Trulli of Alberobello: Day Trips and Tours from Bari

Featuring a myriad of white-washed conical homes that date back over 350 years, the Trulli of Alberobello’s remarkable architecture is a highlight of the Puglia region. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the town attracts a wealth of history buffs, photography enthusiasts and culture lovers.

Day trips to the Trulli of Alberobello from Bari are easy to arrange and enjoyable for the whole family. Whether you decide to dedicate your visit solely to this enchanting town or explore several remarkable destinations in the area, there’s an excursion to suit you.

Here's all you need to know about the Trulli of Alberobello, one of the most exciting day trips from Bari.

How to get to the Trulli of Alberobello from Bari?

The Trulli of Alberobello are located in Puglia — also known as Apulia — in Southeastern Italy. It is approximately 50 kilometers from the coastal city of Bari.

From Bari to the Trulli of Alberobello by car

The journey to the Trulli of Alberobello by car takes just under an hour and follows the SS100 south of Bari, as far as Casamassima. Here, you’ll join the SS172, which leads you all the way to the destination.

From Bari to the Trulli of Alberobello by bus

Those without access to a car can make the jaunt to the Trulli of Alberobello by public transport instead. You can hop onto a direct bus from Bari’s Largo Sorrentino, which takes just over an hour and departs regularly throughout the day.

Guided tour to the Trulli of Alberobello from Bari

Alternatively, you can allow someone else to take care of the transportation details for you by booking a guided excursion to the Trulli of Alberobello. These tours typically last between 5 and 7 hours, and offer a convenient hotel pickup service between 9 AM and 10 AM. Once you’ve explored every destination on the itinerary, you’ll be returned back to your accommodation, which makes for a seamless trip.

What is the typical itinerary?

Each Trulli of Alberobello day trip has its own unique itinerary, however, they all share some similarities. You’ll begin your excursion by awaiting collection from a friendly guide at a predetermined time in the lobby of your hotel. Once you’ve boarded your vehicle, you’ll relax and enjoy spectacular scenery as you make your way to your first destination.

In some cases, the Trulli of Alberobello is the only location on your itinerary, and you’ll journey straight there where you’ll participate in a guided tour of the 16th-century town. However, many Trulli of Alberobello day tours head to other destinations first, such as Matera — an ancient city that was founded thousands of years before Rome. You’ll spend your day hopping between different landmarks in the Puglia region.

You may engage in guided walks through each city, or alternatively, you might have free time to discover the monuments that interest you most. Then, you’ll be transported back to your hotel where your day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Trulli of Alberobello?

There are a multitude of Trulli of Alberobello day trips available to choose between, depending on the additional landmarks you wish to see and your own personal travel style.

Half-day tour to the Trulli of Alberobello from Bari

As part of a small group, you’ll journey inland from Bari to reach Alberobello where you’ll wander through the Rione Monti, admiring the conical roofs of more than 1,000 historic Trulli constructions.

You’ll discover how this architectural style arose and how the buildings were used before moving on to the Rione Aia Piccola district of the city, littered with more medieval structures, before gaining a panoramic view over the town from a neighboring hilltop that features the 20th-century Church of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Day trip to the Trulli of Alberobello plus Matera from Bari

The first stop on this Trulli of Alberobello day trip is Matera — the third oldest city in the world. Here, you can explore a collection of 9,000-year-old cave houses, as well as rock-hewn churches that were hand-carved by monks in the Middle Ages and feature a dazzling display of intricate frescoes, depicting scenes from the Bible.

Moving on, you’ll visit the Trulli of Alberobello where you’ll roam whitewashed streets and explore the distinctive shapes of the town’s dwellings, built in the 17th century at the request of Count Giangirolamo Acquaviva.

Day tour to the Trulli of Alberobello plus Ostuni and Martina Franca from Bari

You’ll begin your Trulli of Alberobello day tour with a scenic drive through Puglia’s countryside to reach the unique destination. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy leisure time exploring the expertly-preserved buildings at your own pace before sampling local produce, which includes regional wines.

Continuing on, you’ll head to the 14th-century town of Martina Franca, which is famed for its annual opera festival where you can overlook its Baroque and Rococò architecture from a panoramic rooftop. Finally, roam the lime-washed alleys and back streets of Ostuni, which has been inhabited since the Stone Age, as well as the crowning jewel of the city — its Romanesque cathedral.

How much does a day trip to the Trulli of Alberobello from Bari cost?

Trulli of Alberobello day trips range in price, depending on a variety of factors, including whether they operate privately or in groups.

You’ll pay €160 per person for a day trip that includes both the Trulli of Alberobello and Matera in its itinerary. You’ll be part of a small group limited to eight travelers.

Day tours of the Trulli of Alberobello, Ostuni and Martina Franca cost €180 per person aged 15, and over. Groups are limited to eight participants and include food, and wine tastings, as well as round-trip transportation and entrance fees.

A  half-day trip to Trulli of Alberobello costs between €370 and €380 per group of up to eight participants. The tour lasts 5 hours in total and with the maximum number of guests in your party, you’ll each pay under €50.

What will you see and do?

Alberobello was first settled in the 16th century by a community of farmers who cultivated the land at the bequest of the Count of Conversano,  Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva d'Aragona. This group of peasants originated from Noci and were allowed to inhabit the region in exchange for 10% of their annual crops.

The community lived peacefully for over 100 years until the count of the time, Giangirolamo Acquaviva was taken to court over tax avoidance of his properties. He denied the existence of all dwellings and invited the court to his land in a bid to prove his innocence. As such, before the law enforcers arrived, he demolished all of the homes in the area and banished his people into the surrounding woodlands. Once the inspection was complete and deemed satisfactory, the citizens were welcomed back onto the land.

However, the count enforced a caveat, which allowed the people to only build homes that were quick and easy to destroy in case of another assessment. From here, the Trullis you see today were born, using bricks without any mortar to appease the count. This rule stayed in place until the end of the 18th century when the area was officially declared a town.

From this point onward, the citizens were free to build properties as they pleased, however, they continue construction in this characteristic style.

When is the best time to visit Trulli of Alberobello?

The best time to visit Alberobello would be spring and autumn when the weather is mild and comfortable and the village is less crowded. The temperatures range from around 15°C to 25°C, providing pleasant conditions for exploring the Trulli and its surroundings.

However, the village is open year-round and offers its unique charm in every season. Consider your preferences, weather conditions, and the type of experience you desire when planning your visit.

Travel tips

• Visit the Trullo Sovrano, a two-story Trullo that has been converted into a museum, to learn about the history, construction techniques, and symbolism of the Trulli.
• Visit early in the morning or later in the evening so you can appreciate the Trulli houses in a more serene setting. Alberobello can get quite busy with tourists during the day.  
• Try local cuisine made with local ingredients, such as orecchiette pasta, burrata cheese, and olive oil. Don't forget to try the delicious almond-based sweets called "pezzi di rocca".
• Remember to respect the privacy of the residents who still live in the Trulli houses and be mindful of the signs indicating private property.