Otranto · Puglia · Italia

Porta d'Oriente

Bildungsurlaub

Porta d'Oriente is an Italian language school for foreigners in Otranto (Puglia): intensive courses of about 20 hours per week plus lighter options, usually starting every Monday. The school also helps you find accommodation. Below you will find the key facts, a mini guide to Otranto to plan your stay, and a form to write to the school directly.

◌ Updated more than 2 months ago

The course

Intensive20 h/wk

Light10 h/wk

Startevery Monday

Complete beginnersfixed dates, usually every 2 weeks

Minimum length1 week

Housingyes

Indicative price≈ €200–300/wk (market estimate, to be confirmed)

Exams on siteCELI

Public holidays 2026 (no lessons):

1 January	New Year's Day
6 January	Epiphany
5–6 April	Easter & Easter Monday
25 April	Liberation Day
1 May	Labour Day
2 June	Republic Day
15 August	Ferragosto (Assumption)
1 November	All Saints' Day
8 December	Immaculate Conception
25–26 December	Christmas & St Stephen's Day

On national holidays schools generally don't hold lessons and hours aren't made up: if you're coming for a single week, best avoid them.

Key facts

Lesson length50 minutes

Students per classmax 8

Books and materialsincluded

Placement teston site

Enrolment fee€70

Housing placement servicefree

Wi-Fiyes

Seaside townartcookingwineover 50

What not to miss in Otranto

Cattedrale e il mosaico
Castello aragonese e borgo
Baia dei Turchi

✈ Best airport: Brindisi (BDS)

Planning your Italian course in Otranto: fly into Brindisi (BDS), book the course 2–3 weeks ahead (classes fill up faster in high season, June–September) and, if you can, match your study week with one of the events above — using your Italian at a local festival is worth a week of lessons. And between lessons, there's the sea.

Weather right now

The labels, in short

ASILS	Italian association of schools of Italian as a second language; quality audited by an independent certifier.
EDUITALIA	Association of accredited schools and universities promoting study in Italy.
AIL	Accademia Italiana di Lingua: school network with its own Firenze Italian exams.
IALC	International association of independent, inspected language schools.
Bildungsurlaub	German recognition: the course qualifies for paid educational leave.
CILS	Official certificate of the University for Foreigners of Siena.
CELI	Official certificate of the University for Foreigners of Perugia.
PLIDA	Official certificate of the Società Dante Alighieri.
CSN	Swedish student-finance body: the course qualifies for CSN study grants.
LICET	Association of Italian language schools with shared quality standards and peer inspections.
DITALS	Authorised centre for the DITALS exam (teaching-Italian certification) of the University for Foreigners of Siena.

Write to the school

Your message is sent via thuisitaliaans; the school replies straight to your email.

Events this year

Alba dei Popoli ✓ courses on these dates	December–January
Festa dei Santi Martiri ✓ courses on these dates	metà August

Frequently asked questions

When do Italian courses at Porta d'Oriente start?

Courses start every Monday. Complete beginners: fixed dates, usually every 2 weeks. Always confirm the next available date using the form on this page.

How many lesson hours per week are there?

The intensive course runs about 20 hours per week; the lighter option about 10 hours, ideal if you want time to enjoy the city.

How much does an Italian course in Otranto cost?

As a rule of thumb, an intensive group course in Italy costs €200–300 per week. For the exact price ask the school directly with the form on this page — they reply to your email.

Does the school help with accommodation?

Yes: Porta d'Oriente offers a housing placement service (free). Ask about availability and prices together with course dates.

Can I prepare for or take an official exam (CILS, CELI, PLIDA)?

Yes: Porta d'Oriente is an official CELI exam centre. You can prepare and sit the exam at the school itself.

How do I get to Otranto?

The recommended airport is Brindisi (BDS); from there take a train or bus to Otranto. See the city guide above for the key landmarks.