Trulli of Alberobello World Heritage Site (Trulli di Alberobello) Tours

Feel like you’ve been dropped into a gnome village with a visit to Alberobello, one of the most unique towns in Italy and home to over 1,000 round trulli, fairy-tale-like whitewashed cottages topped with conical roofs. The trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a top destination in Puglia’s Itria Valley and a must for photographers.

The Basics
Stroll through the historic Rione Monti neighborhood on Alberobello’s western hilltop to take in the clusters of trulli, estimated to number around 1,000. Walking tours wind through the pedestrianized old town, a warren of narrow lanes lined with these traditional limestone dwellings. The trulli date as far back as the 14th century and sometimes stand alone, but are often adjoined from the inside to form larger homes, shops, and restaurants.

Most walking tours also stop at the trullo-style Sant’Antonio Church and the Trullo Sovrano, the only 2-story trullo structure, which now houses the local museum. Tours of Alberobello often include nearby highlights such as Locorotondo or sights just outside the Itria Valley, such as the Castel del Monte fortress and the towns of Polignano a Mare and Conversano.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Rione Monti trullo district can only be toured on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
• These delightful structures are interesting for everyone, but photographers will especially want to capture their charm.
• The neighborhood is largely closed to traffic, but the streets can be steep and hard to handle with a stroller or wheelchair.
• The trullo district is thick with souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés.

How to Get There
Located on Puglia’s Salento peninsula, Alberobello is not easy to reach by train or bus. The easiest way to visit is by car or by joining a guided tour that includes transportation.

When to Get There
One of the most popular destinations in Puglia, the trulli di Alberobello are invaded by bus tours at midday. Take in the historic district in the early morning or late afternoon to be able to savor its charm and snap photos in relative peace.

Locorotondo
To escape the crowds in Alberobello, head to the sleepy historic center of Locorotondo, a hilltop village of whitewashed palazzi and churches overlooking the Murgia Plateau. Highlights include the Madre San Giorgio and San Nicola churches, and the area is known for its wine and olive oil production, centered in the wineries and olive farms in the surrounding countryside.