The attractive whitewashed metropolis of Ostuni ought to be on everybody’s Puglia itinerary. Perched on prime of a hill and overlooking the glowing Adriatic Sea, its charming white homes, slender cobblestone streets, historic church buildings, and atmospheric little squares give it a novel and magical ambiance.
On this put up, I’ll share a number of the finest issues to do in Ostuni, Puglia. I spent a few weeks in Puglia and now it’s considered one of my favourite cities in southern Italy. It has one thing to supply each traveler.
From exploring the traditional Centro Storico to visiting close by seashores, olive groves, and vineyards, it’s laborious to not be captivated by this gorgeous historic metropolis. Nonetheless lengthy it’s important to spend sightseeing in Ostuni, I’m certain you’ll love your time there.
Greatest Issues to Do in Ostuni
Listed here are 15 of the most effective issues to do and locations to go to in Ostuni and its environment. Don’t miss our in-depth, full information to touring Italy!
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 prime of a hill and is named the “White Metropolis”.
From right here, you’ll be able to absorb unimaginable views of the rolling hills surrounding Ostuni and the turquoise Adriatic Sea that sparkles within the distance. The vigorous eating places and cafes, boutique outlets, church buildings, historic buildings, and slender alleyways make it an excellent place to discover.
Wander via the backstreets and linger for some time in one of many many enticing piazzas. Considered one of 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.
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2. Do a Strolling Tour
An ideal factor to do in any new place is to affix a strolling tour. There are just a few totally different excursions to select from in Ostuni – this one is especially well-reviewed and takes you to the entire prime locations to see in Ostuni.
This can be a incredible technique 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 the entire prime locations to go to in Ostuni by taking a non-public 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 prime Ostuni points of interest. It was constructed across the eleventh century on the stays of a earlier Orthodox church, with some components courting again to the fifth century.
Remember to take your time exploring this majestic constructing, admiring its intricate architectural particulars similar to its Romanesque façade, Gothic portal, and Baroque bell tower. The ceiling of the cathedral is embellished with various stunning work depicting scenes from the Bible.
The cathedral additionally incorporates a good looking ground mosaic and an archive of Twelfth-century parchments.
Tackle: Largo Arcid Teodoro Trinchera, 29, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
4. Style the Native Olive Oil (One of many High Issues to Do in Ostuni, Italy)
The Puglia area is understood for its scrumptious olive oil and you need to positively style some throughout your time there. It’s gentle and delicate but extremely wealthy and aromatic – excellent for dressing salads, drizzling over contemporary pasta, or having fun with with a slice of freshly-baked focaccia bread.
This guided tour takes you to go to an historic olive grove and Masseria (a conventional farmhouse) on the outskirts of Ostuni. Among the bushes listed below are believed to be over a thousand years outdated!
You’ll be taught concerning the course of of constructing olive oil, all the way in which from planting seeds to urgent the ultimate product. In fact, 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 essential in southern Italian cooking.
5. Have a Seaside Day
Ostuni is positioned 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 seaside is without doubt one of 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 typically quieter and nicer than the seashores in lots of different components of Italy.
One of the fashionable seashores close to Ostuni is Spiaggia di Pilone, a protracted stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Should you’re searching for one thing a bit quieter, head to Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, which is wilder and has fewer services.
6. Verify 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 historic Episcopal Corridor, the previous house of the city’s bishops. It incorporates a variety of paintings, archaeological finds, and different native artifacts and treasures, and is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing locations to go to in Ostuni.
The Museo di Civiltà Preclassiche (Museum of Pre-Classical Civilizations) is positioned inside a former monastery and incorporates numerous archaeological stays, ornaments, and ceramics courting again to the Paleolithic period.
For lovers of up to date artwork, the Orizzonti Arte Contemporanea gallery can also be effectively value a go to. This wonderful gallery options gorgeous 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 really like the meals in Puglia. Typical Puglian meals is easy, hearty, and scrumptious, showcasing the area’s high-quality contemporary native produce.
Discover ways to make a number of the finest and hottest native dishes by taking this conventional Puglian cooking class. An expert chef will train you to make Puglian classics similar to orecchiette pasta from scratch, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisù, and different treasured native recipes.
On the finish of the category, you’ll take pleasure in a 4-course meal of the dishes you’ve ready. Observe: this class takes place within the neighboring city of Cisternino, one other excellent spot to go to close to Ostuni, which is barely 20 minutes away from Ostuni by automotive (or half-hour by bus).
8. Pattern the Native Wines
The Puglia area is house to a number 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 be taught 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 variety of their finest wines. You’ll additionally get to go to just a few different locations within the Valle d’Itria, together with Alberobello and Locorotondo, so that is positively among the best 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 – historic homes constructed from limestone with conical roofs. Alberobello has tons of of those fascinating buildings, and you may go inside a few of them to get a greater look.
Among the best methods to be taught extra about these iconic buildings and to see a variety of probably the most spectacular ones is to take this 2-hour guided trulli tour.
The city additionally affords 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 house some souvenirs out of your journey by procuring at one of many native markets. The Mercato del Sabato (Saturday market) is very value visiting in case you are on the town on a Saturday.
Locals come right here to purchase the whole lot from contemporary meals and kitchenware to garments and even antiques. You’ll be able to decide up a variety of contemporary 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 a terrific place to chill out and take pleasure in some genuine Puglian gelato.
There are a number of gelaterias on this space, however Cremeria La Scala is especially good and affords a variety of scrumptious flavors of gelato, granita, and sorbet with basic & seasonal flavors. Additionally they have a stunning shaded patio to flee from the highly effective noon solar.
