Looking for an Alberobello guide to help you plan your visit to this fairytale town in Puglia, Italy? You’ve come to the right place. This travel guide will tell you everything you need to know about planning your visit, including tips, advice, and insider information.
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I have visited Alberobello several times as a solo traveller. Most of the photos in this post are from my most recent visit in 2023. I have also travelled extensively throughout the Puglia region, so be sure to check out my Puglia posts if you are planning a trip to this region.
In a hurry? Here are some quick Alberobello links.
- Reserve your Alberobello Hotel early, before they sell out.
- Remember to pack decent sunscreen and a packable sun hat.
- There are many Alberobello tours you can book (no payment required up front).
- Private cooking classes are very popular in this region.
- If you need a rental car, book one at Discover Cars and pick it up at the airport.
Now let’s proceed with my guide to Alberobello, South Italy.
1. Introduction to Alberobello.
Located in southern Italy, Alberobello is a unique destination with its distinct architecture and historical significance. The town is famous for its trulli, beautiful buildings with conical rooftops that are unique to the region. See my stay in a trulli here.
2. History of Alberobello.
The town of Alberobello, located in the Apulia region of Italy, has a rich history and culture that dates back to the early 16th century. During this time, the Acquaviva family were in charge (see FAQs below for more information on the Acquaviva family).
Farmers and peasants living in the area began constructing ‘trulli’ stone huts with conical roofs as dwellings. Some believe these homes were constructed as a form of tax avoidance – a way for citizens to avoid paying taxes on their land by building homes that could be easily dismantled if needed.
Later, Alberobello became known as one of Italy’s most important centres for weaving and pottery making. Many people travelled from other parts of the country to purchase goods made here. By the 17th century, Alberobello had become the region’s economic hub, and the town quickly grew in size.
During World War II, Alberobello became a critical strategic position for both Allied forces and Italian resistance fighters. The presence of both sides in the area led to skirmishes between them, which left many buildings destroyed.
After the war ended, locals worked hard to restore their beloved hometown and it was finally declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. To this day, traditional trulli dwellings are still very much present throughout the city—a reminder of Alberobello’s long and storied past.
3. Getting to Alberobello.
Alberobello is easily accessible from most major European cities by car or public transport. The nearest airport to Alberobello is Bari Airport (BRI), which has direct flights from several cities in Europe, including Rome, Milan, London and Paris. Brindisi airport is also nearby.
Further reading: How to Get to Alberobello by Plane, Train, Bus and Car.
From Bari Airport, you can take a bus or taxi directly into Alberobello. Alternatively, you can take the train from Bari Centrale station, which has regular services throughout the day.
For those travelling within Italy, trains run regularly between Rome Termini station and Lecce Station with stops at various towns along the way including Alberobello. These services usually take around 5 hours so bear this in mind when planning your journey.
If you prefer travelling by car, check out Puglia rental options before arriving. Driving yourself will give you more flexibility when exploring the area around Alberobello and give you access to all of Puglia’s towns. You can pick up a car from Discover Cars at Bari airport and then explore the region from there.
4. Weather in Alberobello.
Alberobello Puglia is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer when temperatures reach up to 30°C (86°F).
The climate in Alberobello is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. During the summer months, temperatures generally range from 20-30°C (68-86°F) with cooler nights of 15-20°C (59-68°F). There may be occasional thunderstorms in July and August. Rainfall is quite low throughout the year, but there are occasional thunderstorms in July and August.
The winter months tend to be much cooler than the summertime, with average highs of 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) during December through February. Snowfall does occur occasionally but it rarely accumulates on the ground as temperatures usually rise above freezing within a few hours of snowfall. Precipitation levels drop significantly during this time of year so you may want to bring an umbrella or raincoat just in case.
If you’re visiting Alberobello between March and May, or September and November, you’ll find that weather conditions are generally pleasant with highs hovering around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). These shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures without too much humidity which makes them ideal times for sightseeing outdoors. However, be sure to pack layers since evenings can get chilly.
5. Sightseeing in Alberobello.
A must-do activity when visiting Alberobello is sightseeing in the two main neighbourhoods: the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts. Both are recognised for their unique trulli buildings, which are conical stone dwellings dating back to medieval times that were initially used as temporary dwellings for shepherds. The town’s historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
The Rione Monti is the oldest of the two neighbourhoods and contains many well-preserved trulli houses from the 16th century. It is also home to various shops, restaurants, and cafes. In contrast, Aia Piccola has fewer trulli houses but features several churches, museums, and other attractions.
