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The Trulli District, Puglia

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Day 4
Next stop: Lecce and the Heel Previous stop: The Amalfi Coast Return to full itinerary »

This area southeast of Bari, one of the oldest enclaves in Italy, is draped with wide expanses of olive groves, interspersed with idiosyncratic beehive-shaped buildings known as trulli, the likes of which are found nowhere else in the world. They date to the 13th century, and legends of varying credibility explain their origin. The town of Alberobello, in the lovely Valle d'Itria, has the greatest concentration of trulli, but for a real taste of Puglia, take time to explore other little villages as well. The food of the region is earthy and sublime.
Learn more about Alberobello »

  • Food and Wine
  • History
  • Architecture

Experiences

  • Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 1,000 trulli. The heart of town can feel touristy, but it's worth checking out nonetheless.
  • Ceglie Messapica is a charming white-washed village with top-notch restaurants.
  • Lose yourself in the narrow, twisting streets of Martina Franca, with its mix of medieval and baroque architecture.
  • Take a wine tour in Puglia; the region produces 17% of Italy's wine, some of it of very high quality.

Festivals

  • Practically every month, some village in Puglia holds a food-related festival; in July, there's a celebration of watermelon, while in October, roasted pork gets center stage.

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