Ostuni from Bari: the White City by train or car, and getting up from the station
Short answer
Ostuni is 86 km from Bari, about 1h15 by car. Trenitalia regional trains usually take 45 minutes to an hour, but the station is down on the plain, about 2.5 km uphill from the old town, so you need a local bus or a taxi. Half a day is enough for the White City, and it is at its best at sunset.
When to go
Late afternoon to sunset, when the whitewash turns golden. Spring and early autumn for walking without the heat.
When to avoid
Midday in summer: the old town's climbs are exposed to the sun. August evenings are very crowded.
Ostuni is the “White City”: a whitewashed old town of lanes and stairways on a hill overlooking the Adriatic on one side and an expanse of ancient olive trees on the other. It is in the province of Brindisi, but it is a classic day trip from Bari.
How to get there from Bari
By car: 86 km, about 1h15 along the coastal highway. The easiest option if you also want Cisternino or the beach.
By train: regional trains on the Bari–Lecce line usually take 45 minutes to an hour. Note: the station is on the plain, about 2.5 km uphill from the centre. Check the local bus beforehand or book a taxi.
What to see
- Piazza della Libertà: the main square, between the new town and the old.
- The Cathedral: at the top of the hill, with its rose window.
- The white lanes: getting lost is the right way to see Ostuni.
- The walls and viewpoints: views across the olive plain to the sea.
The right moment
Ostuni is at its best from late afternoon. The white houses catch the warm light, the lanes cool down and the bars come to life. Arrive around 5pm, have dinner in town and head back to Bari.
FAQ
Why is Ostuni called the White City?
The hilltop old town is almost entirely whitewashed. Seen from the olive groves on the plain, it looks like a single white mass.
Can you walk from the station to the centre?
You can, but it is about 2.5 km uphill along the road. In the heat or with luggage, take the local bus or a taxi.
Sources
Facts checked on 28 October 2026. How I check facts.
Read next
Itria Valley from Bari: a one-day route through trulli and white towns
The Itria Valley from Bari in one day: Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino. The right order, drive times, and the tour alternative.
Polignano a Mare from Bari: a 30-minute train, Lama Monachile and when not to go
Polignano a Mare from Bari by train or car: real travel times, Lama Monachile, where to swim, parking and the hours to avoid the summer crowds.
Itineraries from Bari: what to see in 1, 3 or 5 days
Itineraries from Bari for 1, 3 and 5 days: Polignano and Monopoli, Matera, Alberobello and the Itria Valley, Castel del Monte and Trani. With or without a car.