CEGLIE MESSAPICA WITH KIDS – How Our Family Spent an Evening in the Small Town in Puglia

While our family adores evenings in Puglia towns like Monopoli, Ostuni, and Locorotondo, we also have a soft spot for lesser-known places like Ceglie Messapica. 

If you’re in the area, and Ceglie Messapica isn’t on your list, don’t miss visiting just because you have trouble pronouncing the town’s name.

Need help?  Here’s my husband:

We love Ceglie Messapica because:

• It still feels a little ‘undiscovered.’  This is a good place to visit if you want to hear Italian, see residents out walking their dogs, and eat with locals (although expect tourists too).
• It’s small enough that you can park just outside the town center and walk in in just a few minutes.
• There’s not a ton to do, so we don’t feel like we’re missing out if we don’t spend all day exploring the town.
• It’s close to Ostuni beaches, so you can play at the beach during the day at cenare (have dinner) in Ceglie Messapica.
• It’s also close to other towns and villages we love, like Cisternino, Martina Franca, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Grottaglie.
• The center is car-free (but remember some cars will have access, like those of residents and workers).

So, if you want to go, check out what we did (and do the same thing, if you don’t feel like planning!):

Read my guide to Visiting Puglia with Kids

Park on the Edge of Town

We parked right here on a tree-lined lane that leads up to town.  It’s pay parking (pay for a ticket in the machine and display on your dash), and hopefully the town invests in a parking app soon.

If you don’t park where we did, look for the spots marked with blue lines – those are pay parking for visitors.

Read more about
Parking in Italy
Driving in Puglia

Wander into the Center of Ceglie Messapica

It’s just a 5-minute walk from where we parked to the center of town (and even less than 5 minutes if you snag a spot a little further up the tree-lined street).

On your way to the main piazza, you’ll pass the castle, Castello Ducale.  Wave, but keep walking, as you won’t find much to keep little ones entertained. 

Don’t rush – stop and check out the little shops, say buona sera to the grandmothers, and soak up the narrow medieval streets that are drenched in character.  I got a few eye rolls from my boys as I kept stopping to take photos.

Check Out Ceglie Messapica’s Shops or Go to the Playground

If you want to look at shops right away, you can wander the town, or make your way to Via Garibaldi.  It’s pedestrian only and has a mix of shops (ceramics, clothing, local food products, homewares, jewelry, and more). 

If your kids are full of energy and need to move around, look for kids in the main piazza, Piazza Plebiscito.  If you don’t see any kids playing in front of the clock tower, you can also head to one of the playgrounds – in the Villa Comunale (just 200 meters from Piazza Plebiscito), and at Villa Cento Pini (still less than 10 minutes walking from Piazza Plebiscito).  They’re both mostly fenced and the playgrounds are small but plenty of fun for little ones.  Older kids can also kick a ball around (especially at Villa Cento Pini).

Heads Up:  Piazza Plebiscito is stone, and can be slippery (especially if it’s rained recently).  The playgrounds are definitely safer options for running around.

Good To Know:  If you happen to be in Ceglie Messapica in the middle of August, you may get to see the Festa di San Rocco, a celebration of the town’s patron saint.  San Rocco protected pilgrims and the sick.  The festival includes a procession of a statue of San Rocco, music and concerts, markets, food stands, and fireworks.  You’ll also get to see the luminarie (large wooden structures with lights) set up around town.

Have Dinner in the Middle of the Action

Ceglia Messapica is a foodie town. 

You can do your research before you visit or just walk around and see what your family fancies. 

I had a list of a few places, but we ended up settling on a place that was ‘in the action’ and it was fine, but not our favorite.  Next time, we’ll go with a place on mamma’s nerdy list (it included Cibus and Zitto e Mangia.)

If you don’t decide to eat in the ‘happening’ area of Piazza Plebiscito and Via XI Febbraio, at least stop there for a pre-dinner aperitivo.  It’s a fun area and my kids loved the vibe (so did I). 

Get Gelato!

After you’ve filled your bellies, fill your dessert bellies with gelato.  We got our scoops at Black & White, on the edge of Piazza Plebescito, and ate part of them while sitting on a bench in front of the clock tower.  It’s a fantastic people watching spot!

Then, we made our way to Via Garibaldi.  You can also get gelato in this street at Caffè Centrale (serves pastries too).

Make Your Way Back to Your Car

We took a different route out of town and walked along Via Garibaldi all the way to Piazza Sant’Antonio.  From there, we walked along along Via Muri back to our car on the tree-lined street. 

It’s only a 5-minute walk from Piazza Plebiscito to the car if you don’t stop, but it took us over 30 minutes because we were window shopping along Via Garibaldi.  And, I was keeping the baby wipe company in business while my boys decorated their shirts with their gelato.

Good To Know:  Via Muri is narrow and there’s no sidewalk.  Be careful with little ones and know you’ll be in the road with your stroller.  Luckily, it’s just a short part of the walk, and the cars that do pass are moving slowly.

What to Do as a Family Before You Head to Ceglie Messapica for the Evening

There are plenty of things to do during the day in the area:

• Ostuni beaches
• Ostuni
• Grottaglie – ceramics!
• Go Cycling – read about our experience cycling in Puglia
• Locorotondo
• Martina Franca
• Cisternino – another evening favorite of my boys for playing at the town playground, followed by dinner in the center
• Ciuchino Birichino Adventure Park – This place was recommended to me by a local I know in the area.  It doesn’t work for our family yet, but I wanted to mention it.  It’s on our list for upcoming visits (as my boys grow!).

Family Logistics for Ceglie Messapica

Strollers – Ceglie Messapica is stroller friendly.  There are some hills and a few stairs (but you can find alternate routes). 

Bathrooms – There are so many restaurants and bars in the center.  If you’re not already eating at the establishment, ask politely.  If it’s a bar or café, buy something small like a coffee, a bottle of water or a pack of gum.

Diaper Changes – Have your portable changing pad handy in case you don’t find a changing table in the bathroom (very likely you won’t).  Know that you can also change baby’s diaper outside (if the weather allows). 

Baby Supplies – You can find basics at the pharmacy, but for the best selection, go to the large grocery store just outside town (IPERSISA, has parking). 

Read more about
Strollers in Italy
Bathrooms in Italy
Diapers in Italy

I hope this helps you have a relaxed, memorable evening in Ceglie Messapica with your kids!