One of the most unique towns in Italy, Alberobello is a small town located in Southern Italy, famous for its unique trullis, a small, conical-roofed home made of stone that was originally used as temporary shelters for farmers. It has since become the unique identity of Alberobello and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puglia, Italy.
For those of you are really want to see this cute charming town, you are in the right place. Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to plan an awesome trip to Alberobello from how to get here to the 10 best things to do here for solo travelers. Without further ado, here's a complete travel guide to Alberobello.
- Alberobello Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Alberobello?
- Quick Summary: Things to do in Alberobello
-
10 Best Things to Do in Alberobello
- Check Out the View from Trulli Panoramic View
- Stroll Around Monti District
- Check Out Trullo Siamese
- Shop for Souvenirs in Monti District
- Admire the Beauty of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
- Get Lost in Alberobello
- Learn More About Trulli at Trullo Sovrano
- Check Out the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
- Go on a Walking Tour around Alberobello
- Stay Overnight in a Trulli
- More Alberobello Activities
- How to Get to Alberobello?
- Further Reading for Southern Italy
Alberobello Itinerary Map
Quick Summary: Things to do in Alberobello
- Hotel Astoria (Budget)
- EnjoyTrulli - Unesco Site (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Trulli e Puglia Luxury Suite (High-End)
- Alberobello: 2-Hour Guided Trulli Tour (2 hours)
- From Bari: Puglia and Matera Sightseeing Tour (1 day) 🏅 Top Pick
- Matera and Alberobello Private Day Tour from Rome (13 hours)
10 Best Things to Do in Alberobello
1. Check Out the View from Trulli Panoramic View
One of the first places I recommend you visit in Alberobello is the Trulli Panoramic View viewpoint, an observation deck located just north of Monti District (Rione Monti) where all the beautiful unique-looking truillis are located.
If you are walking from the train station to Monti, this will be the first attraction you will encounter which makes for a great introduction to this beautiful town.
From this viewpoint, you can see almost all the conical-roofed stone houses in your vicinity and the Monti district in its entirety. The jagged cones of these houses scattered atop a small hill were quite a sight to behold.
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In order to get the best view of Alberobello from this viewpoint, I highly recommend you get to the town as early as you can to avoid crowds and day trippers that will often form up pretty rapidly around this area, especially later in the day. Definitely one of the best things to do in Alberobello.
If you are visiting Alberobello from Bari, the closest big city and a travel hub in Southern Italy, you can catch the 8 AM bus leaving from Bari Bus Stop just across from Bari Train Station and you should arrive in Alberobello around 9 and cost around 6 EUR. You can book the bus ticket from here.
Where to Stay in Alberobello?
2. Stroll Around Monti District
After you are done taking photos of Monti from the viewpoint, it is time to hit the road and start exploring the famous Monti District (Rione Monti) properly.
Although the unique Trulli houses can be found all over Alberobello, the neighborhood that has the highest concentration of these houses is Monti District located right at the center of the city.
At Monti District, you will find hundreds of these unique conical-roofed stone houses, all stacked against each other along both sides of the hilly streets and alleyways that you can explore.
Despite its small size, it can take hours to thoroughly explore the neighborhood. No matter in which direction you look here, you will find something beautiful to photograph. It is THAT photogenic!
Although souvenirs and shops lined the main street of Monti, you can still find many of the houses here occupied by the locals themselves which I think makes the place even more charming.
Be sure to wear sunscreens as you explore Monti since the combination of exposed streets and the all-white-painted exteriors of these houses, it can be extremely hot and bright in the summer. There are also many notable attractions you can visit in Monti and a few of them will be discussed further in the next section.
3. Check Out Trullo Siamese
Photos by Marcok
Trullo Siamese is another notable attraction in Monti you shouldn't miss. Trullo Siamese is like any other Trulli, characterized by its conical roof made of stone slabs attached to a rectangular building.
What makes Trullo Siamese unique is that it is made up of two or more conical structures joined together to form one structure, just like the Siamese Twin, which is where it got its name.
To be honest, as a Thai (Siamese way back in the day), when I first saw the place, I thought there would be some relationship between Alberobello and the small nation of Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, it was just a name given to the place to make it sounds unique 😅.
Despite that, it is still worth checking out. Be sure to observe some of the unique features of this Trulli like even though, it is conjoined, they have 2 doors, both of which are facing a different street. You can also go inside between 9 AM to 10 PM every day as the place is currently housing a souvenir shop.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Alberobello? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
4. Shop for Souvenirs in Monti District
Talking about souvenirs, while you are in Alberobello, be sure to spend some time and shop around for souvenirs here. There are a lot of awesome artisanal handicrafts you can buy here from small magnets to olive wood carvings.
Shops like this artisan shop also sell miniature-sized models of the Trulli which makes for a great souvenir for those who are unable to make this trip with you.
This particular shop is also housed in the smallest Trulli you will find here which is pretty awesome. You can go inside and get access to the roof for an incredible view over Monti for free as well although, a donation is appreciated.
There are a ton of souvenir shops in Monti so be sure to spend some time and look around for unique things to buy like Olive wood carvings, table runners with beautiful Trulli patterns, small clay models of the Trulli houses, and so much more. Definitely one of the best things to do in Alberobello.
5. Admire the Beauty of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
One of the most unique-looking churches you will find in Alberobello is the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua located just south of Monti District just at the end of the street that ascends uphill through all the Trulli houses.
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the most important churches in Monti and what makes this church so unique is its iconic design featuring the same trulli architecture that made Alberobello so famous.
