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Ostuni

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About Ostuni

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.

The Best Places to Stay in Ostuni

For Every Luxury

  • Paragon 700 is notable for being the only red-coloured palazzo in a city of white buildings, and its elegant facade, complete with French windows and balconies, is matched by elegant interiors. This is a proper boutique hotel, with eleven individually designed and decorated rooms and suites, featuring such pleasures as parquet floors, original masonry, fireplaces, and double height ceilings. In addition to peerless style the hotel also offers access to a guests-only spa, plus an outdoor pool — the only one in Ostuni — and parking — another rarity in Ostuni. Naturally the gardens, bar and gourmet restaurant are exemplary too.

For a Central Location

  • In the heart of the old town, the Ostuni Palace Hotel offers a careful blend of contemporary comforts and traditional luxury. The 34 rooms and suites are large and light, decorated in toile du joie style prints and matching colours. The piano bar and chic restaurant, with its excellent selection of local wine, add an air of romance, and the spa and hot tub don’t hurt. Even though the beach is a few kilometres away, the hotel has its own private beach, complete with a beach bar — and accessed by a shuttle bus. There are family suites available too.

For a Rural Escape

  • Travel around six kilometres along winding roads outside of Ostuni and you’ll come upon the Masseria Le Carrube, a rural hideaway beautifully converted from an old masseria just a few years ago. Today the property has 19 guest rooms, decorated to reference the building’s former use, and all offering the perfect opportunity for escape and peace, plus serene grounds and a restaurant specialising in vegetarian food made from locally sourced produce. And everywhere the scent of lemons. This is the sort of hotel that always feels as if you have the place to yourself, even when it’s at capacity.

For a Special Stay

  • If you're looking for a unique Puglian experience, the traditional trulli of Masseria Cervarolo are amongst the best places to stay in Ostuni. Originally peasant's workshops, these trulli have been converted to sleep up to six in total comfort — there are 12 other rooms in the main building. All painted traditional white, and arranged around a lovely pool, this is the ideal choice if you want to relax, maybe take some local cooking lessons and see the highlights of the region at your own pace.

For Foodies

  • La Sommità Relais is a minimalist conversion of one of Ostuni’s beautiful, white villas, which has retained all the most charming original features, and added all the mod cons. Think spacious bathrooms, exposed stone walls and masonry, arched ceilings, and a central courtyard planted with ancient olive trees. The small plunge pool has been cleverly added by one of the terraces, as has the excellent Michelin starred restaurant, and everywhere you look the views are incredible.
  • Il Frantoio is a now famous, and slightly eccentric hotel, that’s been converted from a rustic, rambling masseria, with courtyards and outbuildings that spread amongst the wisteria and bougainvillea. Despite the rambling size of this property, it still has only 16 guest rooms, decorated with local antiques and trinkets. The farm still grows a lot of produce, much of which fuels the restaurant, which offers a daily eight course tasting menu and should not be missed. The restaurant spills out into an inner courtyard, which is lit up with fairy lights come evening, and people start gathering for aperitifs. The pool is set amongst ancient olive trees. Memorable for all the right reasons.
  • The Masseria Salinola is another beautifully converted farmhouse, this one dating from the 17th century. Like Il Frantoio, food is still produced here, and fed into the hotel restaurant, from the extra virgin olive groves, to the kitchen garden. The hospitality doesn’t start there, though, it starts with the warm family welcome, and rustic, cosy decor. There are just ten rooms, suites and apartments, with whitewashed walls and local antiques, and an outdoor pool. There are also bikes you can borrow to cycle into Ostuni. Some of the apartments sleep up to five.

For a private apartment or villa

  • If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

  • Ostuni’s closest international airport is Brindisi Airport, which is just half an hour away by car or taxi, and about an hour and twenty minutes by bus. Bari Airport is next closest, at just over an hour away by car. We note Bari Airport because it’s larger, and served by Ryanair, and some flag carrier airlines, while Brindisi is also served by Ryanair and other European low-cost carriers.
  • If you plan to hire a car, which we would advise if you want to get out and explore further afield, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
  • Ostuni is landlocked within beautiful Puglia, which means it has a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters, but without the sea to provide cooling breezes. So in the hottest months of July and August, Ostuni anticipates temperatures of 30+°C. November through February are the wettest months, but December is still very cheery with Christmas decorations. In spring the flowers are a wonder, perfect for walkers, and you’ll have the gradually warming centres to yourself, then there’s bustling summer, lasting until late September, and the quieter, but still very cheerful stretch between October and December, when the weather is still mild and it's possible to enjoy lunch on the terrace.

Still not sure where to stay?

