Best Things To Do In Alberobello, Italy: A Magical Trulli Town

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Alberobello, Italy, you’ll quickly discover that this small town in Puglia feels almost like stepping into a fairytale. Alberobello is one of the most unique places to visit in Southern Italy. Famous for its beautiful trulli houses topped with cone-shaped roofs.

Despite becoming increasingly popular with tourists, Alberobello still manages to feel incredibly charming, especially in the quieter streets beyond the main trulli district.

From wandering through the historic streets to staying overnight in a traditional trulli house, there are many wonderful things to do in Alberobello. Whether you’re visiting as part of a Southern Italy road trip or planning a longer stay in Puglia, this UNESCO-listed town is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

We have visited Alberobello multiple times. Most recently, with our children, and while this guide is not specifically focused on kids’ activities, I will include some tips for visiting Alberobello as a family.

So, in this guide, we’ll be sharing the best things to do in Alberobello. Including where to stay, how long you need, and everything you should know before visiting this magical trulli town.

Where Is Alberobello, Italy?

Alberobello is a small town in the Puglia region of Southern Italy, located in the province of Bari. It sits in the beautiful Itria Valley. An area known for its rolling countryside, olive groves, whitewashed towns, and traditional trulli houses.

Alberobello is easy to include as part of a wider Southern Italy itinerary. Read our full 10-day route here. We drove from Naples, which took around 3 hours, but it’s only around a one-hour drive from Bari (the closest airport).

Most visitors come to Alberobello to see its famous UNESCO-listed trulli districts. However, the town also makes a great base for exploring more of Puglia. Whether you visit on a day trip or stay overnight in a traditional trulli house, Alberobello is one of the most unique destinations in Italy.

What Are the Alberobello Trulli Houses?

The trulli houses in Alberobello are what make this town so famous. They are traditional stone buildings with distinctive cone-shaped roofs that have become one of the most recognisable symbols of Puglia.

They are uniquely built using local limestone and constructed without mortar. Many of these unique houses date back hundreds of years. They were originally designed to be easily dismantled to avoid taxation during the Kingdom of Naples.

While some trulli are now used as shops, restaurants, and museums, many have also been transformed into beautiful hotels and guesthouses, allowing visitors to stay inside these historic buildings.

The two main trulli districts in Alberobello are Rione Monti, which is the busiest and most photographed area. Then Rione Aia Piccola, which feels much quieter and more residential.

Wandering through the narrow streets lined with whitewashed trulli honestly feels unlike anywhere else in Italy. It is easily one of the highlights of visiting Alberobello. So, I was keen to take my kids here while they were still young enough to believe it really was a magical fairytale village!

Is Alberobello Worth Visiting?

In my opinion, yes! Alberobello is absolutely worth visiting. I actually planned our whole Southern Italy road trip around showing my kids this tiny, magical town!

While the town has become very popular with tourists, and some people do say it is a bit overrated, to me, it still feels incredibly unique. The historic trulli houses and charming streets set it apart from other destinations. There really isn’t anywhere else quite like it.

Although you can see the main sights in a day, Alberobello is one of those places that feels worth slowing down for. Between the beautiful trulli districts, local food, boutique stays, and scenic countryside, it ended up being one of our favourite stops in Southern Italy.

What to See & Things To Do in Alberobello, Italy

Below, we will share all the best things to do in Alberobello. Further down the post, I have also included a useful map to help you plan your itinerary.

Wander Around Rione Monti (The Most Famous Trulli District)

Rione Monti, or the Trulli Zone, is the main area of Alberobello. Here, you will find over 1000 traditional Trulli houses. This is the most magical area to explore, and really, the best thing to do in Alberobello.

This area is also the main tourist area and can get very busy. If you like to explore without the crowds, I would advise avoiding weekends. Or arriving early in the morning to beat the rush.

Alternatively, if you are like us and happen to be in Alberebello during a rainstorm, the streets will also be much quieter.

