Storybook Alberobello and Locorotondo headline the Val d’Itria’s double bill of theatrical hilltowns. The former is home to more than 1,000 UNESCO-listed trulli—gnome-sized round cottages topped with conical roofs—while the latter is one of the most postcard-perfect spots in all of Puglia. Guided tours of both on foot or via e-bike, Segway, tuk-tuk, or golf cart top the list of things to do, paired with wine and olive oil tastings, cooking classes, and traditional dining experiences at the historic masseria farmhouses in the surrounding countryside.
Summer in these whitewashed villages is scorching, but visitors still flock to the area for the towns’ big festivals and events. Many celebrations, like the Alberobello Light Festival and Locorotondo’s Sagra Pirotecnica della Valle d’Itria fireworks display, take place in the evening, when temperatures cool down. Do as the locals do, and recharge with an afternoon siesta so you can make it through to the wee hours of the night.
The historic centers of both Alberobello and Locorotondo are compact and largely closed to vehicles, so plan on exploring by foot. There are bus and train routes between the two towns, and the trip takes less than 15 minutes. The Valle d’Itria—the rolling plain that stretches between these two towns—is a popular area for cyclists. Bike rental shops offer both regular bikes and e-bikes, making it easy to explore the area on two wheels.
The Valle d’Itria is known for its u furnidd, which are butcher shops that double as barbecue joints. Most of these small, family-run spots don’t advertise, so you’ll have to ask around if you want to find one. Once you do, you’ll choose your meat from the butcher display case, then wait at a table while it’s grilled over wood coals. Popular options include gnummreddi and marro (seasoned lamb offal), zampina (sausage), and bombette (pork rolls).
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Yes, these two delightful towns are unique for their historic architecture and authentic atmosphere, both of which help them rank among Puglia’s top tourist destinations. Alberobello is the more famous of the two, and its trullo-lined lanes are packed with visitors by midday. Locorotondo is slightly quieter, an ideal nearby escape when Alberobello’s crowds spike.
...MoreNo, both Alberobello and Locorotondo are perched on the inland hills of Puglia’s Itria Valley and overlook the rolling countryside of olive groves, vineyards, and cultivated fields. That said, they are about a 30-minute drive from the Adriatic Coast, lined by some of the region’s most picturesque beaches.
...MoreSet in the heart of Puglia’s “breadbasket” Itria Valley, Alberobello and Locorotondo are both known for their excellent local wines and olive oils produced in the surrounding hills. The Val d’Itria is also one of the top spots in Puglia for burrata and other artisan cheeses, cured meats like capocollo, and the area’s culinary superstar: bombette (grilled pork rolls stuffed with cheese).
...MoreYou can cover the highlights of Alberobello and Locorotondo in a single day. Begin in Alberobello’s Rione Monti old town in the early morning to admire the hundreds of trulli dwellings before the crowds arrive. At midday, head to nearby Locorotondo for an authentic Puglian lunch and a stroll through its whitewashed historic center in the afternoon.
...MoreThe trulli district in Alberobello is almost entirely given over to shops, restaurants, and holiday rentals that cater to the city’s robust tourist numbers. Locorotondo is where you’re more likely to run into locals who still live in the old town, giving it a more authentic atmosphere than its more famous neighbor.
...MoreAlberobello is famous for its historic trullo homes— round, whitewashed dwellings topped with towering conical roofs. Most are concentrated in the town’s Rione Monti district, but you can also find trulli scattered across the countryside. Once used almost exclusively as homes, these unique structures now house shops, restaurants, and even luxury hotels.
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