The attractive whitewashed metropolis of Ostuni needs to be on everybody’s Puglia itinerary. Perched on high of a hill and overlooking the glowing Adriatic Sea, its charming white homes, slim cobblestone streets, historic church buildings, and atmospheric little squares give it a novel and magical environment.
On this publish, I’ll share a few of the finest issues to do in Ostuni, Puglia. It’s considered one of my favourite cities in southern Italy and has one thing to supply each traveler.
From exploring the traditional Centro Storico to visiting close by seashores, olive groves, and vineyards, it’s exhausting to not be captivated by this beautiful historic metropolis. Nonetheless lengthy it’s a must to spend sightseeing in Ostuni, I’m certain you’ll love your time there.
Finest Issues To Do in Ostuni
Listed below are 15 of the most effective issues to do and locations to go to in Ostuni and its environment.
1. Discover the Centro Storico (Previous City)
Strolling the cobblestone streets of Ostuni’s Centro Storico is like being transported to a different period. This stunningly preserved, whitewashed medieval city is perched on the high of a hill and is named the “White Metropolis”.
From right here, you’ll be able to soak up unbelievable views of the rolling hills surrounding Ostuni and the turquoise Adriatic Sea that sparkles within the distance. The vigorous eating places and cafes, boutique retailers, church buildings, historical buildings, and slim alleyways make it an excellent place to discover.
Wander by the backstreets and linger for some time in one of many many enticing piazzas. One among my favourite free issues to do in Ostuni is to sit down in considered one of these squares and simply watch the world go by.
2. Do a Strolling Tour
An awesome factor to do in any new place is to affix a strolling tour. There are a couple of totally different excursions to select from in Ostuni – this one is especially well-reviewed and takes you to all the high locations to see in Ostuni.
This can be a unbelievable option to familiarise your self with the city, go to its most well-known and exquisite landmarks, uncover its wealth of fascinating structure, and study its wealthy historical past and traditions.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to see all the high locations to go to in Ostuni by taking a personal tour of Ostuni by tuk-tuk!
3. Go to Ostuni Cathedral
The Catholic Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta is a crucial landmark within the metropolis and one of many high Ostuni sights. It was constructed across the eleventh century on the stays of a earlier Orthodox church, with some elements courting again to the fifth century.
Remember to take your time exploring this majestic constructing, admiring its intricate architectural particulars equivalent to its Romanesque façade, Gothic portal, and Baroque bell tower. The ceiling of the cathedral is adorned with plenty of lovely work depicting scenes from the Bible.
The cathedral additionally incorporates a stupendous ground mosaic and an archive of Twelfth-century parchments.
4. Style the Native Olive Oil (One of many Prime Issues To Do in Ostuni, Italy)
The Puglia area is understood for its scrumptious olive oil and you must positively style some throughout your time there. It’s gentle and delicate but extremely wealthy and aromatic – excellent for dressing salads, drizzling over recent pasta, or having fun with with a slice of freshly-baked focaccia bread.
This guided tour takes you to go to an historical olive grove and Masseria (a standard farmhouse) on the outskirts of Ostuni. Among the timber listed here are believed to be over a thousand years outdated!
You’ll study concerning the course of of constructing olive oil, all the best way from planting seeds to urgent the ultimate product. After all, you’ll additionally get to style totally different varieties, and your information will train you concerning the numerous well being advantages of olive oil, and why it’s so necessary in southern Italian cooking.
5. Have a Seaside Day
Ostuni is situated a mere 8 kilometers from the glowing Adriatic Sea, near a few of Puglia’s finest seashores. Spending a day (and even an hour or two) on the seashore is among the most enjoyable issues to do in Ostuni for households.
Whereas the seashores in Puglia aren’t as undiscovered or untouched as these simply throughout the Adriatic on the Albanian Riviera, they’re usually quieter and nicer than the seashores in lots of different elements of Italy.
One of the crucial in style seashores close to Ostuni is Spiaggia di Pilone, a protracted stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. For those who’re on the lookout for one thing a bit quieter, head to Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, which is wilder and has fewer services.
