Safe parking in Altamura

I cannot recommend a safe parking place, but we have travelled extensively by car and have left luggage in our car at many Italian cities. We have never had a problem even parking on the street. We never anything visible in the car, just as we would do at home. We had some apprehension, but not enough not to park and enjoy our time in many small and large towns.

I sometimes think we perceive the risks are greater abroad than they are at home. I do not know if that is true.

I checked online to see if I could find a guarded parking in Altamura but all I could find are open air parking lots,

https://www.parkopedia.it/parking/altamura/?arriving=202410020700&leaving=202410020900

There are basically 3 lots in town, all of them apparently free, according to the above website, however the one on Piazza Matteotti (see Google Maps below) is basically street parking and I believe you have to pay at the meter because I noticed on Google Streetview that the stalls have blue stripes, which means they are pay parking. I think that piazza is a parking lot but in the photos I see market stands so it is possible that in certain days, there is a farmers’ market and in those days parking is probably prohibited.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DRTA4RH7b8KJbnPEA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Regarding auto break ins in Italian small towns they are indeed extremely rare, in big cities there risks are greater although nowhere close to what we have to deal in large metro areas here in California. I can’t even count how many car windows I had to replace in my cars over the years. I had 6 or 7 break ins in or near Oakland where I work, in the last 15-20 years, at work, at BART train stations, at shopping malls, you name it. I don’t know anybody in Italy, friends or family, whose car was broken into, and most of them live between Florence and Rome. However when I lived in an Italy they did open my trunk and stole my bag in Riomaggiore once (over 40 years ago), so it does happen occasionally, but not too frequently.

Wow! Roberto, thank you for all that info. That site with parking lots is very helpful. The parking area that's closest in the village might be in ZTL so we may be better off in one of the lots on the outskirts. We will certainly put our bags in the trunk, but it looks like most of the economy rental cars are hatchbacks so our stuff might be visible. I appreciate your help!

Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, where that parking lot is, is just outside the ZTL, so you can drive to it.

https://www.accessibilitacentristorici.it/ztl/puglia/altamura.html