The warm season is just around the corner and the much-awaited vacation is getting closer and closer. You have no more excuses, time is pressing and you need to hurry up and choose your destination.
How about Otranto? It is one of the most enchanting places in Salento and can give you unforgettable days among monuments, magical views, dreamy beaches, great food and trendy clubs. What are you waiting for to book our Otranto experience?
In the meantime, we hope this virtual tour will pique your curiosity a bit.
Get comfortable in your armchair, pick up your tablet or phone and read these tips of ours on how to spend a week’s vacation in Otranto in Salento.
The origins of Otranto, pearl of Salento
Otranto, better known as the ‘Gateway to the East,’ is located in the province of Lecce, in the Idro Valley, faces the Adriatic Sea and occupies the easternmost position in the entire boot. Its origins date back to the Messapi, but this land has also, over the centuries, been home to Greeks, Byzantines, Normans, Turks and other peoples who have left their mark.
What to see in Otranto
The town, besides being a renowned seaside resort, is a treasure chest that holds within it a historical and cultural heritage made up of many small, but great jewels.
The main places of worship
The must-sees are the Cathedral of Otranto, the Church of Santa Maria dei Martiri and the Church of San Pietro.
The Cathedral of Otranto: the right place for your soul
Otranto Cathedral, in Basilica Square, dominates the area from above and was built in the 12th century on the remains of three settlements from different periods.
The external structure, as you can see, is simple and linear; the façade, with a gabled shape, is distinguished by the large central rose window and the two portals that date back to different eras.
Elements belonging to different styles alternate in the building; the interior, divided into three naves by the wide marble and granite columns, houses magnificent frescoes, an ancient crypt, and a wonderful Floor Mosaic reproducing the Tree of Life.
Read everything you need to know and know, in our articles, about the cathedral and its magnificent crypt.
Otranto: Church of Santa Maria dei Martiri, on Minerva Hill
The Church of Santa Maria dei Martiri stands on Minerva Hill, the scene, back in 1480, of the martyrdom of 800 citizens by the Turks.
The structure, which, observed from the outside, appears very simple, echoes the Renaissance and Baroque style of Lecce, while inside you can admire the Altars of St. Francis of Paola, St. Anthony and several valuable works; among them are the Strage di Otranto by Lavinio Zoppo and theicon of Santa Maria dei Martiri, which bears the signature of Albanian painter Gurim Bazaiti.
Otranto: Byzantine church of San Pietro
The Church of St. Peter, erected between the late 9th and early 10th centuries AD, has a Greek-cross plan of Byzantine origins. The interior walls, as you can see, are adorned with frescoes reminiscent of the same period, and prominent among them, in the apse, is the lifeless figure of Jesus in the arms of the Virgin.
If you would like to know more, we recommend our more detailed description at the following link “Otranto: Byzantine Church of St. Peter”
Otranto Castle and Coastal Towers
In the course of your vacation you cannot fail to visit the Aragonese Castle built, following the Turkish invasion in 1480, on the rubble of a Byzantine fort. The structure, with a pentagonal plan, is surrounded by a large moat and has three towers and a strut.
Inside take a look at the triangular hall, the work of architect Ciro Ciri, and the dungeons where there is an air of mystery among old tunnels and escape routes.
The coast is dotted with countless towers that were erected after the Turkish attack to monitor other possible enemy incursions, and among them is the Serpe Tower located a few kilometers from Otranto.
The structure has become, over time, a real symbol for the locals who have included it in the official coat of arms of the town. Today it is a simple ruin, but in the past it served as an oil lighthouse to illuminate the sea.
What to do in Otranto
Getting bored in Otranto seems impossible because there are so many things to do both during the day and at night.
Here are our tips for experiencing a great week in Otranto.
The most beautiful beaches
If you want to relax, you cannot miss going to the beach of Cala dei Normanni, where fine sand, crystal-clear waters and shallow waters that lend themselves to the elderly and children are the main attractions.
About 6 km from Otranto you will find Baia dei Turchi, a small corner of paradise on earth that offers you a wonderful view of the Macchia Mediterranea.
If you want to experience an adventurous vacation, you should definitely rent a bicycle or a scooter that allow you, in fact, to get lost among the many coves that dot the area.
Finally, do not miss to visit the Punta Palascia Lighthouse; the view that awaits you is breathtaking, and on clearer days you can even see the mountains of the Balkan coast.
Otranto nightlife: how to spend evenings and nightlife in Otranto
In the evening, to end your days on a high note, treat yourself to a wonderful stroll through the streets of the historic center and explore the countless clubs with which it is dotted.
In Piazza del Popolo you will find“L’ora di Mezzo”, a cocktail bar where you can sip an excellent aperitif in time to music.
The Pelasgi Bastion is a really atmospheric place and is dotted with clubs overlooking the harbor.
If, on the other hand, you want to go wild until late, the ideal place is the Lido Fuorirotta on the Terra d’Otranto waterfront: fun is guaranteed here thanks to the countless parties that are organized periodically.
