Things to do in Otranto, Italy with Kids
Things to do in Otranto with Kids – Visiting Italy in October we relished our time in Otranto. While many southern Italian towns feel closed for the season Otranto still had a buzz about it, and lots of foodie choices. A great base helped too, as the fab self-catering apartments we found made a good holiday a great holiday.
Stay Somewhere Fantastic
I don’t usually start with accommodation, but the modern, self-catering apartments we found at Borgo de li Santi made our time in Otranto a success. The pool was a huge draw for us, and we did spend some days sitting doing nothing! The staff take drinks orders so we enjoyed a poolside aperol spritz. Lunch can be bought at the restaurant but we ate in our own ‘home’ and tended to dine out at dinner time.
Importantly, the resort is a ten minute walk into the centre of town, so abandon the car in the free parking (either onsite or on the street) and walk everywhere. This was ideal for sightseeing during the day and allowed Mr Husband to quaff Italian beers over dinner. A beautiful resort with a chilled vibe.
Visit a Castle – Free options available
It’s perfectly feasible to explore Otranto’s castle from the outside, walking down into it courtyards or moat style area, wandering through gateways and doorways and perusing the castle walls. I’ve read that entry is around the €10 mark, and includes historical info and art exhibitions. You could even read Horace Walpole’s Gothic novel, ‘The Castle of Otranto’ while you’re there.
Walk the Walls – Things to do in Otranto with Kids
Following the town walls and promenading along the shoreline really gives you a sense of a place, allows visitors to get their bearings, perhaps stopping en route for a drink or a bite to eat as they enjoy the sunshine.
Hit the Beach – Things to do in Otranto with Kids
Otranto is blessed with town beaches. The Madonna dell’Altomare beach was specifically mentioned to us as ideal for kids as it gently slopes into the water and it’s shallow for ages. It’s easy to find too as huge white steps lead down to the sand so the beach is unmissable. There’s even a cafe and toilets at the top of the stairs. We spent the afternoon here after sightseeing in the morning.
Visit the Cathedral/Duomo
Most Italian towns offer up a duomo to visit that’s full of history and art. Otranto is no different. It excels with an intricate and ornate mosaic floor that dates back to the 12th century. The site’s lifespan has apparently covered a Roman house, an early Christian temple, a cathedral, a mosque (after the Ottoman Siege of Otranto), then a cathedral once more. The walls here have seen a lot!
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Food & Drink – Things to do in Otranto with Kids
Watch Your Pizza Made Before your Eyes
Even in low season, when things can be quiet, we really enjoyed dining out in Otranto. I’d thoroughly recommend Horus for family friendly pasta and pizza. You can even watch your pizza being made right in front of you. The prices were fantastic too. The Margherita above cost €5 or £4.35. I’d struggle to buy a frozen pizza for that price from a supermarket back in the UK.
Eat Gelato & Promenade
By evening, especially at weekends, Otranto was alive with families out walking and eating. We joined the crowds to eat dessert by the sea. There are several places to pick up excellent gelato, and we were delighted by the offering at Martinucci Laboratory. Again, good prices at €2.50 for two massive scoops of gelato.
Cafe Leccese, Caffe Corretto & Crepes
Other foods to try include a cafe leccese (pictured above), an iced coffee with a dash of sweet syrup. Mr Husband preferred caffe corretto – coffee with a dash of liquor, usually grappa or sambuca – a great kick at 11am. We relaxed at Bar Molo near the water. It wasn’t the poshest venue but we liked the prices, informality and food – we’re talking crepes, caprese salad and generous glasses of prosecco.
Like many other Puglian towns there isn’t a huge list of things to do (only problematic on rainy days) so the focus is more on taking in the architecture, vibes, food and drink, and enjoying the sun and the beach.
Our Story – this was our second year touring Puglia in October. We flew into Bari from Edinburgh, rented a hire car and spent ten days on a mini road trip. Our first stop was Gallipoli, before we headed across the heel to Otranto, and our final destination was Ostuni.
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