Otranto by the Sea
Head to the picturesque seaside town of Otranto, which boasts a beautiful beach, a charming old town with great shopping, and the stunning Otranto Cathedral with its famous mosaic floor.
Things to do in Otranto
1. Visit the Aragonese Castle
One of the best selling features is the beautiful panoramic views of the castle walkways. This is a town that needed great fortification…
Today’s castle of Otranto was built after a massacre in 1480. Otranto was flourishing with more than 20.000 inhabitants, but they were invaded by an Ottoman fleet of 128 ships. According to some historians 12.000 people were killed and 5.000 enslaved. Eight hundred who refused to convert to Islam were beheaded. You can still hear stories about the martyrs of Otranto and see their skulls in the Cathedral.
The novel ‘The Castle of Otranto’ by Horace Walpol. was published in 1764, and was named by happenstance because the name sounded frightening, but it’s widely regarded to be the first Gothic novel.
2. Explore the Otranto Cathedral
The Otranto Cathedral was founded in 1068 on the remains of a Messapian village. It highlights different architectural styles including Byzantine, early Christian and Romanesque elements. In 1480, the Turks damaged and briefly transformed the church into a mosque. In the right nave, in seven large cupboards are preserved the bones of the Holy Martyrs of Otranto. These are the remains of nearly eight hundred people massacred by the Turks for refusing to renounce their Christian faith.
Otranto Cathedral- One of the cases displaying the bones of the 800 martyrs
The story of Samson The story of Adam and Eve being evicted from the garden
Dating from 1163 to 1170, the floor mosaic covers 600 square meters, and is one of the largest and best preserved Mosaics in Europe. This Masterpiece was intricately designed to depict the Bible, patrology and history of man, starting from the expulsion from the Eden of Adam and Eve to the Last Judgement. A legible inscription tells us that Gionata, the Arch-Bishop over the Archdiocese of Otranto commissioned the work, and a high priest, Pantaleone was the designer and architect of the beautiful floor. Pantaleone’s name was often linked to the Abby of St Nicholas in Casole- and Abby known for great wisdom and culture.
Cathedral crypt
The Cathedral crypt winds under the apse, the presbytery and part of the hall. It is a miniature of the famous Cistern of Theodosius or the Mosque of Córdoba. The crypt is built on 42 columns of differing styles. The year of origin dates back to the 11th century or earlier.
3. Relax on the beaches
Otranto is known for its beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The city offers gorgeous swimming and sunbathing spots, excellent restaurants and bars, seawall walks, and a real sense of the southern Italian ‘Dolce far niente’ – The sweetness of doing nothing. Two beaches to consider:
Lungomare (maps) No sand here- Concrete platform
Spiaggetta Del Molo (maps) Clear shallow water with fine beach sand- popular with families
Private Lidos – Popular throughout Puglia
Private beach clubs in Italy- often referred to as ‘lido‘, ‘bagno‘, or ‘stabilimenti balneari’, come in various styles and degrees of luxury. You may have to pay an entrance fee to access them and their facilities. The fee may include the rental of your own lounger and umbrella for the day. There are often restaurants and/or bars that accompany the facilities.
They are not resorts, though they may be similar, and are rarely attached to a hotel. Some can be basic and focused on families, others may be focused on luxury clientele or younger 20-30 somethings.
Not every single beach in Italy has a beach club, but popular tourist beach towns are likely to have at least one.
Tips for Private Lidos
- Ask at your accommodation for advice on a lido that meets your requirements
- Use Google ratings, and read the comments of other beach goers
- While bathing suits, flip flop and cover-ups are great for the beach. People are dressed and showered for restaurants, or to go into town.
Three favorite Lidos include:
Cocobay
White sand beach – Shallow and warm. The staff are welcoming and helpful.
Lido Tropea
Low key vibe- Clean sandy beach and friendly service-Good food
Spiaggia Azzurra
Nice beach with lots of trails to other vantage spots. You may see a DJ with music
4. Shop and stroll through the historic old town
Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the castle and Otranto’s old town, lined with charming cafes, shops, and historic buildings. There are literally hundreds of shops and galleries.
