Otranto in Puglia, Italy. The jewel of Apulia’s Salento region. Hot weather and gorgeous beaches!

Come see Otranto in Puglia, Italy. With hot weather, a gorgeous beach, and many, many fun outings nearby, Otranto in the Salento region of Apulia is one of Italy’s best places to go. A real jewel at the end of the heel of Italy’s boot.
In the summer time Otranto Apulia is fantastic with bone-drying heat, to-die-for crystal clear water, soft sand, and lazy days. Everyone is here in Salento. We like it lively but we don’t like crowds. So in this video we share how we made Otranto Apulia our own. A tall order with such a popular summer destination like Otranto, a must see on any trip to Italy’s spectacular south.
First we take you into the heart of the old city early in the morning so that there’ll be fewer other tourists and we can blend in with the local life.The center is so charming. A castle, fortified walls, a cathedral with beautiful mosaic floors, and the gorgeous location next to the turquoise water. Honestly, with so many tourist shops, restaurants and hotels, the historical center has lost its authenticity.
We do find an authentic local sport just outside the historic center’s walls. In the beautiful bay of turquoise water. People here wade early in the morning to get their steps in. Otranto, Puglia’s water is shallow from the shore all the way out. And early in the morning it’s the town’s outdoor gym.
We sit down at the Borderline cafe facing the historical center across the bay. And have one of the best coffee and Italian pastries of our life with a million dollar view. The people at the next table tell us that for an authentic experience, we should check out one of the inland villages that still speaks a greek dialect.
So we head over to Corigliano, driving along a stretch of coastal road that already reminds me more of Greece or Turkey.
Turks and Greeks both occupied Salento leaving some aspects of the culture behind. While we don’t witness Greek being spoken on the streets, we do see some street signs in Italian and Greek. This town’s star attraction is its well preserved medieval castle, but we love the alleys and piazza’s that ooze with charm and we’re amazed by the stunning mosaics covering the floor of the church.
And we find our dream beach in Castellana Bay. Crystal clear waters, soft sand and not too crowded.
Otranto is surrounded by fun places to see, here are handful of our favorites, all take no more than a couple hours:
MARITTIMA. Osteria La Vecchia.
TRICASE.
CASTRO.
FARO PUNTA PALASCIA.
NARDO.
GALATINA.
BAIA DEI TURCHI.
Our last night in Salento, Puglia comes too soon. With our early morning wades, delightful coffee spot, daily outings, and a cute beach nearby Otranto, Apulia has captured our hearts. So come here off season if you can, but know that high season can be fun too!
Please Subscribe
If you have a KZbin account and you like our videos, please click the subscribe button and request notifications of our weekly postings by selecting the bell.
For a whole library of videos and our playlists please visit our channel at:
/ happygoluckytravel
We RECOMMEND from our latest:
Conversano near Polignano, Puglia Hidden Gem. • Puglia Italy's Hidden ...
Best Beach in Puglia, Italy? • Which is the best beac...
Best Street Food in Nice, France. • BEST Street Food in th...
Most Beautiful Place So Far, Lerici, Italy. • Best of Liguria, Italy...
Coastal walks on the French Riviera • French Riviera Scenic ...
About Us
We’re Emre and Maia. Our videos feature local, authentic, and immersive experiences in Europe. We love to engage with people in their own language, while we spend a gap year being curious about everything! We’re passionate about travel and food and have been to 44 countries with five passports between us! Now we’re in Southern Europe - Italy, France, and Spain - where we dedicate a month to each stay. Longing for simplicity and freedom, we put our remaining possessions in storage, and set out with one suitcase and one carry-on each. Our slow travel mindset works whether you have a few days or a whole year.
We like to keep it real. We did not receive, nor do we ask for compensation from any of the enterprises mentioned in this video.
The happygolucky KZbin channel is a production of HAPPY GO LUCKY, LLC, Washington.

[@ChristinaCaudill]

This is FABULOUS! I can’t thank you enough for these wonderful videos. Most Europe travel videos are by people rushing from country to country. I so appreciate your slow, sophisticated approach to travel. Please keep them coming! ♥️

[@happygoluckytravel]

Wow, thank you! So nice of you. We do hope to keep more coming. Thank you for motivating us!

[@vaunmalone3064]

Beautiful. 'Bone drying heat' exactly what I need! 😊❤

[@happygoluckytravel]

Enjoy! Thank you for watching!

[@Rogers-tube]

Incredible and magnificent !

[@nihilofficial9885]

Salento in recent times is providing itself with discos, nightlife, within a decade it will surely become one of the most nocturnal places in Europe for young people

[@sunnydaze2359]

Thank you so much for letting me live so vicariously. You two are such a wonderful couple, Love all your videos. Keep them coming . ❤️❤️👏🏼

[@happygoluckytravel]

Our pleasure! We appreciate the encouragement, thank you for watching!