Exploring the area independently or with a guided walking tour is an excellent way to discover Alberobello’s unique trulli structures and its rich history. Make sure you bring your camera because there are photo opportunities everywhere you look.
Further reading: 16 Amazing Things to do in Alberobello.
6. Shopping in Alberobello.
Many souvenir shops and art shops are scattered throughout Alberobello, where you can pick up trinkets such as handmade ceramics and local delicacies like taralli (a type of savoury pretzel/biscuit).
Many shops have a ‘Terrazza Panoramica,’ a rooftop terrace where you can get amazing views of the town from above. Usually, you must buy something from the shop before you can go upstairs to the terrace. Some shops also have bars, so you can enjoy a drink on the rooftop.
7. Dining in Alberobello.
When it comes to dinner time, you’re spoilt for choice! You could try a food tour, a cooking class or visit one of the many wonderful restaurants. You might be surprised to learn that Alberobello has four Michelin Star restaurants!
Popular local dishes include orecchiette pasta with turnip greens (orecchiette e cime di rapa) and stuffed mussels (cozze ripiene). For dessert, you can sample some of the traditional sweets like almond paste cookies or ricotta cake.
15 Best Alberobello Restaurants, Cafes, Pizzerias, Bakeries, Dairies and Wine Bars.
There are lots more things to do in Alberobello, such as wine tasting, olive picking, bicycle tours and visiting various churches and museums. The Trullo Sovrano museum and Saint Anthony’s church are popular favourites.
8. Things to be aware of when visiting Alberobello.
There are a few things you need to know before your first visit to Alberobello.
1. It is steep and slippery.
The ground is paved with stone slabs which are shiny and slippery, and to make it worse, Alberobello is hilly! When exploring Rione Monti you will find yourself going up and down hills (some with steps cut into them, and some without). When you are coming down, you will find it difficult to retain your footing unless you wear comfortable shoes with a rubber grip.
Be extra vigilant if it rains, as the stones are treacherous to walk on when wet.
2. White surfaces are very reflective.
The first time I visited Alberobello, I was shocked by how bright everything was. When the walls and floors are all white, the sun is reflected off every surface and into your eyes. My eyes are sensitive and I found it uncomfortable at certain times of day without sunglasses.
These are the sunglasses I am wearing in my photo above, and I use these sunglasses organisers to keep them safe in my luggage.
3. Alberobello can be very touristy.
I’ve said it before, but you need to give consideration to the timing of your visit. Alberobello can be extremely crowded in peak season, and between the hours of 10:00 and 13:00 even in the off-season. Coach trips usually arrive at about 10:00 each day for a few hours.
My top tip is to visit in March/April, as long you don’t mind milder weather and the risk of the odd shower. At the end of March 2023, I found I pretty much had the town to myself in the afternoons, which was amazing. I was able to get all the photos I wanted, without people in them. Early mornings are also a good shout for photos of Alberobello.
4. Shops and restaurants don’t always open on Sundays.
You are on vacation, so every day is the same to you. However, even in somewhere as touristic as Alberobello, some shops do not open on Sundays! Some of them open late, and for a shorter period of time. Some food places only open in the evening. This is common throughout Italy – check online before making plans.
5. English is not widely spoken.
The whole region of Puglia is not big on speaking English. You’ll need to learn a few words in Italian to get by. Alberobello is more catered to tourists than the rest of Puglia, so you will find more English speakers here, but it’s a good idea to take an Italian phrase book (this one is brilliant) with you on your trip.
9. Where to stay in Alberobello.
There is a wide selection of trulli hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs available for those wanting to experience this unique destination.
Here are my recommendations for accommodation in Alberobello:
1. Gatto Bianco Case d’Allora: Charming and traditional private trulli, situated within a 5-minute walk of the heart of Alberobello. Read my review of when I stayed here in April 2023.
2. Trulli Nuova Aia Resort: aparthotel in Alberobello with terrace or balcony and a swimming pool. Rated exceptional on Booking.com.
3. Trulli e Puglia Luxury Suite: exceptional trullo property with a hot tub!
4. Trulli Terra Viva: huge amazing 5 star villa with swimming pool for a large family, sleeps 14. Rarely have I ever seen a 10/10 rating on Booking.com before! This would be perfect for a large family.