5. Enjoy the wonderful restaurants and bars of Otranto
Our Favorite Restaurants:
Frontemare
via Lungomare Terra D’Otranto, 1 You will enjoy it’s prime waterfront setting. This modern and elegant seafood restaurant is known for a menu that balances traditional Salento flavors with contemporary gourmet experimentation. Generally considered mid-to-high range, typically between €40–€50 per person for a full meal. Make a reservation: Call or message via WhatsApp at +39 329 532 2456.
Arbor Vitae
Romantic hidden garden oasis! This seafood restaurant is located in the heart of Otranto’s historic center, just behind the cathedral. Pricing ranges from mid to high. Reservations are important and can be booked on this site
Sofish
is a modern “fast-casual” seafood restaurant specializing in gourmet fish sandwiches and fresh Mediterranean light bites. It is located on the main pedestrian street leading to the historic center. Corso Garibaldi, 39, 73028 Otranto (LE). Phone: +39 331 986 7387 or +39 371 386 5356.
Origano at Menhir Winery (just 10 minutes out of town)
Lush vineyard dining with a romantic and tranquil setting for outdoor dining in the summer, often accompanied by live music. This is a gorgeous winery and the food focuses on traditional Pugliese “Cucina Povera” reinterpreted with a contemporary, high-end flair using locally sourced ingredients. They offer a-la-carte dining as well as a popular 6-course chef’s tasting menu (approx. €75pp including wine)- The delicious wines create a fabulous Salento experience. Be sure to make a reservation on their website- Via Giuseppina Scarciglia 14, Minervino di Lecce (drive around the vineyard until you see the parking lot.-signs are scarce)
6. Visit the ancient and curious complex Ipogeo di Torre Pinta
It was just discover in 1976 and its purpose is not determined, but the tower itself is believed to have been used for housing carrier pigeons, possibly sending military messages.
Underneath, there’s a network of underground passages, chambers, and tombs which are thought to be at least 2,000 years old. It contains an ancient oven , as well as hundreds of cavities in the walls.
Ipogeo di Torre Pinta lies on privately-owned land. To visit, head to the Tenuta Torre Pinta guesthouse (which is located next to the site) and ask for the key in exchange for a small donation. Via Memorie, 73028 Otranto LE, Italy
7. Visit a prehistoric Megalithic Garden
Just 7km from Otranto you can visit Menhirs and Dolmens in the town of Giurdignano
What are Dolmens and Menhirs?
In Southern Italy—particularly in the regions of Puglia and Sardinia—the landscape is dotted with mysterious stone structures dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. These megaliths are the silent echoes of prehistoric communities.
A Menhir is a single standing stone planted vertically in the ground. The word comes from Middle Breton (men = stone, hir = long). In Southern Italy, specifically in the Salento region of Puglia, they are often called Pietrafitte. They range from simple, rough-hewn pillars to tapered stones reaching several meters high. Theories suggest they served as boundary markers, astronomical calendars, or phallic symbols representing fertility and the connection between earth and sky. Interestingly, many Italian menhirs were “Christianized” during the Middle Ages; you’ll often find crosses carved into them or small niches for icons
A Dolmen is a megalithic tomb typically consisting of two or more vertical “orthostats” (upright stones) supporting a large flat horizontal “capstone.” The name translates to “stone table.”
In local Italian folklore, they are sometimes called Tavole dei Paladini (Tables of the Knights). They look like stone portals or small chambers. Originally, many were covered with earth or smaller stones to create a mound (tumulus), though most of that earth has eroded away over millennia. They were primarily collective burial chambers. Excavations often reveal human remains along with grave goods like pottery and tools. The Dolmen la Chianca in Bisceglie (Puglia) is one of the best-preserved and most famous examples in Europe.
8. Enjoy a natural hot spring experience
Just 17km south of Otranto…Santa Cesarea- These waters flow at various temperatures from 4 caves. The waters include chlorinated sulphurous Iodine with a thermalization process that brings the temperature to 36-37 degrees C(or approximately 97F). These waters are thought to benefit a whole host of ailments and/or- just feel good. Oooooh! The baths are open between May and November and you can also treat yourself to a number of massages, mud, and hot mineral treatments.
9. Be in Otranto for New Years
Otranto is the most eastern point in Italy and therefore the place where the first ray of sunshine of the New Year are visible. So Otranto is the perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. “Alba dei Popoli”, is a festival and concert which takes place every year in the square on New Year’s Eve- In addition to the great music -Enjoy fireworks and dancing.
