# Essential Ostuni Travel Guide: What to See & Do

**Discover Ostuni: Puglia’s Hilltop White City**

Ostuni is one of Puglia’s most distinctive destinations. Known as *La Città Bianca*, or the White City, this hilltop town rises above the Adriatic countryside in a maze of whitewashed houses, narrow lanes, stairways, and arches. Around every corner, unexpected views open onto blue sky and sea.

## Ostuni’s Whitewashed Historic Center

Ostuni’s character reflects a long and varied history. Its medieval center developed under Norman rule, while later periods brought fortifications, cultural prosperity, and architectural changes influenced by Spanish, Bourbon, and Renaissance traditions.

The practice of coating homes in white lime became especially important during plague outbreaks. Over time, this tradition helped create the luminous appearance that remains Ostuni’s defining feature.

Exploring the historic center is less about following a strict list of attractions than experiencing the atmosphere of the old town. Its winding streets can lead to hidden gardens, painted doors, artisan workshops, and panoramic openings over the countryside.

## What to See in Ostuni

### Piazza della Libertà

Piazza della Libertà is a natural meeting point in Ostuni. The square is marked by the Column of Saint Oronzo and the former Franciscan complex, which now houses the town hall.

### Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Higher in the old town, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta combines a Romanesque structure with richly detailed decorative elements. It is one of the historic center’s most notable landmarks.

### Arco Scoppa

Nearby, Arco Scoppa frames one of Ostuni’s most recognizable corners. Its architectural details and position within the old town make it a memorable feature of a walk through the city.

### Church of San Francesco

The Church of San Francesco offers a quieter spiritual landmark among Ostuni’s local streets and artisan workshops.

## The Atmosphere of Ostuni

Ostuni rewards slow exploration. The narrow lanes may seem disorienting, but this is part of the experience: a turn can reveal a secluded garden, a brightly painted door, or a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Local cafés, traditional pastries, and relaxed southern Italian rhythms add to the city’s appeal. Together, its architecture, history, and everyday life create an unforgettable whitewashed landscape.

For anyone planning a visit to Puglia, Ostuni offers a compact historic town where the atmosphere is as important as the individual sights.

## Walk Ostuni with Neywo

Neywo turns Ostuni into a self-guided audio tour. Stories arrive as you reach the place they belong to, and the route reshapes when you wander off it.

## More in Apulia

- [Otranto](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/otranto.md)
- [Polignano a Mare](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/polignano-a-mare.md)
- [San Giovanni Rotondo](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/san-giovanni-rotondo.md)
- [Taranto](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/taranto.md)
- [Trani](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/trani.md)
- [Alberobello](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/alberobello.md)
- [Bari](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/bari.md)
- [Lecce](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/lecce.md)
- [Locorotondo](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/locorotondo.md)
- [Monopoli](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/apulia/monopoli.md)

## Elsewhere in Italy

- [Castrovillari](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/castrovillari.md) — Calabria
- [Catanzaro](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/catanzaro.md) — Calabria
- [Corigliano Calabro](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/corigliano-calabro.md) — Calabria
- [Cosenza](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/cosenza.md) — Calabria
- [Diamante](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/diamante.md) — Calabria
- [Pizzo](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/pizzo.md) — Calabria
- [Reggio Calabria](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/reggio-calabria.md) — Calabria
- [Rogliano](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/rogliano.md) — Calabria
- [Scalea](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/scalea.md) — Calabria
- [Scilla](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/calabria/scilla.md) — Calabria
- [Amalfi](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/campania/amalfi.md) — Campania
- [Capri](https://neywo.com/destinations/italy/campania/capri.md) — Campania

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