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Otranto & the surrounding area: pine trees, turquoise bays, and the mysterious Alimini Lakes
Otranto in Puglia: Baia dei Turchi, the Alimini Lakes, and the famous cathedral
Otranto in Puglia is one of those little towns where you naturally start to walk more slowly—and not just because of the warm weather. In the old town, cobblestone alleys crunch beneath your shoes; down below, fishing boats bob in the harbor; and outside the walls, a coastline awaits that is sometimes soft and sandy… and sometimes rugged, rocky, and wild. Add to that the Alimini Lakes—a green-blue oasis nestled between dunes and pine forests—and you’ll understand why I find this corner of Salento so irresistible.
In this blog, you’ll find the most beautiful natural spots, beaches, and trails around Otranto, including tips on how to enjoy them in a sustainable and relaxed way.
The Alimini Lakes: Two Worlds Side by Side
Just outside Otranto lie the Laghi Alimini, a protected Nature reserve covering approximately 1,000 hectares. The best part: they are two completely different lakes, separated by a narrow strip of land and surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.
Alimini Grande: brackish water, pine forest, and marsh
Alimini Grande is partly fed by seawater and is therefore brackish; a unique mix that is also reflected in the landscape. Surrounding the lake are pine forests, dunes, and the Traguano marshland, where springs flow into the lake.
Alimini Piccolo (Fontanelle): freshwater springs and shallow waters
Alimini Piccolo, also known as Fontanelle, is mainly calm and shallower because it is not affected by tides.
For botanists and birdwatchers (yes, this is one of those places)
This area is a dream come true if you love nature: you can spot rarer plants here, such as the marsh orchid and the water chestnut. And with a little luck, you might also see larger (migratory) birds here, such as flamingos and cranes during certain times of the year.
Important: The lakes are primarily intended for walking, sightseeing, and wildlife spotting. If you want to swim, it’s best to do so at the beach, on the beaches right next to the Nature reserve.
Beach Hopping Around Otranto: From City Beaches to Caribbean Sands
Around Otranto, you can go in two directions: south along cliffs and secluded coves, or north along sandy beaches, rock formations, and iconic viewpoints.
In and around Otranto
Bastioni Beach is literally at the foot of the city walls—perfect for a quick dip against a historic backdrop (though it can get crowded during peak season). La Punta is a lovely mix of sand and rock; it’s often quieter and perfect for a sunset stroll.
The Classics (and Why You’ll Want to See Them Anyway)
Alimini Beach: wide, light sand, a pine forest behind you, and that “Mediterranean vibe” in front of you.
Baia dei Turchi: a picturesque beach with a pine forest and a name that harks back to the Ottoman invasion of 1480.
Torre dell’Orso: a sandy cove with the famous rock formations “Le Due Sorelle” (the two sisters) just off the coast.
Torre Sant’Andrea: rugged coastline, jagged rocks—a wonderful place to wander and take photos.
Further south: rougher, quieter, wilder
Baia di Orte (near Otranto): a sense of nature, clear water, and fewer crowds on the beach.
Porto Badisco: small, sheltered, and perfect if you enjoy snorkeling.
Capo Palascia: the easternmost point of Italy. Go early in the morning or just as the day is ending for the best light.
Otranto itself: small, historic, and surprisingly lively
The old town is a maze of white facades, narrow alleys, and small family-run shops. But there are two places you really don’t want to miss:
1. Otranto Cathedral: the mosaic that leaves you speechless
The cathedral features a massive floor mosaic (12th century), created under the direction of the monk Pantaleone. It’s a kind of stone comic book with the Tree of Life as its central theme. It’s one of those works of art where you keep discovering new details.
And yes, here you can also feel the history of Otranto’s dramatic year, 1480: the cathedral houses the relics of the so-called Martyrs of Otranto (tradition often speaks of 800; historically, the number 813 is often cited) from the Ottoman attack.
2. Castello Aragonese: walls, towers, and views
The castle is an impressive example of defensive architecture and is also used for cultural exhibitions. Tickets, prices, and opening hours vary by season, so be sure to check on-site or through official sources.
Cycling Around Otranto: Slow travel at Its Best
If you want to really experience Salento, hop on a bike. You’ll ride along coastlines where the water shifts from turquoise to deep blue, stop at little harbors, and pop into a pine forest now and then for some shade.
An added bonus: biking reduces parking pressure and lets you discover places you’d just drive right past in a car.
Boat Tours, Snorkeling & Diving: The Coast from the Water
It’s only from the sea that you can really appreciate how varied the coastline is: cliffs, caves, hidden coves. Boat tours (available for as little as half a day) are a relaxing way to go swimming in places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach.
Diving: For Those Who Want to Go Deeper
Around Otranto, you can go diving with local organizations. A well-known dive site is the Hadonis/Adonis wreck, which sank off the coast in 1960 (at a depth of about 75 meters, so it’s really only for experienced divers with a guide).
Grotta della Poesia: Instagram hotspot (but be sure to follow the rules)
The Grotta della Poesia near Roca is incredibly beautiful. Important to note: Since 2019, regulations have been in place that (officially) prohibit swimming and sunbathing there, and enforcement can be strict. Go there for the view, the atmosphere, and the archaeological context; and be sure to check the current signs upon arrival.
Accommodation Tip Near Otranto
Agriturismo Sole del Mediterraneo is a delightful place with hospitable owners, nestled in the countryside just outside Otranto and near the Alimini Lakes. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Salento region.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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