Alberobello: to-do list

A trip to Puglia cannot be complete without a visit to Alberobello, the city of Trulli par excellence. Trulli are the typical white houses with conical roofs dating back to the 16th century. The city is a true World Heritage Site, recognized by UNESCO in 1996, and is one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting this region. In this article we provide you with a list of things to do and see (and eat) that you absolutely cannot miss during your visit to Alberobello.

1. Stroll through the streets of Rione Monti

Rione Monti is the most famous area of ​​Alberobello, where there are about 1,000 trulli. Walking through its streets will make you feel like you have gone back in time. Don’t forget to stop in one of the many souvenir shops that sell local crafts, such as ceramics, typical products and handmade objects. Many of these trulli are in fact used for commercial activities (shops, restaurants) as well as tourist rentals and accommodation facilities. For this reason, the Rione Monti is considered the most “commercial” part of Alberobello.

2. Explore the Rione Aia Piccola

The Rione Aia Piccola represents the most “authentic” and ancient part of the city. It is a neighborhood located on the south-east side of Alberobello and takes its name from the fact that in ancient times there was a “small” farmyard, used for collecting tithes, opposite another “larger” farmyard in the area. Today the entire neighborhood is perhaps the most characteristic and peaceful corner of the city, in many ways still inhabited by citizens of Alberobello and free from the chaotic air of the bazaars of the Rione Monti. Don’t miss a walk to the Belvedere of Alberobello here.

3. Visit the Trullo Sovrano

The Trullo Sovrano is one of the largest and most representative trulli of Alberobello, built in the 18th century. It is located in the highest area of ​​the city and today it is used as a museum. Here you can discover the history of the trulli and the city, as well as admire the typical furnishings of the time.

4. Discover the Church of Sant’Antonio

This church, built entirely of stone, is one of the main religious attractions of Alberobello. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it was built with the typical trullo shape, combining the religious tradition with the architectural tradition of the trulli.

5. Visit the Museo del Territorio

If you want to learn more about the history of Alberobello and its trulli, the Museo del Territorio is the right place. Located in a historic trullo, the museum offers an overview of rural life and traditional architecture of the region through numerous finds and exhibitions.

6. Excursion to the Itria Valley

If you have more days available, do not miss the opportunity to explore other beautiful towns and villages of the Itria Valley. Not far from Alberobello you can visit Locorotondo, Ostuni and Martina Franca, famous for its olive groves, vineyards and hilly landscapes. You can take a walk among the masserie or take a bike for a panoramic tour. In this article you will find some ideas for day trips from Alberobello.

7. Take a bike tour

Several agencies offer rentals for bike excursions through the trulli and the surrounding area, often including a stop at masserie in the area where you can take part in guided tours and tastings of local products (olive oil and local wines).

8. Take Apulian cooking lessons

In Alberobello you can take part in cooking lessons in many masserie and/or agritourisms and you can learn how to prepare typical dishes such as orecchiette, focaccia, taralli pugliesi and other local specialties.

9. Taste the typical dishes of the Apulian tradition

You can’t leave Alberobello without tasting some of the typical dishes of the Apulian cuisine such as orecchiette with turnip tops, focaccia barese, caciocavallo and mozzarella accompanied by Primitivo wine.

10. Stay in a Trullo

Last but not least, if you are planning a visit to Alberobello, we highly recommend staying in a trullo. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the place, breathing in the history and tradition of the past. You can choose to stay in a classic B&B and/or holiday home, as well as consider a stay in the first scattered hotel in Puglia: Trulli Holiday, in the Aia Piccola district.