses and has a more tourist-focused atmosphere, while Martina Franca offers elegant Baroque architecture, beautiful piazzas and a quieter, more authentic feel. Rather than choosing between them, I would recommend visiting both as part of a Puglia itinerary.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Martina Franca
So, if you’re wondering whether Martina Franca is worth visiting, the answer is a resounding yes. With its beautiful architecture, spacious piazzas and charming historic streets, it offers a more relaxed experience than some of Puglia’s better-known destinations.
While it may not have the famous trulli of Alberobello or the dramatic coastline of Polignano a Mare, Martina Franca has a character all of its own. From wandering the old town and admiring the Basilica di San Martino to relaxing in Piazza Maria Immacolata, it’s a place that really should be on everyone’s southern Italy itinerary.
We’ve visited Martina Franca several times over the years, and it remains one of our favourite towns in Puglia. Whether you’re planning a day trip or looking for a charming stop on your Puglia itinerary, Martina Franca is a destination that deserves a place on your list.
Thank you for reading our guide on whether Martina Franca is worth visiting. I hope we’ve convinced you that it is, and you have a wonderful time in Italy’s Puglia region.
After Martina Franca, we continued our road trip to Matera, read all about that here!
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
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