The most beautiful villages in Valle d'Itria
Whitewashed streets, centuries-old olive groves, and clusters of trulli scattered across rolling hills. Valle d'Itria is one of the most beautiful regions in Puglia and home to some of southern Italy's most charming villages. Located between Bari, Ostuni, and the Salento, it's made for slow travel, long lunches, and leisurely drives through the countryside. From postcard-perfect Locorotondo to lesser-known gems such as Ceglie Messapica, these are the villages worth discovering.
Locorotondo
Perched on a hilltop, Locorotondo is often considered the prettiest village in Valle d'Itria. Its circular historic centre is a maze of whitewashed lanes, flower-filled balconies, and quiet piazzas. Beyond the old town, panoramic views stretch across vineyards, olive groves, and trulli-dotted countryside.
Visit in the late afternoon, when the village glows in golden light, and locals gather for an aperitivo.
Cisternino
Smaller and less polished than some of its neighbours, Cisternino feels wonderfully authentic. Narrow streets wind between whitewashed houses, while restaurants spill onto hidden squares.
The village is known for its traditional fornelli pronti, butcher shops where you choose your meat before it's grilled to order. Stay until after sunset, when the streets come alive.
Alberobello
Alberobello is Valle d'Itria's most famous village and one of the most recognisable places in Puglia. Hundreds of trulli with their distinctive cone-shaped roofs create a landscape unlike anywhere else in Italy.
Arrive early in the morning or later in the evening to experience the village at its quietest.
Martina Franca
Elegant Martina Franca offers a different side of Valle d'Itria. Baroque palaces, ornate churches, and grand piazzas give the town a refined atmosphere, while independent boutiques and wine bars bring it firmly into the present.
It's the perfect place for a leisurely lunch and an afternoon of wandering.
Ceglie Messapica
Often overlooked by visitors, Ceglie Messapica is one of Puglia's hidden gems. Known for its excellent food scene, the town combines a beautiful historic centre with a distinctly local atmosphere.
If you're looking for a village that feels less discovered than Alberobello or Ostuni, this is the place.
Ostuni
Although technically located on the edge of Valle d'Itria, Ostuni is impossible to ignore. Rising above a sea of olive trees, its whitewashed houses have earned it the nickname La Città Bianca, the White City.
Get lost in its maze of alleys before settling down on a terrace overlooking the countryside and the Adriatic Sea beyond.
Where to stay in Valle d'Itria
In Valle d’Itria, where you stay is part of the journey. After a day among whitewashed villages, olive groves, and sunlit piazzas, coming home to one of our carefully selected Nice2stay accommodations makes the experience feel complete.