There are lots of different types of properties to choose from. You can check the current prices and availability for all properties in Alberobello on Booking.com here.
You can also use this map to see where accommodation by location:
Booking.com10. Where to stay outside of Alberobello.
You may like to stay in one of the larger towns in the Puglia region, planning a short visit to Alberobello as part of a longer trip. Or you may like to base yourself in one of the smaller towns and villages of Puglia. There are some stunning towns in Puglia for you to choose from.
After you’ve read my guide to the best 14 towns in Puglia, or the 12 best places to stay Puglia (which contains specific hotel recommendations for each town), see below for some quick hotel booking links for each town. These links will get you the best rates on Booking.com today.
Book hotels in Alberobello | Book hotels in Bari | Book hotels in Brindisi | Book hotels in Cisternino | Book hotels in Gallipoli | Book hotels in Lecce | Book hotels in Locorotondo | Book hotels in Martina Franca | Book hotels in Matera | Book hotels in Monopoli | Book hotels in Ostuni | Book hotels in Otranto | Book hotels in Polignano a Mare | Book hotels in Trani | See all hotels in Puglia.
11. Best tours in Alberobello.
Here I will list some of my favourite guided tours in Alberobello Puglia, plus some which are very popular/highly rated on Viator and Get Your Guide.
For solo travellers, be aware that many tours in Alberobello (and Puglia in general) seem to have a minimum two-person rule, which can be frustrating. However I found that by contacting tour operators directly, I was able to arrange bookings for one person, so always email them and check.
1. Alberobello & Polignano private walking tour: includes free time in Polignano (you could use it to visit the stunning beach) and a coffee tasting.
2.Private cooking class with lunch or dinner: learn to cook typical Italian dishes with a ‘Cesarina’ in a private home, then tuck into your delicious 3 course meal afterwards with wine.
3. Small group street food tour in Alberobello: this walking tour must be very popular, as I have never yet been able to book onto it. It looks excellent. Make sure to book early (and let me know how it went!)
4.Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves – if you have the opportunity, you must see the caves of Polignano. This is a small group tour with a badge of excellence.
5. Day tour of Bari, Alberobello and Matera – three towns in one day, which would be very difficult to do on public transport. Private tour with hotel pickup.
12. Alberobello Guide FAQs.
Below are some frequently asked questions which come up when people search for ‘Alberobello Guide’ online.
A: Alberobello is famous for its trulli—unique, whitewashed, conical-roofed houses that symbolise the region. These ancient structures, some dating back to the 14th century, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attract visitors worldwide for their distinctive architecture and historical significance.
A: A trullo is a traditional dry-stone hut with a conical roof, typically made from local limestone. These structures were originally built as temporary field shelters or permanent dwellings. Trulli are characterised by their unique architecture, with thick walls that keep the interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
A: I have a separate post on how to get to Alberobello.
The town can be reached by:
– Car: The town is about an hour’s drive from Bari, the capital of Puglia.
Train: Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE) operates a direct train service from Bari to Alberobello, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
– Bus: Buses also connect Alberobello with nearby towns and cities, though they may be less frequent than trains.
A: Must-see attractions in Alberobello Puglia include:
– Rione Monti: The largest concentration of trulli on the hillside, with over 1,000 trulli houses.
– Rione Aia Piccola: A quieter area with many original trulli still used as homes.
– Trullo Sovrano: The largest trullo in Alberobello, now a museum showcasing traditional life and furnishings.
– Casa Pezzolla: A museum complex made up of 15 interconnected trulli, offering insights into the history and culture of the area.
– Church of Sant’Antonio: A unique trullo church at the top of Rione Monti.
A: Yes, many of the trulli in Alberobello have been converted into guesthouses, hotels, and holiday rentals. Staying in a Trullo offers a unique experience and allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and history. Accommodations range from rustic and traditional to modern and luxurious.
A: The best time to visit Alberobello is spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when the weather is mild and the town is less crowded.
The summer months (July and August) are the busiest, with hot temperatures and more tourists. Winter is quieter, but some attractions may have limited or closed hours.
A: While in Alberobello, try traditional Puglian cuisine, which includes:
– Orecchiette: Ear-shaped pasta, often served with a tomato-based sauce or with broccoli rabe (cime di rapa).
