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 CathedralOpens in a new window, 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 BrindisiOpens in a new window, 24 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Ostuni along the Adriatic Coast. Among the nearby towns are TarantoOpens in a new window, LecceOpens in a new window and Castro Marina.
Ostuni has chic seafood restaurants, a coastal park of sand dunes and a fairytale historic center atop a hill.
