Ostuni

Ostuni is a town in the province of Brindisi in the region of Apulia (Puglia), Italy. Ostuni is commonly referred to as "the White Town" because the vast majority of its houses, as well as the medieval walls, are painted white.

Understand

The "white town" rises from the green olive groves

Ostuni stands at the boundary between the Murge Plateau and the Salento Peninsula, of which is its northernmost town and one of the most visited ones. The old town rises on the top of three hills that have been covered during centuries with hundreds of white houses, Gothic and Baroque churches, white defensive walls encircled by panoramic streets overlooking a stunning landscape. Its peculiar location gives the opportunity to let the eyes wander from the gentle hills of the Murge to the Adriatic sea, as well as endless olive tree fields dotted with trulli and masserie.

Tourist information

• 1 Pro Loco, Via Onofrio Solari, 13, ☏ +39 339 592 7318, info@prolocostuni.it. (updated May 2020)
• 2 Tourist office (IAT), Corso Mazzini, 6 (beside S. Francesco d'Assisi church), ☏ +39 0831 339 627, info.ostuni@viaggiareinpuglia.it. 11:00-17:00. (updated May 2020)

Get in

By plane

Brindisi Airport, +39 0831 411-7406 (BDS ^IATA), known as Aeroporto del Salento, is located at less than 40 km (24 mi) south and it is reachable by car in about ½ hr.

By train

Ostuni railway station is 2 km east of the historic centre, in the commercial area. Here Intercity and regional trains arrive from Brindisi (20 min), Lecce (45 min) and Bari (50 min), as well as Frecciabianca trains from Ancona (about 5 hr) and Bologna (8 hr), running along the Adriatic railway line. Services are provided by the national company Trenitalia.

By bus

Different private bus companies provides links from cities of Italy, France, Germany and Croatia to Ostuni:

• Ferrovie del Sud Est from Brindisi (50 min) and Bari (2 hr).
• Flixbus from 14 destinations including Aix-en-Provence, Nîmes, Rijeka, Zurich and main Italian towns.
• Marino Bus from various cities of Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland.

By car

• From Bari: freeway towards Brindisi for 80 km (49 mi) and you will arrive in the very centre of Ostuni. (1 hr)
• From Brindisi: freeway until the exit "Ostuni" (near the coast), then to reach the old town. (½ hr)
• From Lecce: freeway until Brindisi and continue on to bypass its centre, then follow the route described above. (45 min)
• From Taranto: until the exit "Francavilla Fontana", then drive along . (45 min)

See

• The coast near Ostuni hosts a few good places to take in some sun or go for a dip; nearby spiaggia Torre Canne is a favorite of the locals, although quieter spots abound as well.
• 1 Ostuni Cathedral (Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta), Piazza Beato Giovanni Paolo II, ☏ +39 0831 301-177. Tu-Su 10:00-13:00; Sa-Su 16:00-19:00. The majestic cathedral shows aspects of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles and it is recognizable by the richly decorated rose window. Construction started in 1435, but after an earthquake occurred in 1456 that damaged it, the structure was rebuilt in a Gothic style during 1469-1495. It was declared an Italian national monument in 1902. Free entry. (updated Jan 2019)
• 2 Museum of Pre-Classical Civilizations of Southern Murgia (Museo di civiltà preclassiche della Murgia meridionale), Via Cattedrale, 15, ☏ +39 0831 303-973, info@ostunimuseo.it. Daily 10:00-19:00. €5/€3 (reduced). (updated Jan 2019)

Do

• 1 Parco naturale delle Dune costiere (Coast dunes natural park), ☏ +39 333 894 4686, info@parcodunecostiere.org. Choose between four cycling routes from the Adriatic cycle path to the sea crossing fields of Mediterranean red soil under the shadow of olive trees, to reach finally the sand dunes in a well preserved natural area. (updated May 2020)

Eat

• 1 Cicinedda Fruit bistrot, Piazza della Libertà, 15, ☏ +39 345 608 2382. 11:00-04:00. Bar specialized in dishes with fruit, vegetables, frappes and fruit juices. The ideal place for vegetarian and light meals with genuine products and low prices in a handy position. (updated May 2020)

Drink

• 1 Mela Bacata, Via Scipione Petrarolo, 15/17, ☏ +39 349 785 8575. 18:00-00:00. Informal lounge bar to enjoy cocktails in the welcoming room or seated on apple green poufs in a narrow alley, with a stunning view of the green countryside. (updated May 2020)
• 2 Riccardo Caffè, Via G. Tanzarella Vitale, 61/63, ☏ +39 0831 306 046, +39 339 772 7927, info@riccardocaffe.com. 18:00-02:00, closed on Tuesdays from October to May. Lounge bar located in a sort of cave made from a medieval mill, with an elegant and cool atmosphere with poufs and soft lounge music. Prices can be a bit high. (updated May 2020)

Sleep

Many hotels and B&B are hidden between the alleys of the old town

Budget

• 1 Camping Villaggio Il Pilone, SS379 Bari-Brindisi km 14 (along the coast freeway in contrada Pilone), ☏ +39 0831 350 135, info.villaggio@villaggioilpilone.it. Choose between a tent, a roulotte or a camper in the camping area or a more comfortable room in the holiday village cottages. If you prefer the last option you will have access to pool, playground, sport fields, restaurant and a dog area, depending on how much do you want to spend; fares are however quite low. (updated May 2020)

Splurge

• 2 Relais La Sommità, Via Scipione Petrarolo, 7, ☏ +39 0831 305 925, info@lasommita.it. Check-in: 03:00, check-out: 12:00. Exclusive five-star hotel in the very centre of the old town with a stunning view of the landscape. Services includes spa, Jacuzzi, solarium, car and bicycle rental, an excellent restaurant and much more. (updated May 2020)

Go next

You cannot miss the nearby trulli of Alberobello

• Alberobello – Location of the world-famous trulli, typical white houses recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (45 min by car)
• Brindisi – Ancient Roman port on the Adriatic Sea, where you can take a ferry to reach Albania or Greece. (½ hr by car)
• Lecce – The triumph of the Baroque architecture in the heart of Salento Peninsula. (1 hr by car)
• Martina Franca – The largest city of Itria Valley, with a large pedestrianized old town rich of Baroque buildings (½ by car)
• Monopoli – A characteristic old town on the Adriatic coast, famous for its enchanting old fishing port. (40 min by car)
• Taranto – The largest city of Salento Peninsula, on the Ionian coast. In the National Archaeological Museum you can admire a large amount of Greek coins, jewellery and ceramics. (45 min by car)

Routes through Ostuni

Padua ← Bari ← Polignano a Mare ← Monopoli ←	N  S	→ Brindisi → Lecce → Otranto
Martina Franca ←	W  E	→ END