The Best Hotels in Ostuni, Italy: Inside the White City or Out in the Olive Groves
Last Updated on September 10, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Is there a city, just one, that has your heart and probably will forever? Somewhere far away, difficult to reach, but you can feel it deep in your bones and see it as if you were just there?
For me, that city is Ostuni, where I find myself in all of my wildest daydreams.
There’s a moment on the road into Ostuni, where the whole town appears at once, white and stacked high above a sea of green olive trees, and you understand almost immediately why people live here their whole lives and don’t leave. I had that moment myself.
We got married just outside of Ostuni on a warm day in June 2025, at a masseria in the countryside, and we planned the entire thing from California without ever standing on the property until the week of. Afterward, we drove fifteen minutes down the road and spent three more nights in the area, doing almost nothing. That’s my whole history with Ostuni. One trip, one very full week of its magic, and a list I’ve been adding to ever since.
So here’s what I can tell you honestly: I’ve rested my head at two of the hotels below. The rest are ones I researched thoroughly and drool over daily online. Properties I’d book without hesitating before trying other options. But the more useful thing I learned isn’t which hotel is best (because I stayed at three incredible spots in the region and plan to stay at many more). It’s that the choice in Ostuni goes beyond just this property or that one.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Ostuni
One or two nights only: Stay in the old town. You’ll see more of Ostuni itself, and you won’t lose an evening to driving around. I highly recommend more than one or two nights in any part of Puglia, however.
Three nights or more: Stay in a masseria. The countryside is the reason people fall in love with Puglia (and why I did).
Not renting a car: You’re going to be spending a lot of money on private transfers without one, but if you do choose to go car-less, the old part of town, without question. Every masseria on this list requires one if you want to leave the property.
Coming for a wedding: If you’re the one getting married, ask about buyouts and exclusive use a year out at least. Availability goes fast!
Traveling to Ostuni in July or August: Book well in advance and expect heat. Late May, June, and September are generally better times to visit!
Staying in the Countryside: The Masserie Around Ostuni
This is the version of Puglia most people are picturing before they arrive: worn stone archways, courtyards, olive groves running in every direction. You’ll drive ten to fifteen minutes into town for dinner, and sometimes you won’t even bother, because the property will feed you just as good, if not better, anyway.
Masseria Grieco
Our wedding venue!
I booked this beautiful masseria without having ever set foot on its land, from thousands of miles away, entirely on the strength of photos and our planner’s walkthroughs. When we finally arrived, I cried. It’s a testament to everything Puglia does well. The cobblestone courtyard, the trulli rooftops, the light at golden hour…it’s built for multiple days rather than quick stopovers (and in our case, a multi-day wedding).
It is technically a resort, but an Italian countryside one. Agriturismo in spirit rather than a polished, poolside-service sort. That distinction is the whole appeal. You’re staying on a working part of the countryside, with the food and the pace that come with it, run by people who have been doing this for a long time. I’ve written about it in full in the best wedding venues in Puglia and our destination wedding in Puglia.
Puglia, Italy
Our Wedding in Puglia
The full story of our destination wedding in the Ostuni countryside — the venue, the vendors, and what it took to plan from California without ever setting foot on Puglia’s soil.
Masseria Santo Scalone
Our first honeymoon stop!
Lesser-known than some of the names here, which is exactly the appeal, we came straight from Grieco to Masseria Santo Scalone — only a fifteen-or-so-minute drive. We spent the first full day barely leaving the property, aside from a stroll down the driveway to see their beautiful horses. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the Ostuni area, with all-stone interiors and private patios off the back of some suites. We found it on Instagram and couldn’t believe our luck when we arrived. It was lovely!
If the bigger masserie feels like more than you want, start here. Trulli (yes, pun intended); it’s a special spot. And if you’re interested in what this property has to offer, I have a more in-depth review of our stay at Masseria Santo Scalone, too!
Masseria Cervarolo
Masseria Cervarolo is practically a neighbor to Grieco, on the same stretch of countryside, which means I drove past it a few times and didn’t even realize it. Similar olive groves, the same easy distance to town, and one property I would love to visit when I return to this special corner of Italy.
Masseria Moroseta
This is one you’ve almost certainly seen somewhere: a Google Search, an Instagram Reel, maybe a TikTok video. Moroseta has been the visual for Puglia for a few years now. White walls, stone, light doing something remarkable at every moment of the day. I haven’t stayed here yet, and I won’t pretend otherwise, but it’s one of the first places I’d book on a return trip without a wedding to run. It’s also in my roundup of masseria hotels to visit in Puglia.
