Glowing white against the olive colours of the Puglian plains, Ostuni occupies a hilltop position, its lime-washed buildings winding up the side of a hillside, topping out with the bellower of Ostuni’s Gothic cathedral. Its medieval design includes winding alleys and passages, and the white paint was originally used to add light to the dark streets, then during the plague the lime washing was thought to impact the spread and was enforced. As it has grown Ostuni has spread downwards, and while some of our picks for the best places to stay in Ostuni are within its medieval heart — with fantastic hilltop-town views — others are converted farmhouses on the outskirts of town. Within Ostuni we have mainly chosen converted villas and palazzos.
The masseria, or farmhouses, on our list are ideal for foodies, because some are still producing food — which guests will savour on the restaurant tables — and they’re also bastions of peace and tranquility in the Puglian countryside. While also being a very short drive (or cycle) from Ostuni itself and from the beaches of the Puglian coastline. Some masseria are also idea for families, with not just spacious grounds on offer, but also huge suites or apartment-style accommodation.
The best places to stay in Ostuni’s historic centre benefit from incredible views of the surrounding plains, and from some seriously historic architecture and ornamentation, much of it dating from the 14th through 17th centuries. The very best views are had from the 15th century Concattedrale and many streets are lined with charming places to eat and drink. The festival of the town’s patron saint takes place between the 24th and 27th of August every year, and there’s a fantastic foodie festival slightly earlier in August too. The coast is under ten kilometres from town, ideal for lazy days on the beach. There’s also an ancient cave system nearby, and the outdoorsy opportunities of the Natural Reserve of Torre Guaceto.
