The sunlight dances on the turquoise waters lapping the beautiful beach of Otranto, Italy’s easternmost city on Puglia’s glittering Adriatic Coast. As well as being synonymous with long, lazy summers all’Italiana, the city’s rich history and breathtaking architecture have garnered it UNESCO status, as well as a spot on many in-the-know travellers’ Puglia bucket-list.
Enter the enchanting Old Town through the Porta Alfonsina, the gateway to the sun-baked stone buildings hidden within the 15th-century fortifications. From here, wind your way through cobbled streets past ancient churches, charming local eateries and a sprinkling of boutiques and souvenir shops, before emerging, gelato-in-hand, onto the stunning lungomare promenade for a stroll along the coast.
Dating back to 1088, Otranto’s Romanesque-style Cathedral stands as a symbol of the city’s eventful past, and was even briefly converted into a mosque. Admire the magnificent mosaic floor, the vaulted ceilings of the crypt, and the eerie chapel of the city’s famous martyrs, before stopping by the Church of St Peter for beautifully-preserved relics of the city’s Byzantine era.
The inspiration for the first Gothic novel, Otranto’s Aragonese Castle was built in the late 1400s to guard against further attacks from Ottoman invaders. You can’t miss the imposing citadel’s forbidding walls and staggering round towers, while those brave enough can book a guided tour of its subterranean passages. Inside, the castle hosts a range of cultural, art and archaeological exhibitions throughout the year.
Spare yourself from sifting between endless souvenir shops and pay a visit to Tessitura Giaquinto, a historic and easy-to-miss spot where you can shop for artisanal fabrics, embroidered accessories and tableware. Also in the Old Town is Rebus Otranto Ceramiche, an award-winning ceramics shop with an illustrious list of international clients.
Exit the castle to stroll up the lungomare all the way to the Faro Bianco, perhaps stopping for gelato at Martinucci on the way. From there, it’s just a five-minute walk to Lido La Castellana, one of the city’s most elegant beach clubs hidden on a glistening turquoise cove. On your way back to the city centre, stop for a scenic sundowner at Borderline Cafè.
Take a short drive south towards Santa Cesarea, with stops in the stunning Cava di Bauxite and Punta Palascia. Between the two, don’t miss Torre Sant’Emiliano, the ruins of a medieval watchtower with spectacular views out over the sea. From there, drive inland for a few minutes to reach a renowned dairy producer of the same name; the perfect place to stock up on mozzarella and other local cheeses.
Fresh fish meets fine dining at this acclaimed eatery in Otranto’s Old Town, where family-style offerings include sea-urchin carbonara.
LaltroBaffo’s award-winning chef also heads up this restaurant at Le Capase Resort, the perfect pit-stop en route to Santa Cesarea.
Visit this whitewashed farmhouse for seasonal and seafood delights, plus succulent fresh produce from the owner’s vegetable garden.
Along Italy’s northwestern coast is Liguria, famed for its Riviera. This is the glitzy starlet of the country’s coastline, where dramatic cliffs and irresistible fishing villages have long been a draw for stylish travellers. Though the likes of Cinque Terre are well-travelled, there are still hidden gems to uncover, to beat the tourist trappings. Similarly, there’s a clutch of small towns and villages along the coastline that boast similar beauty, oft overlooked for the more famous five villages. Discover these destinations here, for an authentic experience of Liguria.
Read guideDiscover the road from Calabria to Sicily. This itinerary follows the route of our film with singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti. We’ve added a few extra locations so you can see the best of this corner of Italy, with restaurant recommendations and hidden gems, plus in-the-know tips so you can indulge in an authentic side of this country…
Read guideFrom bonafide classics like the Amalfi Coast and Naples, to lesser-known gems that should not be missed, discover your guide to the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Even in the more popular destinations there’s myriad places you need to explore, the kind of places where locals go, where real Italian experiences await.
Read guideNew BIRRA MORETTI
Discover the new BIRRA MORETTI Sale Di Mare, an unfiltered premium lager with a hint of Italian sea salt. Perfectly paired to the flavour and style of the Italian coast, this is full-flavoured refreshment with every sip.
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