6. Examine Out the Museums
Get an perception into Ostuni’s fascinating historical past and wealthy tradition by visiting one of many many native museums.
The Museo Diocesano di Ostuni (Diocesan Museum of Ostuni) is housed inside an historical Episcopal Corridor, the previous dwelling of the city’s bishops. It incorporates a spread of art work, archaeological finds, and different native artifacts and treasures, and is among the most attention-grabbing locations to go to in Ostuni.
The Museo di Civiltà Preclassiche (Museum of Pre-Classical Civilizations) is situated inside a former monastery and incorporates numerous archaeological stays, ornaments, and ceramics courting again to the Paleolithic period.
For lovers of latest artwork, the Orizzonti Arte Contemporanea gallery can also be nicely value a go to. This wonderful gallery options beautiful works by native artists and hosts common occasions and exhibitions, that are marketed on its web site.
7. Take a Conventional Puglian Cooking Class
I like the meals in Puglia. Typical Puglian meals is easy, hearty, and scrumptious, showcasing the area’s high-quality recent native produce.
Learn to make a few of the finest and hottest native dishes by taking this conventional Puglian cooking class. An expert chef will train you to make Puglian classics equivalent to orecchiette pasta from scratch, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisù, and different treasured native recipes.
On the finish of the category, you’ll get pleasure from a 4-course meal of the dishes you’ve ready. Observe: this class takes place within the neighboring city of Cisternino, one other good spot to go to close to Ostuni, which is just 20 minutes away from Ostuni by automobile (or half-hour by bus).
8. Pattern the Native Wines
The Puglia area is dwelling to a few of the finest wines in Italy, and there are quite a few wineries and vineyards within the space the place you’ll be able to style native wines and study concerning the manufacturing course of from educated guides
On this wine-focused tour, you’ll go to a Sixteenth-century Masseria wine property and a contemporary wine cellar and style a spread of their finest wines. You’ll additionally get to go to a couple of different locations within the Valle d’Itria, together with Alberobello and Locorotondo, so that is positively the most effective issues to do close to Ostuni.
9. Go to Alberobello
The UNESCO-listed city of Alberobello is simply an hour away from Ostuni and is known for its trulli – historical homes constructed from limestone with conical roofs. Alberobello has lots of of those fascinating buildings, and you’ll go inside a few of them to get a greater look.
The most effective methods to study extra about these iconic buildings and to see a spread of probably the most spectacular ones is to take this 2-hour guided trulli tour.
The city additionally provides loads of different issues to do, together with wine tastings and cooking courses. Remember to find time for a day journey to discover this distinctive vacation spot!
10. Store at Native Markets
Take dwelling some souvenirs out of your journey by purchasing at one of many native markets. The Mercato del Sabato (Saturday market) is particularly value visiting in case you are on the town on a Saturday.
Locals come right here to purchase every part from recent meals and kitchenware to garments and even antiques. You’ll be able to choose up a spread of recent produce and handmade items made by native artisans. Come early within the morning to snag the most effective gadgets!
11. Get pleasure from a Gelato in Piazza della Libertà
This vibrant sq. is the bustling coronary heart of Ostuni and an incredible place to calm down and bask in some genuine Puglian gelato.
There are a number of gelaterias on this space, however Cremeria La Scala is especially good and provides a spread of scrumptious flavors of gelato, granita, and sorbet with basic & seasonal flavors. In addition they have a stunning shaded patio to flee from the highly effective noon solar.
This space of the Centro Storico can also be dwelling to a number of nice cafes and eating places.
12. Stroll the Metropolis Partitions
Ostuni was an historical fortified metropolis, and the stays of its outdated defensive partitions are nonetheless largely intact.
You’ll be able to stroll alongside a couple of sections of those partitions, which supply a novel perspective of town and its environment. I’d advocate packing a cushty pair of footwear for this, as there are fairly a couple of steps, nevertheless it’s greater than well worth the effort.
Gazing out from Ostuni’s hilltop place, it’s straightforward to see why its founders selected this as the placement for his or her metropolis. You’ll be able to see for a great distance in every course, together with out to sea.
