If you’re looking for an authentic Italian village in Puglia, then the Otranto attractions are an absolute must. This enchanting coastal town on the Adriatic Sea is rightfully mentioned as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. With its medieval streets, impressive history, and crystal-clear sea, Otranto offers the perfect mix of culture and relaxation.
In this article, I’ll take you through all the best things to see in Otranto and my favorite places in the surrounding area.
Why Otranto is the Most Beautiful Town in Puglia
Otranto is located at the most eastern point of Italy, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. This strategic location has given the town a rich and eventful history. What makes Otranto so special is the perfect combination of old city walls, narrow streets full of character, and a pleasant harbor atmosphere with beautiful beaches nearby.
Walking Along the City Walls
One of the absolute highlights of your visit to Otranto is a walk along the old city walls. These imposing fortifications date back to the Byzantine and Norman period and offer spectacular views over the azure blue sea and the historic center. Especially at sunset, this is a magical experience you won’t soon forget.
From the city walls, you see the entire town laid out before you like a postcard: the white houses glistening in the sunlight, the massive towers protecting the old center, and the harbor where fishing boats bob peacefully.
Getting Lost in the Streets of the Old Center
The historic center of Otranto is a labyrinth of picturesque alleys that transport you to another time. Every corner reveals a new picture: flower pots against white walls, colorful shutters, small art galleries, and artisan shops full of local products. The car-free streets invite you to stroll leisurely and let the authentic atmosphere wash over you.
Be sure to walk through the Porta Alfonsina, the impressive gateway to the city. Take time to discover the small squares where locals gather for an espresso, and feel the Mediterranean lifestyle that is still completely intact here.
Delicious Food at L’Otrale
For a culinary experience you won’t soon forget, you need to visit L’Otrale. This restaurant is truly a hidden gem where the local cuisine of Puglia comes into its own at its best. The atmosphere is cozy and authentic, and the food is delicious.
Here you taste the real flavors of Salento: fresh fish from the Adriatic Sea, homemade pasta with orecchiette (the typical ear-shaped pasta from Puglia), burrata so creamy it melts on your tongue, and seasonal vegetables from the region. The host and hostess welcome you as if you’re an old friend, which makes the experience extra special.
The Beach of Otranto
Otranto has beautiful beaches in and around the town. The town beach is within walking distance of the center and offers clear, turquoise water where you can swim wonderfully. In the surrounding area, you’ll find even more hidden bays and beaches with white rocks and crystal-clear water, perfect for a relaxing beach day after your cultural exploration.
Hidden Treasures in the Otranto Area
The area around Otranto is full of surprises. Besides the Otranto attractions in the town itself, there are some special places that complete your trip to Puglia.
Ipogeo di Torre Pinta: A Mysterious Underground Wonder
Just a few kilometers from Otranto, you’ll find one of the most fascinating archaeological sites of Salento: the Ipogeo di Torre Pinta. This underground structure, hidden in the Valle delle Memorie (Valley of Memories), is a place that weaves together history and mystery.
The ipogeo has a cross shape with a long corridor of 33 meters that reaches deep into the earth. Along the walls, you see hundreds of small niches that probably served as burial urns for the ancient Messapian population, a people who lived here before the Romans. Later, the ipogeo was converted into a dovecote, and in the 17th century, a round tower was built on top, the Torre Pinta that gives the complex its name.
My experience: Visiting this ipogeo is a special experience. You need to pick up the key at the nearby hotel/restaurant where you’re welcomed by an eccentric and warm owner who talks passionately about this special place. She manages this private property and gladly opens the gates for visitors who want to discover this hidden jewel.
Once inside, you’re immersed in another world. The light falling through the opening at the top creates an almost mystical atmosphere in the underground corridors. You can almost tangibly feel the history around you; this is a place where rituals were performed thousands of years ago and where people buried their dead. The silence, the coolness, and the special energy make this an unforgettable experience.
