Visiting the south of Italy is not complete if you don’t include Puglia’s trulli town of Alberobello in your itinerary.
Branded as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Alberobello is known for its unusual cone-roofed hits called trulli (singular: trullo). This extraordinary Italian folk architecture, known for its unique design and shape, has been attracting tourists from all over the world.
In 1996, these famous trullo houses became listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you are planning to visit Alberobello to see these famous circular houses with stone walls and cone-shaped roofs, there are a few things that you need to consider to make your trip a memorable one.
Here’s your easy guide to seeing the Puglia trulli in Alberobello, Italy.
What Are Trulli?
Trulli are constructions made of limestone. They were built without foundations and without the use of lime to hold the rocks together. This prehistoric way of building shelters is a rare example of drywall construction.
These dwellings with conical stone roofs and whitewashed walls are the traditional residences in this part of Puglia. This makes Alberobello, also known as the Trulli Town, one of the most visited towns in Puglia.
A Short History of the Trullo Huts
Trulli go all the way back to the 1500s. According to some archaeological evidence, the first trulli were only about 40 in numbers. The number of trulli had grown to more than 3,500 after a couple of decades and most of these structures are still in good and livable condition until today.
So why did people from Alberobello build trullo huts?
There are two reasons why people back then built their houses this way. First is the availability of the materials. Limestone is not only readily available, it’s easier to work with, as well. Secondly, it’s easier to demolish these huts.
Alberobello was an abusive village back in the 1500s. The town – whose residents were mostly peasants – was ordered by the Acquaviva family, Counts of Conversano, to build their houses this way so it could be easily demolished if the emissaries of the Kingdom of Naples decided to do an inspection. This was done to avoid paying housing taxes.
From around only 40 trulli, the structures had grown in number over the past two decades. Around 3,500 trulli inhabitants rebelled against the feudal yoke in 1797, significantly ending the abusive system where they needed to tear down their houses every time there was a royal inspection.
Trulli may look primitive but they are actually built in such a clever way. The structure comes with 2-layer walls for insulation. Trulli were also built with a gutter system on the roof for collecting rainwater. For convenience and safety, the walls are also designed for fireplaces and ovens to be built within it.
No wonder that even today a lot of locals still choose to live in these basic stone huts despite the many modern alternatives available. This makes trulli a part of the local culture and the village not just some historic site where people visit to see a glimpse of a long past through its remnants.
This local culture plays a big part in Alberobello’s tourism.
The Trulli in Puglia
Alberobello is a small town with a total area of 40.82 sq. km. and around 11,000 inhabitants. You can actually visit the town in less than a day.
Compared to Tuscany and Emilia-Rogmana, which are located in the northern part of the country, Puglia is attracting less tourists. But there’s more to this town of unusual cone-roofed buildings, making Alberobello a must-visit.
Some people deem Alberobello anticlimactic, suggesting that the whole town is now completely taken over by tourism. It is true somehow. That’s probably the first thing you’ll notice the moment you set foot on the main streets of Alberobello. But if you take the time to dig deeper, you’ll be surprised to discover more about this fascinating town.
Alberobello is split into 3 main Trulli districts with Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola as two primary ones. Most tourists stick to Rione Monti where the majority of the tourist shops, restaurants, and bars are located.
However, if you want to experience the residential part of the town, it’s a must that you go visit the Rione Aia Piccola district, as well.
The hilltop Rione Monti district is more of a commercial area, but it is very scenic not only because you can find the most beautiful trulli of Alberobello here, but also because of its picturesque streets and stairways.
There are about 1,000 trulli in the area and here you will find a lot of souvenir shops, restaurants, and other commercial centers. The district boasts fascinating corners, vibrant streets, and stunning squares as well.
Being the oldest area in Alberobello, the Rione Aia Piccola district is quieter and offers a more authentic experience of the local culture.
Rione Aia Piccola is also the most picturesque district with its alleys and winding streets. The whole place actually looks like it’s from a page out of your fairy-tale book, making it a perfect location to take your Instagram-worthy photos.
The People of Alberobello
Seeing these fascinating stone houses with conical roofs may be your main purpose in including Alberobello in your itinerary.
