Key Facts About Ostuni, Italy

📍 Location

• Region: Puglia (Apulia), Southern Italy

• Province: Brindisi

• Nickname: La Città Bianca (“The White City”)

• Coordinates: 40.7271° N, 17.5769° E

• Nearest Airports:

  • Brindisi Airport (35 km)

  • Bari Airport (100 km)

🏘️ City Highlights

• Whitewashed Old Town: Entire historic center is painted in white lime, glowing beautifully under the southern sun.

• Panoramic Views: Built on three hills, Ostuni offers stunning vistas of olive groves and the Adriatic Sea.

• Duomo di Ostuni: A 15th-century Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with a beautiful rose window and baroque interiors.

• Aragonese Walls: Medieval walls still enclose the centro storico (historic center), with ancient gates and towers.

• Porta Nova: One of the best spots for sunset photos over the terraced rooftops and sea.

📅 Best Time to Visit

• Spring (April–June): Blooming countryside, perfect temperatures (~18–26°C).

• Summer (July–August): Hot and lively, with festivals and nightlife (but crowded).

• Autumn (September–October): Wine harvests, milder crowds, and warm weather.

🎉 Local Events & Festivals

• Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo (August 25–27): Colorful parade honoring Ostuni’s patron saint, with horsemen in traditional red and gold costumes.

• Sagra dei Vecchi Tempi (August): A traditional food and music festival celebrating rural Pugliese life.

• Weekly Market: Every Saturday—great for local produce, crafts, and a taste of local life.

🍝 Food & Drink

• Local Specialties:

  • Orecchiette con le cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with broccoli rabe)

  • Focaccia barese

  • Bombette pugliesi (stuffed meat rolls)

  • Taralli (savory snack rings)

• Wine: Excellent local reds (Primitivo, Negroamaro) and whites (Verdeca).

• Olive Oil: Ostuni is surrounded by ancient olive groves—some over 1,000 years old.

🛏️ Where to Stay

• Historic Boutique Hotels: Often tucked into whitewashed alleyways or converted masserie (farm estates).

• Masserie Resorts: Luxury countryside stays with olive trees, pools, and farm-to-table dining.

• Budget B&Bs: Quaint and charming, often run by locals.

🏖️ Day Trips & Surroundings

• Alberobello: Famous for its trulli houses (40 min drive)

• Locorotondo & Martina Franca: Beautiful hill towns in the Valle d'Itria

• Beaches:

  • Costa Merlata – rocky coves and clear water

  • Torre Pozzella – wild and unspoiled

  • Rosa Marina – more developed, family-friendly

🚗 Getting Around

• On Foot: Ideal for exploring the compact Old Town.

• Car Rental: Best option to reach countryside towns and beaches.

• Public Transport: Limited but doable—train station is 3 km from center, with buses or taxis connecting.

💡 Fun Facts

• Limewashed Walls: The tradition dates back to medieval times—both for aesthetic beauty and as a natural disinfectant.

• Instagram Favorite: Narrow cobbled streets, arches, and staircases draped with bougainvillea make it incredibly photogenic.

• Celebrity Sightings: Loved by designers and artists; rumored to be a favorite retreat of Madonna.

📌 Final Thoughts

Ostuni isn’t just a postcard-perfect town—it’s a magical blend of architecture, coastal charm, and Pugliese traditions. Whether you're sipping espresso under stone archways or wandering through fields of ancient olive trees, Ostuni invites you to slow down and soak in its timeless beauty.