Ostuni Weekly Market — Via Giovanni Tanzarella Vitale
Every Wednesday morning, the broad avenue below the old town transforms into one of the most authentic street markets in the Itria Valley, drawing farmers, cheese-makers and textile vendors from across the Brindisi province. This is where locals actually shop, not a tourist facsimile.
What to Buy and Eat
The food stalls are the main event: look for local burrata made that morning in nearby Fasano, sun-dried tomatoes packed in local olive oil, taralli (the addictive ring-shaped crackers flavoured with fennel seeds or black pepper) sold by the kilo, and fresh figs in late summer. A vendor near the central stretch usually sells handmade orecchiette pasta dried on wooden racks.
Cheese sellers from the Murgia plateau bring aged cacioricotta and fresh ricotta forte — the pungent, spreadable sheep's-milk ricotta that is Puglia's secret weapon in pasta sauces. Ask for a taste before buying; vendors expect it and enjoy the interaction.
Beyond Food: Ceramics, Linen and Leather
The non-food section stretches further down the avenue and mixes everyday household goods with genuinely good finds: hand-embroidered linen tablecloths in traditional Puglian patterns, locally thrown terracotta pots, and leather sandals made to order by a family cobbler who has a stall here most weeks.
Prices are a fraction of what the boutiques in the centro storico charge for similar items. Bargaining is not the norm but a friendly smile and buying multiple items usually earns a small discount.
Practical Tips for Market Morning
Arrive between 8 and 10 am for the best selection and before the heat builds. The market winds down by 1 pm and stalls start packing up from noon. Bring cash — many vendors do not accept cards — and a reusable bag or two.
The car park adjacent to the market is free on Wednesday mornings, which is also the easiest time to drive into Ostuni since traffic is managed around the market route.
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