Photo by Marzoide88. The Salento is a wonderful area of Apulia, stretching between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east. It is also the easternmost area of Italy. It is a land that offers wonderful landscapes, characteristic villages, magnificent beaches and culinary traditions. A destination truly suitable for everyone, where you can enjoy all kinds of experiences.
Let's discover together what to see in Salento, including beaches, villages and itineraries not to be missed!
Most beautiful beaches
1 - Punta Prosciutto, Porto Cesareo (LE)
Photo by Hydruntum. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Apulia, but certainly also one of the most beautiful in Italy!
The beach is characterised by very white sand and crystal clear sea, so blue that it blends in with the hues of the sky. All around the coast are sand dunes and lush vegetation. Moreover, it alternates stretches of free beach with stretches of equipped beach, which, with its shallow water, make it perfect for families. As it is one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches, it is unfortunately also one of the most crowded. Reach it early in the morning to enjoy its beauty!
SEE ALSO: Punta Prosciutto: how to get there, useful info and pictures
2 - Maldives of Salento, Marina di Pescoluse (LE)
Photo by Brunokito. If you are in the southern tip of Salento, right on the tip of the heel, you absolutely cannot miss the beach of Pescoluse, the Maldives of Salento! The beach is located in the seaside village of Marina di Pescoluse, about 10 km from Santa Maria di Leuca.
It will seem like being in the Caribbean or the Maldives, but no, you are in Italy! The beach, framed by beautiful dunes and junipers, is the longest on the Salento coastline. It has a unique crystalline sea, a white beach with free stretches alternating with equipped stretches, with sunbeds, umbrellas and services. The seabed is very shallow, making it an ideal beach for families and for those who want to go for a swim in tranquillity.
3 - Torre Lapillo, Porto Cesareo (LE)
Photo by Yellow.Cat. Torre Lapillo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Salento, as well as being one of the longest. It is a hamlet of Porto Cesareo, in the province of Lecce, situated in a wonderful bay where at either end are the Torre di San Tommaso (or Torre Lapillo) and the Torre Chianca.
Even in this stretch of coastline, the impression is that of being in a Caribbean landscape: a very clear white beach, deep blue sea and a wonderful seabed. This, in fact, is one of the best areas for diving! If you have never dived before, no problem, all you need to do is arm yourself with flippers, mask and snorkel and move a little further away from the coast to admire the beauty of its seabed!
SEE ALSO: Porto Cesareo's most beautiful beaches
4 - Porto Selvaggio, Nardò (LE)
Photo by Yellow.Cat. Between Porto Cesareo and Gallipoli we find the town of Nardò, also in the province of Lecce, which is home to the marvellous bay of Porto Selvaggio, a must-see! The bay is in fact completely surrounded by the Porto Selvaggio Regional Natural Park, a nature reserve consisting mainly of pine forest, home to various animal species and with wonderful rocky coves for bathing!
The Porto Selvaggio beach can be reached by a 20-minute walk through the pine forest. This beach consists of pebbles and rocks, contrasting with the incredible blue of the sea. Here you can simply relax and sunbathe or dive off the various rocks, taking care of course! We also recommend wearing rubber rock shoes, which are very comfortable on these occasions. Along the coast of the park, however, you can find several smaller coves and beaches.
5 - Le Due Sorelle, Torre dell'Orso (LE)
One of the most famous places in the Salento is definitely Torre dell'Orso, also in the province of Lecce but facing the Mediterranean Sea. The entire stretch of coastline is wonderful, so much so that it has been nicknamed the Caribbean of Salento, and the beach is overlooked by the 16th-century Torre dell'Orso. Continuing southwards you will come across the Faraglioni di Sant'Andrea, proceeding north instead the Grotta della Poesia.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Torre dell'Orso and the Salento region is undoubtedly the Due Sorelle beach, located in the splendid setting of Scoglio Noglio. With about a kilometre of beautiful golden beach and crystal-clear sea, the beach takes its name from the two stacks, called the Due Sorelle (Two Sisters), which are just a few metres from the shore.
SEE ALSO: Torre dell'Orso: how to get to the beach in Salento
6 - Punta della Suina, Gallipoli (LE)
Photo by Lasagnolo9. If the long stretch of Pescoluse beach is known as the Maldives of Salento, Punta Suina in Gallipoli, on the other hand, has earned the name of the Caribbean of the Ionian Sea. This marvellous beach is located in the setting of the Regional Natural Park of St. Andrew's Island and Punta Pizzocome coastline, one of the green lungs of the Salento; to reach it, you will have to walk a few minutes through the pine forest.