Staying In the White City: Hotels Inside the Historic Town
The historic town of Ostuni is a maze of narrow alleyways that practically beg you to get lost in it. There’s a real case for waking up in the middle of the city instead of driving into it. Yes, you trade the pool and olive groves for stone walls and walkways, but you also get restaurants within walking distance, steps to sit on with gelato, and you can also watch the region turn golden at sunset from high above the Adriatic.
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa
I consider Paragon 700 the moody cousin of everything else in the Ostuni area, city center or outskirts. Where the masserie are lime wash and linens, Paragon is a restored palazzo painted in bold colors and intricate details, in the heart of the city. If the airy Puglia vibe isn’t your style, but you still want to experience the region and the White City, this is one to consider, and you’ll also find it on my list of where to stay in Puglia overall.
Hotel Relais La Sommità
At the very top of the historic city center, which is about as central as you can get in Ostuni, is La Sommità. You walk out the door, and you’re in the White City. The cathedral, the piazzas, the overlooks, dinner and/or drinks are five minutes down an alley on foot. This is the answer to an Ostuni city stay with true Apulian charm.
VISTA Ostuni
Just outside the city center and down a slight slope (seconds from where I recommend parking, actually), is one of the newest names in the city. VISTA Ostuni opened in August 2025 and is a genuinely modern, luxurious option. It’s design-forward, inspired by the limestone and olive groves in abundance throughout the region, with easy access to everything the White City has to offer. It was on my 2026 hotel bucket list, though my plan to make it back to the region for our one-year anniversary didn’t really come to fruition.
What to Do Once You’ve Checked In
Ostuni rewards doing very little and simply taking in the magic of the region. There’s more here than the walls. Mornings are for getting happily lost in the historic center and enjoying a lovely espresso, and my Ostuni guide has a full breakdown. Evenings are for apertivo followed by long, delicious dinners. Borgo Antico Bistrot, with tables spilling down a winding walkway, is one of the most famous views in town. The middle of the day is spent somewhere on the water, whether it’s a beach due east or a boat up toward Polignano a Mare or Monopoli.
If it’s your first time in Puglia, a guided tour of the Valle d’Itria and the trulli of Alberobello is a great way to see Puglia beyond the walls of the White City. And if you’d rather trade the front desk for a kitchen and terrace of your own, I’ve also rounded up some of the best vacation rentals in Ostuni separately.
A White City spot I dream about daily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it better to stay in Ostuni’s historic center or the countryside?
They make genuinely different trips. We did both. We spent two nights at an Ostuni Airbnb to take in the city, and spent the rest of our trip between a few different masseria-style stays. The countryside gives you olive groves, pools, and dinners you don’t have to leave for. The old town gives you walkability and whitewashed walls to explore outside your door. Three nights or more, and I’d recommend a masseria in the countryside; yes, you should rent a car.
How many nights should you spend in Ostuni
Three at a minimum, and longer if it’s your base for the region overall. The coast, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare (the coastal city with the cliffs and caves and famous beach) are all easy day trips from there.
When is the best time to visit Ostuni?
Late May through June, or September! We got married outside of the city at Masseria Grieco in June 2025, and the weather was next to perfect. July and August are hot and crowded, as is most of Italy in peak summer.
Do you need a car in Ostuni?
If you’re planning on staying put, you can get away with a private driver to and from the airport…but this city, its surroundings, and the region are meant to be explored. I highly recommend renting a car whether you’re staying in Ostuni or anywhere else in Puglia.
What is a masseria?
A masseria is a fortified farmhouse. Most are built between the 16th and 19th centuries and were usually designed for olive oil and wine production and to protect the harvests from raids. Many masserie across Puglia have since been restored and turned into boutique hotels and resorts. It’s a huge reason why so much of the region’s best accommodations look like a working farm (because most of them are)!
Ostuni keeps finding its way into my imagination. The white walls get whiter, the olive trees older, the dinners get longer. Pick the countryside if you want the Puglia you’ve likely been dreaming of. But don’t sleep on the old town. If you want to feel like you’re standing inside a piece of history, the city is it. Either way, you’ll be planning the next trip before you even open your suitcase on this one.
Still deciding where in the region to base yourself? Start with where to stay in Puglia and the five cities worth building a trip around. And these are only five. There’s much more of the region to explore!