This space of the Centro Storico can also be house to a number of nice cafes and eating places.
12. Stroll the Metropolis Partitions
Ostuni was an historic fortified metropolis, and the stays of its outdated defensive partitions are nonetheless largely intact.
You’ll be able to stroll alongside just a few 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 just a few steps, nevertheless it’s greater than well worth the effort.
Gazing out from Ostuni’s hilltop place, it’s simple to see why its founders selected this as the situation 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 Personal Eating Expertise
Should you’re staying in an condominium with self-catering services, one of the particular issues to do in Ostuni at night time is to take pleasure in an at-home personal eating expertise.
An professional chef will come to your condominium and cook dinner up a feast for you of Puglian specialties utilizing a variety of top-quality native elements. The meal features a vary of appetizers, first and second programs, and a scrumptious dessert.
This expertise may be personalized to account for explicit 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 slender, cobbled streets lined with fashionable cafes and boutiques.
Martina Franca is house to the spectacular baroque Basilica di San Martino cathedral which homes some stunning work from the Sixteenth century.
Wander round its slender streets, take pleasure in a espresso or an aperitivo in considered one of its many cafes and bars, and take in the ambiance. You’ll be able to take a strolling tour of Martina Franca, or style various native wines and different delicacies as a part of this tasting expertise.
15. Savor an Unbelievable Sundown
Ostuni’s sunsets are merely breathtaking, so ensure that to take a while each night you’re there to take pleasure in them from one of many many viewpoints round city.
My favourite place to observe the sundown in Ostuni is from the terrace of Dish Restaurant (see under). Nonetheless, even when you don’t eat there, you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in an unimaginable 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 here are just a few steered journey itineraries to assist determine 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 prime sights in sooner or later. 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 seaside 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 under).
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 a part of this 2-hour guided trulli tour.
Lastly, in your last day, head to the coast for some seaside time. Within the afternoon, do a conventional Puglian cooking class. End off your time within the metropolis with just a few 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 the whole lot I’ve described on this put up. You’ll be capable of 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 might counsel beginning with at the least sooner or later exploring town (as per the above) that will help 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 seaside. Use your remaining three days to tick off the remaining actions on this listing.
Don’t overlook to go to Ostuni’s predominant market on Saturday, and permit your self loads of time to sit down and people-watch within the metropolis’s enticing squares and plazas.
The place to Keep in Ostuni
These are just a few of the most effective neighborhoods in Ostuni for vacationers.
Previous City – Greatest for First-time Guests
The Centro Storico of Ostuni is the perfect selection for first-time guests, as most of the city’s hottest historic websites and points of interest are positioned right here. With its charming cobblestone streets and vigorous ambiance, it’s the right place to get a really feel for town.
This can be a nice resort near the middle.
Outskirts of Ostuni – Greatest for Finances Vacationers
Should you’re searching for price range lodging, this may largely be discovered on the outskirts of city. It’s not a very giant place, so that you’ll seemingly be capable of stroll out of your resort or condominium to a lot of the predominant vacationer points of interest in Ostuni, Italy.
Try this incredible price range condominium.
Masserias Close to Ostuni – Greatest for a Peaceable Rural Retreat
The world round Ostuni is house to quite a few Masserias (conventional farmhouses), nestled among the many historic olive groves. A number of have been transformed into guesthouses and splendid resorts that make for an ideal rural southern Italian retreat.
This one is beautiful.
Greatest Eating places in Ostuni
Don’t miss these nice locations to eat in Ostuni.
Dish Restaurant
Upmarket Dish Restaurant has a terrace with among the best views within the metropolis. The meals can also be incredible, providing a variety of ingenious and scrumptious dishes which can be expertly introduced.
Osteria Madre
Osteria Madre is a conventional Puglian restaurant simply south of the historic middle of Ostuni. It’s mid-priced and serves various native specialties, together with contemporary pasta and seafood.
Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza
The factor I really 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 a terrific number of native wines to take pleasure in together with your meal.
Impasto Napoletano Pizzeria Napoletana
Should you’re within the temper for good worth, high-quality Neapolitan pizza in Ostuni, look no additional than Impasto Napoletano Pizzeria Napoletana. They’ve an outside terrace that’s vigorous and buzzing within the evenings.
Attending to Ostuni
For a lot of guests, the best technique 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. Should you’re coming from additional away, you’ll in all probability should fly to both Rome or Milan first after which take a connecting flight (or practice) to Bari.
From Bari, you’ll be able to attain Ostuni by practice or bus. The practice is faster than the bus, though keep in mind that Ostuni practice station is positioned about 2 kilometers away from the middle of city. You’ll be able to both stroll, take an area bus, or hail a taxi to take you into city.
It’s additionally attainable to journey to Puglia by ferry from numerous international locations 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 here are some solutions to generally requested questions on what to see and do in Ostuni.
Ostuni is named the “White Metropolis” because of its stunning whitewashed homes, which make for gorgeous views from many factors within the metropolis.
Ostuni is a good vacation spot year-round. I feel the most effective time to go to is through the spring or early summer time 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 at the least two or three days to benefit from your go to. You’ll be able to simply fill a day exploring Ostuni’s charming middle, one other day stress-free on the seaside, after which a 3rd day visiting native vineyards and olive groves.
Ostuni is mostly a really protected place to go to. Nonetheless, as with every vacation spot, it’s at all times finest to pay attention to your environment and take the standard precautions.
Exploring the attractive whitewashed Previous City is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in Ostuni.
The perfect seaside 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 most 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 stunning vacation spot and a incredible place to base your self when exploring extra of the broader Puglia area. I couldn’t advocate it extra.
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