Ostuni, Italy: 9 Best Things to do

Things to do in Ostuni, Puglia

Located in the province of Brindisi, Puglia, the white-washed hilltop town of Ostuni can be seen from miles away when the sun shines on its outer walls. This White City is stunning, with incredible historic streets and viewpoints across Puglia’s flat, olive-grove-covered landscapes.

You can sip delicious spritzes on the hilltop terraces, taking in the stunning views of the beautiful white buildings and their surroundings. We used Ostuni as a base to explore Puglia, Italy, with nearby villages and beaches only a short drive away. It quickly became one of our favorite places in the area!

1. Wander Ostuni City’s Streets

Like many towns in Puglia, Ostuni beckons with its charming historic center. As you roam between the city’s white walls and historic sites, it’s as if you’ve just stepped into a postcard. Every corner offers a new sight to admire, making this an excellent place for photographers! 

Wander up the hillside streets, marveling at the lovely white houses surrounded by flowers and cacti, colorful wooden doors, Vespas, and authentic Italian daily life. It’s said the walled city was built without a plan, leaving a maze of alleyways, staircases, and arches. You’ll notice buildings built on top of each other, streets leading to dead ends, and beautiful piazzas perfect for a rest stop.

No time to read now?

No worries! Save on Pinterest to read it later.

Save to Pinterest

The best way to explore is by diving into the narrow side streets and — just like the invaders once did — getting lost. Tip: If you visit on a Saturday, you can experience the local Ostuni Market. We highly recommend this city spot as it’s a foodie heaven!

Did you know? It’s said that the city got its look in the 17th century when houses were painted white with a mixture of limestone dust and water to indicate a plague-infected house. People noticed that cases dropped after that, resulting in the houses being painted white to this day. 

2. Piazza della Libertà

One of the highlights in downtown Ostuni, Italy, is the lively main square, Piazza della Libertà. With its impressive Colonna di Sant’Oronzo in the middle, a stone column that honors the patron saint of Ostuni, you’ll find plenty of traditional restaurants and bars in this bustling hub, perfect for a morning coffee or afternoon drink.

Piazza della Libertà is the White City’s largest square and lies on the edge of the centro storico. You’ll likely end up here after climbing through the stunning white alleys. Besides its terraces, the square houses some incredible buildings like the Palace Municipale (the town hall) and Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi. 

Our Puglia tips in your Google Maps? We made it easier for you! All our tips: favourite to do's, restaurants, hikes, secret spots & more in Google Maps!

Shop our maps The map for this destination will be available soon. Thank you for your interest!

3. Cathedrale Santa Maria

Further into town, at Ostuni’s highest point, you’ll reach the Ostuni cathedral, Cathédrale Santa Maria Assunta. This 15th-century Roman Catholic cathedral was built in a Gothic style, which is rare for mostly Romanesque or Baroque Puglia. However, it has beautiful details, like its impressive rose window with Christ at the center and 24 finely carved columns.

As you explore the Old Town, make sure to pop into the building — it’s even more spectacular inside! On the little piazza out front, you’ll also find a gelateria, which is a great spot for a drink or snack.

4. Arco Scoppa

Before getting to Ostuni’s cathedral, you’ll pass an elevated passage that lies wedged between the bishop’s palace and the seminary: Arco Scoppa. This elegant stone archway, once only a wooden bridge, now connects the Palazzo Vescovile and the Palazzo del Seminario. 

5. Borgo Antico Bistro, Ostuni

Nestled in the heart of Ostuni’s historic Old Town, Borgo Antico Bistrot is a charming gem that offers more than just a place to grab a bite. Set on the stone stairs of the town’s winding streets, the outdoor patio lets you soak up the authentic charm of this ancient city while enjoying a delicious drink or local platter.

