Photo by Riccardo Prudentino (Wikiricky user). Ostuni, the “white city”, is known for its characteristic white buildings. In addition to being a notable summer tourist center, Ostuni has an ancient history, which dates back to at least the Paleolithic, and then became the destination of Saracens and Byzantines during the Middle Ages. If you plan to visit it, here ‘s what to see absolutely !
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What to see in Ostuni
1 – Old Town
Photo by Freddyballo. The historic center of Ostuniand the “old town”, famous for its completely white houses thanks to the lime covering. To characterize it, in addition to this, are also the numerous alleys that make their way between the houses, many of which end up in a dead end. The only effective street worthy of the name is the so-called “Via Cattedrale”, which cuts the historic center into two parts.
- How to get there: from the station take the SP20 for 3 km – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free, free visit
Choose a guided tour : to visit the best of the city in a few hours, the guided tour through the streets of the center is highly recommended! Prices are around € 25.00 and during the walk you can immerse yourself in the history and landscapes of the city accompanied by a local guide.
2 – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the major attractions of the city. Built in 1400 on the highest part of the city, it is made with a fusion of Gothic style and that of the Venetian school. Its facade features a finely decorated central rose window, which is also the second largest in all of Europe. Inside, however, you will find a painted ceiling overlooking three naves divided by columns, and richly decorated chapels.
- How to get there: Piazza Beato Giovanni Paolo II – Get directions
- Orari: Mar-Sun 10:00-13:00; Sat-Sun 16:00-29:00
- Ticket cost: € 1.00
3 – Piazza della Liberta
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli. Another important place in the historic center is Piazza della Liberta, one of the main cultural centers of Ostuni. Here in the evening the city comes alive, thanks also to the numerous clubs that arise on its perimeter. In addition to being one of the centers of Ostuni’s “nightlife”, Piazza della Liberta is also the site of the Palazzo di Citta, a former Franciscan monastery, the church of San Francesco and the famous Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo .
- How to get there: Piazza della Liberta – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free, free visit
4 – Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo
Photo by Berthold Werner. As we have just mentioned, the Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo is located within the perimeter of Piazza della Liberta. Also known as “the spire”, it is almost 21 meters high and dates back to around 1771. On the surface of the column, created as an ex voto after the miraculous protection made by Sant’Oronzo against famine and epidemics, you can admire various representations, among which those of the saints, such as San Biagio and Sant’Agostino, stand out. On the top of the column you can see the statue of Sant’Oronzo, which still protects Ostuni today.
- How to get there: Piazza della Liberta – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free, free visit
5 – Church of San Francesco
Photo by Tango7174. Built in 1304 in the Gothic style, the Church of San Francesco is one of the most important churches in Ostuni . Both this building and the adjoining convent underwent profound changes in the 1600s and in the second half of the 1700s. Today the original facade of the church is no longer visible since in 1883 it was homologated to that of the former convent, which meanwhile became the Town Hall of the city. . Its interior has a single nave and is rich in stuccos , as well as a canvas by Luca Giordano, an altar by Sanmartino and wooden statues dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
- How to get there: Piazza della Liberta – Get directions
- Times: in relation to the times of mass
- Ticket cost: free
6 – Church of the Holy Spirit
The Church of the Holy Spirit is one of the numerous churches in the historic center of Ostuni. To characterize it is the 15th century portal adorned with typically late Gothic bas-reliefs. Inside, however, you can admire the seventeenth-century statue of Sant’Oronzo and that of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio . It also seems that some masses are celebrated in English in this church.
- How to get there: Piazza della Liberta – Get directions
- Times: in relation to the times of mass
- Ticket cost: free
7 – Museo Civico
Photo by Galiano.M. The Civic Museum of Ostuni is one of the most important museums in the city. Inaugurated in 1989 inside the former monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi, it contains finds belonging to the Messapian, medieval and modern age, found in the areas adjacent to Ostuni. Inside you can also see the original finds that come directly from the Grotta di Agnano , which is part of the same circuit.
- How to get there: From Piazza della Liberta proceed on via Cattedrale for approximately 200 meters – Get directions
- Hours: 1 July-31 December every day 10: 00-13: 00/16: 00-19: 00. Sundays and holidays 9: 30-13: 00. 1 January-30 June from Monday to Friday 10: 00-13: 00. Saturday and Sunday 10: 00-13: 00/16: 00-19: 00
- Ticket price: full € 5.00. Reduced € 3.00
8 – Natural Archaeological Park of Santa Maria di Agnano
Photo by AndreaCoppola00. About 2 km from the historic center of Ostuni you will find the Natural Archaeological Park of Santa Maria di Agnano. Connected to the civic museum, this park focuses on the cave of the same name, home to 3,000-year-old cults and rites , dedicated to a female figure. In this cave, which in the past was a real sanctuary, researches have allowed to bring to light two tombs called “Ostuni 1” and “Ostuni 2”, complete with funeral equipment. Already used in the Paleolithic, the cave however has also returned finds dating back to the Middle Ages.
