Martina Franca

Martina Franca is a town with a population of 50,000 in Apulia, southern Italy.

Understand
Martina Franca is the main centre of Itria Valley, a karst depression area straddling the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto, in which it is located.

By train
Train is probably the worst option to reach the town by the nearby province capitals — even if the is just few steps steps from the historic centre — since Martina Franca railway station is served only by a local train company that provides quite not easy services on old railway lines. Direct trains from Bari can take about 2¼ hr at a cost of €6,5 while from Brindisi you will have to change train at least once taking not less than 3 hr at a cost of about €10. From Taranto there are very few direct trains per day taking 1 hr at a cost of €2,5, while from Lecce there are four trains taking almost 3 hr at €7,9. If you choose this option be aware that the service can be unreliable and the travel could become an (ugly) adventure. Check Ferrovie del Sud Est site for detailed info.

By car

 * From the airport of Bari: take expressway Strada Statale 16 Italia.svg until the exit Taranto-Valle d'Itria and continue on Strada Statale 172 Italia.svg towards Taranto. In total you will take 1 hr for a distance of 90 km (56 mi).
 * From the airport of Brindisi: take expressway Strada Statale 379 Italia.svg towards Bari until the exit Ostuni-Torre Pozzella, then take Strada Provinciale 21 Italia.svg to reach and bypass Ostuni, then continue on Strada Provinciale 14 Italia.svg to reach the new town. In total less than 1 hr for 62 km (38 mi).
 * From Lecce: take expressway Strada Statale 613 Italia.svg until Brindisi then follow the route described above. 1 hr 20 min for 100 km (62 mi).
 * From Taranto: just drive along Strada Statale 172 Italia.svg for less than ½ hr.

Go next
Martina Franca is unfortunately badly linked through public transport and the best choice to explore the nearby localities is driving, but it is surrounded by some of country's most beautiful villages such as Locorotondo (10 min), Cisternino (15 min), the world-famous Alberobello (20 min) and the "white town" of Ostuni (½ hr). The museums of the province capital Taranto can be reached in ½ hr while Bari, Lecce and Matera are all at about 1¼ hr of journey time by car.