Alberobello
Alberobello is a UNESCO-listed town in Puglia famous for its trulli, cone-roofed stone houses that give the whole place a storybook feel perfect for families.
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🇮🇹Ostuni
Explore Ostuni with your family: wander the dazzling White City, discover a 28,000-year-old skeleton, and feast on the best of Puglian cuisine.
Your family guide
Ostuni, the White City: a family adventure in Puglia's most beautiful hilltop town
“Every alley in Ostuni leads somewhere unexpected, and that is exactly the point.”
— San & Jo
Ostuni is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. Perched on a hilltop above an endless sea of olive groves, the whitewashed old town glows in the southern Italian sun like something out of a fairy tale. Known as La Città Bianca, the White City, Ostuni earns that nickname with every dazzling street, arch, and staircase in its ancient centro storico.
For families, Ostuni is a genuine treat. The compact old town is made for slow wandering, with narrow alleys that beg to be explored, hidden viewpoints that reveal the Adriatic shimmering in the distance, and gelaterias around what feels like every corner. The pace of life here is warm and unhurried, very much the southern Italian way, and children quickly pick up on that relaxed energy.
Beyond the old town, Ostuni works brilliantly as a base for your wider Puglia adventure. Adriatic beaches, the trulli of Alberobello, and the whitewashed lanes of Locorotondo are all within easy reach. Whether you are here for a day trip or a few nights, Ostuni has a way of staying with you long after you leave.
Province of BrindisiPuglia, southern Italy
Best April to June, September to OctoberAvoid peak crowds in July and August
La Città BiancaThe White City of Puglia
Best things to do
Why we love Ostuni for families
Wander the centro storico
The heart of Ostuni is a maze of whitewashed alleys, stone staircases, and ancient arches that reward slow, curious exploration. There is no wrong turn here. Every corner reveals a doorway draped in bougainvillea or a glimpse of the Adriatic far below. Kids love the freedom of roaming these car-free lanes, and parents will love the photo opportunities at every step.
Go early morning to beat the crowds and catch the light at its best
2-3 hours
Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Ostuni's 15th-century Gothic cathedral is an architectural highlight you should not skip. Its rose window is claimed to be the largest in Italy and the second largest in Europe, with Christ surrounded by 24 columns representing the hours of the day. Inside, look out for the frescoes and the beautifully carved wooden altar. It is genuinely impressive for all ages.
Look up at the rose window from the outside first, then go in for the full effect
30-45 minutes
Find the Blue Door and Arco Scoppa viewpoints
La Casa con la Porta Blu, the famous blue door, is one of Ostuni's most photographed spots and for good reason. The views over the surrounding landscape from here are spectacular. Nearby, the ornate Arco Scoppa leads to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking olive groves stretching all the way to the sea. Both are short walks from the cathedral and easy with kids.
The Corso Vittorio Emanuele II viewpoint is often less crowded and equally stunning
45 minutes
Explore Piazza della Libertà
The main square is the beating heart of Ostuni and a perfect spot to soak up the local atmosphere. The 18th-century Colonna di Sant'Oronzo obelisk stands proudly at the centre, honouring the city's patron saint. Surround yourself with locals and tourists alike at the cafes, let the kids run around the open space, and take in the beautiful Palazzo San Francesco and Chiesa di San Francesco.
Pull up a chair at a cafe here in the late afternoon when the square really comes alive
30-60 minutes
Walk the Mura Aragonesi city walls
Ostuni's ancient Aragonese walls offer a wonderful perspective over the white city cascading down the hillside, with sea views stretching to the Adriatic. The Viale Oronzo Quaranta promenade along the walls is a favourite spot for an evening passeggiata. It is a flat and easy walk that works well for pushchairs and younger children.
Come at sunset for the most dramatic light on the white buildings
45-60 minutes
Meet Delia at the Museum of Preclassic Civilizations
This small but fascinating museum is home to one of Ostuni's most remarkable secrets: the 28,000-year-old skeleton of a pregnant woman known as Delia. It is a genuinely engaging stop that brings prehistory to life, and older children in particular tend to find it captivating. A great rainy-day option or a welcome break from the midday heat.
Check opening hours locally before visiting as they can vary seasonally
45-60 minutes
Browse the artisan shops in the old town
Ostuni's centro storico is dotted with small artisan shops selling local ceramics, handmade jewellery, olive oil, and traditional souvenirs. Shopping here feels genuinely local rather than touristy. Pick up a bottle of Puglian extra virgin olive oil or a hand-painted ceramic piece as a meaningful memento. Children often enjoy choosing a small keepsake too.
