Visit Ostuni: The White Hilltown
Visit Ostuni because its whitewashed old town delivers immediate, memorable pleasures: winding alleys, a hilltop cathedral with a carved rose window and sweeping views to the Adriatic. Wander early for market stalls and bakeries; lose yourself in lanes that open onto panoramic terraces. Dine on fresh seafood and orecchiette, and sample the region’s celebrated olive oil at family-run frantoi. Day trips are short — sandy beaches and the Itria Valley’s trulli lie 20–30 minutes away — so you can pair seaside afternoons with evening piazza life. Best in spring or early autumn when light and temperatures favour walking. Practical tip: climb to the cathedral terrace at sunset and book a table in the lower town for late dining.
Ostuni’s “White City” name comes from the long-standing use of lime to whitewash the old town’s houses—a practice that still shapes the historic center’s look today.
Dining & Evenings
For memorable meals and relaxed nights in Ostuni, start with the essentials: book a tasting at Restaurant 700 for inventive Puglian cooking, or drop into the family-run Osteria Ostuni Bistrot for comforting, seasonal plates on the square. When the sun goes down, head to Clover #eatdrinkenjoy Ostuni Pub for a casual drink and local atmosphere. These three spots cover special-occasion dining, friendly neighbourhood hospitality and an easy-going bar scene — all within a short walk of the old town. Plan an early reservation for dinner at Restaurant 700, leave room for local wine at Osteria, and expect live evenings or a scenic terrace at Clover when the light softens over the white city.
The Regional Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes stretches from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, safeguarding about 1,100 hectares over 8 km of shoreline; behind the dunes, 13th‑century ponds still support traditional eel and mullet aquaculture.
Markets, Makers & Galleries
Ostuni rewards slow browsing. Pick up picnic staples and regional treats at Salumeria MINI PAM or explore seasonal produce and house-made delicacies at Campagna Amica . When you’re ready for art, visit La Bottega dell’Angelo - Galleria d’Arte - ostuni for original works and carefully curated design objects, then move to RU Galleria Arte Contemporanea for contemporary ceramics and new voices. Together these stops make a practical route for sourcing picnic ingredients, discovering local makers and taking home a piece of the city’s creative life. Allow time to chat with shopkeepers — they often have the best suggestions for where to eat or which viewpoint to visit next.
Just outside town, the Grotta di Santa Maria di Agnano yielded “Ostuni 1,” the burial of a pregnant young woman from the Upper Paleolithic dated to around 28,000 years ago—now displayed at the Museo di Civiltà Preclassiche.
Guided Rides & Tastings
Choose from several local ways to learn the city by doing: hop a lively tuk‑tuk tour with In Ape Ostuni for insider stories and scenic stops, or book an electric ride with Ape Calessino Ostuni Touring for a relaxed, eco-friendly loop through old lanes and viewpoints. If you prefer curated itineraries outside the city, Green italy tours organises immersive day trips, while WALKING WINE PUGLIA pairs local wines with small bites for a compact tasting experience. Each provider offers short, well-paced departures that fit into a half-day or evening — ideal when you want guided context without committing to a long excursion.
Ostuni has its own DOC appellation (established 1972): reds center on the native Ottavianello grape, while whites blend Impigno with Francavidda.
History & City Highlights
To understand Ostuni, start with its stones and viewpoints. Walk the old town and feel the weight of history in Ostuni , then pause at the excavated remains of the Aragonese fortifications at Scavo Archeologico Torre e Mura for a short, reflective stop. In the main square, the Colonna di Sant’Oronzo anchors daily life and makes a useful meeting point. For architecture and quiet contemplation, the richly detailed Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi rewards a careful eye with baroque and renaissance details. Taken together, these sights map a compact walking route that explains why Ostuni’s white façades and narrow lanes feel both timeless and lived-in.
Ostuni’s Festa di Sant’Oronzo anchors the calendar each year from 25 to 27 August; the Cavalcata—the horseback escort of the saint’s statue—traditionally takes place on the 26th.