Locorotondo: history and charm
Nestled in the heart of the Itria Valley, Locorotondo is a village that immediately captivates with its name - which derives from the Latin Locus Rotundus, “round place” - and its circular urban structure, made up of white houses, pointed roofs, and concentric alleys radiating out from the centre. Visit Puglia+2Touring Club Italiano+2
Its origins are ancient: the first settlements in the area date back as far as the third millennium B.C. Visit Apulia. The village, as we know it today, began to take shape in the Middle Ages; over the centuries it passed under various dominions (including the Principality of Taranto) until it took its current name in 1834. Italian Touring Club+1
With its location on a hill about 410 metres high and with a perfectly preserved historic centre, Locorotondo is today recognised as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and has also been awarded the “Orange Flag” by the Touring Club for the quality of its historical and landscape heritage
What to see and do in Locorotondo
Old town and “cummerse” - Strolling through the white paved streets, flowered balconies and stone portals, one breathes in an atmosphere suspended in time. The typical houses with sloping roofs - the “cummerse” - are a unique alternative to the famous trulli in the area. Touring Club Italiano+2Visit Puglia+2
Mother Church of San Giorgio Martire - Built between 1790 and 1825, with an imposing façade and Baroque interior enriched with frescoes, stucco work and fine details: a remarkable example of local religious architecture.
Palazzo Morelli and the historic civic centre - An elegant 18th-century palace with balconies, decorations and a central location that tells the village's noble history.
Belvederes and panoramas over the Itria Valley - From Locorotondo's Villa Comunale and other vantage points, there are breathtaking views of olive groves, vineyards and trulli: perfect settings for postcard-perfect photographs.
Trulli, masserie and surrounding countryside - In the surrounding area there are restored trulli, ancient masserie, olive groves and vineyards: ideal for those who love nature, relaxation and the rural charm of Apulia.
Traditions, food and wine and rural culture - Locorotondo is surrounded by vineyards that produce the famous Locorotondo DOC, a fresh and harmonious white wine, and olive oil is an integral part of the local cuisine.
Where to sleep in Locorotondo: an authentic stay
In Locorotondo you will not find big chain hotels, but a selection of accommodation designed for those seeking authenticity and charm. Natania Travel+2Holiday Deals
In the historic centre - Solutions such as flats or “albergo diffuso” (e.g. “Sotto le Cummerse”) allow you to immerse yourself in the magic of the village, with alleys and restaurants within walking distance.
Masserias, trulli and agritourisms in the countryside - For those seeking relaxation and nature, facilities such as Masseria Aprile, Tenuta del Lauro or restored trulli offer rooms surrounded by olive groves, often with a swimming pool, perfect for slow, regenerating holidays
Where to eat: flavours of Puglia in Locorotondo
Here are some recommended addresses to enjoy the local cuisine:
Ristorante U Curdunn - Cosy ambience and traditional dishes such as orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with turnip tops), perfect for savouring the real Puglia.
Bina Ristorante di Puglia - For a more refined dinner: creative dishes and local reinterpretations, often accompanied by local wines.
Pietranuda - Specialising in barbecued meat, ideal for those looking for a robust and tasty meal after a day of sightseeing.
Pavì wine restaurant - Great for an aperitif or a light dinner: terrace with a view, good local wine and a relaxed atmosphere.
Why choose Locorotondo: an authentic and evocative experience
Locorotondo is not just a village to admire: it is a place to live. Here, history, architecture, nature and cuisine come together in an authentic experience, far from mass tourism. Those who visit Locorotondo can immerse themselves in the tranquillity of its streets, breathe in the smell of the white of the houses and the sun on the stone, sip a DOC wine while watching the Itria Valley at sunset, sleep in a trullo or a masseria, and wake up with the sound of birds singing.
It is perfect for couples seeking romance, for those who love photography, for food and wine enthusiasts, and for those who want to discover the most authentic Apulia.
🌿 3-DAY ITINERARY IN LOCOROTONDO
(with what to see, realistic times, local tips, wineries, restaurants)
⭐ DAY 1 - Discovering Locorotondo
Morning - Arrival and walk through the village
Explore the historic centre among whitewashed alleys, flower-filled balconies and romantic arches.
Admire the typical cummerse, the houses with sloping roofs.
Stop at the Mother Church of San Giorgio Martire for local Baroque art.
📸 Tip: Go early to enjoy the semi-empty village: the morning light makes the white of the houses almost golden.
Lunch
U’ Curdunn - authentic Apulian cuisine, with excellent orecchiette and homemade dishes.
Alternatively: board + glass of Locorotondo DOC in a wine bar in the centre.
Afternoon - Sightseeing and relaxation
A walk to the Villa Comunale, where one of the most exciting belvederes in the Itria Valley opens up.
From here you can also take a walk through vineyards, trulli and masserie (easy route, 30-40 minutes).
Aperitif
Pavì Wine Restaurant - perfect panoramic terrace at sunset.
Dinner
Bina Ristorante di Puglia - refined, creative cuisine and local products.
Sleep
Sotto Le Cummerse (in the village, romantic atmosphere)
Or: Masseria Aprile (among olive trees and country air)
⭐ DAY 2 - Alberobello + winery + typical dinner
Morning - Alberobello (10 minutes by car)
Dedicated to a classic:
A visit to the trulli of Rione Monti
Walk in the quieter Aia Piccola
Ascent to Belvedere Santa Lucia for the “postcard” photo”
⏱ Recommended duration: 2-3 hours.
Lunch
You can choose a simple place among the trulli or return to Locorotondo.
