Free walking tours in Conversano and what to see

Must-sees

Conversano is a hilltop town in the province of Bari, among olive groves and cherry orchards, a few kilometres from the coast at Polignano a Mare. Its skyline is defined by the castle of the Acquaviva d'Aragona, at the top of the old town. Part of the castle is open to visitors and houses the municipal art gallery, with the series of large canvases the painter Paolo Finoglio devoted to Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered in the 17th century.

A few steps away are the Romanesque cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and the very old monastery of San Benedetto. The churches of Santi Cosma e Damiano and the Carmine also hold works by Finoglio. On the outskirts, the Lakes of Conversano and Gravina di Monsignore regional nature reserve protects small karst sinkholes that fill with water, a peaceful walk among fields. The town keeps remains of the walls of ancient Norba, the pre-Roman settlement from which it grew.

Free tours and guided visits

There is no free tour in Conversano. The option available is a tour combining Conversano and the neighbouring town of Rutigliano, with a guided visit of the castle, the cathedral and the streets of the old town. It is useful if you want to see both towns in a day without worrying about transport. If you prefer to go on your own, the old town is small and easy to walk.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the old town, the cathedral and the castle art gallery. With a full day you can add the monastery of San Benedetto and a walk in the lakes area. Conversano works well as a base for two or three days: Polignano a Mare is about ten kilometres away, the Castellana caves are very close and the Itria Valley is a quarter of an hour by car.

Where to stay

In the old town and around the castle there are guesthouses and apartments in restored palazzi, perfect for doing everything on foot. The nearby countryside is full of masserie, old farm estates, with pools and plenty of calm. If you prefer to stay by the sea, Polignano a Mare or Monopoli have more choice and are a short drive away.