One day in Ostuni, Italy; best things to do on your day trip

Spending at least one day in Ostuni is an absolute must when traveling to Puglia, the heel of Italy. Ostuni is a beautiful town perched on top of a hill overlooking eternal olive groves and a sparkling Adriatic Sea. It is known as La Città Bianca (The White City), thanks to its whitewashed houses and surrounding city walls. If you are looking for a guide with all the best things to do in Ostuni, you have come to the right place! In this post I will share all my personal travel tips and experiences to make it easy to plan your day trip.

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One day in Ostuni; best things to do

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One day in Ostuni; best things to do

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Why should you go on a day trip to Ostuni?

Ostuni is the first town I visited in Puglia. I arrived at sunset and when I drove from Brindisi airport towards the town, the sun was painting the white city in different shades of yellow, orange and pink and made it gleam like a warm spotlight. The sight of this old town nestled on a hill completely surrounded by olive trees is something I had never seen before!

It is one of the oldest towns in the region, but it is unknown when exactly Ostuni was established. Since the Stone Age, people have lived in the area surrounding Ostuni. The Messapians are assumed to have founded the settlement at first. Various empires invaded the town over the course of history, but it never really suffered damage from war.

Ostuni kept its authentic medieval charm, but also houses some trendy bars and restaurants! Ostuni is a perfect blend of old and new. There are plenty of things to do in Ostuni. Not only is it an excellent place for shopping lovers, but it is also a town for true wanderers! Those who enjoy getting lost while roaming a town’s many winding streets, will adore La Città Bianca. So, spending one day in Ostuni is an absolute must!

Where is Ostuni and how can you get there?

Ostuni is situated in the Puglia region of Italy, also known as the “heel” of Italy’s boot. It lies about 35 km west from Brindisi, which also has the nearest airport. Bari airport is a little less than 100 km away.

The best way to move around in Puglia is by car. When you are planning your one day in Ostuni, it is important to know where to park. There are several parking lots where you can park your car in Ostuni. The nearest to the centro storico are the ones at Via Giosuè Pinto and Via Antonio Specchia. You are not allowed to access the old town by car!

You can also catch the train called Ferrovie Sud Est (FSE) from a couple of towns like Bari and Brindisi. Ostuni railway station is located at 4 km from the town centre.

Taxis do not exist in this region of Puglia. If you do not want to rent a car you could opt for N.C.C. (Noleggio con conducente). Which is a more expensive transfer service with driver you need to reserve in advance. I recommend this Taxi Service located in Ostuni. The drivers and girl who arranges everything were super nice and helpful! You can reserve online.

When should you go to Ostuni?

The ideal months to experience the best things to do in Ostuni for a day trip, in terms of weather, are April through September. But keep in mind that the summer months can get really hot! The rainiest months are October, November and December. I would not recommend visiting Ostuni during the peak season, because the crowds will drive you crazy.

How to make the most of your one day in Ostuni?

The best advice I can give, is the one I always give; arrive early! Ostuni is a very popular, touristic town so it gets crowded rather fast. I loved to explore before 9.00 am. All the shops were still closed, and the tour busses hadn’t arrived yet. The town was quiet, and I could take photos at ease. First take photos of the touristic spots like the cathedral and main streets, so you can take photos of the lesser-known places later. That way you never have too many people in your shots.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. There are a lot of stairs and steep winding streets that can be a little slippery. Since the old town is situated on a hill, it can also get very windy. So, make sure to take a jacket or cardigan, depending on the season.

What are the best things to do in Ostuni during a day trip?

1. Climb up to the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta & Arco Scoppa

One of the most popular things to do in Ostuni is climbing up the main street Via Cattedrale and visiting the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta. This 15th-century gothic cathedral with original foundations dating back to 1000, is standing majestically at the top of the hill. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1456, it was reconstructed in Gothic style.

Although quite simple, the facade is lovely with its Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. The exquisite rose window in the middle is the main attraction, but you must step inside to really appreciate the ceiling frescos, dramatic altar, and several important pieces of art in the side chapels.

Across the cathedral you can find the Arco Scoppa, an arched loggia connecting the Palazzo Vescovile and the Palazzo del Seminario. When you walk through the arch and turn right you will encounter an amazing view on the olive groves and the Adriatic Sea.

2. Get lost in the Centro Storico

The streets of Ostuni’s Centro Storico seem to twirl around the hill forming a magical wonderland. A labyrinth of white alleys and stairways decorated with cacti and flowers leading to hidden corners and squares is waiting to be explored. The best way to spend your one day in Ostuni is to just wander these narrow streets not knowing where you will end up and discovering one surprise after the other. I just could not stop taking photos of all the stunning alleys and the cute little arches.