The real magic, however, happens when you’re here around sunset. Take in the panoramic views across olive groves and the sparkling Adriatic Sea in the distance. Because it’s a popular spot (especially in the evening), it’s worth arriving early to snag a table without the long queues. This is a must in Ostuni, Puglia!

6. Viewpoints of the City

One of the best things to do in Ostuni is undoubtedly visiting the stunning viewpoints. These points higher up offer breathtaking views of the White City and its surrounding landscapes. 

Our Puglia tips in your Google Maps? We made it easier for you! All our tips: favourite to do's, restaurants, hikes, secret spots & more in Google Maps!

Shop our maps The map for this destination will be available soon. Thank you for your interest!

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll eventually find yourself heading toward the ancient city walls — an often-overlooked gem with a unique perspective of Ostuni’s architecture and countryside. This way, you can admire the city from a distance, with panoramic views that make for incredible pictures! 

Another viewpoint I really liked was on the street Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, where you can sit back and enjoy the view at the top of the hill. It’s especially beautiful during sunset when the city glows in a golden light. To make the most of the scene, order an aperitivo at one of the nearby restaurants, like Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza.

7. Cooking Class (Our Favorite Activity in Ostuni!)

My favorite experience in our two weeks in Puglia was, without a doubt, our cooking class! Set amongst the beautiful Apulian countryside at a cozy family villa in Ostuni, this cooking experience is taught by the matriarchs of the household — a wonderful mother-daughter duo.

We learned to make our own focaccia bread from scratch, experimenting with our toppings and eating Orecchiette pasta (native to Puglia). Tucked underneath a garden pergola, you’ll enjoy drinks and snacks while making your food before indulging in your hard work. There was even traditional live music! We danced with everyone in the group, including the family, which was so much fun. (Book the experience here)

Please note that this experience is very popular and fully booked in advance, so you’ll need to organize this beforehand. We’ve done some research into some other great cooking classes in the area, in case it’s full:

• Lecce: Book your pasta-making class here
• Alberobello: Join this cooking class in a local’s home
• Bari: Book this fresh pasta and Tiramisu class

8. Go on a Puglia Day Trip

Once you’ve seen everything in the city and you have the time, then consider going on a day trip to explore the region’s remaining beauty. The options are endless, from the historic charm of Bari and Lecce to the iconic Trulli houses of Alberobello or the sunny coast. We did many day trips from Ostuni, but some of our favorites are:

Bari

Bari is mainly known as an airport city, so many people skip it in favor of other parts of Puglia. However, the streets are full of life, with a great mix of new and old architecture, and the food scene is excellent! 

It’s no surprise that my favorite spot was ‘Pasta Street’ (Strada delle Orecchiette). Here, local grandmas line the streets, forming their dough into fresh orecchiette. This pasta shape is typical to Puglia and directly translates to ‘little ear’.

Note: The best time to see the ladies of Bari in full pasta-making mode is between 9 AM and noon, so arrive early if you can! We parked in this location, just a ten-minute walk to Pasta Street. 

Lecce

Lecce is one of the biggest cities in the Puglia region and is truly breathtaking. There’s immense history to discover here, most notably the sunken Roman amphitheater in the city center, which still hosts events today. 

Its impressive architectural gems have earned it the nickname ‘the Florence of the South’, and we have to agree! We loved wandering around the baroque streets of the city, admiring the architecture and the soft golden limestone of the buildings. This particular stone is called Pietra Leccese, which gives the city its iconic, unique glow. 

Olive Oil Tasting in a Masseria

One of our most authentic experiences in Puglia was an incredible olive oil-tasting session. As Puglia makes around 40% of Italy’s olive oil, it’s a no-brainer to learn more about this delicious product.

Puglian olive oil has a particularly special taste, known to be more peppery than others. It’s still produced from some of the oldest olive trees in the country. There are trees in this region that are over 2,000 years old and still being harvested!

