When we first arrived in Alberobello, Italy, it felt like stepping into a storybook. The whitewashed houses with cone-shaped roofs, known as trulli, make this little town in Puglia (Apulia) unlike anywhere else in the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello is famous for its unique architecture, winding streets, and authentic southern Italian charm.
Our road trip in Puglia last summer took us through the charming towns of Bari, Ostuni, Locorotondo, Matera, and Monopoli, and more. The highlight of our Puglia road trip was our stay in a luxury Trullo in Alberobello and wandering around town in the morning in the hilltop Rione Monti district, which has hundreds of them, enjoying the quiet before the town got busy with daytrippers and tour buses.
Spending one night here was one of the highlights of our Puglia trip—We stayed in an authentic trullo house, visited the town’s historic churches, and wandered through its iconic neighborhoods.
Planning a trip to Puglia? Here’s our guide on the best things to do in Alberobello, things to see, where to stay and where to park if you are visiting Alberobello as a day trip (I do recommend staying the night).
WHAT IS IN THIS POST
What is a trullo, and why are trulli houses built like that?
The dry construction method (without mortar) for the trulli was imposed on the new settlers so that the dwellings could be taken apart quickly: this was a strategic way to avoid taxes on new settlements imposed by the Kingdom of Naples. These days, they stand as a testament to the lengths the powerful will go to keep their wealth, and the perseverance and resourcefulness of the powerless to make the best of their situation.
A trullo can only be handled by a good master trullaro. This ancient profession was taught from father to son. Today, finding a good trullaro is a difficult task.
The majority of Alberobello’s residents don’t reside in trulli. Instead, the town’s 1,500+ wonderfully preserved and restored trulli have turned into souvenir shops, restaurants, and accommodations for visitors looking for a unique experience.
Best Alberobello View Points
As famous as the small streets of Alberobello have become, many of the iconic photos you’ve likely seen will be from various viewpoints dotted across the town; some you will likely discover on your own meanderings, but there are a few you shouldn’t miss:
Villa Comunale Belvedere – A small tree-lined spot with places to sit and the most incredible view out over the Trulli.
Belvedere Santa Lucia – Located adjacent to Chiesa di Santa Lucia, this popular spot is the best place to get a panoramic view of the Rione Monte area.
Bar Rione Monti – If you prefer to combine your views with a cold beer or golden hour aperitivo, head to this bar with views over Rione Monti.
Casolare Panoramica – If you see a sign outside of any of the Trulli souvenir shops saying casolare panoramica, this means that if you purchase something from them (even if it’s only a couple of euros), you’ll be able to access a viewpoint from the top of their building for free! There are lots of these dotted around the village
You can also take a two-hour walking tour in town to discover more about the history and importance of the trulli.
Here’s my Alberobello itinerary with tips for making the most of your visit.
Best things to do in Alberobello
Most people come to Alberobello is to wander the trulli-lined streets… and experience this unique town.
Once you arrive in the town’s centre, head to the Rione Monti quarter within the ‘trulli zone’. Up a small hill, it contains over 1,000 trulli and almost no other type of building style. It is touristy, with many gift shops, but it is also very pretty.
Simply meander and wander to your heart’s content, get lost and try to find a quiet street or photogenic nook off the main thoroughfare.
When in Rione Monti, shop-owners will sit or stand outside in the sunshine and try to tempt you inside for a look around, take the opportunity to see how these buildings are structured inside. Tourism is clearly the lifeblood of the economy in Alberobello, so do try to contribute if you find something you like or want a souvenir. Handmade Lace from Pugila makes a pretty nice souvenir.
For a more authentic sense of what it means to live amongst the trulli, head across to the Rione Aia Piccola district, which has 500 or so trulli and is less commercialized. You can get a glimpse of locals who still call these unique buildings home.
Other places of interest within Alberobello include:
Trullo Sovrano – The only trullo in the village with two floors, it now functions as a small town heritage museum which exhibits the history of Alberobello and the surrounding area. museum. The museum is open 10 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. & 3.30 – 7 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. November – March) and entry is €2 per adult or €1.50 for concessions. Find it here on Google Maps.
The 18th-century Trullo Sovrano is a 2-level trulli. Furniture and tools at the Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzolla re-create life in the trulli as it was centuries ago.
