A Pocket Guide to Locorotondo, Italy
This historic southern Italy town, with its distinctive ‘cummerse’ houses surrounding the hillsides of the Itria Valley, is often referred to as one of Puglia’s prettiest places. Judge for yourself as you wind through its historic centre and streets of traditional whitewashed houses, churches and restaurants, stopping for some regional dishes and local sparkling wine. This is your pocket guide to Locorotondo, Italy.
Explore Locorotondo and so much more by booking yourself onto a 10-day tour of southern Italy via Culture Trip.
Things to do in Locorotondo
You don’t need more than a few hours to explore Centro Storico – the pedestrianised, circular historic centre of Locorotondo – but that isn’t the way here. Relax into the slow pace of life, meandering through narrow paved alleys while marvelling at the whitewashed, balcony-clad and plant-strewn houses. Look up to spot baroque archways and traditional cummerse architecture, and don’t miss the elaborate sculpted archway of Palazzo Morelli on residential Via Morelli.
True to Italy, Locorotondo offers excellent dining. Controra bistro serves meat and cheese boards alongside excellent rural views, while you’ll get delightful seafood small plates with cocktails and limoncello at Bespoke Puglia Risto Bistrot. Be sure to search menus for local speciality u tridde – fresh pasta in turkey broth.
Wine lovers will be delighted to learn that Locorotondo is famous for its sparkling white, produced since the 1930s. Most restaurants will serve it but, for extra fun, head to the main producer nearby – Cantina del Locorotondo – for tasting sessions and cheap bottles.
Best beaches near Locorotondo
Drive half an hour from Locorontondo to reach some of Puglia’s best beaches. There’s one for every mood, group and trip, starting with the iconic Cala Porto. This small beach sits in the basin of picturesque clifftop town, Polignano a Mare. Sunbathe while marvelling at the limestone cliffs and whitewashed town, which you can explore afterwards.
Families should head to Lido Morelli, a long stretch of powdery sand with calm, shallow waters that kids will love. Amenities include a car park, sunbeds, and a bar serving drinks and snacks.
Meanwhile, get lost in nature at sandy Pilone, with its aromatic vegetation and juniper trees. Stay at the neighbouring campsite to wake up just steps from the waves.
Seeking seclusion? You’ll love Blue Flag-awarded Quarto di Monte near Monticelli. The sandy bay is surrounded by rocky cliffs, dunes and greenery.
Getting around Puglia
There’s much to explore beyond the historic centre of Locorotondo. Rent a car to drive around Puglia (a great way to beach-hop) or take short train rides from Locorotondo railway station to nearby destinations, like coastal Bari and trulli village Alberobello.
However, the best way to adventure in this stunning rural region is on two wheels. Rent an e-bike and spend the day exploring Istria Valley’s scenic countryside trails, stopping at secluded olive groves and vineyards for tasting sessions. Both come with sides of sunshine, spectacular views and, often, delicious local nibbles. Revel in passing flower meadows, rural churches and shops selling stacks of authentic local produce, then pull up at Alberobello to explore the streets of Trulli up close. Don’t worry about the heat: long-running e-bikes make for an easy journey.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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