National park · Italy
Alta Murgia National ParkParco Nazionale dell'Alta Murgia
Enter the park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 min from Altamura, hike the 12‑km Rocca del Garagnone loop (moderate, 3 h) or visit Castel del Monte (short walk, 1 h).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
68 km² (26 sq mi)26 sq mi (68 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
At a glance
- Country
- Italy
- Area
- 68 km² (26 sq mi)26 sq mi (68 km²)
- Figures vary by source; official park documents list 68 km² (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Alta Murgia National Park spans the karstic plateau of southern Apulia, offering dry‑stone walls, sinkholes, caves and medieval ruins such as Castel del Monte and Rocca del Garagnone, alongside diverse flora and fauna.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
68 km² (26 sq mi)26 sq mi (68 km²) · national park since 2000
Figures vary by source; official park documents list 68 km² (check).
Why go
- Karstic landscape with sinkholes, caves and dry‑stone walls.
- Medieval sites such as Castel del Monte and Rocca del Garagnone.
- Rich flora (holm oak, Aleppo pine) and fauna (red kite, wild boar).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet
- FebMild, occasional rain
- MarSpring wildflowers
- AprPleasant temps, dry
- MayWarm, dry, ideal for hiking
- JunHeat rises, occasional storms
- JulHot, possible thunderstorms
- AugPeak summer heat
- SepCooler, dry, good visibility
- OctMild, low crowds
- NovCool, occasional rain
- DecCool, quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red kite and other raptorsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild boarOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Altamura
Car or bus to the park gate (30 min, 20 km (12 mi)).Car or bus to the park gate (30 min, 12 mi (20 km)).
30 min
From Bari
Train to Altamura (1 h) then bus or car to gate.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Matera
Bus to Altamura (45 min) then local transport to gate.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor centre, information desk, short trails to Castel del Monte. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Rocca del Garagnone sector | Hilltop ruins, network of marked trails. | Open, no guide required. |
| Cava Pontrelli (Dinosaur Valley) | Fossil footprints, guided tours occasionally. | Check schedule, may need guide. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are official park centre (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Check official site for current price |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated campgrounds.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Altamura town hotels
Range from budget B&Bs to mid‑range hotels, 20 km (12 mi) from gate.Range from budget B&Bs to mid‑range hotels, 12 mi (20 km) from gate.
Near the park
Rural agriturismo near Rocca del Garagnone
Family‑run farms offering rooms and meals.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Getting lost on remote trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance area reachable by car with short, level paths.
- Longer trails have uneven ground and steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodations.
- Follow marked trails to protect fragile karst formations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Alta Murgia National Park?
The park entry fee is listed on the official website; as of 2026 it is typically around €5 per adult (check for exact price).
What are the best hikes in Alta Murgia National Park?
Popular routes include the Rocca del Garagnone loop (12 km, moderate) and the trail to Castel del Monte (short, easy).
When is the best time to visit Alta Murgia National Park?
April – May and September – October offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I visit the dinosaur footprints at Cava Pontrelli on my own?
Access is occasional; you need to check the municipal schedule or join a guided tour.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go