But there’s so much more than seeing the trulli when in this part of Italy. Meeting the locals here is a whole new experience as well.
The locals in Puglia consider the guests as sacred and this is especially true in Alberobello. If you consider the thousands of tourists who flock to this little Puglian town, the local population is relatively small. But this has never been a hindrance in making the tourists feel extra-special by providing the best of what they can offer – from the delicious food and wine to offering extra services like playing traditional music in the background as the guests enjoy their meals.
The locals in Alberobello are said to be among the warmest and friendliest people in the world. They will not only welcome you into their homes with open arms, they will also let you have a glimpse on their personal lives as well, giving you a taste of being a part of the local community.
Meeting the locals here is another experience, especially after you hear their stories on how they choose to always return home even after starting a life outside this small town. It’s amazing how the locals love and treasure not just their homes but also the history and traditions that run in this town.
So if you’re planning to visit Alberobello anytime in the future, you have to really talk to people – to the locals, especially. You’ll be surprised at how hospitable and warm-hearted they are.
How To Get to Alberobello
From the city of Bari, the best way to get to Alberobello is to take the line 1 train at Bari Centrale. You will have to change trains to Putignano, but it’s not such a big bother. Total travel time is about 2 hours. Going to the town’s historic center from the Alberobello railway station is about a 10-minute walk.
You may also ride a bus, but it takes longer and costs just about the same.
7 Best Things To Do in Alberobello
Alberobello is a comune of the Metropolitan City of Bari, first occupied only in the 16th century.
Alberobello’s name comes from the primitive oak forest Arboris Belli, which translates as “Beautiful Trees.” Some scholars claim, however, that “Alberobello” is derived from a single tree called the arbor belli or the “tree of war.” This is indicative of the discord that used to exist in the land where Alberobello is today.
Arguably Puglia’s most famous town, things to do in Alberobello are fun and interesting. Aside from exploring the streets and seeing all these amazing trulli all lined up, there’s more to do to make your Alberobello visit truly memorable.
Here are the top things to do in Alberobello that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Visit Trullo Sovrano
You need to visit the only original two-storey trullo in Alberobello – the Trullo Sovrano – to better understand the history of these unique trullo buildings.
Trullo Sovrano is the largest trullo in Alberobello that might have been considered luxurious back in the time. It has been transformed into a heritage museum with artifacts and the trullo‘s original furnishings from the 19th century.
A visit to this museum will afford some insights on what life was like in Alberobello in the 1800s – how farmers lived, collected water, stored grain, and cooked meals in a trullo.
2. Spend some time at the Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo, Alberobello’s main square, is the location of some of the town’s most important buildings and monuments.
This is also where you will find the market and the fascinating marble steps that lead to Belvedere Santa Lucia.
You can walk around, or just sit and relax as you watch people going about their businesses.
3. Climb up the Belvedere Santa Lucia
If you want to get the best panoramic view over the trulli in Alberobello, you have to visit Belvedere Santa Lucia. It is a free viewpoint that will give you the best perspective over the magical-looking town.
The Belvedere Santa Lucia is also the perfect spot to take the best selfies or group photos in Alberobello.
4. Drop by the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
One cannot visit Alberobello without dropping by the 19th-century Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Alberobello’s remarkable cathedral. This is where the relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian, patrons of Alberobello, are being kept.
The basilica is a work of Alberobello’s most famous architect, Antonio Curri, who also decorated the Galleria Umberto I in Naples and the Teatro Garibaldi in Santa Maria Capua Vetere.
5. Visit the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
Alberobello’s Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is perched on top of a hill in the Rione Monti district, featuring a fresco by Adolfo Rollo, a famous Puglian artist.
This historic church was built in the form of a traditional trullo so the poor people of Alberobello who lived in trulli could go to a place of worship that resembled their homes.
6. Enter the D’Amore House
Declared a national monument in 1930, the Casa D’Amore (D’Amore House) was built by Francesco d’Amore in 1797 using terracotta and mortar, which were prohibited at the time. It was the first of its kind in Alberobello where everyone lived in trulli.
Today the D’Amore House serves as the office of the Tourism department.
