A Short Guide to Locorotondo | Puglia's Prettiest Little Town
Looking for things to do in Locorotondo, where to stay, how to get there - or just trying to work out whether it's somewhere you'd like to visit on your Puglia road trip?
Then our short guide to Locorotondo should have you covered.
Fully updated in January 2026
Away from the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean and the cute seaside towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, there lies a stunning green expanse of countryside known as Valle d'Itria. Dotted with iconic whitewashed trulli and abundant olive groves, its narrow winding lanes lead from one pretty little village to the next; there is however one in particular that we implore you to visit.
Locorotondo.
A name that flows from our lips in the most wonderful of ways, and a delightful place truly deserving of the acolade 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy).
The Locorotondo Essentials
Tour / If you’re based in Ostuni but keen to explore the Val d’itria, consider this popular guided tour of Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni (plus food tasting).
Views / Take in the vistas from the Lungomare
Holy / Don’t miss Locorotondo’s charming churches
Drink / Try the local wine at Pavì Wine Restaurant
Cycle / Join an e-bike tour that passes through Locorotondo and the other pretty villages of the Val d’Itria
Stay / Our favourite Airbnb or Da Concavo e Convesso, a charming guesthouse.
Why You Should Visit Locorotondo
For the flâneurs amongst us, the most fabulous thing about Locorotondo is the lack of determinable tourist attractions. This is a town to simply get lost in for a few hours. To leave the new town and enter the old, to wander tiny streets, to sit in the sun and sink a couple of aperol spritz, perhaps peruse one of the of many beautiful ateliers or dine fuori at one of the impossibly cute side-streets restaurants , but mostly, to just enjoy.
We visited countless villages, towns and cities during our time in Puglia, but this particular place perched upon a hill, may just have been the most beautiful of them all. And in a region as spectacular as Puglia, that should be reason enough to visit - even if it's only for a few hours.
Did you know? Locorotondo’s old town is defined by its cummerse - steep, sloping limestone roofs that sit atop narrow houses and give the historic centre its crisp, angular profile, setting it apart from other towns in the Valle d’Itria.
Things To Do In Locorotondo
Leaving our rental car parked in the shade of a waxy palm, we slowly made our way from the newer (but equally beautiful) part of the town, and into the centro storico. Here amongst a maze of whitewashed lanes, crumbling facades and grand baroque archways, we explored for hours.
As we mentioned earlier, this is exactly the reason that you come to Locorotondo, but for those that like to have a few things to cross of their list, here are a few suggestions.
The Views from the Lungomare | Being perched atop a big hill, Locorotondo is a fantastic place from which to survey the spectacular countryside around. Whilst views can be garnered from many spots in the city, for the very best vistas head to the limit of this hill-top town (easy to find in the small centro storico) and the small street that encircles its highest point. Known somewhat confusingly as the ‘lungomare’, despite being quite some distance from the sea, this route offers spectacular panoramic views of the valley below, with vineyards, olive groves, an trulli.
Be sure to pop into the 19th century gardens (Villa Comunale) on your way around, especially if visiting in the summer when you may well be thankful for a bit of shade! Find it here on Google Maps.
Photography | The narrow streets that lead east from the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele were, at least during our visit, home to a captivating open air photography exhibit, with images old and new depicting life in this small town. If it's still there, we certainly suggest you make a bee-line for it. The tourist office in the Piazza has more information on the area.
Explore the Churches | Even the smallest town in Italy will have several ageing Catholic churches - and Locorotondo is no different. Undeniably beautiful as they are imposing, they're usually worth at least popping your head into. Chiesa Madre di San Giorgio (maps) - located at the highest point of the village - Santuario di San Rocco (maps) and the attractive Romanesque Chiesa della Madonna della Greca (maps) are the three most impressive in town.
Please note that opening times can be a little variable, so for greatest chance of finding them open, we'd recommend visiting in the early morning (these are also still working churches, so be mindful of services).
Shop & See | As Locorotondo has grown in popularity, so too have the number of boutique shops, and creative spaces.