We chose to explore this area at our own pace, as I find that way to work best with children. I have included some of the top things to do and see further down in this guide. Or, if you prefer, you can book a walking tour, hosted by a local guide.

Stay in a Traditional Trulli House

For me, staying in one of these fascinating Alberobello trulli was a must-do activity in Southern Italy. I spent a lot of time researching where to stay on this trip and decided Alberobello was the perfect base. After all, it was the main place I wanted to show my kids.

We usually pick accommodation in a central location. This would work especially well in Alberobello if you are looking to explore early in the morning, before the main crowds arrive.

I strongly considered Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso. This looks like a lovely traditional stay right in the centre of Alberobello.

After a lot of consideration, we ended up booking Trulli Arborea, which was around a half-hour walk from the town. I chose this trulli as it was a bit more spacious and had a pretty outdoor area for my children to play in. This trulli was beautifully decorated, and we very much enjoyed our stay!

👉 Check current availability on all Alberobello Trulli stays here.

Spot Ancient Symbols on the Trulli

A fun thing to do in Alberobello, especially for kids, is to spot the white symbols painted onto the roofs of some of the trulli houses. These mysterious markings are thought to have both spiritual and decorative meanings. Many of the symbols are believed to offer protection, bring good luck, or represent religious beliefs.

As you wander, you’ll notice a variety of different symbols, including crosses, hearts and zodiac signs. Some symbols are linked to ancient mystical traditions. Others were added more recently as a way of preserving local customs and attracting visitors.

The symbols are usually painted using white limewash, which stands out against the darker stone roofs and adds even more character to the town’s fairytale appearance.

Looking out for the different designs became one of our favourite little details while exploring Alberobello. It’s worth slowing down to spot some of the more unusual ones as you walk around the historic streets.

I have included a photo below which shows the meanings of these fascinating symbols. Unfortunately, it is all in Italian, so if you’re English like me, you will have to consult Google Translate. You can find this sign on the wall outside a restaurant called La Locanda del Gallo.

See Trullo Siamese

Trullo Siamese is more of a thing to see in Alberobello, rather than a thing to do. Located in the Rione Monti area is the unusual Siamese trulli.

These unique trulli have two cone-shaped roofs that appear to be joined together. This makes them stand out from the other houses in Alberobello.

According to local legend, the Trulli Siamese belonged to two brothers who fell in love with the same woman. After tensions between them grew, the home was divided into two separate living spaces. Each has its own entrance facing a different street.

While the story is likely more folklore than fact, it’s become one of the most well-known legends in Alberobello and adds to the town’s fairytale atmosphere. My children found this tale rather fascinating!

Even though it is only a brief stop, the Trulli Siamesi are worth seeing while exploring Alberobello’s historic streets and are one of the town’s most photographed landmarks.

I did read that you can go inside, and it is a gift shop; however, during our visit, it was closed.

Learn How People Used to Live at Trullo Sovrano

Trullo Sovrano is a small but fascinating museum that offers a glimpse into what life inside a traditional trullo would have been like many years ago.

Inside, you can see how the kitchen, bedroom, and living spaces would have originally been arranged, helping bring the history of the trulli to life.

While it doesn’t take long to explore, we found it really interesting. It also makes a great rainy day activity in Alberobello.

One of the most unusual things about Trullo Sovrano is that it is the only trullo in Alberobello with two floors connected by an internal staircase. When the house was designed, the staircase was cleverly built into the thick wall between the kitchen and living room. Upstairs, you will find an additional two small rooms.

Entry costs €2.50 for anyone over 5, with under-5s visiting for free. You pay as you arrive, and that also takes card payments.

Pick Up a Souvenir

As I mentioned, Alberobello is quite a touristy town, but hey, we are tourists! You will see a lot of little souvenir shops, selling all sorts of trulli-themed trinkets. The town’s economy largely relies on income from tourists. I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable a lot of the keepsakes were.