7. Check out Alberobello in Miniatura
Alberobello in Miniatura is the miniature version of the whole town. Claimed by many as one of the most amazing places to visit in Puglia, Alberobello in Miniatura is well-preserved and well-maintained with a fairytale-like atmosphere.
The view from the church side of this miniature town with hundreds of trulli is both incredibly amazing and highly unusual. It’s easy to imagine Smurfs or cute trolls strolling along the tiny intermangled streets full of connected trulli.
Alberobello in Miniatura is one of the must-see attractions in this part of Italy.
Where To Stay in Alberobello
Alberobello can be easily explored on a day trip. However, if you’re planning on actually staying there – which is a good idea, by the way – then check out the following accommodations we’ve handpicked for you.
Here are the best places to stay in Alberobello, Italy – selected based on high ratings given by guests, proximity to the trulli area, and excellent features and amenities.
1. Palazzo Scotto
Average Rating: EXCELLENT
For the best deals, click here.
Palazzo Scotto is a historic mansion converted to a small luxury hotel right in the heart of Alberobello, the very core of the Trulli Town’s culture and identity.
Palazzo Scotto has a rooftop terrace equipped with hot tub and sun loungers, free WiFi, and flat-screen TV for each room. You can choose a room with your own preferred views – the pool or the garden. Each room features a minibar, a kitchenette, and air-conditioning. They also offer room service and a concierge.
Palazzo Scotto is an excellent option for people who prefer to be away from the streets crowded with tourists.
2. Tipico Resort
Average Rating: EXCELLENT
For the best deals, click here.
Who wouldn’t want to sleep in a trullo when in Alberobello? Tipico Resort offers such truly authentic experience!
Tipico Resort is a mid-range hotel located in the center of the UNESCO-protected trulli area of Alberobello, housed in traditional Puglian trullo buildings.
Each elegantly-decorated room features stone walls and floors, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with hair dryer, a seating area, and a terrace.
WiFi is free throughout the property, with breakfast service until 11:00. There is also a kitchenette for shared use.
3. La Corte Dell’Astore
Average Rating: EXCELLENT
For the best deals, click here.
La Corte Dell’Astore is a mere 500 meters from the center of Alberobello, or just a 10-minute walk.
The property features air-conditioned trullo-style apartment with lots of beautiful stone work. Each unit comes with a balcony, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with hairdryer and complimentary toiletries, a kitchenette, and a minibar. Room service is also available.
La Corte Dell’Astore offers free private parking and free WiFi throughout the property. It also has large grounds and a swimming pool, and even a small garden zoo to entertain the little ones!
4. Il Gabellota Resort
Average Rating: EXCELLENT
For the best deals, click here.
Located about 2 km. – some 15 minutes of walking – from the center of Alberobello, Il Gabellota Resort offers the best opportunity to experience staying in a stone room or a trullo in the Puglia countryside.
The property offers air-conditioning and all the usual amenities and freebies, with hot tub in the garden and a seasonal outdoor pool. It features a conical roof and a private sun terrace, a picnic area, and a spa salon onsite.
Buffet breakfast is served daily at breakfast room. You can enjoy a few drinks at the lounge bar.
Il Gabellota Resort is about 2 minutes by car from the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, 1.6 km. from Trullo Sovrano, and about 1.4 km. from the Rione Monti district.
5. Hotel Silva
Average Rating: EXCELLENT
For the best deals, click here.
Hotel Silva offers an excellent choice for Alberobello visitors, offering a charming trullo experience while being just outside the main tourist area. It is only about a 10-minute walk from the center and provides super easy parking for guests who come with cars.
The property has breakfast buffet, babysitting service, a luggage storage, a coffee shop, and a bar and restaurant onsite. It features many helpful amenities designed to make your stay truly worthwhile and memorable.
Hotel Silva is in close proximity to some of Alberobello’s most popular sights, including Trullo Sovrano which is just 200 meters away. Villa Comunale Belvedere Parco and Parco della Rimembranza are also just a stone’s throw away from this property.
These are, more or less, what you should expect on your visit to the Puglia trulli in Alberobello, Italy. But there is more to the things discussed here and that's for you to find out once you get there. Enjoy!