The "Italian Santorini" - white washed buildings, sea views and incredible food

Known as the “Italian Santorini”, Ostuni is a magical small town located in Southern Italy, in the Puglia region. Its white-washed buildings and its location on a hill offering stunning sea views are only a few of the reasons why the place is a must-see.

During our months spent exploring Puglia, we linked it together with another southern gem that stole our hearts – Polignano a Mare.

If it’s the first time that Ostuni crosses your path, here are 5 reasons why you should start planning your visit right away. While there are many other lesser-known villages around Puglia, Ostuni should not be skipped.

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5 Reasons Why Ostuni Should Be On Your Southern Italy Bucket List

One of the main attractions in Apulia (Puglia)

The town has a population of about 32,000 in winter, but can swell to 200,000 during the summer, making it one of the main towns attracting tourists in Apulia.

With all that in mind, you should not expect crowded streets or packed piazzas. We visited in April and in August, and during both months we found empty alleys and friendly cats.

The town is known as “The Italian Santorini” or the “La Città Bianca”, understandably so. Pretty much like Santorini, Ostuni is painted white primarily due to historical reasons, such as using lime whitewash as a natural disinfectant to ward off the plague. Of course, there is also a practical need to reflect intense sunlight to keep buildings cool.

If you only spend one day exploring Ostuni, here are the most important attractions and things to do.

The “Old Town” is Ostuni’s citadel, built on top of a hill and still fortified by the ancient walls.

Don’t skip Piazza della Libertà, the main square where you’ll admire the Colonna di Sant’Oronzo, a stone column that honors the patron saint of Ostuni.

The square is lined with bars and restaurants where we stopped for lunch. We were traveling with a toddler, so time was limited, but I would encourage you to step further away from the main square.

Admire the Palazzo San Francesco, a 12th-century convent that now serves as Ostuni’s town hall.

Allow yourself to get lost on the labyrinth-like streets in the old town. That’s how we discovered shops with local treasures, picture-perfect cafes, and restaurants with delicious food.

If you’re looking for souvenirs or unique things to bring back home, plan your visit for a Saturday morning. That’s when the weekly market takes place, and we always find something interesting at these gatherings.

Other things worth booking in Ostuni

When you don’t have a lot of time but want to see it all, hop on a tuk-tuk tour. Or book a private walking tour to learn more about the town and its history.

Rich history and cultural diversity

Ostuni is the fifth city in Italy by percentage of British residents and the first for the sale of houses and villas. Apart from that, Ostuni also has a large and continuous German immigrant community.

The most famous door in Puglia

Sure, you don’t have to go all the way to Ostuni for a door. There are so many colorful and beautiful doors around Puglia.

However, you’ll see plenty of people stopping for a picture in front of this particular “Porta Azzurra” (Blue Door).

Sure, it is not a historical landmark, and it is not even the door to a popular hotel. But if you like taking pictures, this place has gained international fame for some reason.

Mouth-Watering Food

Nobody can contradict me if I say that the food in Italy is delicious. However, even though we chose to live in Tuscany, I sometimes reminisce about the food in the South of Italy.

They have the talent to create art from only a few ingredients. Still basing their kitchen philosophy on the “cucina povera salentina” tradition, the people in Salento craft delicious food with only a few fresh ingredients.

Don’t leave without trying a platter of cold cuts with a local focaccia. We sure love the Genovese one, but I would never turn down a Leccese or Barese one.

When it comes to pasta, each region has its own, and of course, Puglia has the orecchiette. And if you only want a fast snack, grab a delicious panzerotto.

Let’s not forget about the wine

If you are familiar with Italian wine, you’ll know that Puglia produces a stronger type of wine. You cannot leave Salento without trying the Negroamaro, Primitivo, or Nero di Troia.