Alberobello, Italy: Unique Trulli Village of Puglia

What is Alberobello known for?

Alberobello, a small town in Puglia, Italy, is famous for its unique trulli — whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. These iconic, curious structures, dating back to the 14th century, are a UNESCO site and create a picturesque, fairytale-like atmosphere. They only exist here, clustered in groups, making Alberobello one of the most popular things to do in Puglia.

The story goes that back in the 1500s, the local rulers of the town wanted to avoid paying their property taxes to the King. To achieve this, they had local peasants build their houses and field shelters without mortar, so that, in the event of a royal inspection, the structures could be quickly dismantled, thereby keeping the tax bill low. Using local limestone and brilliant building techniques, they created the trulli, many of which still stand today.

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Things to do in Alberobello

1. Admire the Trulli of Alberobello, Italy

Undoubtedly, the biggest reason people visit Alberobello is to see the trulli. After all, there’s no other place like this in the world! Walking through the town’s narrow streets truly feels like stepping back in time. 

There are two main areas of trulli: Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola. In the first, you’ll find over a thousand trulli houses clustered together, which is known as the more touristy area. Even so, we loved wandering aimlessly through the hilly streets, peeking into the many shops selling local delicacies and homemade crafts.

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Did you know? To build a trulli, they first create a cistern, which then gets a limestone floor. Then, the masonry walls are made of limestone blocks, placed in a circular structure. Lastly, a conical roof is placed on top, made of limestone bricks and an outer layer of smaller, gray-colored tiles. You’ll sometimes also notice a pinnacle on top or various symbols drawn on the roof tiles.

Rione Aia Piccola

Once you cross Largo Martellotta, the street that divides the two trulli areas, you’ll arrive at Aia Piccola. This is a smaller, quieter area that offers a more authentic glimpse into what it’s like to live in Alberobello, before it became such a popular destination. Watch as locals stroll the streets or catch up with each other in front of their houses. I liked this area best, with some of the most beautiful views across town. 

Some of the must-sees in and around Rione Aia Piccola are:

• Trullo Sovrano, the largest trullo in Alberobello. It’s a museum that gives a great look into how these homes were traditionally built and decorated. 
• Trullo Siamese (Rione Monti) is the only trullo that has two domed roofs, instead of one. It’s now a souvenir shop, but it’s a must-see in town. 
• Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzola: a museum that recreates what life was like in the trulli many centuries ago. 
• Il Trullo Più Piccolo, the smallest trullo in town. I really liked seeing this perched between the other trulli.

2. Viewpoints of the Historical Town

As you make your way through Alberobello, following the small alleyways to picturesque corners, keep your eyes peeled for its little ‘belvedere’ signs. These signposts point to some of the most incredible viewpoints, allowing you to see the trulli buildings from a unique perspective. 

There are many different viewpoints throughout the town, including those from atop some of the shops. From here, most of the iconic trulli pictures of Alberobello are shot. These are some of our favorites: 

• Villa Comunale Belvedere. A beautiful tree-lined park with benches perfect to rest your legs and soak up the views. 
• Belvedere Santa Lucia. This one lies just across from the Chiesa di Santa Lucia and offers the best view of the Rione Monti and surrounding countryside.
• Maffei Sgobba Group Souvenir Store. After making a small purchase, you can go up the building to see Alberobello from above. 

Tip: If you spot a sign outside a trulli shop that says ‘terrazza panoramica’ or ‘vista panoramica da fotografare’, it means that if you make a purchase, you can visit their rooftop viewpoint for free. It doesn’t have to be a big purchase — great if you’re already souvenir-hunting!

3. Church of Saint Antonio

The Church of Saint Antonio, constructed in 1927, is a unique architectural marvel and the only church in the world designed in the trullo style. Standing proudly as the highest point in Rione Monti, its conical domes and white-washed exterior create a beautiful sight.

Step inside to discover an incredible interior featuring a Greek cross floor plan, with elegant stone arches and walls adorned with frescoes by the talented artist Adolfo Rollo. A visit to this extraordinary church is one of the best things to do in Alberobello, Italy.

4. Casa d’Amore (unique in Alberobello, Italy)

After many years of stacking and tearing down the limestone trulli walls, more and more citizens had had enough. One of them, Francesco d’Amore, rose against the town rulers in 1797 by building the beautiful Casa d’Amore — the first home in the area to be built ‘in cotto’, or in other words, with mortar. 