13. Get pleasure from a Non-public Eating Expertise
For those who’re staying in an condo with self-catering services, some of the particular issues to do in Ostuni at night time is to bask in an at-home personal eating expertise.
An skilled chef will come to your condo and cook dinner up a feast for you of Puglian specialties utilizing a spread of top-quality native elements. The meal features a vary of appetizers, first and second programs, and a scrumptious dessert.
This expertise might be personalized to account for specific dietary necessities – see right here for extra data.
14. Discover Martina Franca
The quaint hilltop city of Martina Franca is simply 23 kilometers away from Ostuni and an excellent spot for a day journey. The city is understood for its baroque-style buildings and slim, cobbled streets lined with fashionable cafes and boutiques.
Martina Franca is dwelling to the spectacular baroque Basilica di San Martino cathedral which homes some lovely work from the Sixteenth century.
Wander round its slim streets, get pleasure from a espresso or an aperitivo in considered one of its many cafes and bars, and absorb the environment. You’ll be able to take a strolling tour of Martina Franca, or style plenty of native wines and different delicacies as a part of this tasting expertise.
15. Savor an Unbelievable Sundown
Ostuni’s sunsets are merely breathtaking, so make certain to take a while each night you’re there to get pleasure from them from one of many many viewpoints round city.
My favourite place to look at the sundown in Ostuni is from the terrace of Dish Restaurant (see beneath). Nonetheless, even if you happen to don’t eat there, you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from an unbelievable view of town from right here.
The southern Mediterranean sundown paints the whitewashed Centro Storico with gold, orange, and pink rays. It’s actually magical and an ideal factor to do in Ostuni for {couples}.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Ostuni
Listed below are a couple of urged journey itineraries to assist resolve what stuff to do in Ostuni so that you simply get probably the most out of your time there.
1 Day in Ostuni Itinerary
You’ll be able to see most of Ostuni’s high sights in someday. Start the day by taking a strolling tour and exploring the Centro Storico, earlier than stopping for a leisurely lunch in one of many many conventional eating places within the middle.
Within the afternoon, both head to the seashore or to one of many native vineyards for a spot of wine tasting. Again on the town, have gelato in Piazza della Liberta, then end your day having fun with a world-class sundown and dinner at Dish Restaurant (see beneath).
2-3 Days in Ostuni Itinerary
Spend the primary day exploring town and visiting its numerous sights, as above.
On day two, make a journey to Alberobello to see the wonderful trulli. From right here, you’ll be able to be part of this 2-hour guided trulli tour.
Lastly, in your ultimate day, head to the coast for some seashore time. Within the afternoon, do a conventional Puglian cooking class. End off your time within the metropolis with a couple of drinks, and benefit from the sundown.
1 Week in Ostuni Itinerary
Ostuni is a reasonably small metropolis and in a single week you’ll be able to comfortably see and do every part I’ve described on this publish. You’ll have the ability to actually take your time with every of those actions and benefit from the splendidly relaxed tempo of life that this a part of the world is known for.
The order you do issues is completely as much as you, however I’d counsel beginning with no less than someday exploring town (as per the above) that can assist you get your bearings.
After that, you’ll be able to spend a full day every in each Alberobello and Martina Franca, and one other one on the seashore. Use your remaining three days to tick off the remaining actions on this checklist.
Don’t overlook to go to Ostuni’s essential market on Saturday, and permit your self loads of time to take a seat and people-watch within the metropolis’s enticing squares and plazas.
The place to Keep in Ostuni
These are a couple of of the most effective neighborhoods in Ostuni for vacationers.
Previous City – Finest for First-time Guests
The Centro Storico of Ostuni is the best selection for first-time guests, as lots of the city’s hottest historic websites and sights are situated right here. With its charming cobblestone streets and vigorous environment, it’s the proper place to get a really feel for town.
This can be a nice resort near the middle.
