Things to do in Ostuni

No. 7 of Night Attractions in Italy

Trulli, Rione Monti

Trulli, Rione Monti is one of the best-preserved complexes of conical stone dwellings in Europe. Trulli are a unique type of dry-stone construction built without mortar, relying solely on limestone blocks stacked in layers, with conical roofs formed by stones corbelled outward layer by layer. This architectural technique dates back to prehistoric times and is still used in the Itria Valley today. Originally scattered across the countryside as farmhouses, animal shelters, or storage for farm tools, Alberobello is where these trulli are clustered together. The town preserves over 1,500 trulli, mainly concentrated in two areas: the Rione Monti district in the south features approx. 1,000 conical-roofed houses, with various handicraft shops lining the streets, and many shop owners invite visitors inside to see the interior structure of the trulli; the Rione Aia Piccola district is smaller and retains a more authentic residential character, with no commercial shops, offering a quieter atmosphere perfect for a leisurely stroll. As you wander through, you will see layers of white limestone walls and gray conical roofs.

Ostuni

Trullis Zone

Trullis Zone is the iconic district of the town of Alberobello, densely packed with over a thousand trulli. Trulli are domed stone houses built using a dry-stone technique with limestone, featuring white limestone walls and gray conical stone roofs, arranged in rows along the hillside. The roofs of the stone houses are often painted with symbols in white lime wash, including both religious motifs and astrological patterns. Today, most of the trulli in the Trullis Zone have been converted into craft workshops, souvenir shops, restaurants, and homestays. Visitors can step inside the stone houses to experience the coolness provided by the thick stone walls and the unique domed spaces. The district is built along the hillside with winding cobblestone paths, making walking the ideal way to explore. Follow the slope to the top, and you will see the Church of Saint Anthony, a trullo-style church built in the 1920s. The highlight of visiting the Trullis Zone lies in wandering through the streets themselves: the roof curvature, lintel decorations, and wall colors of each stone house are unique, and many doorways are lined with hand-painted pottery, olive wood crafts, and local specialties. Walk to the viewing platform opposite the district for a panoramic view of the entire cluster of trulli spreading along the hillside, which is a great spot for capturing classic photos.

Regional Coastal Dunes Natural Park from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo

Colonna di Sant'Oronzo

Lido Morelli

Lido Bosco Verde

Castello Dentice di Frasso

Centro Storico

Camping Village Torre Pozzelle