There is no place in the world that is even remotely like Alberobello. And all thanks to its trulli , strange constructions typical of this area of Puglia that look more like houses of fairies, elves or gnomes than of people. With an enchanted, almost dreamlike atmosphere, you will have to pinch yourself from time to time to check that you are awake. Do you want to know everything there is to see and do in Alberobello ? Take note, we have a lot to tell you!
What are trulli? The history of this Italian icon
Trulli are small buildings with white walls and conical roofs made of grey stone, topped with a pinnacle. The most characteristic detail that makes them unique is that they were originally houses built without any type of mortar to bind the stones together, with the aim of…
… We have to go back in time to 1400, when the territory of Italy was made up of different kingdoms. This area of Puglia was under the Kingdom of Naples, which at that time imposed the “ Prammatica De Baronibus ”, a law that forced landowners to pay a tax for each new building they built on their domains. The owners of these lands in Puglia, the Counts of Conversano, had a brilliant idea.
When they began to populate the fief of Noci, which until then had been wild and uninhabited, they imposed on the new “colonists” (i.e. the farming families who moved there to harvest the land) to build their new houses only and exclusively in this way. Why? Easy: the trulli were “removable” constructions, and thanks to this temporary nature and the fact that they could be easily dismantled in the event of inspections, they avoided paying taxes . In other words, when the law is made, the trick is made. However, today this technique is no longer followed and they are permanent buildings. The first one built in this new way is the one known as “Casa d'Amore” (1797).
Since 1996, the Trulli and Alberobello have been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Symbolism of the Trulli
Another very curious fact, which is still shrouded in mystery, is the symbolism surrounding the trulli. When you are there, look at the roofs , as many of them have symbols painted on them . These have been divided into categories: Christian symbols, pagan or primitive symbols and magical symbols.
The pinnacles also have different shapes, which may simply be because the builder wanted to "mark" his works, something like his signature, although some people relate it to some kind of deeper symbolism.
What to see and do in Alberobello
Before we get into the subject, let us clarify something: the town of Alberobello is quite large, but the historic centre where the trulli are located is perfect to be explored on foot in a day. It is essentially divided into two areas ( rioni ): the Rione Monti , the most touristic, lively and spectacular, and the Rione Aia Piccola , quieter but full of appeal. Both are separated by Largo Martellotta , the main street of Alberobello. We definitely recommend walking both, although personally we perhaps enjoyed Rione Aia Piccola more , being able to visit it practically alone.
If we start counting the number of trulli in the two districts, the sum would be more than 2000! It's incredible.
✓ This is the best 1 week Puglia travel itinerary
✓ And this is a guided tour of Alberobello , perfect for those who want to take a tour led by a local guide.
Now, let's see which are the essential stops on a route through Alberobello.
1. Belvedere Santa Lucia
One of the must-see places is the Belvedere Santa Lucia . It is located just behind the Church of Santa Lucia, in the heart of the Rione Aia Piccola, and from there you will have a privileged view of the sea of trulli that make up Alberobello. If you can, go both during the day and at night, as the atmosphere changes completely and it is super photogenic.
Look carefully as you go down the stairs leading to the Rione Monti: on each step you can read a short phrase from a song dedicated to Alberobello. It goes like this:
The pugliese land was traversed
ad a tratto ti fermi to save
a strange fiabesco paese
che ti sognar di sognar
hanno i tetti a forma di cono
nei sky sereni di Alberobello
while guardi tu senti a monnello
che passa vicino singing così…Sotto ai trulli di Alberobello
che l'ha reso famous in the world
non ha cuor chi non canta giocondo
trullallero lallero lallà…Sponsored
Soto ai trulli di Alberobello
s'è felici pur senza na lira
forse è colpa di un certo vinello
che fa dir trullallero lallà…
2. Bar «Villa Belvedere»
Not far from there there is another viewing point, hidden in a very nice and less frequented little park, but we enjoyed it as much or more than the previous one, for a simple reason: Birra Moretti! And it is that on this terrace there is a small bar, the Bar «Villa Belvedere» , managed by two very nice old men, where you can have a good time (drinks at 2.50-5€).
3. Siamese Trullo
We already told you that there are thousands of trulli spread around Alberobello that are practically identical. Although some are special and unique, for example the Trullo Siamese .
The peculiarity is that two trulli are built on the same base, each with its own roof, but joined together as if they were Siamese twins (hence the name). Its origin is a story with all the makings of inspiring an episode (and if you push me, a season) of a Netflix series, well, more like a Venezuelan soap opera.
They say that two brothers lived here and that after a strong argument they decided to divide the trullo into two identical parts, with two separate doors, each of which opened onto a different street, so as to NEVER see each other again. What was the reason for the fight? A woman, obviously. Long story short: the woman was engaged to the older brother, but she was the lover of the younger one :-p Alberobello Sálvame Edition XD
The interior today is a souvenir shop, quite busy by the way.
4. Via Monte Nero and other beautiful streets of Alberobello
To get to this trullo we recommend you go up Via Monte Nero , a narrow street with stone steps that meanders between souvenir shops and restaurants (all, as you can imagine, inside the trulli). Some of these businesses have panoramic terraces inside that they use as a way to attract customers. It's free, so take advantage of the opportunity to take a look, you don't have to buy anything 😉
The other main streets that run through the Rione Monti are Via Monte San Michele and Via Monte Sabotino , which are truly charming. In fact, the best thing to see and do in Alberobello is to wander aimlessly through its narrow streets full of trulli. It really does look like a fairytale town where white and grey predominate. But be careful: don't imagine a two-tone movie, as there is no shortage of colourful touches here from the flowers, the souvenir shops, the street decorations and the large flow of tourists who decide to visit this iconic Italian enclave.
5. Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua
High above the Monti district, as if watching out for any roof to escape, stands one of the most peculiar buildings in Alberobello. Ok, it is not a trullo, but its architecture was inspired by these peculiar constructions and has earned it the nickname of Trullo Church. It is the Parish Church of Saint Anthony of Padua , built between 1926 and 1927, and which is undoubtedly unique in the world.
6. Basilica dedicated to Saints Cosma and Damiano
However, when it comes to religious buildings, we cannot forget the Basilica dedicated to Saints Cosma and Damiano , the most important in Alberobello. It was built at the end of 1880, on the remains of an ancient chapel. It is characterised by having two bell towers, one with a Roman numeral clock and the other with a meridian. Unlike the previous one, this one is located in the Aia Piccola district, a very short distance from the Trullo Sovrano.
The Basilica is at one end of Corso Vittorio Emanuele , which ends at Piazza del Popolo. This area is one of the most popular and lively in Alberobello, and the best place to find good restaurants at good prices. The other would certainly be Largo Martellotta , with wonderful little terraces where you can sit and recharge your batteries.
7. Trullo Sovrano, a must see in Alberobello
The Trullo Sovrano is also one of the most unusual: at 14 metres high, it is the largest and the only one with 2 floors. Today it houses a house-museum (€2) that you can visit to learn more about what it was like to live in a trullo: there are rooms with period objects and furniture, a small garden and yes, you can climb the stairs and access the second floor. An interesting visit and one of the best things to see and do in Alberobello.
In the square in front of Trullo Sovrano concerts and festivals are held quite frequently in summer, find out more 🙂
8. Pezzolla House
Are you interested in finding out more about the trulli and this part of Puglia? Casa Pezzolla , a complex of about 15 trulli, houses the “ Museum of the Territory ” which was created to explain the history and the main productive activities of the area (wine, oil, etc.). Well, if you are not too interested, it doesn’t matter: come here anyway, even if it is just to see the group of trulli from the outside.
Just a few steps away is the Casa d'Amore , the first trullo built with lime and mortar. The name is not at all romantic, it refers to the surname of its first owner: Francesco d'Amore. Today it is the headquarters of the village's tourist office.
The best way to get to these two points is to walk quietly through the Rione Aia Piccola , if you can do it first thing in the morning, you will feel alone walking through a city of gnomes 😉
9. Eating, a great thing to do in Alberobello
Is your stomach starting to crave attention? No wonder, with all the walking around and the smells wafting from the restaurants… it’s impossible to resist. You can try local delicacies like “orecchiette” pasta or choose to sweeten the day with a delicious ice cream. Here we tell you which are the typical dishes to try in Puglia .
Or better yet, try one of the most typical desserts of Puglia: pasticciotto , a real bomb! The best place to try it is Martinucci . After eating it in different places in Puglia, we are all experts and we recommend these three: the original one made with pastry cream, the pistachio and ricotta pasticciotto or the ricotta with chocolate chips. Be careful, they are addictive XD
✓ In this post we tell you about 5 restaurants where you can eat well and cheaply in Alberobello .
10. Excursions from Alberobello
Do you have a few days to spare? A nearby excursion , highly recommended, is the one that takes you to two other charming towns in the Itria Valley : Locorotondo and Ostuni . White towns, full of history and super picturesque streets. Other destinations to mark on the map are Polignano a Mare and, of course, the beaches of Salento !
Useful information
To help you plan your visit to Alberobello in the best way, we leave you with some useful information that will be very useful to you:
✓ Where to sleep in Alberobello
If you have the chance, we have it clear: stay in a trullo. It is an experience that you can only have here and we are sure that it will be a night that you will always remember. There is plenty of accommodation of this type, both in Alberobello and in the surrounding areas.
In the centre of Alberobello:
- Trullo Essenza
- Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso
Surroundings of Alberobello:
- The Gabellota Resort
- La Corte Dell'Astore Resort
The best thing about sleeping in a trullo is that you will get to know Alberobello twice over... when the sun goes down, the atmosphere is even more magical and when the sun comes back, early in the morning, the hordes of tourists are still far away and you will be able to walk around this enchanted village alone!
Well, alone if we don't count the grandmothers who clean the streets and the cats who stretch out taking advantage of a tranquility that, they know, is destined to be interrupted by new visitors.
✓ Where to park in Alberobello
It is not too difficult to find free parking in one of the streets around the centre. We left our car in Largo Filippo Turati, where there is an area with plenty of parking. There are also other paid car parks closer to the centre, which usually charge a fee of €6 per day (€2 per hour). We leave the specific location on the map.
✓ Tour to Alberobello from Bari
Renting a car isn't your thing? One option for visiting Alberobello is to take the bus from Bari. If you prefer a guided tour, that's also possible: info and prices.
✓ Tour to Alberobello from Polignano a Mare
And here you have a tour from Polignano a Mare .
Map with things to see and do in Alberobello
Here is a map where we point out all the places of interest in Alberobello:
Now, there is only one thing left for you to do: enjoy your time in this enchanted place. Do you know of any other things to see and do in Alberobello ?