Stop by Vicious Store for street style pieces and vinyl, VIDA Concept Store for contemporary design, Hipster Store for, well, cool clothing, and Ceramiche Pugliesi for local ceramics. Art lovers - especially those with an interest in contemporary forms - should check out 1m2 Art Exhibit, uJùse Spazio Espositivo (which also hosts night time events) and Esseri Urbani.
Palazzo Morelli | One of the few buildings in Locorotondo that breaks from the town’s otherwise modest domestic scale, Palazzo Morelli stands out for its ornate Baroque façade, which feels deliberately grand against the narrow streets of the centro storico.
The building is privately owned and - we believe - no longer open to visitors, but it’s still worth seeking out for the exterior alone. Find it on Google Maps.
Wine Tasting | Locorotondo’s local speciality is Bianco Locorotondo DOC, a crisp, dry white wine traditionally made from a blend of Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano, often with Minutolo in the mix. It’s widely poured across the Valle d’Itria and easy to find by the glass in town if you know what to ask for.
Until relatively recently, visitors could go straight to the source at Cantina Sociale del Locorotondo, but the cooperative has now closed to visitors, meaning tastings in Locorotondo itself are largely limited to wine bars and restaurants rather than formal cellar-door experiences.
That said, there are still a few good places to drink locally:
· Pavì Wine Restaurant - a solid choice for trying regional wines alongside food, with a lovely terrace overlooking the Val d’Itria (maps)
· La Bottega de I Pastini - a relaxed spot focused on local producers (maps)
· Vinifera Vini & Affini - small, informal, and good for a casual glass rather than a structured tasting (maps)
Alternatively, if you’re keen on a proper winery visit, there are a couple of excellent options a short drive from Locorotondo including I Pastini and Cantina Cardone, both of which offer tastings.
Visit During a Festival | Join in the festivities on one of two patron saint days. Opt for a grand market fair for San Giorgio on the 22nd and 23rd of April or music and fireworks for San Rocco on 16th August.
Also in early August, VIVA! Festival takes place at the nearby Arena Valle d’Itria (less than a 15 minute walk from the centre of Locorotondo) with a programme focused on electronic and experimental music, drawing performers and audiences from across Italy and beyond. Find out more on the official website.
Join A Walking Tour | We cannot source a group walking tour for Locorotondo specifically but if you’d got the budget and would prefer a more intimate experience, consider joining up with a private guide for a 2 hour walking tour.
Restaurant Tip // If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a slow lunch, consider the excellent Osteria Il Rosone (maps). The interiors are beautiful, the food excellent, with a menu that’s bursting with Puglian produce and dishes - some traditional, some inspired.
Where To Stay In Locorotondo
As the popularity of Puglia as a holiday destination amongst foreign travellers has increased, so too have the prices of accommodation.
The good news is that Locorotondo is still really quite affordable which is ideal given it’s an ideal base from which to discover the Val d’Itria and hotspots like Alberobello.
Apartments In Locorotondo
There is a relatively large number of airbnbs and apartments considering the size of Alberobello; these are our top picks:
Ughetto | If we were heading back to Locorotondo, this is the place we’d book in a heartbeat! A traditional one-bed property in the heart of the old town, but with a stylish and contemporary makeover - it’s just gorgeous!
Bel Panorama | Another traditional apartment that has been pleasantly modernised, but offering two bedrooms as well as a small balcony over looking the lungomare and providing incredible views with your morning cup of coffee (or early evening wine!).
Panoramic Mini Apartment | A truly glorious little bolt-hole for a couple in a historic stone building. The real highlight? The private rooftop terrace.
If a large panoramic terrace sounds perfect to you, also take a look at Anna’s Little House.
Palazzo Gentile | A large one-bed apartment which seamlessly combines the buildings period features with contemporary styling. Split over two floors, it’s a huge space and benefits from a private balcony overlooking the old town.
Trulli Nannì | If your dream is to stay in a trulli, then this one located in countryside (but only a short distance from the centre of Locorotondo) is a fabulous option. Set within olive groves, the interiors are beautiful and guests even have access to a jacuzzi!
Central Apartment | If you’re a family looking for a little more space, consider this modern three-bedroom apartment a couple of minutes walk form the old town. It also has parking.