- How to get there: from Ostuni take the SS16 towards Fasano (distance 3.7 km, about 12 minutes) – Get directions
- Hours: Sun and holidays 9: 30-13: 00
- Ticket price: full € 5.00. Reduced € 3.00
9 – Parco Dune Costiere
Photo of PanoramioFasano. The Coastal Dunes Park is undoubtedly a must for nature lovers . Large 1,100 hectares, it contains various habitats that follow one another along the 8 km of coastline and agricultural areas that compose it. Walking through the paths that cross it you will also be able to see centuries- old olive groves and ancient farms , typical of these areas. The park is relatively young, since it was established in 2006 to conserve and recover animal and plant species that would otherwise be in danger of being lost forever.
- How to get there: From Ostuni take the SP19 or the SS16 (distance 13.3 km, about 18 minutes) – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: Free, free visit
10 – Church of the Madonna della Grata
Distant from the historic center you will find the Church of Madonna della Grata. Located downstream of Ostuni, this church is linked to a miraculous event that took place in 1700 . It is said that a man, forced to walk bent down due to severe back pain, went to the sanctuary to pray to the Madonna, and miraculously recovered.
Just to remember this fact, every first Sunday of August the Madonna della Grata is celebrated with a spectacular procession , which attracts all the inhabitants of Ostuni. It should be noted that the church is considered more a sanctuary than anything else, in memory of the ancient image of the Madonna that stood right here, promoter of the miracle.
- How to get there: From Piazza della Liberta turn right and continue on Via Presidente Cucci – Get directions
- Times: in relation to the times of mass
- Ticket cost: free, free visit
11 – Beaches of Ostuni
Let’s face it … you can devote half a day, at most one to visiting the city … but for the rest, Ostuni is synonymous with sea and beaches ! It is in fact one of the most popular summer resorts in Italy, with ideal beaches for children, for families, for relaxation and for fun! Torre Guaceto, Torre Pozzelle, Rosa Marina and Creta Rossa are just some of the beaches that you can find in Ostuni and its surroundings. To find out more, here you will find the most beautiful beaches of Ostuni.
12 – In the surrounding area: Cisternino and Carovigno
Ideal as one-day excursions , but also half-day ones, Cisternino and Carovigno are two pearls a few kilometers from Ostuni.
Cisternino was awarded with the orange flag, recognition reserved for inland villages for the quality of tourist services. It is only 15 km from Ostuni and is located in the heart of a unique territory in Italy: the Itria Valley and the Murgia with its characteristic Trulli.
The historic buildings and towers , churches and convent of the Capuchins are worth seeing in Cisternino.
Carovigno is even closer, just 8 km from Ostuni, and is also a little gem.
With very ancient origins, do not miss the small but delightful historic center and the Dentice Castle with its towers, located on top of the town and from which to enjoy a breathtaking view!
- How to get there: to Cisternino via SP17 in 20 minutes – Get directions / To Carovigno via SS116 in 15 minutes – Get directions
What to see in one day
Ostuni lends itself to being visited in one day, and very pleasant to walk around and discover slowly. A day allows you to discover the center without giving up a few afternoon hours on the beach.
Let’s now see the recommended itinerary to visit Ostuni in one day .
First time in Ostuni
To optimize time and have a first approach to the city, we recommend that you book a walking tour with a local guide.
- 09:30 – Historic Center, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Church of the Holy Spirit
- 10:30 – Piazza della Liberta, Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo and Church of San Francesco
- 11:30 – Coastal Dunes Park
- 15:30 – Pilone beach
- 20:30 – Dinner, Porta del Salento and Largo Trinchera
What to see in 3 days
With three days at your disposal you can add two more excursions to the itinerary of the first day and a little more time for the beaches of the coast.
- Day 1 : Old Town, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Church of the Holy Spirit, Piazza della Liberta, Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo and Church of San Francesco, Coastal Dunes Park, Pilone Beach
- Day 2 : Morning excursion to Locorotondo, afternoon excursion to Alberobello
- Day 3 : Morning excursion to Cisternino, afternoon excursion to Carovigno or to the beach at Torre Guaceto