The church was only built in 1927 which is rather young compared to other churches you find in Europe but that is probably why they were able to adopt the town's identity and create a unique-looking church that stands out from any other churches in Europe.
With the all-white exterior and its multiple conical domes made out of stones, you may mistake the church for a castle straight out of a fairytale as you first approach it. Once you get inside, you will find a single nave decorated with wooden ornaments and stone arches that leads to a beautiful altar with a wooden carving of Jesus on the cross surrounded by colored frescoes.
The inside is quite beautiful and different from all the lavishly decorated churches you see in other cities in Italy. Be sure to drop by there when you are exploring Monti. The church is open from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM every day and it is free to enter.
6. Get Lost in Alberobello
Even though the highest concentration of these iconic Trulli houses is in Monti, the houses aren't specific to the neighborhood alone. There are a ton more of these houses around Alberobello that are waiting for you to explore.
Rione Aia Piccola is also another area worth exploring with a ton of these Trulli houses lined up on both sides of the street waiting for you to explore. The houses here are less maintained which provide us a more authentic look at what the houses must have looked like before it was converted into tourist attraction.
There are many more areas outside of Monti that are worth exploring so be sure to spend some time and get lost in the maze-like crisscrossing street of Alberobello and discover more of the city's true identity.
I was quite surprised to see so many of these beautiful Trulli houses outside of Monti so much so that I was enjoying myself more out here than in the crowded Monti District. If you are looking to walk around Alberobello without having to wade through crowds, be sure to explore other parts of Alberobello as well.
7. Learn More About Trulli at Trullo Sovrano
If you are interested to learn more about the history of Alberobello and how these Trulli houses came to be, I highly recommend you check out Trullo Sovrano, a heritage museum housed inside an 18th Century Trulli structure.
The place was built by a wealthy priest's family and it is one of the few 2-level Trulli you will find here. The museum is dedicated the preserving the unique Trullo way of life of the people who used to live in these conical stone houses.
Inside, you will find several rooms and sections dedicated to recreating functions of Trulli homes like a kitchen, a bedroom, and more. If you want to see how the people used to live in Trulli back in the day, be sure to check out Trullo Sovrano.
Trullo Sovrano is open from 10 AM to 12:45 PM and again from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM every day and the entrance fee is 2 EUR per person which is extremely cheap all things considered.
8. Check Out the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
Not too far from Trullo Sovrano, you will also find the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, one of the most iconic landmarks in Alberobello and you can see its double bell towers from miles away across the city.
The church, in its current Neo-Classical style, was constructed in the 19th Century dedicating to the twin saints Cosmas and Damian, patrons of Alberobello.
Inside you can find the two wooden statues of both Saints on display as well as the reliquary containing some bone fragments of the Saints. The inside is nothing special but the exterior of this church will truly turn heads as you walk past] it so be sure to check it out. The church is open from 6:30 AM to 9 PM every day and it is free to enter.
9. Go on a Walking Tour around Alberobello
One of the best ways to really understand a unique city like Alberobello is to go on an organized walking tour, that will take you to all the attractions in the city while learning more about each place from a local guide.
The walking tour I recommended last around 2 hours and the local guide will take you to all the attractions I mentioned here but as you explore, you will be able to learn much more about each place than to do it independently.
If you want to learn more about the history of Alberobello and its significance in great detail, be sure to go on this walking tour. The meeting point is in front of Trullo Sovrano and it should take no more than 2 hours to complete to tour.
10. Stay Overnight in a Trulli
Last but not least, to complete our experience in Alberobello, I highly recommend you spend a night here and get to experience what sleeping in one of these unique conical-roofed stone houses is like.
By spending overnight, you will also be able to avoid the daily crowds and see the town during its best time during the blue hours as the crowds died down and the street lamps illuminated the beautiful towns. You will have the entire place to yourself!
If you have the time to spare, be sure to spend a night in one of the Trulli houses, preferably in the Monti District. Below are some of the suggested hotels you might like in Alberobello:
- Trulli e Puglia Luxury Suite
- Trulli Aria di Casa
- Trulli e Puglia Resort
- Grandi Trulli Bed & Breakfast
How to Get to Alberobello?
The easiest way to get to Alberobello from abroad is to fly to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO). To find a cheap flight to Rome, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
From Rome Airport, you will then have to get to Rome Termini via train which should take about 30 minutes and cost 14 EUR. Once you are at Rome Termini, you will have to catch another train to Bari. This leg will take around 4 hours and cost about 60 EUR. You can book the train here.
From Bari, you can either use it as a base and visit Alberobello as a day trip or you can spend overnight in Alberobello. To get from Bari to Alberobello, you will have to catch the bus from Bari Bus Stop just across from Bari Train Station and it should take about 1 hour and cost around 6 EUR. You can book the bus ticket from here.
That is it for the 10 Incredible Things to Do in Alberobello for Solo Travelers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Alberobello, Italy! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Alberobello, Italy independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southern Italy
I hope you found this Italy travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
- Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2 Weeks Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You are going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- If you are looking for a great base to explore Puglia and Southern Italy, Bari is the best place to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Bari.
- Known for its unique cave dwellings and rock-cut architecture, Matera is one of the upcoming places for travelers to visit in Southern Italy. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Matera.
- For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Central Italy Itinerary.
- Rome needs no introduction from me. From well-trodden attractions like the Colosseum to hidden gem spots like the Appian Way, here are the 20 Best Things to Do in Rome you shouldn't miss!
- Wondering what you can do in Rome in 3 days? Check out our 3-day Backpacking Rome Itinerary.
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.