Sant’Antonio Church – Constructed in 1927, this is Aberobello town’s church which, you guessed it, is built in the inimitable style (the only trullo church in the world!). Find it here on Google Maps.
Casa d’Amore | Built in 1797 by Francesco d’Amore – one of the those responsible for the local uprising against the Acquaviva family tyranny – using mortar, as opposed to the traditional trulli method, Casa d’Amore has come to signify the end of the feudal period in Alberobello and so is of historical importance. Find it here on Google Maps.
Is Alberobello worth a visit?
We wandered for a couple of hours, we visited some shops, we took photographs, and then had a lovely dinner at one of the restaurants. Alberobello is unique, and no where else I have experienced a fairytale town. Stay the day and experience what it is like when the day trippers have left. Alberobello is definitely worth a visit.
How to get to Alberobello
If you are visiting Alberobello as part of a larger Puglia trip, by far the easiest way to get around is with your own vehicle. It is certainly possible to visit the region with public transport, or with a group tour but without a car we wouldn’t have been able to access some of the smaller towns, and more off-the-beaten-track locations, Alberobello with other towns and villages in the Val d’Itria.
If you are renting a car and doing a road trip in Puglia, then you will find two paid parking lots (€6 per day) near Rione Monti – just follow the signs once you enter Alberobello or head to this spot on Google Maps.
There is also a direct bus from Bari to Alberobello. I hear it departs regularly from a station within the new town.
Alberobello Day Trip Tours
There are also a large number of organised tours to Alberobello from elsewhere in the region (or nearby):
- A five-hour tour from Bari
- A four-hour tour from Matera
Our Alberobello Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Alberobello’s UNESCO Trulli Districts
As soon as got into town and checkend in, e walked straight into Rione Monti, the most famous trulli neighborhood in Alberobello. With more than 1,000 conical houses clustered together, it’s a magical sight. I browsed little artisan shops tucked into the trulli, selling handmade ceramics and local olive oil, and climbed up to a viewpoint for a panoramic view of the rooftops.
In the afternoon, we crossed over to Rione Aia Piccola, the quieter side of town where locals still live in trulli. Walking here felt like discovering Alberobello’s authentic soul—narrow lanes, blooming flower pots, and kids playing outside the stone houses. The best way to explore Alberobello is to wander into the narrow streets and getting lost in the charm of this fairytale town.
We watched the sunset from one of the rooftops near Fontana del Belvedere and had dinner at Casa Nova, a lovely restaurant located inside an old mill, before heading back to our Trullo.
Day 2: Visiting Churches and Staying in a Trullo
The next morning, we started with a visit to the Trullo Sovrano, the largest trullo in town and the only two-story one. It’s now a museum, and walking inside gave me a glimpse of how families lived here centuries ago.
From there, I made my way to Chiesa di Sant’Antonio, a church built in trullo-style architecture with a cone-shaped dome that perfectly blends into the town’s fairytale landscape. It was unlike any church I’ve ever seen in Italy.
The highlight of our stay was spending the night in a real trullo accommodation. The thick stone walls kept the room cool, and sleeping under the iconic conical roof felt like living history. My trullo stay was in Trulli Holiday Resort, but there are many other charming options.
Where We Stayed in Alberobello [unique accommodations in Puglia Italy]
For the full experience, we booked a trullo for the night, and it was worth every moment. Here are some top options I recommend:
- Trulli Holiday Resort – restored trulli houses in the heart of town.
- Le Alcove Luxury Hotel nei Trulli – boutique luxury experience in historic trulli.
- Trulli e Puglia Resort – a mix of charm, comfort, and central location.
- Le Alcove Luxury Hotel Nei Trulli – one of the best trullo hotels Alberobello
Foods you must try in Alberobello
Must-try foods in Alberobello include regional dishes like orecchiette pasta, and for desser,t try Pasticciotto, which is local cream-filled pastry, shortcrust dough filled with a thick, vanilla-tinged custard.
Final Thoughts on Alberobello
Spending time in Alberobello, Puglia was a dream. Whether it was wandering the cobbled lanes, discovering UNESCO heritage sites, or experiencing the magic of sleeping in a trullo, this little town left me enchanted.
If you’re planning a trip through southern Italy, make sure to add Alberobello to your Puglia itinerary—even one night here feels like stepping into another world.
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