Visit Locorotondo, the prettiest town in Puglia

Visit Locorotondo, the prettiest town in Puglia. Locorotondo means round place, you will see the shape of the town perfectly suits the name. This white town is so charming you wont want to leave.

Why you should go to Locorotondo

Locorotondo is a pretty town, situated on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful Valle d’Itra. The lush green fields are stunning in contrast to the white town. Locorotondo makes the perfect base to explore other little towns within this area. This charming town really captured our hearts for being what it is, a place to simply be and enjoy. Nowhere has the Italian phrase “Il dolce far niente” (the sweet doing nothing) ever rung so true. Sit at a bar sipping a glass of the local wine, wander the simple streets, take in the local artisan stores. Eat at the tiny bistros dotted throughout old town. Just enjoy it and you will find you’ve fallen in love with it too.

What to do in Locorotondo, the prettiest town in Puglia

Locorotondo isn’t full of must see places and sights. It is overwhelmingly charming in its ability to let you experience life like a local. We stayed here for 3 days and really soaked up the relaxing and beautiful surrounds. Here are the things you must do in Locorotondo to expereince it at its best.

Walk the Centro Storico

Centro Storico is the centre of the old town. The outskirts are also lovely but not as charming as the centre. This is the place to come and take in the beauty of the white washed lanes. The little houses stacked on top of each other. The little bistros tucked into the corners are delightful as are the bars to enjoy aperitif. We recommend aperitif at Tò – Aperitivi e affini.

The churches

Every little town has its churches and Locorotondo is no different. You will find the Church of Saint George Martyr at the centre of town. It is the large domed church which can be seen from afar when looking back on Locorotondo.

Chiesa di San Nicola di Myra built in 1660 it is a whitewashed building with a bell tower. Very simple but lovely.

The small Church of San Nicola has a stunning painted domed roof which is well worth a visit.

Chiesa Rettoria Madonna della Greca built in the 4th and 5th century before being built on in 1480. It is on the outskirts of the Centro Storico and inside you will find carvings of mermaids, bird bodies with human faces among the more usual cherubs and flowers. It is the many sculptural aspects of this church that makes it really unique and an interesting visit.

Piazza

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is a beautiful little nook to stroll through. The white walls are offset by colourful flower boxes creating a lovely peaceful atmosphere.

Walk the Lungomare

The Lungomare, also known as Via Nardelli follows the outside of the town and has gorgeous views out over the Valle d’Itra. A stroll along here will be the best way to enjoy them.

Mix with locals in Villa Comunale

Villa Comunale is the large garden area near the Centro Storico. You will find locals strolling the shady paths and looking out over the lush green landscape dotted with trullis.

Views from the Villa Communale, Locorotondo, puglia

Drink the local wine

Stop off at one of the many bars along the Lungomare and enjoy a glass of the local Locorotondo DOC. The Locorotondo DOC is a dry white wine, made from the rare Verdeca grape (50-60%) and Bianco d’Alessano (30-50%), Fiano and/or Bombino, Malvasia Toscana (0-5%). These grapes are grown around Locortondo in the Valle d’Itra.

Locorotondo DOC has often been described as the best Apulian white wine. The colour is light straw and it has a subtle and fruity taste, with an almond-like aftertaste. The local CS Cooperativa Locorotondo make the best Locorotondo DOC of an exceptional quality. The grapes are also used to make a sparkling Locorotondo Spumante DOC. Check out Pavì wine restaurant and Vinifera vini & affini.

Visit Martina Franca, Alberobello and Cisternino

These towns are all so beautiful and worth visiting. Locorotondo makes a great base to visit these towns at your leisure as they are all quite close by! You can easily get between them on buses or if you have a car it is only a short drive. Locorotondo itself is beautiful enough to warrant your time and its central location is great to explore Martina Franca, Cisternino and Alberobello.

If you want to hire a car through Rental Cars, we have used them on many occasions and never had a problem.

Cisternino is the most charming town in Puglia, Italy

Where to eat in Locorotondo

We booked the best accommodation in Locorotondo which had a kitchen and rooftop. We cooked our meals and ate up on the roof most evenings enjoying a glass of local wine. There are many restaurants in the Centro Storico and Lungamore.

Supermarkets are hard to find in the centre although there are a couple of very small ones. We walked out to the Eurospar “Le Vele” and it was well stocked with everything we needed, particularly gluten free items. It is quite a walk out of town so a car would be very useful in this instance!

Where to stay in Locorotondo

Locorotondo has loads of options but we happened to find the very best one. Casa Melina! Historic house in Locorotondo is a great apartment in the Centro Storico, managed by a very nice local man. The three story apartment has a kitchen, dining area on the first floor. Second floor has a bedroom and bathroom. The third floor is another bedroom with stairs leading to the rooftop. The rooftop has views over the old town, church and a little setting to sit and enjoy the space. We took our meals and aperitif up there to relax. I highly recommend this apartment if you are looking to base yourself in Locorotondo, it is just perfect.