Once you get to the coast, the spectacle will be unique: stretches of rock alternating with white and golden sand and crystal-clear sea, shallow waters that are also ideal for families with children, and a stretch equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds and a stretch of free beach. Moreover, truly romantic sunsets can be admired from here. Again, the beach is often crowded in high season, so we recommend arriving early in the morning.
7 - Cala dell'Acquaviva, Marina di Marittima (LE)
Photo by Salento81. The Salento coastline presents wonderful and varied landscapes: at one moment you feel as if you are on a tropical beach, at another moment you find yourself in a cove that looks like a fjord. We are talking about Cala dell'Acquaviva, in Marina Marittima.
Cala dell'Acquaviva, which can only be reached on foot with a short walk, is a real jewel set among the rocks: here the water is crystal clear and the seabed wonderful, ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts. There is also a small beach kiosk on site. It is ideal to reach it in the morning, to enjoy the view alone, but the place is never too crowded.
8 - Grotta della Poesia, Melendugno (LE)
Photo by andresumida. And if beaches with a tropical atmosphere and those framed by high cliffs weren't enough, in Salento you can also find caves that look like something out of a fairy tale. This is the case of the Grotta della Poesia, in Melendugno. It is certainly one of the most special places in the Salento, and absolutely not to be missed!
This cave has clear blue water, which can be reached in two main ways: swimming through a narrow channel directly from the sea, or diving from the rocks, always paying close attention! Its name'Cave of Poetry' comes from a story according to which a beautiful princess used to come here to bathe, and the poets who saw her then wrote verses in her honour inspired by her beauty.
SEE ALSO: Grotta della Poesia: where it is and how to get there
9 - Torre Mozza, Ugento (LE)
Torre Mozza is a beautiful seaside resort in southern Salento, in the town of Ugento. The name derives from the now ruined tower that stands a few steps away from the sea. The surroundings are also very picturesque: you can find several nature reserves and parks.
The beach in this area stretches for about 10 km and is characterised by white sand and crystal clear sea. It is perfect to meet everyone's needs: some stretches are equipped with all services, ideal for those seeking comfort or for those travelling with their families, while some stretches are free and very wild, ideal instead for those seeking silence and unspoilt nature to enjoy the beauty of the place.
10 - Porto Badisco, Otranto (LE)
Photo by Marzoide88. Porto Badisco is not just a beach: according to Virgil, this is the place where Aeneas arrived when fleeing from Troy! It lies between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca and is a wonderful inlet in the coast.
It is a true paradise, never too crowded even in summer. There is a small fishing village nearby, and if you like walking you can take a stretch of the Porto Badisco - Torre Sant'Emiliano path. Here the beach is rocky and the sea crystal clear, so clean that you can see the seabed very well. It is, in fact, also an excellent place for snorkelling.
Villages, hamlets and places to visit
1 - Otranto
Otranto, also known as Porta d'Oriente (Gateway to the East), is certainly one of the most visited places in the Salento. It is located on the east coast, overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Otranto, Italy's most easterly town, is a charming seaside village, also declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 2010. Here you can experience the most authentic Apulia: beaches and crystal-clear sea, an old town centre with white houses, long traditions and a unique cuisine with excellent fish dishes. Don't miss a visit to the Aragonese Castle and the Cathedral, and then explore the waterfront area and the beautiful surroundings.
SEE ALSO: Otranto: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
2 - Galatina
Photo by Alexander van Loon. Between the villages of Nardò and Maglie we find the marvellous city of Galatina, a place that has made America fall in love with it: according to the American magazine Forbes, in fact, this is one of the stops not to be missed on a trip to Italy!
The city has very ancient origins, but the appearance it has today was gained during the Byzantine era. The discovery of the historical centre can only begin with the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, completely frescoed inside and declared a National Monument in 1870. Between one walk and another, you cannot miss the chance to taste the 'pasticciotto', a typical Salento cake with short pastry filled with custard, a delight! Stop and taste those of Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone, right in the centre.
3 - Specchia
Specchia is a small village in the heart of Salento. It is located in the south, not too far from places like Santa Maria di Leuca (20 km) and Torre San Giovanni (22 km).