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Best Hotels in Ostuni

  • Paragon 700 Ostuni 11 rooms from £260

    Local exploring  -  The white cities and Valle d’Itria Golf are 30 minutes away.
    Short break  -  It's easy to reach Puglia, fly to Bari or Brindisi.
    Honeymoons  -  Luxurious, quiet and private.
    Sights nearby  -  The white cities and Valle d’Itria Golf are jut 30 minutes away.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParking

    The only red palazzo in the white city of Ostuni, Paragon 700 is an absolutely stunning addition to the boutique hotel scene in Puglia. A timeless place where elegance and history are found in each one of the beautifully finished rooms and suites. Plus a gourmet restaurant & pool. Open year-round. See More

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  • Ostuni Palace Hotel Ostuni, Puglia 34 rooms from £104

    Romantic Break  -  A romantic boutique in the White City of Ostuni, boasting chic piano bar, spa, hot tub, Hammam and elegant Italian cuisine.
    Spa  -  Featuring sauna, Chromotherapy shower, Turkish bath, hot tub, wide range of massages and relaxation area.
    Great walks  -  A 15 minute drive brings you to the beautiful sandy beaches of Pugila.
    Sights nearby  -  Visit the nearby cathedral, built in late gothic style.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantPet friendlyDisabled accessParking

    A romantic, stylish and refined hotel that features modern comforts and excellent personal service. Beautiful airy bedrooms in whites and pastels with ethereal drapes. Wonderful restaurant, roof top terrace and private beach just a few kilometeres away. The perfect romantic getaway. See More

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  • Masseria Le Carrube Ostuni 19 rooms from £121

    Sights nearby  -  Four miles from Ostuni, the White City with it's stunning gothic cathedral.
    Romantic  -  Good for couples.
    Outstanding location
    Views  -  Great views from hotel
    Air conditioningRestaurantGardenViewsParking

    Effortlessly chic, intimate and personal, it’s a true hideaway near the Adriatic. Six kilometers away from Ostuni and down a long route of winding lanes to a blissfully peaceful spot. See More

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  • Masseria Cervarolo Ostuni Brindisi, Puglia 18 rooms from £134

    Families  -  A number of the rooms sleep upto four and the pool has a lifeguard meaning children can roam free!
    Country Escape  -  With beautiful countryside, indulgent cuisine and a large pool this is an idyllic rural escape
    Traditional
    Restaurant  -  Serving Puglian cuisine including local specialities
    Air conditioningRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViews
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Sawdays

    Gorgeous traditional Ostuni farmhouse. Traditional trulli (conical peasants' houses) act as rooms and suites, immaculately painted in white. Stunning grounds, terraces, and enormous swimming pool. A fabulous choice for romantic breaks, family holidays, and friends. See More

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  • Il Frantoio Ostuni (Brindisi) 16 rooms from £156

    Romantic Break  -  Chic rooms with wisteria swathed stairways, enchanting interiors and antique furnishings are the epitome of fairytale romance.
    Foodies  -  Members of the slow food movement the kitchen, under Rosalba, create extraordianry cuisine from simple home grown ingrediants.
    Tennis  -  Make the most of the nearby tennis courts and work up an appetite for dinner.
    Great walks  -  Meander through olive trees on walking trials from the hotel.
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenParking
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays

    Justly famous masseria with wonderful food and a vaguely eccentric air. Pretty bedrooms with white washed walls surround a bougainvillea-filled courtyards. Organic produce from the farm and olive grove is used in fabulous multi-course meals. A divine gourmet rustic retreat close to the beach. See More

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  • La Sommità Relais Ostuni 15 rooms from £167

    Foodies  -  A fantastic little Michelin starred restaurant and great wine list.
    Spa  -  Massages, Turkish baths and excellent range of treatments using SPA Gerard's methods and products
    Sights nearby  -  Nearby towns of Cisternino and Martina Franca
    Restaurant  -  Cielo Restaurant holds one Michelin Star.
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantGardenPet friendlyParking
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, I Escape, Tablet

    Minimalist luxury in an ancient white town. Stunning views from the terraces and a lovely restaurant serving fantastic food with immaculate presentation. Large comfortable beds in airy bedrooms. A small plunge pool perfect for cooling off. A gem of a hotel. See More

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  • Masseria Salinola Ostuni 10 rooms from £191

    Cooking classes  -  A day with a chef can be organised.
    Full of character  -  Due to its age (dating back to the 1700s), the rooms here come in all shapes and sizes
    Restaurant  -  The restaurant serves delicious Puglian cuisine
    Swimming Pool  -  Large outdoor pool surrounded by loungers
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendly

    This boutique hotel is set in a refurbished seventeenth-century farmhouse in beautiful Apulian countryside. Antique furnishings in simple but luxurious rooms add even more charm, and it has its own olive groves producing extra virgin oil. The perfect place to unwind. See More

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