Look for shops selling foglie d'ulivo, the olive leaf-shaped pasta unique to this region
1 hour
Explore by tuk-tuk or Ape
For a fun and slightly different way to see Ostuni, hop on one of the traditional three-wheeled Ape vehicles or a tuk-tuk that operates around the city. It is a quirky and memorable experience that kids absolutely love, and it gives you a broader sense of the city without the legwork. A great option if you have younger children who may tire of walking.
Look for operators near Piazza della Libertà at the entrance to the old town
1 hour
Our verdict
How Ostuni scores for families
Kids
The car-free old town is safe and walkable, gelaterias are everywhere, and the relaxed southern Italian pace suits families beautifully. Beaches and day trips add serious bonus points.
Culture
From the Gothic cathedral and ancient city walls to the 28,000-year-old Delia and multicultural culinary history, Ostuni punches well above its size on cultural depth.
Food
Puglian cuisine is among Italy's most exciting, and Ostuni delivers it brilliantly. Orecchiette, burrata, bombette, and fresh seafood are all on the table, with options for every age.
Nature
The olive grove landscape and Adriatic views are stunning, and nearby beaches are excellent. The old town itself is hilltop rather than nature-focused, so plan day trips for outdoor time.
Budget
Ostuni sits in the mid-range for southern Italy. It is not the cheapest destination in Puglia, especially in peak season, but it offers good value compared to northern Italian cities.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Ostuni?
3
3 hours
Quick visit
Stroll the centro storico, admire the cathedral, and grab a gelato at Piazza della Libertà. A perfect half-day stop on a wider Puglia road trip.
sweet spot
2
2 days
Sweet spot
Explore the old town properly, visit the museum, walk the city walls at sunset, enjoy a long dinner, and make a day trip to the beach or Alberobello. This is the ideal Ostuni experience.
4
4 days
Deep dive
Use Ostuni as your Puglia base. Day trips to Locorotondo, Alberobello, Adriatic beaches, and Lecce are all very doable, and you will have time to truly settle into the rhythm of the place.
Fun facts
Things about Ostuni your kids will remember
White by design, not accident
Ostuni's buildings were originally whitewashed with lime as a practical measure, not just for looks. Lime is a natural disinfectant, and painting the walls white helped keep disease at bay in warmer months. The tradition stuck, and now the whole city gleams white in the Puglian sun.
A 28,000-year-old mum
Buried beneath the streets of Ostuni lies one of archaeology's most extraordinary discoveries: Delia, a pregnant woman who lived 28,000 years ago. Her skeleton, found with her unborn baby still in place, is now on display in the city's museum and is considered one of the most important prehistoric finds in Europe.
The biggest rose window in Italy
The cathedral's spectacular rose window is claimed to be the largest in Italy and the second largest in Europe. It features Christ at the centre, surrounded by 24 columns representing the 24 hours of the day. Architects and historians still marvel at how it was constructed in the mid-15th century.
Taste Ostuni
What to eat in Ostuni with your family
Orecchiette con cime di rapa
Must tryTrattoria Sapere E Sapori
This is the dish that defines Puglia, and Ostuni does it beautifully. Little ear-shaped pasta tossed with bitter broccoli rabe, garlic, and olive oil. Simple, honest, and absolutely delicious. Most kids take to it quickly, especially when there is plenty of good bread on the side.
Bombette
Kids love itTrattoria Sapere E Sapori
Ostuni's beloved street food: small rolls of pork stuffed with spicy salami and cheese, then grilled over an open flame. They are juicy, slightly smoky, and completely addictive. You will find them at butchers and restaurants throughout the old town, and they make a brilliant snack between sightseeing stops.
Burrata with local olive oil
Local favouriteOsteria del Tempo Perso
Puglia is the home of burrata, and eating it here, made fresh that morning and drizzled with local extra virgin olive oil, is a completely different experience from anything you have had before. Creamy, rich, and meltingly soft. Order it as a starter and watch it disappear from the table immediately.
Seasonal farm-to-table tasting menu
Must tryMasseria Moroseta
For a special family dinner, Masseria Moroseta near Ostuni offers one of Puglia's most celebrated farm-to-table experiences. Ingredients come directly from the masseria's own farm and garden. The setting is beautiful and the food genuinely extraordinary. Worth booking well in advance, especially in summer.
Foglie d'ulivo pasta
Daily treatOsteria Piazzetta Cattedrale
This handmade olive leaf-shaped pasta is unique to the Ostuni area and a direct nod to the region's ancient olive-growing heritage. Served simply with local sauces, it is a wonderful way to connect what is on your plate with the landscape stretching out around you. A conversation starter for curious kids too.
More places in Puglia
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Lecce
Discover Lecce with your family: ornate Baroque architecture, hidden Roman ruins, artisan workshops, and incredible Puglian street food in a relaxed, walkable city.
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Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare sits on dramatic limestone cliffs above the Adriatic. Explore sea caves, swim in turquoise coves, and eat incredibly well with your family.
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