Alberobello is a great place to stay to enjoy the beautiful historic old town of trulli (and perhaps stay in one). It also is central to many fantastic locations in the Puglia region. Here are some ideas for day trips from Alberobello that will help you to discover the best of Puglia.
Polignano a Mare
The town of Polignano a Mare situated on the Adriatic coast has become extremely popular for tourists, both local and international, as it boasts some iconic beaches (think Lama Monachile, a pebble beach also known as Cala Porto, and the Ponte dei Lapilli – a cove nestled at the bottom of a cliff).
The area is also infamous for Grotte Palazzese, a unique restaurant housed in grotto. If the prices here don’t suit you, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants nearby the beach with a spectacular view of the sea.
If you don’t want to sit on the beach all day, perhaps head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Pino Pascali, or the San Vito Abbey – a Romanesque church and a 16th-century tower overlooking the sea.
Castellana Grotte
One of the most important natural attractions in Puglia is the Grotte di Castellana, which was formed around 90 million years ago. Make sure to enjoy a tour here that will wind a distance of 3km through the 60m deep caves of remarkable stalactites, stalagmites, concretions, fossils and canyons of different sizes, shapes and colours.
Join our Enchanted Puglia tour, which includes a day trip to Polignano a Mare.
Monopoli
While much bigger than Polignano a Mare, Monopoli boasts less tourists, but still offers a number of beaches, cafes and restaurants to enjoy. The town was founded around 500BC by the Greeks, and is dotted with whitewashed buildings and beautiful stone churches. Enjoy a walk along the port and stop in Porta Vecchia to see the traditional blue and red boats of the local fishermen.
Ostuni
The beautiful whitewashed Old Town is a spectacular site even as you approach. The architecture combines Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements, while the town gates remain from medieval times. Walk up to the top of the town to the citadel (an easy walk) and enjoy the maze of streets filled with small bars, cafes and beautiful shops full of artisanal crafts.
Alta Murgia National Park
If you would like to discover some of Puglia’s flora and fauna, take a day trip to Alta Murgia National Park. Established on 2004, the park is famous for its natural inhabitants, as well as the ancient local architecture and castles in the area. There are 13 towns that surround the park so it makes a fantastic exploratory day trip.
Castel del Monte
This Norman castle is one of the most famous in the area and is UNESCO World Heritage listed. It is set among beautiful hills and was built atop a mountain so it could dominate the surrounding terrain.