My children have started to choose a magnet from every destination we visit, and they really enjoyed picking one out.

Look Inside the Museum of the Territory

The Museum of the Territory is a unique museum inside 15 interconnected trulli. Here, you can learn about the history of Puglia.

I did not take into account that by avoiding the weekend crowds and visiting Alerelabello on a Monday, this museum would be closed.

Map of all the Things to do in Alberobello

Here is a map of all the places I have talked about in this post. It is an interactive map; simply click on the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.

The Alberebello locations are the red pins, while the purple ones focus on another small town in Puglia called Martina Franca. We visited Martina Franca as a day trip, and I would recommend it. Read our full Martina Franca guide here.

We had hoped to explore more of Pulia on this trip, but the terrible weather had other plans!

Visiting Alberobello With Kids: Tips for Families

If, like us, you’re planning a visit to Alberobello as a family, you may be wondering if it’s suitable for children.

While there aren’t any specifically kids-focused activities in this town, my children had a lovely time in Alberobello. My 6-year-old has requested to go back “at least one more time before he turns 18, ideally when it’s not raining!”

Is Alberobello Stroller-Friendly?

I had read that Alberobello was not stroller (pushchair) friendly. I decided to take ours anyway, as I booked our accommodation about a 30-minute walk from the main trulli zone. Alberobello is set on a hill, so there are a fair number of steps. While this doesn’t make it ideal for a stroller, the steps are quite shallow and wide, so it wasn’t too tricky. We love our Joolz Aer travel stroller.

If you can manage without a stroller, then I would recommend you do so.

Keep Expectations Relaxed

As there aren’t that many things to do in Alberobello, it is best enjoyed at a slower, relaxed pace. We found that simply wandering through the streets, spotting different trulli symbols, stopping for a drink (or gelato if you’re visiting on a warmer day) and exploring little shops was enough to keep the experience enjoyable without overplanning the day.

Watch Your Step

Some of the streets of Alberobello are steep and can be a little slippery, especially in the rain. Be sure to hold on to young children’s hands to avoid them falling down!

Where to Stay in Alberobello

I already mentioned that one of the best things to do in Alberobello, Italy, is to stay overnight in a trulli.

While many people visit Alberobello as a day trip, staying a night or two really is a magical, bucket-list experience.

If you’re only planning to spend one night, Trulli Holiday Albergo Diffuso would have been my choice. Located in the main tourist area of Alberobello, you could easily get out early to explore before all the day trippers arrive.

As we were staying a little longer to explore more of Pulia, we decided to stay at Trulli Arborea. It was around half an hour walk to the trulli zone.

Booking Trulli Arborea was a perfect choice. It’s a bit more spacious and has a dedicated parking space. What really sold it to me was the pretty outdoor area. I imagined us sitting outside with a glass of wine while our children played.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and we ended up spending a lot of our stay inside the trulli itself.

This was a really lovely stay, and I would recommend it!

👉 Check current availability on all Alberobello Trulli stays here.

FAQs About Alberobello

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to do in Alberobello, Italy

Alberobello is easily one of the most unique places to visit in Puglia, and although it is quite touristy, it completely lived up to its fairytale reputation. From wandering through the historic trulli streets to staying overnight in a traditional stone house, Alberobello feels unlike anywhere else in Italy.

Although many people visit on a quick day trip, we found it much more enjoyable to slow down and spend longer exploring the quieter streets and nearby towns like Martina Franca. Whether you’re visiting as part of a Southern Italy road trip or planning a longer stay in Puglia, Alberobello is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you plan your trip and given you plenty of ideas for the best things to do in Alberobello, Italy. It may be small, but this magical trulli town is definitely one of those places that you will remember forever.

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on the best things to do in Alberobello, Italy. We wish you an amazing experience in Puglia. After Alberobello, we countinued our road trip on to Matera, be sure to read our Matera guide next!

Happy Exploring,