Last Updated on: 10th February 2025, 06:32 am
I loved Locorotondo; it was probably my favourite spot on my two-week trip around Puglia.
It’s also an excellent base for exploring the nearby trulli town of Alberobello, but strangely and thankfully, it has far fewer visitors.
The pretty town of Locorotondo, one of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia (Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages), is gorgeous. It has excellent restaurants, cafés, and even a vineyard, but it doesn’t feel like it’s just there for tourists. And that’s what I loved about it.
The town Locorotondo is located in the Valle d’Itria (Itria Valley). It’s roughly 20 kilometres from the beaches on the Adriatic Sea and about halfway between the Bari Airport (BRI) and the Brindisi Airport (BDS).
So here’s how to have the perfect day in Locorotondo.
Enjoy Breakfast at a Local Café
Start your day with a traditional Italian breakfast. I had a lovely creamy cappuccino with a fresh pastry at the Caffè della Villa in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Try the cornetto or a pasticciotto, a local custard-filled treat. It was so good, I had two.
Explore the Centro Storico
After breakfast, work off those pastries and take a stroll through the historic centre of Locorotondo. The town is a delightful maze of narrow, winding streets and whitewashed buildings.
The town’s distinctive circular layout enhances its charm. The village is famous for its picturesque houses with sloping roofs, known locally as “cummerse,” which are topped with limestone slabs called “chiancarelle.”
Chiesa Madre San Giorgio
It’s Italy, so you have to visit at least one church. So pay a visit to Locorotondo’s main church, the Chiesa Madre San Giorgio. It’s a lovely Baroque-style church with intricate frescoes and an impressive interior.
Lunch Time
Plenty of local restaurants in Locorotondo offer authentic Puglian cuisine, such as orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe or “bombette,” small rolls of meat stuffed with cheese and herbs.
But I had the most fabulously delicious panino at Controra. It’s on Via Nardelli, the Lungomare, and has a lovely view of the Valle d’Itria.
Take A Stroll Along The Lungomare
After lunch, work off those calories and take a relaxing walk along Via Nardelli, which locals call the “Lungomare, “even though Locorotondo isn’t by the sea. This pretty street connects the beautiful Villa Comunale garden to the market square. You’ll pass by many shops, bars, and restaurants as you stroll.
The best part is the fantastic view of the Valle d’Itria. You’ll see vineyards, olive groves, and the unique Trulli houses. The street itself has lovely white terraced houses with traditional sloping roofs adding to its charm.
You can enjoy stunning views of the plains and the valley from here. On clear days, you might even see the sea in the distance.
Hang Out With The Locals And Enjoy The View From The Villa Comunale
The Villa Comunale is located at the end of the lungomare, near the entrance of the historic centre, near Piazzetta Vittorio Emanuele.
The Villa Comunale is the local park, built in the mid-1800s. It’s a great spot for locals to hang out and for visitors to take a break in a shady spot and enjoy the surroundings. It also offers great views of the countryside.
Drink the Local White Wine In A Vineyard
There’s a vineyard right in town where you can do a spot of wine tasting and enjoy a glass of wine amongst the vines.
Or sit at any of the cafés or wine bars on Via Nardelli and enjoy the view while you sip on the local DOC white wine (Locorotondo DOC), made from the vineyards you can see surrounding the town. It’s dry and fruity and perfect on a sunny day in Puglia.
Dinner at a Local Restaurant
There are several excellent restaurants in Locorotondo. I had a wonderful meal at Pavi Wine Restaurant on Via Nardelli.
Gelato and Evening Stroll
After dinner, treat yourself to a gelato from one of the local gelaterias and take a final stroll through the beautifully illuminated streets of the historic centre.
Things To Do Near Locorotondo
Alberobello
Just a 15-minute bus ride from Locorotondo, you will reach the famous trulli town of Alberobello. It is a must-visit but be prepared for crowds. Visit early, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., and you’ll have a far more enjoyable experience.
Fancy Staying In Locorotondo?
There is accommodation to suit all budgets. I stayed at the Il Pumo, a lovely apartment conveniently close to the bus stops.
How To Get To Locorotondo
Closest Airports: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport is approximately 80 km from the town, while Brindisi Papola Casale Airport is about 70 km away.
From there, the easiest and quickest way to get to Locorotondo is by car, but I like using public transport, and there are buses.
You can check bus times on Ferrovie del Sud Est via the Trainline app.
I was coming from Ostuni. I could have taken the train from Ostuni to Monopoli and then a direct bus, but I took a bus from Ostuni and changed buses in Fasano.
Google Maps will lead you to the wrong bus stop when taking the bus from Ostuni. The buses leave from Piazza Italia, which is actually more convenient and much closer to Ostuni’s centre. But I would double-check with your hotel or tourist information that this is still the case. During July and August, there are direct buses from Ostuni and other destinations in Puglia to Locorotondo.
During my two weeks without a car around Puglia, getting to Locorotondo from Ostuni was the only non-straightforward journey, and it involved taking two buses. But changing buses in Fasano turned out to be very easy, and there were plenty of people around to guide me to the right spot.
And Locorotondo is definitely worth the effort to get there!
Love Italy?
Check out these posts for other amazing places to visit around Italy.
Two Week Itinerary In Puglia Without A Car
One Perfect Day In Polignano A Mare
Visiting Alberobello, Puglia’s Trulli Town
Best Things To Do In Sestri Levante
Learning Italian in Florence & Exploring the City
Spello, A Gorgeous Town in Umbria
Ortisei Italy – A Great Base For Exploring The Dolomites
Best Towns and Villages in Umbria
Exploring Orvieto – A Fabulous And Easy Day Trip From Rome By Train
How To Spend One Full Day In Bologna
Why You Should Visit Ferrara – An Easy Day Trip From Bologna
Varenna- The Perfect Base For Exploring Lake Como
How To Spend One Full Day (and a little bit) In Milan
Four Really Easy Day Trips From Rome By Train
Diary Of A Solo Traveller On A Viking Ocean Cruise From Barcelona To Rome
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links”, meaning that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travel knowledge with you. Thank you for using the links on my website.
Save This Post For Later
