It’s not a secret that Italy has an abundance of charming small towns and pretty villages to get lost in. We’ve been to many of them, but one of the most unique places we explored was Alberobello in the Puglia region of southern Italy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe, famous for its distinctive white-washed trullo homes.
Visiting Alberobello made me feel like we were in the Smurfs village. It’s such a cute place that almost doesn’t seem real, akin to something you might find in an amusement park. Yet Alberobello has been inhabited for over 2,000 years. There is a lot of history here combined with unique architecture not found anywhere else. If you find yourself in Puglia, you should add Alberobello to your itinerary.
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Why is Alberobello Italy so popular?
Alberobello is famous thanks to the high concentration of unique trulli homes found only in this part of the country. These houses are made from dry stone, without mortar or cement, and are characterized by conical roofs made with clay tiles. Alberobello’s trulli houses were given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1996.
The trulli (trullo singular) are single-storey small buildings with just one large space. In the past, large families lived in trulli groups, constructed next to each other. Due to their construction, it was more practical to build several smaller ones rather than one big one. You’ll find many trulli scattered in the area as they were often used for storehouses and field shelters. In Alberobello, the locals used them as main lodgings, and some of them are still used as homes today.
History of Alberobello trulli dwellings
Most people visiting Alberobello come for the cone-shaped homes. The trulli date back to the 14th century when feudal lords, like the Count Acquaviva of Conversano, controlled the area. He moved his subjects here, but that plan had a slight problem. In those days, permanent dwellings meant paying taxes to the king. To avoid that, the count instructed his people to build temporary housing.
Workers constructed the trulli using ancient building techniques and abundant local limestone. These dwellings could be quickly dismantled and rebuilt as needed – a practice that continued for about 300 years until Alberobello officially became a town in 1797. It seems that not paying taxes was way more important to all those counts than displacing their people. What a way to live.
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What to do in Alberobello
The Rione Monti Quarter is the heart of Alberobello’s trulli district, facing the modern town centre. Here, you’ll find over 1,000 of these distinctive structures as you wander the winding streets along the hillside. Some trulli have been converted into shops, galleries and restaurants. Several offer access to rooftop terraces, although if they are not part of a restaurant, you might be expected to pay a fee to access them.
This area is fully geared towards visitors, with many shops selling local specialties like terracotta whistles, handwoven linens and ceramics. You’ll also find shops selling dried pasta and taralli, a Pugliese invention similar to a pretzel or a cracker. The taralli can be sweet or savoury, flavoured with everything from onion, garlic, fennel and chilli, to name a few. The prices aren’t exorbitant as the competition is fierce, which is handy if you want to make some purchases.
When visiting Alberobello, make sure to check out the Trullo Sovrano. It’s the only two-story trullo in town that serves as a fascinating museum where you can learn how these structures were made and how people lived in them.
The Casa d’Amore is another home that’s worth checking out. What’s unique about it is that it was Alberobello’s first building constructed with mortar in 1797. Francesco d’Amore (the man who built it) was a key figure in organizing an uprising against the tyrannical Acquaviva family who ruled here.
The Rione Aia Piccola District is more of a residential area with about 400 trulli. Here, you can experience the genuine charm of Alberobello and imagine how daily life among the trulli feels like. When we visited, there were fewer shops and restaurants on this side, and those were likely catering to locals.
The Church of Sant’Antonio is also a great place to see how the construction of the trulli could be adapted for different purposes. This church was constructed in 1927, using building techniques similar to the trulli. It holds the distinction of being the only trullo church in the world.
Largo Martellotta, the main street that cuts through the historic centre, is lined with bars, restaurants and food shops. It’s broad and flat, which is a nice break from the hilly streets where the trulli are. The weekly market in Alberobello is on Thursdays. In addition to fruit and vegetables, you’ll find vendors selling local delicacies and handmade crafts.
Is Alberobello worth visiting?
Yes, Alberobello is worth visiting. The historic centre is one of the most beautiful places in Alberobello. It was built on top of a hill with an altitude of about 100 meters. This area is where you can find most of the buildings from this medieval village, including shops, churches and residences from all periods.
While this part of Italy isn’t on everyone’s radar, the town is touristy. There is no way of getting around that. Here you’ll find numerous gift shops geared toward wandering visitors lining up the pretty streets. Many of the dwellings have become shops, restaurants and lodgings. Due to their size and how they were built, it’s limiting what you can do with them.
We’ve read several posts of people complaining of being underwhelmed or disappointed during their visit. Most people who come here stroll along the trulli-lined streets and take some pictures. This means that all the tourists that come here will be doing the same thing as you, especially if you visit during the high season. It’s not different from other popular destinations like Rome, Florence or the Amalfi Coast.
Alberobello is a unique town with architecture not found anywhere else. While picturesque, it also has a fascinating history and is a testament to human tenacity and adaptability. Look past the shops and the tourists, and you’ll discover hidden gems that will delight you. It’s an excellent destination for cultural tourists and architecture lovers and the reason we enjoyed it so much.
How to get to Alberobello
Puglia is filled with olive groves and breathtaking landscapes worth discovering. You can make Alberobello your base for exploring the picturesque countryside or simply stop by for a visit. Outside the historic centre is a modern town that you can include in your itinerary when you visit Alberobello.
The historic district is a pedestrian-only area, so be prepared for lots of walking. We drove to Alberobello and found parking just outside the centre. There are numerous parking lots within the walking area to accommodate visitors. You can also take public transport from Bari, Brindisi or Lecce using the Ferrovie Sud Est (FSE).
You’ll find a variety of lodgings around Alberobello, including guesthouses and Airbnbs. If you opt to stay in the historic centre, be prepared to drag your suitcase across uneven ground and remember that there are no elevators, so pack light. For the best way to explore, consider staying in Alberobello overnight. A day trip to Alberobello will give you enough time to explore, but staying the night will offer a chance to see the place when all the other tourists have gone.
Final thoughts on visiting Alberobello
Visiting Alberobello is definitely a unique experience. The historical part with the trulli is like a small village surrounded by a modern town. In addition to the souvenir shops, restaurants and bars, you’ll find quiet streets with flower pots and hanging string lights. Be warned that there are so many cute spots at every corner that you’ll want to stop and keep taking pics.
We visited Alberobello in late September. While we encountered more tourists there than in other parts of Puglia, it was manageable. Many of the main paths were busy, but we also found many empty lanes where we were alone to admire the scenery around us.
Alberobello is beautiful, like a magical town straight out of a fairy tale. It reminded us of Greek islands, which is unsurprising since the Greeks settled here long before the Romans. The ancient building techniques used to create the trulli date back to their times. You can walk around or sit down and bathe in the beauty around you. Whether you’re interested in photography and history or simply experiencing one of Italy’s most unique destinations, Alberobello deserves a spot on your Puglia itinerary.
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