[@a.e.9452]

Beautiful mosaics!

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching! Totally amazing!

[@CavityCreep1]

Great video and thanks for your honesty pointing out all the tourist shops in the beginning!

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching!

[@janetlombardi2314]

What a beautiful 😍 town thank you

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching!

[@StudiosMJN]

It’s really great to hear a foreigner speaking Italian. Also brilliant and well presented video on this area of Puglia.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you! 😃 Italian is such a pleasure, try to practice and improve whenever the opportunity is there!

[@serenadeschoral2268]

You guys are the best! I love your videos! I am fascinated by these southern towns. Heading to Puglia at the end of the month to get my Italian citizenship and will try to see as much as I can while based in Conversano. Your generosity of spirit and joy of travel is deeply appreciated! Mille grazie!

[@happygoluckytravel]

And you'll have the chance to see things in the off season, when they really shine. Congrats on completing the citizenship! Thank you for your positive feedback and for watching.

[@saralong4661]

Thank you for such a delightful insight into an area of the south we want to visit when we tour Italy in 2024 .. we want to go off the beaten track too. Looking at everything we will probably have to do 2 tours.. 1 mid to northern Inc. Dolomites and the other mid to south as there appears to be so much to see..I will try and see if I can find other regions you have posted on.. thank you again.. Roll on 2024 🙂

[@happygoluckytravel]

How fun to have your trip to Italy in 2024 to look forward to! Seaside Liguria is another beautiful area of north-ish Italy that we've loved and covered with several videos. Thank you for watching and your encouragement! Have a fabulous trip.

[@justice9577]

I have to tell you that you are the best, because your video its so simple hounest abd classy. Thanks❤

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you! 😃

[@petermendelson5839]

Great video! Heading to Puglia in May.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Have a great trip! Thank you for watching!

[@funghouls5498]

What a great tour. I’m Pugliese in Canada and this brings warm feelings for Salento again

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching! We're so happy to bring back great memories!

[@KaterinaFerrara]

Love your video. I Cornetti sono buoni ❤ I’ve learned from my Italian teacher that Italians use delizioso for a beautiful balcony or something other than food Gustoso - tasty Buonissimo- very delicious ❤❤❤❤😂😂 Grazie da Texas come sempre

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thanks for watching and for the tip on use of delizioso!

[@travelnetz]

We have visited Lecce in Puglia region but really get excited to visit Salento hopefully next year after get to know about this beautiful place…

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching! Happy to hear you're going back to Puglia!

[@davidjosias7486]

Great video, it was right up my alley! I've been doing so much research on the Salento and there are not to many video blogs done well except for Northern Puglia. You guys hit up allmost all the towns I want to visit. If you had to pick one town that was the most charming and you could see yourself either with a holiday house or live there, which town would it be? Thanks again for this video👏🏼🙏🏻

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you! We appreciate your encouragement! This would be a really hard decision. If forced to choose, we'd pick something close to the water -- Otranto at the edge of town, Castro old town, or Tricase's seaside area. Have fun with your travels!

[@sunnydaze2359]

Thank you for letting me live so vicariously. You two are such a lovely couple, I love listening to you. What a wonderful life you have. LoDolce Vida. ❤️❤️

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you so much!

[@Chap17]

Beautiful

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@federicabertozzi5377]

Beautiful Otranto ❤

[@happygoluckytravel]

Yes, a true beauty! Thank you for watching!

[@donfluso9042]

thanks guys, will go there in September

[@happygoluckytravel]

You are so lucky! We're so happy to hear you're going there. Have a great trip!

[@donfluso9042]

@@happygoluckytravel thanks and dont forget to book the next holidays in Puglia 🙃

[@divaldoenzo4742]

Thank you for not letting the all young dominated travel scene keep you from creating this channel and share your experiences, all the sucess in the world.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words - it means a lot. Let us know how we can do better. Thanks for watching.

[@georgegalindo5470]

Love ❤your video. What a magnificent olive tree you passed next to the stone wall on your search for the castle! Could you tell us the location or road ? Keep posting your wonderful video’s.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you! We can't remember the exact road, unfortunately. You will see many olive orchards in Puglia, especially if you get off the freeway. You can spot them from afar by that fabulous rich, red dirt. Most of them have at least a few of the ancient trees. We've seen the orchards from Bari down to Otranto, although recently the farmers have been struggling to save the trees from an invasive bug. You could also ask your host where ever you stay where the nearest orchard is.

[@federicabertozzi5377]

Otranto is a beautiful city

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching. One of our favorite places!

[@altodmusic]

My beautiful Puglia. 🤗🤗🤗

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching!

