A short guide to the trulli town, Alberobello, Puglia

A short guide to the trulli town, Alberobello in Puglia! This will give you what you need to know to visit this cute little town. Mention Puglia to anyone and they will tell you about the trulli (trullo for singluar). They are iconic to the area and Alberobello has the highest concentration.

Table of Contents

A brief history of the trulli

Trulli were created in response to the desire of the ruling family of the area. They wanted to evade the taxes that were charged on homes and so requested that home be designed that could be dismantled and there for no or less taxes would be incurred….and so the trulli were born! They do not use a mortar and are stacked stone so they can be dismantled at will. Such a unique building and completely iconic of the area, they are a must see. The symbols on the rooves are used to ward off evil spirits and to bring good luck.

Alberobello, Puglia, Italy - Home of the trulli

Where is Alberobello?

Alberobello is located in Puglia a region of Italy in the south. It is 55km from Bari (the capital of Puglia) and takes 55minutes by car.

How to get to Alberobello?

Most people include Alberobello in their Puglia trip, either arriving via the International airport at Bari or coming across from Naples. You can drive from Bari to Alberobello in about 55 minutes or take the train and arrive in 1 hour and 44 minutes. We always book a hire car through Rental Cars as they have always been reliable and good cars.

From Naples it is 314km and about a 3.5 hour drive.

Is Alberobello a good base for Puglia

Alberobello is a beautiful place to visit, many people choose to stay here as well so they can see the town once most of the tourists have left for the day. I would definitely choose to stay here especially in one of the trulli but unless you have a car it isn’t the most convenient town to use as a base to visit the rest of the little towns in Puglia, Locorotondo or Ostuni make better bases.

How many days for Alberobello

I would stay in Alberobello for one or two nights. The absolute dream accommodation is a trulli as it is so unique to the area! While staying here I would utilise the early morning and late afternoon/evenings when all the day trippers have left and you can explore the town in a slower quieter way.

Where to stay in Alberobello

This is our pick of where to stay in Alberobello. We combine the location, previous reviews and price to determine our best recommendations.

Budget: Mirum Apuliae, Dimore Dalle Zie, Trulli Contento – Rooms & Apartments,

Midrange: Civico 5, Trulli e Puglia Resort, Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso, Trulli in corte, Trulli Soave

Luxe: Il trullo del Guelfo, Chiancole – Trulli Experience, BORGANTHIA,

What to do in Alberobello

Alberobello is all about the trulli! You will really spend most of your time wandering around the town, slipping down every laneway and photographing every pretty trulli you stumble across.

Rione Monti is the most dense population of trulli in Alberobello. Approximately 1000 trulli are located here and somewhere you will definitely find yourself. There are man y commercial stores here, which have taken over the trulli as well as accommodation options. Our favourite is Trulli Love!

Check out the panorama views over the trulli landscape from the many stores with rooftops. Make a small purchase and you will get access up to the roof and check out the view. It really is the best way to see the spread of trulli so recommend it.

Rione Aia Piccola is the more authentic area of Alberobello, this is where you will find locals living in trulli as they have done for many years. Commercial ventures are prohibited here so you really are walking through a traditional trulli town.

Eat gelato, a sandwich or meal in the main square. There is a traditional sandwich to the area which includes tuna and capers. The main square is a hub of activity and where most of the bars and restaurants are found.

Trullo Sovrano is the only two story trullo in Alberobello.

Take a tour to learn more about the history of this unique town, this is the tour of Alberobello we recommend!

Find the trulli church, yes made in the same way as the trulli and the only one in the world. It is St. Antony’s Church, built in 1927 it is really big and definitely an unusual sight.

Trulli church, Alberobello Puglia, Italy

Best restaurants in Alberobello

We didn’t stop to eat here but this little cafe was so busy and well priced it is where I would have popped into if I had time, it is called Martinucci Laboratory.

Martinucci Laboratory. Patiserie, Alberobello Puglia

Is Alberobello overrated?

Honestly it is very much a touristic town. There are so many souvenir shops and cafes, it really is geared towards tourism. We did know this before coming and were prepared for it but by midday it was really busy. I suggest that you either visit before 10am or after 4pm for a quieter experience. Alternatively staying in Alberobello is a great way to experience the town without being overrun with tourists. You will get to walk around in the evening with the lights twinkling at dusk.