Otranto is on the eastern coast of Italy’s boot, just three miles from the Faro della Palascia lighthouse, which marks Italy’s most easterly point. From here you can see both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and panoramic views are key reasons some of our recommendations made it onto the list of the best places to stay in Otranto. We have also included a number of masseria hotels in serene, rural settings just outside town, a beautifully converted grand palazzo in town, and some really excellent value properties.
Otranto is filled with fascinating historic sites: there’s an 11th century cathedral; Byzantine frescoes and mosaic tiled floors; catacombs and a five sided castello. This is a place of narrow alleyways, small piazzas, small bars and restaurants and pale stone architecture that contrasts dramatically with the colour of the ocean. Otranto also has some seriously dramatic stories to tell — it was founded by the Greeks, flourished in Roman times, was owned by the Ottomans and Napoleon, and was the site of action during both world wars, so there’s plenty of interesting history to get ones teeth stuck into. This is also a wonderful spot for a beach break, and some of the best places to stay in Otranto are minutes away from sand and sea. Otranto has its own white, sandy beach, but there are numerous other beaches along the coast, and Otranto’s two interconnected inland lakes both have picturesque sandy beaches too.
Otranto makes an excellent base for exploring the Salento region of Puglia, which is the bit around the boot heel, though it does really help if you have a car, or want to explore by bike. Its summer holiday atmosphere is relaxed during the day and pleasantly buzzy of an evening, but this is when the best places to stay in Otranto will be at their busiest. So if you want to guarantee a room, do your homework and book well ahead.