The "Città bianca" emerges like a mirage of light 35 km west of Brindisi, in the Puglia region just 8 km from the Adriatic coast. A feast for the eyes and palate alike, Ostuni sits along the Appia dei vini and inherits a rich gastronomic and winemaking tradition.

Ostuni's History

Foundations

Inhabited since the Stone Age, Ostuni developed its first urban nucleus in the 7th century B.C., with the arrival of the Italic Messapian people. The Greeks later took control of the city during the Punic Wars and seized the opportunity to leave their indelible mark.

Like most villages in Southern Italie, Ostuni saw the Saracens, Byzantines, Normans, Aragonese and Spanish pass through, who similarly to the Greeks, left their own signatures.

The story of the white houses

The appearance of white facades in Ostuni dates back to the plague of the 17th century. Local authorities decided to whitewash the entire city with lime in order to brighten every corner; this was done with the purpose of capturing lepers.

Ostuni Today

Ostuni, nestled within its walls, adopts a medieval layout spread across three hills in the Puglia region. Staircases visible everywhere and the maze of narrow alleyways make it easy for pedestrians to navigate. While white remains the dominant color throughout the city, the pink and gray limestone of religious buildings add character to the horizon, along with the stone forming the ramparts.

Ostuni's Historic Centre

The historic centre of Ostuni sits atop the highest of the three hills above which the city spreads. Its whitewashed facades and tiered arrangement lie at the heart of the city's charming urban identity. Within it, alleyways and staircases succeed one another, sometimes opening onto centuries-old arches and squares. You'll often encounter artisan workshops or souvenir shops for your purchases, as well as cafés and restaurants where you can refresh yourself during your climb. At the summit of Ostuni, the episcopal palace and cathedral steal the show with their monumental presence and sweeping panoramic backdrop.

Ostuni, a Culinary Treasure

Any journey through Italie necessarily includes a culinary interlude to discover local flavors. In Ostuni, it's far more than one city's gastronomy that awaits you—it's that of the entire Puglia region! With products from the olive and lemon groves, vineyards and orchards of the area, the town's small establishments promise a truly delicious and flavorful plate.

In Ostuni's antipasti, potato croquettes are delicately fried and infused with mint to tickle your palate, while mozzarella (or ricotta) fills the breading of fried bread balls. Another unmissable delicacy, sea urchin pasta is enjoyed locally with homemade fettuccine. Pasticciotti, meanwhile, will delight those with a sweet tooth. These shortbread pastries filled with cream combine various flavors: almonds, lemon, pistachios, and more.

To complement your aperitivos in Ostuni, you have a choice between two types of wine: the traditional white wine and the celebrated Ottavianello. A fruity and light varietal, Ostuni white wine pairs perfectly with seafood, while Ottavianello, in white or rosé style depending on the producer, is best enjoyed with vegetables and white meat.

Exploring the Valle d'Itria

Ostuni makes for an excellent base for excursions toward the top destinations of the Valle d'Itria and the Puglia region.

About 45 minutes away, Alberobello is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with its small limestone houses and conical-roofed dwellings called Trulli. Along the way, you can stop at Cisterno approximately 20 minutes away or Locorotondo at 35 minutes, both listed among Italie's most beautiful villages.

If you're seeking panoramic views, visit the Parco naturale regionale delle Dune costiere di Torre Canne and Torre San Leonardo. Across 1,000 hectares of land, you'll discover a rich collection of landscapes, ranging from olive groves to wetlands, as well as pastures and dunes. It's possible to explore the site on foot, horseback, by bike, or electric vehicle.

Finally, and no less importantly, the Torre Guaceto natural reserve is located about thirty minutes from the city, midway between Ostuni and Brindisi. A nature reserve and also a protected maritime zone, Torre Guaceto stretches for 8 km of coastline. Venture out to explore the dunes and scrubland, or perhaps you'd prefer to try your hand at scuba diving. The choice is yours!

Climate

Southern Italie enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate. In summer, hot and dry days lend themselves to exploration, while winters are mild, as are the shoulder seasons. As for the ideal time for an Ostuni stay, you can plan your trip between May through late September, weather permitting and if tourist crowds don't bother you.

Ostuni has a train station located 4 km to the north, on the Bari-Lecce route of the Adriatic Line which contributes to Italie's railway network structure. Urban buses circulate between different quarters of the city, reaching as far as Villanova on the coast. During the summer season, a free night bus connects Ostuni to nearby towns.

The Adriatic national road (SS 16) passes through Ostuni, which serves as an important road junction in the Salento peninsula. A ring road allows transit traffic to bypass the city without passing through the centre.

Most streets and alleyways in the city are not suitable for cars. The paths in Ostuni, and particularly in the tourist centre, are quite narrow or one-way if vehicle access is permitted at all. Therefore, the best way to explore the city remains on foot.

If you're driving, you'll need to park your vehicle just before entering Ostuni.

What to Do in Ostuni?

• Make your way to the city's summit by threading through narrow alleyways

• Visit Ostuni's cathedral and episcopal palace

• Discover the gastronomy of the Puglia region in a local restaurant

• Visit the charming village of Alberobello

• Enjoy water sports within the Torre Guaceto natural reserve, and more