Otranto with kids: all you need to know about this pretty coastal city ‘pearl of the South’

A mama’s guide to Otranto with kids: what to expect, best things to do, travel tips to enjoy this pretty coastal town in Puglia with kids.

Otranto is a small and beautiful coastal town in Puglia and one of the most popular destinations in Puglia for families looking for a kid-friendly beach destination in the South.

Located on the Adriatic coast, Otranto is a small center but punches well above its weight thanks to its proximity to many stunning beaches.

If you are looking for a pleasant family friendly town with sandy stretches and shallow waters for a sea and sun vacation, Otranto is perfect!

I have visited Otranto with the kids during a vacation in beautiful Salento; these are all our tips to to make the most of your stay.

Safe travel planning!

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Why visit Otranto with kids

I recommend you visit Otranto with kids if:

You are going to Puglia in summer and want to stay in a pretty town with easy access to beaches (car needed)

You are looking for a small but well functioning summer resort town

You have a car to explore the surrounding area and the many beaches of Salento and Lecce

Why not to visit Otranto with kids

Otranto is a small center with a strong beach vocation, I therefore only recommend it as a destination during swimming season (on a good year, late May to September).

Out of season there is very little to do here for kids so I would recommend Otranto for a day visit, rather than a prolonged stay.

To explore the area of Otranto you need a car. Therefore, I do not recommend it as a destination if you are hoping to explore by public transport only.

The best things to do in Otranto with kids

The best things to do in Otranto rotate around enjoying the pretty town center and exploring the surrounding area of Salento.

Enjoy Otranto town center

Otranto has a small and historic town center with whitewashes alleys, pretty corners and a plethora of restaurants and shops that, in season, give the town and lovely and buzzy vibe.

The old town is vastly car free and perfect for pleasant strolls with the kids and a family meal.

Some streets are not very stroller friendly but the long promenade along the sea is, so overall the town is easy to enjoy with toddlers too.

Check out the stunning Tree of Life mosaic in Otranto church

In terms of sightseeing there is one thing in Otranto that stands out as exceptional: a stunning ancient mosaic representing the Tree of Life, on the floor of Otranto cathedral.

The mosaic is what got my family to Otranto and while, as such, it is not an attraction ‘for the kids’ it got a wow out of them for size, antiquity and the fact that has depiction of animals on it, always an easy win with children!

Take a playground break

Playground stop: just beside the lovely Otranto Promenade there is a small playground with climbing frames, perfect for toddlers!

The best beaches near Otranto

Otranto is close to stunning beaches which are the main reason why so many families love it here!

The best family beaches near Otranto I recommend you seek out are:

Baia dei Turchi / Laghi Alimini: a wonderful stretch of coast with sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and gently degrading seabed.

The area has some free areas (spiaggia libera) and equipped lidos. Lido Spiaggia Azzurra is family friendly and has a kids’ play area.

Torre dell’Orso / San Foca area: a very popular, stunning sandy beach area north of Otranto with many equipped lidos with umbrellas, loungers and even activities.

Depending on the vibe you prefer, you can go to the free beach or have a look at I Caraibi del Salento, Lido La Sorgente for a lido experience.

If you have a car, you can also easily drive to the other coast and enjoy beaches such as Porto Cesareo, Torre Lapillo, Punta Prosciutto which are among the best beaches in Italy!

Kids activities and day trips from Otranto

Visit Lecce – Lecce is a stunning art city and a fabulous town to visit with kids. IF staying in Otranto, you can easily enjoy a few hours here exploring the historic center. You can find here my guide to Lecce with kids.

Go to Splash Rivabella Acqua Park, Water park with slides. Web: https://lnx.splashparco.it/

Parco Avventura Salento adventures, Adventure park for kids with tree-top trails, kids’ nature workshop (In Italian, but a great way to meet other kids!) etc Web: https://www.facebook.com/salentoadventures/

Visit Gallipoli, a lovely small town with a delightful center, small beach and lovely fish market, perfect for an informal lunch. Find here my guide to Gallipoli with kids

Family friendly restaurants in Otranto

We found the standard of food in Otranto very good so you don’t really need special addresses, but here are a couple you may like:

Balconcino d’Oriente – Via San Francesco di Paola 71, 73028 Otranto

Ristorante Vecchia Otranto – Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 96, 73028, Otranto

Casamelia Bakery (pizza to go, cooked quick lunches to go, pastries, coffee etc), Viale XXV Aprile, 37028 Otranto

For the best pasticciotto in Otranto: Pasticceria Merola, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 73028 Otranto

Where to stay in Otranto with kids

Borgo de li Santi Resort – family friendly resort with family apartments, pool, lovely grounds, baby park and restaurant.

Marimar Apartments – family friendly self catering apartment, some with a double bed and 2 sofa beds + option to ask for a baby crib.

Hotel La Plancia – budget friendly, family friendly hotel with family rooms with double bed + bunk bed.

How to get to Otranto with kids; how to get around

The closest airport to Otranto is Brindisi (74Km), while the closest station is in Otranto itself (stop: Otranto).

To explore the area, I strongly recommend you get a car, as otherwise you’ll find your options to be very limited. You can find here >>> all about driving in Puglia (don’t worry, it’s easy!). If a car is out of the question, I recommend you read my tips for visiting Puglia without a car, so you can have an idea of alternatives

I hope you enjoyed this quick overview of Otranto and it gave you options when planning your stay. Safe travels!

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