Where to find this unique place? GPS: Agriturismo Tenuta Torre Pinta. It’s just a corridor with this round space with an opening at the end. Your visit therefore doesn’t last longer than half an hour, but it’s definitely worth it!
Cava di Bauxite: Poolsin a Martian Landscape
The Cava di Bauxite, like the previous place, is a super photogenic spot in Puglia. This abandoned bauxite mine, located about 10 kilometers from Otranto, resembles an alien landscape. The intense red of the earth layer contrasts beautifully with the emerald green lake that formed in the quarry, a color palette you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
My experience: When I arrived here, I was immediately overwhelmed by the colors. It feels like you’ve landed on another planet. I walked around the edge of the lake for a bit, took some photos, and enjoyed this unique place. It’s not a major attraction where you can spend hours, but it’s absolutely worth a short stop.
I couldn’t quite capture the colors properly in my photos, but trust me – the colors are absolutely vibrant in real life.
The walk from the parking lot to the lake takes about 10 minutes through a landscape with wild plants and red earth. Upon arriving at the lake, you can admire the colors and enjoy the silence. Swimming is not allowed and certainly doesn’t seem conducive to your health.
Practical tip: Come early in the morning or toward the end of the afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds. The Cava di Bauxite is free to access; the nearest parking lot costs €4.
Practical Tips for Your Visit to Otranto
Best time to travel: The months of May, June, September, and October are ideal. The weather is perfect then, and the beaches and town are less crowded than in July and August.
How much time: Plan at least 1-2 days for Otranto and the surrounding area. One day for the town itself, and a day or two for the attractions in the area such as the Cava di Bauxite, the Ipogeo di Torre Pinta, and the beautiful beaches along the coast.
Parking: At the harbor of Otranto, you’ll find a large parking lot at an affordable rate. For long-term parking, private parking lots are also available from €5 per day.
Transportation: A rental car is ideal for exploring the area and discovering all the hidden spots.
Grotta della Poesia: A Natural Swimming Pool from Your Dreams
About 20 kilometers north of Otranto lies one of the most special natural swimming spots in the world: the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry). This spectacular natural pool in Roca Vecchia is regularly mentioned as one of the ten most beautiful natural swimming pools on earth.
The grotta actually consists of two karst sinkholes: the Grotta della Poesia Grande and the Grotta della Poesia Piccola. The largest is the most impressive, an elliptical basin of about 30 by 18 meters, filled with turquoise water that is connected to the sea through underground tunnels.
The name comes from a romantic legend: once upon a time, a beautiful princess swam here, whose beauty inspired so many poets that they came to Roca to dedicate poems to her. In the smaller grotta, you can still see old Messapian, Greek, and Latin inscriptions that sailors left before sailing out to Greece and Albania.
Practical tip: Admission costs €3 per person (€2 for groups) and also includes the archaeological park around it. Come early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
A Beautiful Coastal Route: Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro Marina, and Castro Castello
If you want to make a day of it along the spectacular Adriatic coast, definitely take the drive from Otranto south along the coastal road. This route offers breathtaking views and various beautiful stopping points.
Santa Cesarea Terme
Santa Cesarea Terme is an elegant seaside resort famous for its thermal springs. What makes the town so special are the beautiful Moorish-style villas built at the end of the 19th century. The most striking is Villa Sticchi, with its Arabic facade and decorations, a true architectural jewel you can admire from the outside.
The town is perched high on the cliffs with spectacular views over the azure blue sea. The thermal caves (Grotta Gattulla, Grotta Fetida, Grotta Solfurea, and Grotta Solfatara) where the warm, sulfurous water flows from have been known for their therapeutic properties since the 16th century.
Even if you don’t plan to visit the spa, Santa Cesarea Terme is worth a short stop. Drive along the coastal road, enjoy the vistas, and perhaps have a coffee or aperitivo while looking out over the sea.