The historic centre of Specchia is one of the most evocative in all of Apulia and the village is part of the circuit of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. Despite its small size, its historic centre is home to marvellous churches: to name but a few, we find the Church of the Madonna dell'Assunta and the nearby Convent of the Black Franciscans, built with the typical Lecce stone. And to taste the typical dishes of Salento cuisine and some excellent homemade digestives, stop at Trattoria Da Coppuledda, a village institution!
4 - Nardò
Photo by Freddyballo. Nardò is a wonderful town in the hinterland of Salento, but also includes a stretch of coast overlooking the Ionian Sea. It is located halfway between two of the area's main towns, Porto Cesareo (17 km) and Galatina (16 km).
With very ancient origins, today it is world-famous in the automotive sector: here is in fact the Nardò ring, also known as the Nardò Ring, a circular track for high-speed tests, inaugurated by Fiat in 1975 and now managed by Porsche. In addition to the ring, the marvellous historic centre is worth a visit: here you can visit the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and the interesting Museo della Preistoria di Nardò (Nardò Museum of Prehistory), to discover the area's long history.
5 - Muro Leccese
Photo by Lupiae. Muro Leccese is a small, very old village, located in the central southern part of Salento, close to places such as Maglie (4 km) and Santa Cesarea Terme (20 km).
Its name derives from the presence of the remains of the ancient Messapian walls: Muro Leccese was in fact one of the most important Messapian centres, a population that lived in these areas from the 6th century B.C. onwards, of which significant archaeological finds still remain today! The visit begins in Piazza Del Popolo, the heart of the village, where the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Prince's Palace stand. The latter houses the Museo Diffuso di Borgo Terra (Borgo Terra Museum), which should be visited to learn about the local history of the area.
6 - Gallipoli
Known as the pearl of the Ionian Sea, it is located on the west coast at the northern end of the Bay of Gallipoli. Easily accessible from anywhere in Salento, it is 40 km from Lecce.
Gallipoli is one of those places that immediately steal your heart. The historical centre is characterised by its typical white houses and has its own beach, the Spiaggia della Purità. Not far away, however, you can find wonderful beaches with crystal-clear sea. During the day you can stroll among its wonders, visiting places such as the Co-Cathedral Basilica of Sant'Agata and the Castle of Gallipoli, while in the evening you can enjoy yourself in the numerous clubs and nightlife venues!
SEE ALSO: Gallipoli: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
7 - Castro
Photo by Carlo Pelagalli. Castro is a small coastal village located along the eastern coast of the Salento peninsula. It is mainly divided into two parts: Castro Superiore, the part located on the hill, 98 m above sea level, and Castro Marina, the lower part on the coast. Very easy to reach, it is located about 20 km from Otranto.
Castro is also known as the Pearl of Salento, thanks to its special architecture and the wonderful beaches in Castro Marina. First enjoy a stroll through the historical centre, visiting the Aragonese Castle that houses the Castro Archaeological Museum, and then admire the landscape from the many panoramic terraces. Finally, head down to the Marina to stroll along the harbour area or take part in a boat trip to discover the caves in the area.
8 - Maglie
Photo by Lupiae. Maglie, in the heart of Salento, is an important economic centre in the province of Lecce. It occupies a very central position, not far from Otranto (18 km), Galatina (15 km) and Nardò (30 km).
Maglie is also one of the oldest towns in the Salento. Its origins are uncertain and still debated among scholars, but many place its birth around the 8th century. Today it is the economic hub of the Lower Salento and has a large production of lace, embroidery, furniture and wrought iron objects. Enjoy a stroll through its historic centre, also visiting the Museo Civico di Paleontologia, and then stop to buy the delicious artisanal pasta made by Pastificio Benedetto Cavalieri since 1918. Fresh, handmade pasta is a staple of Salento cuisine!
9 - Santa Cesarea Terme
Photo by Patrick Nouhailler's.... As you can already guess from its name, Santa Cesarea Terme is a wonderful spa town in Salento. It is located on the east coast, not far from places like Otranto (17 km) and Castro (just 7 km).
Known more simply as the Terme del Salento, Santa Cesarea Terme is the perfect destination for those who want to relax. In fact, it is a small, quiet village, directly overlooking the sea. Even in the evening, it is not as lively as other destinations. Here you can swim in the coves, including the beautiful Porto Miggiano beach, or relax at the Sulphur Pool.
