Ostuni holidays
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Ostuni holidays plant you in a beautiful white city, complete with a cathedral, tucked-away gift shops, and spectacular views over Puglia.
The white town
Pinned to the heel of Italy’s boot in the region of Puglia, the pretty city of Ostuni takes the crown when it comes to good-looking Italian destinations. It’s known locally as ‘the white town’, and from afar, looks like a tumble of bleached-white houses rolling down a hillside. Explore the spaghetti-like maze of narrow streets, pop into years-old craft shops, and people-watch on the piazza.
A bevy of beaches
Don’t let Ostuni’s wow-factor architecture detract too much from the neighbouring coastline. Known as the Marina di Ostuni, it runs along the Adriatic for 20 kilometres and features long beaches, sandy dunes, campsites, and seaside villages. The closest beach to the city is the Lido Morelli, and you can reach it in 20 minutes via public transport.
Views for days
Ostuni’s hillside location makes it worth visiting just for the views over Puglia. The city itself is characterised by a Medieval labyrinth of narrow backstreets and little flights of stairs. Follow them all the way to the highest part of the town for some excellent panoramas, as well as the imposing Archbishop’s Palace and the 15th-century Ostuni Cathedral with its famous rose-shaped windows.
Daytrips to Alberobello
Another Puglia town worth visiting from Ostuni is Alberobello, a 45-minute drive away. You can also get there by train. Alberobello is famous for its cute trulli houses – these white cone-shaped buildings can be found in the area called Rione Monti. A day here can be spent exploring the picturesque streets, popping into the local museum, and relaxing in the many bars and cafés that serve local dishes.