Castro Marina and Castro Castello
A few kilometers further, you’ll find Castro, a beautiful coastal town consisting of two parts: Castro Marina by the water and Castro Castello (the old town) on the cliff above.
Castro Marina is a charming little harbor with clear blue-green water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The bay is surrounded by rocks and offers beautiful views of the castle above you. Boat trips to the famous Grotta Zinzulusa, one of the most beautiful caves of Salento with stalactites and stalagmites, also depart from here.
Take time to climb up to Castro Castello, the medieval town on the hill. There are stairs going up between the houses; in about 10 to 15 minutes, you can be at the top. Here you’ll find:
- The imposing Castello Aragonese from the 16th century, which dominates the entire coastline
- The Chiesa dell’Annunziata, a cathedral from 1171 with a beautiful Romanesque facade
- The Belvedere di Castro, a large square with panoramic sea views, perfect for a drink at sunset
- Narrow streets with authentic atmosphere and local shops
Practical tip: Castro is much quieter than Otranto or Gallipoli, even in high season, making it an ideal place for a relaxed day out.
Cammino del Salento: Hiking Through Salento
For hiking enthusiasts, there’s a beautiful long-distance walking route that passes through Otranto: the Cammino del Salento. This pilgrimage route of approximately 115-135 kilometers connects Lecce with Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of the heel of Italy.
The route consists of two variants:
- Via del Mare (115 km in 5 stages): This coastal route follows the Adriatic coast and runs through Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro, and ends in Leuca
- Via dei Borghi (135 km in 6 stages): This route goes more through the interior and small villages but also joins the coastal route at Otranto
Both routes come together in Otranto and then continue together to the endpoint: the Santuario de Finibus Terrae in Santa Maria di Leuca, accessible via a monumental staircase of 284 steps.
The hiking season runs from April to October, but May, June, and September are ideal in terms of weather and crowds. You can do the walk independently or join an organized group. A special Passaporto del Pellegrino (pilgrim’s passport) is available where you get a stamp at each village and are entitled to discounts at affiliated accommodations.
Tip: Even if you don’t want to walk the entire route, it’s possible to do one or two stages. The route is well marked with orange arrows.
There’s also the Via Francigena, a longer route that starts in Rome and also ends in Santa Maria di Leuca
Would you also like to walk a pilgrimage route? Walk with me to Santiago de Compostela
More Attractions in the Area
- Punta Palascia: The most eastern point of Italy with a beautiful lighthouse
- Porto Badisco: A small bay where, according to legend, Aeneas landed
- Lecce: The Baroque capital of Salento, 45 minutes’ drive away
- Torre dell’Orso: Beautiful beach with two distinctive rock formations in the sea
Where to Stay in Otranto
- B&B Villa Ginevra – Affordable beautiful bed and breakfast with swimming pool
- B&B Palazzo Marzo – Bed and breakfast a few minutes’ walk from the beach
- Palazzo De Mori – In the old center of Otranto with lovely terrace overlooking the sea
Conclusion: Otranto Attractions – An Unforgettable Destination
Otranto is much more than just a beautiful seaside town. The Otranto attractions range from historical monuments where history comes to life to natural wonders that few tourists know about. Whether you’re walking along the old city walls, enjoying fresh pasta at L’Otrale, exploring the mysterious underground world of the Ipogeo di Torre Pinta, or being amazed by the Martian colors of the Cava di Bauxite, Otranto and its surroundings truly surprised me, and I was genuinely delighted by the lovely streets and beautiful views.
For those looking for a destination in Italy that perfectly combines authenticity, culture, nature, and gastronomy, Otranto in Puglia is the ideal choice. This is Italy as it’s meant to be: without mass tourism, with warm-hearted people, and with stories that go back thousands of years.
Ready for your own adventure in Otranto? Pack your suitcase and discover for yourself why this is called the most beautiful town in Italy!