– Focaccia: A type of flatbread, often topped with tomatoes, olives, or other local ingredients.
– Burrata: A creamy cheese similar to mozzarella, often served with fresh tomatoes and basil.
– Bombette: Small rolls of pork filled with cheese and spices, grilled to perfection.
– Local wines: Such as Primitivo and Negroamaro, which pair well with the region’s cuisine.
A: Yes, Alberobello hosts several local festivals, including:
– Festa dei Santi Medici: Held in late September, this religious festival honours the town’s patron saints, Cosmas and Damian, with processions, music, and fireworks.
– Festival of Lights: Typically in July or August, this festival features stunning light installations illuminating the town’s trulli.
Christmas Markets: In December, Alberobello is transformed into a winter wonderland with festive decorations, markets, and events.
A: Alberobello can be visited as a day trip from nearby cities like Bari, but if you want to fully experience the town and its surroundings, a stay of 1-2 nights is recommended. This allows you to explore the Trulli, visit the local museums, and enjoy the Puglian cuisine without feeling rushed.
A: Yes, there are several nearby towns and attractions worth visiting, including:
– Locorotondo: Known for its circular historic centre and whitewashed houses.
– Martina Franca: A baroque town with elegant palaces and churches.
– Ostuni: The “White City,” famous for its whitewashed buildings and hilltop views.
– Polignano a Mare: A coastal town known for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters.
– Castellana Caves: A stunning network of underground caves just a short drive from Alberobello.
A. Alberobello is a popular tourist destination, but that doesn’t mean it’s too touristy. It retains its unique charm and atmosphere, with plenty of local culture to explore.
The Rione Monti district is a lot more touristy than the Aia Piccola district. If you visit late afternoon you will miss most of the crowds. I also recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons to avoid peak tourist season.
A. The best area of Alberobello for travellers depends on their interests. Still, some popular choices include the Trulli district with its traditional stone huts. This historical centre offers stunning views over town and countryside, or the Rione Aia Piccola neighbourhood with its winding cobbled streets.
A: Renting a car is highly recommended for a Puglia trip, as it provides the flexibility to explore the region at your own pace and reach the more remote areas. It allows you to add multiple destinations to your Puglia road trip itinerary and access the beautiful countryside and coastal areas with ease.
I always use Discover Cars, which is a car comparison site. It is possible to travel in Puglia using public transport, but it would take a lot longer.
A. The Acquaviva family was a prominent feudal dynasty in the 14th century that ruled over Apulia, Italy. The Acquavivas were initially vassals of Charles II of Anjou, Count of Provence, and later assumed control of much of southern Apulia during their reign. They built numerous castles throughout the area to help protect their territorial claims.
In Alberobello, they constructed two towers that remain standing today—the Tower of St. Gemini and the Tower of Queen Giovanna—as a testament to their presence in the city.
The Acquaviva family also established an extensive network of farmers and merchants across Apulia and beyond, including those responsible for maintaining one of the oldest olive oil presses still in existence. They developed a flourishing silk industry and established their own mint to produce local currency.
The Acquaviva dynasty ended in 1668, when Philip IV of Spain succeeded them as ruler of the region. Despite this, the Acquavivas’ legacy lives on today throughout Alberobello and its surrounding areas.
13. Map of Alberobello Puglia
The Google map above shows Alberobello and all of the main sights, as listed in my post, 16 things to do in Alberobello. Click the blue icons for more information about each place, or click the star to add to your Google Maps.
All of my articles on Alberobello and Puglia.
Here you can see all of my Alberobello and Puglia posts in one place.
Pinterest – Visiting Alberobello Puglia
If you enjoyed this ultimate guide to visiting Alberobello, feel free to use the images below to pin the post to your Pinterest account for later reading.
Thank you for reading my post on how to visit Alberobello Puglia. I hope it has helped you plan your trip. Puglia is one of my favourite Italian destinations, so I hope you love it as much as I do!
General Travel Resources:
Booking.com is the best site for hotels with free reservation and cancellations.
Viator and Get Your Guide are the best sites for tours and activities.
Discover Cars is the best comparison site for car rentals.
Trip.com is good for booking flights and packages.
See my Travel Resources page for a full list of helpful booking links.
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Tags: Alberobello, Europe, Italy, Puglia
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