[@altodmusic]

@@happygoluckytravel thanks for share. 🤗🤗🤗

[@danieledemonte2854]

Bravissimi bel video, la prossima volta passate da Gallipoli città vecchia, porto selvaggio, le quattro colonne,porto Cesario, le Maldive del salendo... 🤩👋

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for the tips for next time! We appreciate your encouragement!

[@user-qw2ok1yz1m]

Fantastic video guys, may i ask what time of year you were travelling in Otranto. We are thinking about bikes, but wondering about the heat

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for the encouragement! We were there in late June and it was HOT! Another year we were there at the end of May and it was chilly and even rained. Very hard to know in advance 😀 Have a wonderful trip to Otranto in Puglia, Italy!

[@binishawho]

Me and my future husband in our early 60s.

[@wherethepaddletakesme]

Thanks for a great video! We will be spending 6 nights in Salento next September What would you recommend as an Itinerary for our visit?

[@happygoluckytravel]

Have fun! In addition to the places in the video, a nice as part of your itinerary could be the beautiful city of Lecce. You can do this as a day trip from Otranto or stay a night or two. Unfortunately, Gallipoli has lost its authenticity to over tourism.

[@avechristusrex9758]

Wonderful video - we dream of buying in Lecce very expensive though - love the baroque architecture - nardo I’d never heard of before it looks beautiful - are there any baroque towns you’d recommend to visit.thanks

[@happygoluckytravel]

What a fabulous plan! Nardo and Galatina (the place with the little cakes in the video) have that baroque feel. Gallipoli also, though we found it overly touristy. North of Lecce, Martina Franca and Ostuni both have some baroque churches and are lovely. When will you be going?

[@avechristusrex9758]

@@happygoluckytravel Thanks, August we’ll return to Leece for a week to see their 3 day festival but spending a few days in Matera beforehand then a few days in Ostuni afterwards - will definitely now visit Nardo and Galatina while in Leece - thanks again just found your videos yesterday so have plenty to catch up on. All the very best with everything.👍

[@happygoluckytravel]

Have a lovely trip and good luck with the search!

[@juandavidsarastymoncada5385]

THAKS A LOT.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching, we appreciate your encouragement!

[@catherineross1346]

Hi - what month did you visit? I am heading there in late June - will it really be that hot as 35 degrees by 8 in the morning

[@happygoluckytravel]

Last year that super hot June weather wasn't normal! One year in late May we needed winter coats and that also wasn't normal. Hopefully you'll get sweet weather on your trip! Thanks for watching!

[@sylver89]

Thanks for the great video. What's the name of the song playing at 0:50 ?

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching! The song is Russian Dance by Joey Pecoraro.

[@rebeccaray9689]

Im going there in September! I am going to try to learn as much italian as possible but do people speak english or at least are they patient and friendly if google translate is needed? Thanks for the video!

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching! We found everyone very nice. In Otranto a lot of people speak English, in the smaller villages not as much, but your friendly attempt will be appreciated and apps are a great tool. Enjoy your trip!

[@vincenzocanta9783]

Nell'aprile del 1988, dovemmo rinunciare alla visita per il fortissimo vento di tramontana, che quasi impediva di stare in piedi. Doveva essere la bora, proveniente dal.Nord dell'Adriatico

[@happygoluckytravel]

I'm sorry you had to cut your trip short because of wind. Hopefully you can visit again when everything is calm and mild. Thank you for watching!

[@southepirote7676]

Gee, I wonder how many Albanian bodies are there in the Otranto sea

[@thecrossing08]

Can only say that Pittule and not Pitulle, the rest is a nice video.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching and your encouragement!

[@TobyBazarnick-uf8ct]

“Sagne Inculata”…LOL

[@happygoluckytravel]

😂

[@artlover7638]

Puglia was part of the Magna Grecia, however the Turks never occupied any part of Italy.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching and the information!

[@peroursa3887]

so sea and the beach are somethin you don't really like it

[@Aurelian.way.808]

It’s pronounced O-Tranto, not otrànto 😂

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for the correction! We appreciate you!

[@dandegi2946]

Two small fixes: 1. Turks never occupied Salento and nothing of their culture remained, only bloody raids and looting. In the Cathedral of Otranto there are the remains of 800 Christian martyrs killed by the Turks. 2. You have been to Tricase Porto, the real town of 20,000 inhabitants is inland for 4 kilometers. Interesting video and nice travelers, as well as lucky.👋👋👋

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for the corrections! It's a bit sad that such a beautiful beach is named after a brutal history. We look forward to visiting Tricase proper on our next trip!

[@stephenpay8237]

Okay I'm really ready to go back there now.🥲...time to check ticket prices.

[@happygoluckytravel]

Thank you for watching. The fish are waiting for you. We hope to go back one day, too!