Cisternino

Travel Guide

Brindisi showing street scenes
Brindisi showing a house
Brindisi
Brindisi
Brindisi showing a house
Explore an ancient town in southern Italy that is filled with such historical treasures as churches and Baroque buildings that are hundreds of years old.

The hilltop town of Cisternino has a gorgeous setting on a section of the Murge Plateau. Ancient churches, historical buildings and whitewashed homes line streets that are approximately 1,300 feet (396 meters) above sea level. Tour centuries-old palaces and churches, explore the surrounding countryside and savor a meal prepared by one of the town's barbecuing butchers.

One of the first ports of call for many visitors is Cisternino's old town center. Amble along narrow, shaded streets past whitewashed homes adorned with flower boxes of geraniums and bougainvillea. See the Governor’s Palace, a beautiful Baroque building from the 16th century. Study the elegant façade of the Bishop’s Palace, another building from the 16th century. One of its standout features is the partially damaged coat of arms of the bishop who ordered the construction of the palace.

Find your way to the main square, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, for its 19th-century clock tower. Other structures of architectural interest include the Norman-Swabian Tower, once part of the town's old defensive walls.

In common with many rural Italian towns and villages, Cisternino has a collection of old churches that are ripe for exploring. Visit the Church of St. Lucia, a one-room building from the 17th century. View the old frescoes in the 16th-century Church of Sant'Antonio. Step inside the Mother Church of St. Nicholas from Patara, a 15th-century church with numerous artistic treasures. Among them is a wooden statue of St. Nicholas, positioned on the High Altar.

When it comes to eating out, the town has plenty of fine dining and casual options, although you don't need a restaurant to eat well. Cisternino is known for its butchers who will grill your meat and serve it to your table in their shops or out on the street.

Reach Cisternino by flying into BariOpens in a new window and BrindisiOpens in a new window, both of which are about a 1-hour drive away. During your stay in the town, make the most of the beautiful natural surroundings by taking excursions out into the countryside and along the coast. Hike through fields and forests and enjoy the beaches.

Where to stay in Cisternino

Default Image

Old Town Cisternino

You'll enjoy the monuments and historical sites in Old Town Cisternino. You might want to make time for a stop at Bishop's Palace or Norman Swabian Tower.

Old Town Cisternino
Borgo Canonica
Borgo Canonica
4 out of 5
Contrada Minetta, 20, Cisternino, BR
The price is HK$1,441 per night from 2 May to 3 May
HK$1,441
HK$1,620 total
includes taxes & fees
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cisternino. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Mary Immaculate Ecclesiastical ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (122 reviews)
"Amazing experience in a wonderful 200-year-old property Fantastic staff and a great restaurant on site"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

Borgo Canonica
Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
Cisternino
Stay at this villa in Cisternino. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Bishop's Palace and Church of San Nicola Patara are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Cisternino
"Der Aufenthalt war sehr schön, nur dass die Ausstattung nicht ganz den geschönten Bildern entsprach! Außerdem war ein großer Kritikpunkt das schwache Internet!"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2024

Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
Hotel Lo Smeraldo
Hotel Lo Smeraldo
4 out of 5
Contrada Don Peppe Sole, 22, Cisternino, BR
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Cisternino. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions EuroSport Casalini 2001 and Enoteca Semeraro ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (31 reviews)
"Great hotel for family as well as couples, so relaxing and loved the views."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2024

Hotel Lo Smeraldo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
Cisternino
Stay at this villa in Cisternino. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Bishop's Palace and Church of San Nicola Patara are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Cisternino
"Der Aufenthalt war sehr schön, nur dass die Ausstattung nicht ganz den geschönten Bildern entsprach! Außerdem war ein großer Kritikpunkt das schwache Internet!"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2024

Stunning countryside trulli villa with pool
3275 Villa Terranea by Perle di Puglia
3275 Villa Terranea by Perle di Puglia
contrada Pico, 18, Cisternino, BR
Stay at this villa in Cisternino. Enjoy free parking, satellite TV channels, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Church of San Nicola Patara and ...
3275 Villa Terranea by Perle di Puglia
Trullo Annina, stylisch and cozy trullo
Trullo Annina, stylisch and cozy trullo
Cisternino
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Cisternino. Enjoy private pools, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Bishop's Palace and Church ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
Property is beautiful inside and out. Great features and attractive outside areas.
"We found the property to be very attractive and in a good location. The beds were very comfortable with nice linen. The bathrooms were great, powerful showers and a huge stone bath. We enjoyed the outside seating areas. We did however have a few issues. A few months after booking Fabrizio contacted ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2018

Trullo Annina, stylisch and cozy trullo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cisternino

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 33%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The town is pretty, the hotel Borgo Canonico is outstanding.