Ostuni day trip from Bari or Lecce
A day trip to Ostuni from Bari or Lecce: Ostuni Cathedral, the white historic centre, the Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of the Southern Murgia, the Bishop's Palace and Arco Scoppa, Porta Nova and the Belvedere viewpoint. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Ostuni in 1 day
Day 1
Ostuni Cathedral
Late Gothic cathedral at the top of the old town, with a large rose window on its pale stone facade.
Historic centre of Ostuni
A walk through the whitewashed 'white town', with stepped lanes, arches and small squares climbing the hill to the Cathedral.
Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of the Southern Murgia
Small archaeology museum in a former convent, known for the remains of a prehistoric pregnant woman found in a nearby cave.
Bishop's Palace and Arco Scoppa
The bishop's palace beside the Cathedral, joined to the seminary by the Arco Scoppa, a raised arch over the lane.
Porta Nova
One of the old town's gates in the Aragonese walls, flanked by a round tower, at the start of the climb into the centre.
Belvedere viewpoint
Terrace on the edge of the old town looking over the plain of olive groves to the Adriatic Sea.
Villanova (Ostuni's seaside)
Ostuni's little harbour on the coast, about 15 minutes away by car, with rocky coves and a few seafood restaurants.
Getting there
Trains on the Bari-Lecce line take about 50-70 minutes from Bari Centrale and 40-50 minutes from Lecce; Ostuni station is about 2.5 km below the town, linked by bus or taxi. By car it is about an hour from Bari and 45 minutes from Lecce.
Staying in Bari or Lecce? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Ostuni
May, June and September have warm weather for walking the white lanes and visiting the nearby beaches; July and August are hot and busy. The feast of Sant'Oronzo with its parade of decorated horses is held in late August. Winter is mild and quiet.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Ostuni on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Ostuni on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Ostuni on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Ostuni
- Ostuni station is about 2.5 km below the town; take the local bus or a taxi up rather than walking the road.
- The old town is closed to most traffic; drivers should park below the walls and walk up.
- Wear good shoes for the steep, polished stone lanes and steps, which are slippery after rain.
- Cover shoulders and knees for the Cathedral and the town's churches.
- Visit the lanes in the morning or the evening in summer, when the white walls reflect the midday heat.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Bishop's Palace and Arco Scoppa: Carlo Pelagalli, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historic centre of Ostuni: ParisTaras, CC BY 4.0
- Ostuni Cathedral: Sailko, CC BY 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
