Hotels near Ostuni

Ostuni is Puglia's White City, a labyrinth of lime-washed medieval lanes perched on three hills 218 metres above sea level with sweeping views over an olive plain that runs to the Adriatic. The centro storico climbs to the late-Gothic Cattedrale di Santa Maria dell'Assunzione, consecrated in 1495 and famous for its rose window with 24 rays. Entry to the cathedral is free and it is open daily 07:30-12:00 and 16:00-19:30 in 2026.

The whitewashing tradition dates back to the 17th century, when quicklime was used as an antibacterial measure during the plagues that swept the Kingdom of Naples; it was later made mandatory by local ordinance and remains a protected element of the town's heritage today. The Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of Southern Murgia on Via Cattedrale is open Tue-Sun 10:00-13:00 and 15:30-18:30 with a 5 EUR entry, and houses the 25,000-year-old skeleton of Delia, a young pregnant woman found in a nearby cave.

Pro Tip: The best photograph of Ostuni is taken from the SS16 approach road roughly 4 km east of town, about 30 minutes before sunset, when the entire hilltop turns rose gold against the darker plain of olive groves below.