On Italy's eastern coast, this medieval port town has a 15th-century castle, an 11th-century cathedral with intricate mosaic floors, and clear waters along its Adriatic beaches.
Otranto marks Italy's easternmost point, where the Adriatic Sea meets white limestone buildings and 15th-century walls. Walk through narrow streets to see the 11th-century cathedral's floor mosaic depicting the Tree of Life, climb the towers of the pentagon-shaped Aragonese Castle, or step into the 10th-century San Pietro church to see its Byzantine frescoes. Outside the old town, swim at white sand beaches or walk to the red-earth cliffs surrounding the emerald waters of Bauxite Lake.
Swimming and Beaches in Otranto
The town beach extends along the promenade with blue-green waters and white sand. Stone steps built into the medieval walls let you swim directly from the old town, or walk 15 minutes north to Baia dei Turchi, where pine forests border a long sandy beach. Choose between free areas or rent sunbeds and umbrellas in the managed sections. Water temperatures stay comfortable for swimming from May through October, reaching their peak in July and August.
Cathedral Floor Mosaic
The 11th-century Cathedral's floor holds one of Italy's largest medieval mosaics, created in 1163 by monk Pantaleone. The artwork covers the entire floor, showing the Tree of Life alongside historical scenes and mythological creatures. A 15th-century rose window casts light patterns across the marble and stone work below. In the chapel, you'll find the bones of 800 martyrs from the Turkish invasion of 1480.
Aragonese Castle
This pentagon-shaped fortress stands guard over the seafront, its thick walls rising from a dried moat. Built after the 1480 Turkish siege, the castle's towers look out across the Adriatic toward Albania. Inside, several rooms display exhibits about the town's maritime history and defense systems. Walk the ramparts to understand how the fortress protected Otranto from naval attacks.
Red Cliffs and Lakes
The Bauxite Lake sits in an abandoned quarry outside town, where deep red earth contrasts with green water. These colors come from mineral deposits left by mining operations. North of town, you can walk around the Alimini Lakes - two connected bodies of water, one fresh and one salt - on trails through Mediterranean pine woods and shrubland.
Byzantine Art in San Pietro
The 10th-century San Pietro church houses important Byzantine frescoes in southern Italy. Religious scenes in bright blues, reds, and golds cover the walls, showing Eastern influences on medieval Otranto. The plain stone exterior opens to reveal wall paintings from different centuries, each telling its own story of the town's past.
Getting Around Otranto
You can only walk in the historic center, but several parking lots outside the walls accommodate cars. Buses run to Lecce (45 minutes) and neighboring coastal towns. Brindisi Airport lies 80 kilometers away. To visit nearby beaches and sites, rent a car or join an organized tour.