Other Airbnbs to consider include the two-bed Bella Vista Residence, Umberto’s Roof, Bella Itria, and Le Tre Chiese.
If you're looking for an apartment but would prefer to book through a traditional site, booking.com has a whole bunch of them too.
Hotels / B&Bs In Locorotondo
Hotels, in the traditional sense, don't really exist in Locorotondo, so the below selection includes B&Bs and small trulli (some with self-catering facilities) that will also provide breakfast - ideal if you're only in town for a night or two.
Da Concavo e Convesso | A beautiful old B&B in the centre of the old town, it has been lovingly restored and is now run by a local family. Francesco speaks perfect English and his 'mama' is always on hand to provide freshly made Italian treats. A great choice.
Domus San Giovanni | This super popular B&B offers comfortable, stylishly furnished and modern rooms with excellent reviews. They even have a couple of apartments if you’d like a kitchenette.
B&B Lamie Di Olimpia | Located a little out of town (around a 10 minute walk), this modernised traditional trullo is great for those without a car but wanting a countryside trulli experience. Run by the most helpful of chaps, guests have only good things to say about their experience here.
If you don’t mind being a short distance from the centre of Locorotondo and you’re looking for somewhere a little extra special, you simply have to check out Ottolire Resort.
How To Get To Locorotondo
Both times we’ve visited Locorotondo, we’ve done so as part of a large road trip (this was our itinerary for that first Puglia road trip), and highly recommend this as the best way to discover the region.
Car rental is available at Bari and Brindisi airports (we used Auto Europe to compare prices and book our Puglia rentals), and we recommend you read our road trip and driving advice for Puglia before setting off.
Parking | As with many small Italian towns, finding a parking spot in Locorotondo can be a little tricky. Certainly, there is plenty of street parking, however finding a free spot is challenging. Unless you are arriving super early or travelling during low season, we'd recommend you park in one of the larger parking lots a little outside the old town: aim for the paid parking just outside the old town around Piazza Aldo Moro.
Additionally, it’s important to note the the centro storico is in a ZTL - a restricted traffic zone - so don’t assume you can ‘just nip in’ to drop bags or loop around for a space; doing so will result in a costly fine, even if you’re only there for a few minutes.
By Tour | There are now plenty of tours from popular cities and towns all over Puglia that visit Locorotondo as part of a tour:
· Ostuni / Visit Alberobello, Locorotondo (and have brunch there plus and olive oil tasting), before returning to Ostuni for a guided tour.
· Brindisi / Visit Alberobello (plus enjoy a local food tasting), then Locorotondo before continuing on to Ostuni. A guided tour but with free time also.
· Lecce / This tour visits Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni, and includes brunch and an olive oil tasting. Possible to do as a group tour as well as a private experience.
Locorotondo by Train | There are currently no direct trains from Bari to Locorotondo. Instead you will need to take a bus to Putignano and then transfer to a train. This makes what is actually a realtviely manageable distance into quite an epic journey for a day trip!
There are however regular, quick trains to an from other touristic towns and villages in the Valle d'Itria, including Alberobello and Martina Franca.
Alberobello station is located a short walk from the historic centre, here on google maps. It’s only around 10 minutes but it’s uphill on the way back, which matters in summer heat or with luggage.
Do note that on Sundays, the train is replaced with a bus.
Locorotondo by Bus | From Bari, there is a direct bus to Locorotondo that takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs around €5 per person. Do note that the buses do not leave from the centre of Bari, rather a station on the outskirts of the old town.
To book train tickets in Puglia we recommend Trenitalia or, if you prefer an app, Omio which provides buses and train times across Europe.
Travel Better in Puglia
14 Things to Know Before a Puglia Road Trip
Our Puglia Road Trip Itinerary
8 Reasons to Fall in Love With Puglia
A Short Guide to Alberobello | Puglia’s Trulli Town
A Short Guide to Bari | Your Gateway to Puglia
A Short Guide to Polignano a Mare | Puglia’s Most Famous Beach
A Short Guide to Ostuni | The White City
A Short Guide to Monopoli | A Base by the Sea in Puglia
17 Really Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Puglia
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Lecce | The Florence of the South