Outskirts of Ostuni – Finest for Funds Vacationers
For those who’re on the lookout for finances lodging, this may principally be discovered on the outskirts of city. It’s not a very giant place, so that you’ll probably have the ability to stroll out of your resort or condo to many of the essential vacationer sights in Ostuni, Italy.
Try this unbelievable finances condo.
Masserias Close to Ostuni – Finest for a Peaceable Rural Retreat
The realm round Ostuni is dwelling to quite a few Masserias (conventional farmhouses), nestled among the many historical olive groves. A number of have been transformed into guesthouses and splendid accommodations that make for an ideal rural southern Italian retreat.
This one is attractive.
Finest Eating places in Ostuni
Don’t miss these nice locations to eat in Ostuni.
Dish Restaurant
Upmarket Dish Restaurant has a terrace with the most effective views within the metropolis. The meals can also be unbelievable, providing a spread of creative and scrumptious dishes which might be expertly offered.
Osteria Madre
Osteria Madre is a standard Puglian restaurant simply south of the historic middle of Ostuni. It’s mid-priced and serves plenty of native specialties, together with recent pasta and seafood.
Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza
The factor I like most about Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza is its spacious outside terrace with sweeping views out to the Adriatic coast and throughout to the Previous City. Their combined seafood platter is especially good, and so they have an incredible choice of native wines to get pleasure from together with your meal.
Impasto Napoletano Pizzeria Napoletana
For those who’re within the temper for good worth, high-quality Neapolitan pizza in Ostuni, look no additional than Impasto Napoletano Pizzeria Napoletana. They’ve an out of doors terrace that’s vigorous and buzzing within the evenings.
Getting To Ostuni
For a lot of guests, the best option to get to Ostuni is through Bari, the capital of Puglia.
Bari has a world airport with flights from quite a lot of locations all through Europe. For those who’re coming from additional away, you’ll most likely should fly to both Rome or Milan first after which take a connecting flight (or prepare) to Bari.
From Bari, you’ll be able to attain Ostuni by prepare or bus. The prepare is faster than the bus, though keep in mind that Ostuni prepare station is situated about 2 kilometers away from the middle of city. You’ll be able to both stroll, take a neighborhood bus, or hail a taxi to take you into city.
It’s additionally attainable to journey to Puglia by ferry from numerous nations within the Balkans, together with Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Greece. Most ferries arrive in both Bari or Brindisi.
When you’ve arrived in Ostuni, town middle is small and finest explored on foot.
Issues To Do in Ostuni: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on what to see and do in Ostuni.
Ostuni is named the “White Metropolis” attributable to its lovely whitewashed homes, which make for beautiful views from many factors within the metropolis.
Ostuni is a superb vacation spot year-round. I feel the most effective time to go to is throughout the spring or early summer season months when temperatures are heat, however not too sizzling, and the times are lengthy.
Sure! There are many issues to do in Ostuni, from exploring its cobbled streets and having fun with nice meals and wine to absorbing the solar on its close by seashores.
I like to recommend staying no less than two or three days to take advantage of your go to. You’ll be able to simply fill a day exploring Ostuni’s charming middle, one other day stress-free on the seashore, after which a 3rd day visiting native vineyards and olive groves.
Ostuni is usually a very secure place to go to. Nonetheless, as with every vacation spot, it’s at all times finest to concentrate on your environment and take the standard precautions.
Exploring the gorgeous whitewashed Previous City is among the hottest issues to do in Ostuni.
The perfect seashore near Ostuni is Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle. It’s quiet and unspoiled, with crystal-clear waters excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Ostuni is famend for its scrumptious delicacies, with a hearty mixture of seafood, greens, cheeses, and pasta. A few of my favourite dishes embrace seafood pasta, focaccia, and grilled freshly-caught native fish.
In Closing
As you’ll be able to see, there are many issues to see in Ostuni, Italy. Regardless of its magnificence, town additionally receives fewer vacationers than lots of the nation’s different well-known locations. It’s an ideal place to get away from all of it and actually expertise southern Italian life.
Ostuni is an extremely lovely vacation spot and a unbelievable place to base your self when exploring extra of the broader Puglia area. I couldn’t advocate it extra.