Ostuni

Travel Guide
Brindisi showing a city
Encounter charming surprises and historic relics at the peak of the Old Town district of the “White City.” Explore the nearby sand dunes.

Ostuni is an enchanting city renowned for its hilltop Ostuni Historic Center, containing an impressive cathedral and many whitewashed houses, which are the reason behind the nickname of the White City. It is a popular summer destination due to its fine weather, excellent seafood restaurants and lively bars. Meander along the steep, quaint alleys of the Old Town for a sense of this city’s fascinating past.

The highlight of the city is the 15th-century Ostuni Cathedral, which overlooks the serene Piazza del Balio. Enjoy snacks and drinks at a café on the plaza and gaze up at the magnificent rose window that adorns the cathedral’s late Gothic façade. Enter through one of the three large portals and admire the marble interiors and frescoes in the various chapels.

Nearby on the hill is L’Ulivo Che Canta, a quaint gallery and workshop displaying carvings, sculptures, spoons and jewelry made from olive trees by a local master. Browse the intriguing items on display at the Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of Southern Murgia.

Descend to the southern base of the historic center’s hill to see the Church of San Francesco. This ecclesiastical treasure is beside the majestic Town Hall and several cafés in the spacious heart of the city, the Piazza della Liberta.

Expect hot, dry summers and cold winters in this scenic coastal city. Enjoy the pleasant weather with a trip to the Dune Costiere Regional Natural Park. Walk along the sandy shore and take a guided tour for a comprehensive understanding of the topography and ecosystems. At the northeastern end of the park is the resort town of Rosa Marina, which has the Rosa Marina Beach.

Find the city at the northern base of the Salento promontory that sticks out from the southeastern end of Italy. Fly to the Salento Airport in the outskirts of Brindisi, 24 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Ostuni along the Adriatic Coast. Among the nearby towns are Taranto, Lecce and Castro Marina.

Ostuni has chic seafood restaurants, a coastal park of sand dunes and a fairytale historic center atop a hill.

Where to stay in Ostuni

Ostuni Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, street performance and heritage architecture

Ostuni Historic Centre

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Ostuni Historic Centre is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Ostuni Cathedral and Piazza della Liberta.

Ostuni Historic Centre
Hotel Monte Sarago
Hotel Monte Sarago
4 out of 5
Corso Mazzini 233, Ostuni, BR
The price is ¥17,733 per night from Nov 13 to Nov 14
¥17,733
¥20,169 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 13 - Nov 14
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ostuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (200 reviews)
"Good location."

Reviewed on Sep 29, 2024

Hotel Monte Sarago
Ostuni a Mare
Ostuni a Mare
4 out of 5
Rosa Marina - C.P. n. 82, Ostuni, BR
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Ostuni. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Rosa Marina Beach and Spiaggia di Monticelli ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (20 reviews)
"Очень красивая территория. Обслуживающий персонал на рецепшин очень приветливые все время помогали. Разнообразный завтрак."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024

Ostuni a Mare
Hotel La Terra
Hotel La Terra
4 out of 5
Via Gaspare Petrarolo, 16, Historical Centre of Ostuni, Ostuni, BR
The price is ¥20,188 per night from Nov 9 to Nov 10
¥20,188
¥22,869 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 9 - Nov 10
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Ostuni. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Popular attractions L'Ulivo Che Canta and Museum of Preclassical ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (84 reviews)
"Highly recommend"

Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024

Hotel La Terra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Dama Bianca Boutique Hotel Ostuni
Dama Bianca Boutique Hotel Ostuni
Vico Roberto Ardigò, 21, Ostuni, Brindisi
Stay at this apartment in Ostuni. Enjoy free WiFi, private plunge pools, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Piazza della Liberta and Church of San Francesco ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"It was a lovely stay, everyone was very helpfull, the room was clean. It was the perfect location!"

Reviewed on Nov 2, 2024

Dama Bianca Boutique Hotel Ostuni
Palazzo Le Cupole by Wonderful Italy
Palazzo Le Cupole by Wonderful Italy
Via Giuseppe Spennati, 6, Ostuni
Stay at this apartment in Ostuni. Enjoy free WiFi, rainfall showerheads, and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Museum of Preclassical Civilizations ...
9/10 Wonderful! (8 reviews)
"We had an absolutely amazing time at Palazzo Le Cupole by Wonderful Italy. The apartment was spacious and the location was very convenient. The staff were attentive and went out of their way to ensure that we were comfortable."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2024

Palazzo Le Cupole by Wonderful Italy
Trullo Lillo -Trullo & private swimming pool
Trullo Lillo -Trullo & private swimming pool
Ostuni
Stay at this villa in Ostuni. Enjoy private pools and air conditioning. Popular attractions Baia di Camerini and Spiaggia di Monticelli are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Great House - Trullo house needs wifi
"The house was wonderful. Host was fantastic. He had the house stocked with the food that we asked for prior to our arrival. No microwave. The wifi doesn’t reach the Trullo house. There should be an extender added. The Trullo is very cool the AC works well throughout the whole house and Trullo."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2023

Trullo Lillo -Trullo & private swimming pool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ostuni

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 35.714285714285715%
4 - Good
7
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Worth the trip excellent restaurants used Ostuni as a base to explore this area of Italy

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

very touristic

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We thought it was a lovely, accessible hill town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Parking is an issue. Prepare to do some walking.

Cities near Ostuni