Otranto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lecce which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Lecce showing heritage elements
Lecce showing street scenes and heritage elements as well as a small group of people
Lecce featuring heritage elements and interior views
Lecce featuring street scenes, a city and heritage architecture

Learn about a history rife with invasions and war in this town’s historic center. Take a romantic stroll through the port.

Otranto is a port town with a quaint harbour and picturesque sea views. The pace of life slows to a crawl in this historic area, featuring a castle and churches from centuries ago. Visit the town for its picturesque seafront and beaches beside vestiges of the historic medieval centre.

Stroll through the pedestrianized alleys of the town centre for a sense of its old-world charm. Many quaint shops and restaurants lie within the commune’s high walls. Marvel at the impressive Castello Aragonese, immortalized in The Castle of Otranto, one of the world’s first gothic novels, written by Horace Walpole in 1764. The castle was constructed along with the old town walls.

Another town icon is the Otranto Cathedral. Note the variety of styles of its façade, including Romanesque elements. Dating back to the 11th century, the religious structure has Byzantine frescoes and a crypt beneath the nave. Admire glorious mosaics on the floor depicting Biblical tales.

For a change of scenery, bathe in the clear waters of Alimini Beach. Rent deckchairs and umbrellas for relief from the summer heat. Dine at a restaurant or bar facing the shore. The beach, with shallow water, is ideal for families. Stroll along the Otranto waterfront to see yachts harbored in the port. Capture photos of the town’s skyline, including its tall walls and medieval buildings.

Learn the history of the town, once famous for horse breeding and fertile agricultural grounds. Its intriguing past includes an Ottoman invasion and a role in the Napoleonic Wars.

In the province of Lecce, Otranto is located on the eastern flank of the large Salento Peninsula in southeastern Italy. It is near the Strait of Otranto, where the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea meet between Italy and Albania. This area has an appealing climate with long, hot summer days and mild winters. Arrive at Brindisi-Salento Airport and drive south for 75 minutes to reach the town.

Otranto is typically Italian, with muddled history, marvellous relics and a summer rush to the beach.

Where to stay in Otranto

Otranto Castle featuring heritage architecture and a castle

Otranto Historic Centre

5/5(1 area review)

You'll enjoy the restaurants and monuments in Otranto Historic Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Otranto Cathedral or Otranto Waterfront.

Otranto Historic Centre
Baglioni Masseria Muzza
Baglioni Masseria Muzza
5 out of 5
Via Muzza 7, Otranto, LE
The price is ₹37,091 per night from 23 May to 24 May
₹37,091
₹41,188 total
includes taxes & fees
23 May - 24 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Baia Dei Turchi Beach and Otranto Waterfront ...
A Gem in Otranto
"We enjoyed our stay here. It is like a smaller version of the Borgo Egnazia in Fasano! The restaurant is good, but DO NOT order room service…it’s better to schedule your meals for better value and quality. The spa, kids club, pools, cabanas and work out facilities were wonderful as well. The staff ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2024

Baglioni Masseria Muzza
Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa
Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa
4 out of 5
via Catona, Otranto, LE
The price is ₹11,365 per night from 14 Jun to 15 Jun
₹11,365
₹12,890 total
includes taxes & fees
14 Jun - 15 Jun
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei Turchi ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (177 reviews)
"Great place. Really good breakfast. Easy to get to the main historic center."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2024

Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa
Relais Valle dell'Idro
Relais Valle dell'Idro
4 out of 5
Via G.Grasso 4, Otranto, LE
The price is ₹10,676 per night from 24 May to 25 May
₹10,676
₹12,131 total
includes taxes & fees
24 May - 25 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
"Stay at this property! Their breakfast buffet is awesome, they serve bacon/eggs, delicious fresh pastries and fruit and a whole lot more. City center is about a 12 minute walk where there are plenty of restaurant options."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Relais Valle dell'Idro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Appartamenti Craulo
Appartamenti Craulo
Via Porto Craulo 17, Otranto, LE
Stay at this apartment in Otranto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 beach bars and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei Turchi Beach ...
"Was a fantastic apartment with very cold AC! Shower was nice and hot. Very close to town center and beach."

Reviewed on 23 Sep 2023

Appartamenti Craulo
3238 Complesso Verdalis - Bilocale by Barbarhouse
3238 Complesso Verdalis - Bilocale by Barbarhouse
SP366, 22, Otranto, LE
Stay at this apartment in Otranto. Enjoy free parking, satellite TV channels and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei Turchi ...
3238 Complesso Verdalis - Bilocale by Barbarhouse
Residence La Pineta
Residence La Pineta
3 out of 5
Via Frassanito, Località Frassanito, Otranto, LE
Stay at this 3-star beach residence in Otranto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Alimini Beach and Baia Dei Turchi Beach ...
"Abbiamo soggiornato presso questa struttura una settimana a fine agosto 2023 mio marito, io e nostra figlia di 2 anni. La struttura si presenta in modo piacevole e curato, le stanze sono accoglienti e la piscina è il suo vero punto forte. Quello che manca è una gestione professionale: nonostante ..."

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2023

Residence La Pineta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Otranto

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 73%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 18%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

What a lovely historic town, with beaches, castle and a marina

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

What a great place to visit would highly recommend

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The perfect holiday destination. Beach, culture, great food and lots and lots of sunshine. What's not to like?

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We really liked Otranto. Plenty to see and enjoy, it’s own beach and a great atmosphere- particularly in the evening

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Charming seaside town and interesting castle.

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