Afternoon - Tasting in a wine cellar
Head back to Locorotondo and have a wine experience.
Recommended wineries:
🍇 Cantina Sociale di Locorotondo - the most historic, excellent DOC whites.
🍇 I Pastini - beautiful location among vineyards and renovated trulli.
🍇 Tenute Girolamo - for those who like more structured wines.
They usually offer:
visit to the vineyards
wine trulli tours
tasting
local products
Duration: 1.5-2 hours.
Late afternoon - Relaxation on the farm
If you are sleeping in a trullo or a masseria with a swimming pool, now is the perfect time.
Dinner
Pietranuda - barbecued meat, cosy ambience.
Or: typical dinner in a masseria (many offer tasting menus).
⭐ DAY 3 - Martina Franca + Cisternino or Ostuni
Morning - Martina Franca (10 minutes from Locorotondo)
Elegant, baroque, lively.
Worth seeing:
Basilica of St Martin
Piazza Maria Immacolata (one of the most beautiful squares in Puglia)
Ducal Palace
Perfect for photos and shopping for handicrafts.
Lunch
Taste the famous capocollo di Martina Franca (Slow Food presidium).
Afternoon - Two options
🔹 Cisternino (romantic and slow)
A stroll through white alleyways
Atmospheric landscapes in the Daic Mountains
Typical: “fornelli pronti”, butcher shops that cook meat at the moment
or
🔹 Ostuni, the White City
25-30 min from Locorotondo.
Spectacular historic centre
Up and down through white alleys
Sea view from vantage point
Closing dinner
In Cisternino: butcher-butcher's shop ready
In Ostuni: restaurants in the historic centre
In Locorotondo (if you return): Bina or Pavì
🛏 Where to sleep (summary)
🌿 For romance
Under the Cummerse (historic centre)
🐚 For nature and relaxation
Masseria Aprile
Trulli “I Pastini”
Tenuta del Lauro
👨👩👧 For families
Farmhouse with swimming pool in the Itria Valley
🍽 Where to eat (summary)
U’ Curdunn - pure tradition
Bina - refined
Pietranuda - excellent meat
Pavì - view and local wines
Locorotondo: what to see, what to do, history, itinerary and advice on where to sleep and eat
Locorotondo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a jewel of the Itria Valley famous for its white historic centre, the sloping roofs called cummerse, vineyards and breathtaking views. In this comprehensive guide you will find everything you need to organise your visit: history, what to see, recommended itinerary, experiences, best restaurants and places to stay.
History of Locorotondo
The name Locorotondo derives from Locus Rotundus, or “round place”, and refers to the characteristic circular shape of the historic centre. The first human evidence in the area dates back to the 3rd millennium B.C., while the village developed fully in the Middle Ages. Over the centuries it became an important agricultural centre known for its wine and oil production, earning awards such as the Orange Flag and entry among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
What to see in Locorotondo
1. Historical centre and cummerse
A tangle of white alleys, stone arches, flower-filled balconies and quaint houses with sloping roofs. Perfect for romantic walks and unforgettable photographs.
2. Mother Church of St. George Martyr
A majestic building in late Baroque style with precious interiors and a solemn atmosphere. An unmissable stop.
3. Morelli Palace
One of the most elegant buildings in the village, with carved balconies and a spectacular stone portal. Ideal for lovers of architecture.
4. Belvedere of the Villa Comunale
An extraordinary vantage point on the Itria Valley, where trulli, olive trees and vineyards make up one of Puglia's most iconic landscapes.
5. Trulli, farms and the countryside
The countryside around Locorotondo is a rural mosaic of trulli, dry stone walls and olive groves. Perfect for excursions, sunset walks or wine tastings.
6. Local traditions
Don't miss festivals, events and typical products such as Locorotondo DOC wine, EVO oil and cheeses from the Itria Valley.
What to do in Locorotondo
- Sunset stroll through the historic centrethe most romantic hour, perfect for photographing the white houses lit up in gold.
- Tasting of local wines in cellars and farms.
- Nature trails between trulli and vineyards.
- Visiting nearby villagesAlberobello, Martina Franca, Cisternino and Ostuni.
3-day itinerary in Locorotondo
Day 1 - Discovering Locorotondo
- Historical centre and cummerse
- Mother Church
- Belvedere with a view of the Itria Valley
- Dinner in the village
Day 2 - Alberobello and wine tasting
- A visit to the trulli of Alberobello
- Tasting of local wines (I Pastini, Tenute Girolamo, Cantina Sociale)
- Relaxation on the farm
Day 3 - Martina Franca + Cisternino or Ostuni
- Baroque old town of Martina Franca
- Walk and typical lunch
- Afternoon visit to Cisternino or Ostuni
Where to sleep in Locorotondo
Stays in the historic centre
- Under the Cummers
- Suites and flats in the white alleys
Trulli and farmhouses in the countryside
- Masseria Aprile
- Trulli I Pastini
- Tenuta del Lauro
Family options
- Masserias with swimming pool and spacious flats
Where to eat in Locorotondo
- U’ Curdunn - typical Apulian cuisine
- Bina Restaurant of Apulia - creative cuisine
- Pietranuda - barbecued meat
- Pavì Wine Restaurant - panoramic views and local wines
Dishes you absolutely must try: orecchiette with turnip tops, meat bombette, Apulian cheeses, EVO oil and the famous Locorotondo DOC.
Why visit Locorotondo
Locorotondo is a magical, romantic and authentic place. Perfect for a couple's getaway, a family trip or a holiday dedicated to relaxation and good food. Its strategic location in the Itria Valley makes it ideal as a base for exploring the entire area.