Otranto, Puglia

Overview

Discover Otranto: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

The small town of Otranto has a big history that makes it popular with visitors. In 1480 the town was captured by the Ottomans who beheaded 813 citizens who refused to convert to Islam. But the story doesn't end there. Following the liberation of the town, the bodies were transferred to the city's cathedral where the bones of the 'Martyrs of Otranto' are now on display. In 2013, they were the first saints to be canonized by the newly elected Pope Francis.

The cathedral is also home to a stunning 12th century mosaic of the Tree of Life. The mosaic covers much of the church floor depicting scenes from the Old Testament and of Alexander the Great from the Alexander romance that was popular in Antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages.

Otranto is one of Puglia's most charming towns and a popular port in the summer. While small, it is a great location to explore the tip of the peninsular and enjoy the coastline in summer.

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Explore Otranto

Otranto in pictures

Gallery

A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.

Puglia with Italy Vacation Specialists

Otranto, Puglia with Italy Vacation Specialists

Puglia with Italy Vacation Specialists

What to do in Otranto

Puglia

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Puglia Discovery (6 nights/ 7 days ): Mostly All Inclusive Private Tour of Puglia including Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto Bari and incredible wine tastings and olive farms

Our Puglia Discovery Experience is a great option for first time visitors or returning visitors to the Puglia region who want to experience the region with local hosts and visit the region in a relaxing, comfortable way with visits to local farms, wi...

Private

7 Days / 6 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Otranto

Days out with people who know the way

Lecce & Otranto Full Day Tour

This full day tour of Lecce, Otranto and Santa Cesarea is great way to experience some of the most beautiful towns in the Salento region. Lecce is known as the 'Florence' of southern Italy and it is best experienced with a local English speaking gui...

Private

Villas

Private homes with stories of their own

Italy,Puglia,Otranto

Villa

Villa Alimini

2 Beds 2 Baths 8

Air Conditioning +13 more

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Photo Gallery

Gargano Coast including Vieste

Alberobello

Bari

Brindisi

Cisternino

Foggia

Gargano Coast including Vieste

Lecce

Locorotondo

Martina Franca

Monopoli

Ostuni

Otranto

Polignano a Mare

Santa Cesarea Terme

Santa Maria di Leuca

Taranto

Torre Canne

Torre dell' Orso

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Italy,Puglia

Villa

Villa Mimma Puglia

2 Beds 5

BBQ +12 more

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Casa Deva featured rental property in Otranto

Italy,Puglia,Bari

Villa

Casa Deva

7 Beds 5 Baths 16

Dishwasher +8 more

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Italy,Puglia,Otranto

Villa

Villa Alimini

2 Beds 2 Baths 8

Air Conditioning +13 more

View Details

Italy,Puglia,Polignano a Mare

Villa

Villa Bianca

6 Beds 5 Baths 12

Air Conditioning +11 more

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La Casa sul Mare featured rental property in Otranto

Italy,Puglia,Taranto

Villa

La Casa sul Mare

5 Beds 6 Baths 13

Air Conditioning +13 more

View Details

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Popular Transfer Routes in Otranto

The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Otranto and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence

Private Transfer

Rome Naples

Private Transfer

Rome Venice

Private Transfer

Florence Venice

Private Transfer

Milan Venice

Private Transfer

Naples Amalfi

Private Transfer

Rome Amalfi

Private Transfer

Milan Lake Como

Private Transfer

Florence Siena

Private Transfer

Naples Sorrento

Private Transfer

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS…”
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“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever”
Bob & Sandy Read their story

“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do…”
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“I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want…”
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“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they…”
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“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as w…”
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