Otranto

Travel Guide

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

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 harbor 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 center.

Stroll through the pedestrianized alleys of the town center 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, marvelous relics and a summer rush to the beach.

Where to stay in Otranto

Otranto Castle which includes heritage architecture and chateau or palace

Otranto Historic Centre

5/5(2 area reviews)

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 Resort & Spa

Baglioni Masseria Muzza Resort & Spa

5 out of 5
Via Muzza 7, Otranto, LE
The price is ¥108,587 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
¥108,587
¥120,134 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Baia Dei Turchi Beach and Otranto Waterfront ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"A fabulous hotel with everything that you need to enjoy Otranto & environs!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Baglioni Masseria Muzza Resort & Spa
CDSHotels Basiliani

CDSHotels Basiliani

4 out of 5
Via Renis, Otranto, LE
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei Turchi Beach ...
8/10 Very Good! (137 reviews)
Plan Carefully
"My first impressions were that this is a well- appointed and sophisticated resort. The design is beautiful, but be aware that the entire resort is terraced off into multiple levels, so there is lots of stairs. However, there are some strategically located elevators for those that have trouble navigating ..."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2024

CDSHotels Basiliani
Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa

Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa

4 out of 5
via Catona, Otranto, LE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥26,933 per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
¥26,933
¥30,316 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Otranto. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei Turchi ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (189 reviews)
"Excellent hotel. Very well located, great breakfast included, spacious parking, friendly personnel."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Hotel Vittoria Resort Pool & Spa
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.
Family Village T2 Pool And Sea

Family Village T2 Pool And Sea

Otranto
Stay at this apartment in Otranto. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Alimini Beach and Baia Dei Turchi Beach are located ...
Family Village T2 Pool And Sea
Vacation home in the immediate vicinity of Otranto

Vacation home in the immediate vicinity of Otranto

Otranto
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Otranto. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Otranto Waterfront and Baia Dei ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
He lies about the most important thing: the location
"The house is nice, it must be said. Not very clean, but not a disaster either.The internet is terrible; it doesn't work at all.There's only one very, very small and noisy air conditioner in a hallway, not in one bedroom, not in the other, not even in the living room or kitchen. As I said, it's in ..."

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Vacation home in the immediate vicinity of Otranto
Residence - Blu Mare Alimini

Residence - Blu Mare Alimini

Via Frassanito, Otranto, LE
Stay at this residence in Otranto. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a garden. Popular attractions Alimini Beach and Baia Dei Turchi Beach are located ...
5/10 (2 reviews)
"Villaggio nel complesso molto curato e bello , piscina stupenda, molto silenzioso , forse troppo , Ci vorrebbe un po’ di animazione."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Residence - Blu Mare Alimini
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.

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