We visited this Masseria, a small family-run business that gave us a fantastic tour. First, we walked through the farm, looking at different types of trees and learning about the harvesting process. Afterward, we sat on straw bales, trying different olive oils and testing our taste buds. We continued to use this knowledge for the rest of our vacation (we felt like experts by the end!).

Alberobello

One of the most famous things to do in Puglia is to witness the iconic Trulli Houses of Alberobello: curved white huts with limestone roofs constructed in a cone shape. These unique homes were initially designed for agricultural workers. However, these days, locals still live in them!

Alberobello is known as ‘the best place’ to see them; they really add a fairytale feeling to the beautiful time-worn streets. We were excited to visit this ancient city, and it definitely exceeded our expectations.

9. Go to the Beach

When you’re looking for some relaxation, the beaches along the ‘Marina de Ostuni’ are a must on any Puglia itinerary. Just a short drive away (15 minutes), they’re perfect for a peaceful day by the turquoise waters, especially if you visit in the quieter months like May or October.

Pack some snacks from a local bakery and make a day of it — nothing better than soaking up the sun and cooling off in the sea. Some popular options are Lido Morelli or Quarto di Monte, with a mix of soft sand and scenic dunes. 

But if you’ve got the means to travel, we recommend heading further south in Puglia, either to the rocky coves and wild nature of the Adriatic coast (east) or to the calm Caribbean-like waters and soft beaches of the Ionian (west). 

Some of our favorite beaches in Puglia are: 

Where to Stay

Ostuni is a lovely and lively city that lies perfectly central to the rest of the must-sees in Puglia, Italy. We booked a hotel in the city here and later a countryside villa from which we did day trips across the region.

Our favorite hotels in Ostuni 😴

View all

Trulli Boccadoro

Ostuni

Caterina’s Suites & Apartament

Ostuni

Palazzo Altavilla

Ostuni

See available hotels in Ostuni

Check available hotels

Check available hostels

You can choose to stay in a Masseria (traditional farmhouse) that usually offers accommodation and meals. Many of them lie amongst the beautiful olive groves outside Ostuni. 

Tip: We recommend booking something with a pool if you’re not staying close to the coast. This is because it can get very hot in the summer.

How to Get to Ostuni

Puglia has two international airports: Bari and Brindisi. Both have plenty of good connections for traveling throughout Europe! It’s really easy to get to your destination from either airport by rental car, bus, or train. However, Brindisi lies closest (30 km) to Ostuni, Italy. 

From the airport, hop on a train to Ostuni, and then catch a bus into the city center. If you’re traveling through Italy by train, you can also get to the Apulian city from other major cities like Rome and Milan. 

Getting Around

The White City of Ostuni, Italy, is best explored on foot, allowing you to wind through the tiny white-washed streets and pop into cute, historic side alleys. Alternatively, you can zip around in an ape (Italian tuk-tuk) with a local guide — a very popular activity in Ostuni if you’re just visiting for a day. You’ll find most of them around the old town and the price is usually about 50 EUR for an hour. 

By Car

However, if you’re exploring the region on a Puglia itinerary, then renting a car allows you to dive deeper into the secluded countryside, hidden Trulli houses, and untouched coastline. It’s easy to navigate, with a good mix of highways between the main towns and winding scenic roads. We parked here when we got back to Ostuni, Puglia. 

Tip: Italians have a reputation for being erratic (!) drivers, so we don’t recommend renting a car unless you’re a confident driver. It’s generally ok on the highways, but it’s good to be aware of your surroundings in the countryside.

By Train 

Although you have complete freedom with a rental car, the train is also a great in Puglia for day trips. You can reach all the main towns and cities, such as Bari, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Brindisi, and Lecce.

Tours

Organized tours are also a great way to see the region. You can book many that offer return transportation and a guide from the major cities — an easy way to visit some of the top things to do in Puglia (and learn from a local expert!).

Some of the tours we did on our trip, such as our cooking class, olive oil tour, and wine tasting, were some of the best experiences we had!