So, make sure to leave the main street leading up to the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta and take as many side streets as you can!

best things to do during one day in Ostuni

3. Take photos of the doors of Ostuni

Ostuni not only has some of the most beautiful streets, but its doors are as adorable! There is one door in particular that has become the icon of Ostuni. This steel door is painted in the colors of the olive groves and the Adriatic Sea and contrasts with its surrounding white walls. It appears that the only thing behind it is the valley that drops into the ocean. Some call it “the gateway to Salento”.

Across the street you will find another beautiful door with decorative bottles siding it. But these doors are not the only one’s worth checking out in Ostuni. Many doors and staircases will draw your attention.

4. Walk along Ostuni’s city walls

The Centro Storico of Ostuni is surrounded by sturdy city walls, that over time were reconstructed several times. There used to be four city gates providing access to the city, but only two of them remained; Porta Nova & Porta San Demetrio. The walk along the walls is fun to do. You’ll encounter some stunning views and it gives you a good idea of how massive and strong these walls actually are!

5. Sip an aperitivo

Enjoying an aperitivo cannot be missing in this list of best things to do in Ostuni! After all this is Italy we are talking about! Next to the most popular door of Ostuni, Borgo Antico Bistrot has set up its tables on a zigzagging staircase. From here you have a spectacular view of the fields of olive trees and the azure sea. It is a very popular spot to have an aperitivo, so always very busy!

Another spot I loved having aperitivo at was Avenida 40 Cafè. It is located just outside the city walls and has a more relaxed vibe. They offer all different kinds of chairs like large seat cushions and rocking chairs. You can take in the breathtaking vista of the olive orchards surrounding Ostuni while sipping on your Aperol Spritz.

Caffé Riccardo is also popular and is especially fun in the evening with its special zebra light effects in the street. What I loved is that all seats were close to each other, so it was easy to start chatting with the tables next to you. The ideal place for solo travelers! Their non alcoholic cocktail was also very tasty!

6. Enjoy the view at Piazzetta Martiri delle Foibe

If you are a sucker for viewpoints like me, then your one day in Ostuni is not complete without checking out the belvedere at Piazzetta Martiri delle Foibe. It is situated in the new part of Ostuni, only 600 m from the Piazza della Libertà. From there you have a fantastic view of the old town on the hill.

7. Mingle with the locals at Piazza della Libertà

The Piazza della Libertà is the beating heart of Ostuni. Not only is it the entry point of the old town, it is also the meeting place of the locals and the tour groups. This square is surrounded by the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, the Palazzo San Francesco and many bars, restaurants and gelaterie. Also prominently present is the column of Sant’Oronzo. Which was placed there to say thanks to Sant’Oronzo for saving the city from famine and the plague.

8. Get a view from outside the city among the olive trees

Another fantastic view I found by walking away from the city into the olive groves. I had done some research first at home with Google Satellite/Street View and that way I found a cute spot to sit down in between the olive trees and enjoy the view! When going here, always be respectful! Do not leave any trash and do not touch the olives. They are someone’s property and not yours to take!

9. Shop for souvenirs & local products

You cannot go on a day trip to Ostuni without a little shopping! Ostuni has the cutest souvenir shops where you can buy ceramics, leather goods, pasta and of course; different kinds of products made from olives, especially olive oil. You can also find the colorful dress shop Antica Sartoria in the Via Cattedrale!

10. Enjoy the good food

Ostuni has countless restaurants and bars. They all have cute terraces with nice decorations and there are a lot of “hipster” places. (Is that still a word?) I was surprised to find so many trendy places within a town with such a medieval vibe. I loved it! For lunch I just had a puccia, which is a typical regional sandwich that can have all kinds of fillings like cheese, vegetables, ham, salami, … I found it at a small family business at the crossing of Via Cattedrale and Via Alfonso Giovine, that seemed to be very popular, but I don’t know its name.

For dinner, I was attracted by the cutest alley decorated with flickering colorful lights. It turned out to be the setting of a restaurant called L’Arco Dei Sapori. I wasn’t very hungry, so I just ordered the melanzane alla parmigiana and it was very good!

Book a hotel for your day trip to Ostuni

If you would like to stay longer to explore all the fabulous things to do in Ostuni or you want to be able to get there early, you could spend the night in this beautiful town! I stayed at the fantastic Vico Bianco Raro Rooms Collection. It is situated just outside the old town, about 200 meters from the Piazza della Libertà, which was ideal to explore!

I stayed at a large double room partially built into the rock wall, which was pretty cool! There was a nice breakfast buffet and a small rooftop pool where you can hang out in the afternoon if you are done exploring.

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So that is it! I hope you enjoyed this “One day in Ostuni, Italy; best things to do on your day trip” blog post and that it will help to plan your own trip! I really tried to cover everything you need to know. Do not hesitate to leave your comments or questions down below! That way I can add more information if necessary!
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