Italy's Easternmost Town and Its Mosaic Cathedral
Otranto is a historic port town in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, on the Adriatic coast, known for its Aragonese castle, its cathedral mosaic and its position near the easternmost point of mainland Italy. The old town sits within sturdy walls above a small harbour, its lanes lined with limestone houses, craft shops and cafes. Light is the town's great asset: dawn arrives early over the sea, the stone turns pale gold, and evening brings a soft pink glow across the ramparts, which draws photographers and strollers in equal numbers.
The cathedral is the cultural highlight. Its vast floor mosaic, created in the twelfth century by the monk Pantaleone, spreads a tree of life, zodiac signs, mythical creatures and biblical scenes across the entire nave, a medieval encyclopaedia in stone tesserae. The Aragonese Castle, with its round towers, stands guard at the harbour and hosts exhibitions. Otranto's blend of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Aragonese history is visible in every street, and gives even a short visit real narrative depth.
Turquoise Coves, Lakes and the Salento Table
Beyond the walls, the coast is a procession of scenic coves. Baia dei Turchi, with its pine-backed sand, Torre dell'Orso, framed by a long curve of beach and two offshore stacks, and the Alimini lakes behind the dunes give a wide choice for sun days. Southwards, the road winds past sea caves such as Grotta Zinzulusa at Castro and on to Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic meets the Ionian. Punta Palascia, a short drive away, marks the easternmost tip of Italy.
Salento cooking is rustic and generous: fresh sea urchin and raw fish, orecchiette and friselle with tomato, rustico leccese pastries and the custard-filled pasticciotto at breakfast, all alongside Primitivo and Negroamaro wines. Many visitors link Otranto with Puglia as a whole, taking in Lecce's baroque centre, while a hotel group or masseria might build a stay around the coast, the table and the light. For a wider Italian journey, Sicily makes a rewarding next island.
Read the full Otranto guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitOtranto.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.