That was a pivotal point in Alberobello’s trulli history, and signifies the end of the feudal period that the citizens had with their local Counts. While walking through town, make sure to visit. You can even spot the Latin phrase ‘first building erected from royal authority‘ on the wall.

5. Try the local food

Just like anywhere else in Puglia, Italy, Alberobello boasts some incredible food made of the region’s fresh, seasonal ingredients. From cozy trattorias serving homemade pasta dishes to charming cafes with delicious pastries, there’s so much to try.  

In town, there are plenty of renowned restaurants where you can savor regional wines, cheeses, and delicious antipasti amidst a rustic setting. I really enjoyed grabbing a focaccia sandwich and savoring it in a nice, sunny spot overlooking the Trulli.

Some of our favorite places to grab a bite are:

For a truly immersive experience, you can join a wine and food tour to get a deeper understanding of the region’s cuisine. Even better, join a cooking class in a local’s home and learn how to make Puglia’s very best meals. This allows you to fully connect with local food and passionate cooks. Plus, you get to eat it afterwards, too, of course!

Where to Stay 

Although Alberobello makes a great destination to visit on a day trip, it’s also a unique experience to stay in one of the Trulli houses. Many of these have been turned into small apartments and hotels for visitors, so if you’d like to have a bit more time in town, this is a great option. 

Our favorite hotels in Alberobello 😴

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Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso

Alberobello

San Marco Boutique Rooms

Alberobello

Grandi Trulli Bed & Breakfast

Alberobello

See available hotels in

Alberobello

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Check available hostels

This way, you also get to thoroughly explore the town’s streets, have lunch or dinner, and see its quieter side. We’d recommend spending one night in Alberobello’s old town. 

How to Visit Alberobello, Italy

Alberobello is one of the most popular stops on a Puglia itinerary, making it relatively easy to reach from larger cities in the region. 

By Car

The best way to get to Alberobello in Italy is by rental car. The Puglia region makes a great destination for a road trip, with numerous other gorgeous sites dotted around, like Locorotondo and Ostuni. We loved exploring the stunning Valle d’Itria this way, stopping at more off-the-beaten-track locations. 

Once you arrive in Alberobello, you park your car at one of the two paid parking lots (6 EUR per day). We chose this parking spot. Note: Try to arrive before 9 AM, as many parking spots are typically taken by 11 AM. From here, it’s less than 5 minutes walking to Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola.

By Public Transport

Luckily, if renting a vehicle is not an option, you can also get to Alberobello by public transportation. 

By train: If you’re traveling from Bari, catch the train from Bari Centrale to Putignano, and then hop on the direct line to Alberobello (2 hours). However, you can also get to the Trulli town from nearby places like Locorotondo. The Alberobello train station lies on the northeast side of town, from which it’s only a 10-minute walk to the center.

By bus: There’s a direct bus from Bari to Alberobello (1 hour). 

By Tour

If you’re not traveling from Bari or the neighboring towns, another great option is to join a guided tour to Alberobello. There are many tours that depart from popular cities in Puglia, like Ostuni, which include a knowledgeable guide and return transportation.

Getting Around 

Once you get to Alberobello, Puglia, you can explore the unique town on foot. Two to three hours is all you really need to stroll the stunning Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola, visit a rooftop terrace, do some shopping, and have a delicious meal in town. Although it’s worth exploring the Trulli museums and interesting side streets at a slower pace.

Budget for Alberobello, Italy

Puglia is one of the cheaper locations we’ve visited in Italy, and we found it a little more affordable than more well-traveled regions such as Tuscany. 

Your biggest expense for visiting Alberobello is staying in a hotel. However, even here, hotels and food are reasonably priced. Save money on your trip by buying a delicious sandwich or focaccia to take away from one of the shops in town. The water is also drinkable from the taps, so you won’t have to buy water from the stores.

Best Time to Visit

While prime summer months (July-August) are the most popular time to visit Puglia, they’re also the hottest and busiest. If you’re visiting then, make sure to book your hotels, restaurants, and tours well in advance. 

There are usually lots of tours throughout the day, and parking fills up quickly, so we recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon. We visited around 5.30 PM (sunset time) in early October, and it was absolutely perfect! The sky turned a stunning warm color, and all the shops and bars were still open, but most visitors had already left.