White limestone buildings cascade down a hilltop in Puglia, creating a maze of medieval streets and alleyways. The 15th-century Gothic cathedral sits at the highest point.
From the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to the winding medieval streets, Ostuni rises above Puglia's landscape in stark white limestone. In the old town, you'll walk past art galleries in converted palazzos, stop at viewpoints facing the Adriatic Sea, and shop at the Saturday market where farmers sell their olive oil pressed from thousand-year-old trees.
Walking Routes in Ostuni's Medieval Center
The medieval center covers the hilltop with narrow streets and stone staircases. White limestone buildings line the cobblestone paths, with bright flowers hanging from windows and painted wooden doors marking entrances. Start at Piazza della Libertà and follow Via Cattedrale through the old town's center. You'll pass art galleries and craft shops on ground floors, while above you'll see local life on balconies with drying laundry and Mediterranean plants.
The 15th-Century Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta sits at Ostuni's peak. Its beige limestone walls and large rose window stand out among the white buildings around it. Inside, three naves with stone pillars lead to side chapels containing 17th and 18th-century paintings. Walk to the cathedral square's edge for views across olive groves stretching to the Adriatic coast.
Saturday Market and Local Food
Visit the weekly market near Piazza della Libertà between 8 AM and 1 PM on Saturdays. Local vendors sell vegetables from their gardens, regional cheese varieties, and morning-caught seafood. The surrounding countryside has olive trees over 1,000 years old. You can visit local masserias (traditional farms) to taste olive oil and join cooking classes where local cooks teach you to make orecchiette pasta and other Puglian specialties.
Swimming Spots Along the Coast
Drive 8 kilometers to reach the Adriatic beaches. At Lido Morelli, wade into shallow waters that extend 50 meters from the beach. Costa Merlata's limestone cliffs create small, secluded bays. Head 20 kilometers north to Torre Guaceto nature reserve to swim in clear waters and walk along paths through coastal dunes, away from buildings.
Transportation and Day Trips
Catch hourly trains to Bari (1.5 hours) and Brindisi (30 minutes) between 6 AM and 9 PM. The station lies 2 kilometers from the center, with buses running every 30 minutes. You can reach Alberobello's cone-roofed trulli houses 35 kilometers away by car or bus. Take a one-hour train ride to see Lecce's baroque architecture. For international connections, use Brindisi Airport, 30 minutes away by car or shuttle.