10 - Lecce
Finally, we couldn't fail to mention Lecce, the easternmost capital of Italy and, above all, the capital of Salento. It is also an excellent starting point for discovering the entire Salento region. In fact, it is about 45 km from the Salento Airport in Brindisi (30 min by car via the SS613 or 30 min by direct regional train Brindisi-Lecce).
Also known as the Florence of the South and the Lady of Baroque, Lecce has a wonderful historical centre full of Baroque buildings. Start your itinerary in Piazza Duomo, the heart of the centre, to discover the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and then move on to the Basilica of Santa Croce, the best representative of Lecce Baroque. And between your visits, don't miss the famous pasticciotto leccese, you will find one of the best at Pasticceria Natale, in the heart of the historical centre.
SEE ALSO: Lecce: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
Recommended itineraries
The Salento is a truly unique destination with a wide variety of landscapes and activities. You can decide to enjoy a relaxing holiday, or dedicate yourself to discovering the region's most traditional villages and best-known towns.
It is also a destination suitable for everyone: from young people looking for fun and excitement and who want to stay up all night, to couples looking for a romantic destination, from families with children who want to spend a few days together by the sea, to those who want to get to know the long tradition of local food and wine.
Let's see which itineraries to follow in Salento:
Lecce and its surroundings: 5 days in and around Lecce, with a base in the city and day trips to destinations such as Torre dell'Orso, Nardò, Galatina and Porto Cesareo;
Tour on the road: a week by car among the beauties of Salento. Departure from Lecce, stop in Torre dell'Orso and Otranto. Passage inland with Muro Leccese, Maglie and Galatina, until reaching Gallipoli. Return to Lecce;
The best of Salento: a week along the Lecce coast. Departing from Lecce, a stop at Torre dell'Orso and Otranto, then down to Castro and Santa Maria di Leuca. From here, the Ionian coast through Torre San Giovanni, Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo. Return to Lecce;
Sea weekend: 3 days of relaxation. In this case, opt for only one of the two coasts. On the Ionian coast we recommend Gallipoli, on the Adriatic coast Otranto;
Food and wine itinerary: three days to discover the culinary traditions of the Salento, with stops in Lecce, Zollino and Galatina, until you reach Gallipoli - find out more here
How much does a week in Salento cost
The Salento is not a particularly expensive destination, except during the high season: in July and August, costs tend to rise considerably, especially for accommodation. We certainly recommend staying in the main towns, such as Lecce, Otranto or Gallipoli, in order to have a varied tourist offer.
After all, the Salento is a destination that lends itself well to all types of travel: for example, it ranges from theexcellent Salento street food, which isvery affordable, to fish dinners with a sea view, where prices are much higher. To move between locations, the advice is to rent a car, especially in summer when it is very hot and trains do not always have air conditioning! Car rental has an average cost of €25.00 per day, which also varies depending on where you rent it. If you arrive by plane in Brindisi and start your journey on the road straight away, then we recommend renting a car already at the airport.
Costs for eating: approx. €40.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Costsfor visits and activities: approx. €10.00 per person per day
Transport: approx. €180.00 per person in total for the week (car rental)
Hotels, accommodation and B&Bs: from €60.00 per room - see offers
Entertainment: from €20.00 per person per day (including snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)
Total cost of a week: from €850.00 per person
What to do: activities, excursions and tours Location
Salento is the southernmost part of Puglia and represents the heel of the boot of the Italian peninsula. It lies between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas and is the easternmost area of Italy. With Lecce as its capital, the area includes the entire province of Lecce, part of the province of Brindisi and the eastern part of the province of Taranto.
SEE ALSO: Most beautiful towns and villages in Puglia
Before leaving: useful advice
How to get there: Brindisi airport is a good base, 45 km from Lecce and linked by a direct Pugliairbus line (1 hr). Bari airport is 170 km from Lecce, connected by direct train (1 h 40 min). Alternatively, ship to Naples and then by car (about 400 km).
Where to sleep: better to opt for centres such as Lecce. On the coast, Otranto (Adriatic coast) and Gallipoli (Ionian coast) are better, from which you can easily move around.
How to get around: trains and buses are there but they are not very fast and efficient. It is better to opt for the car, a more convenient and comfortable solution for easily reaching villages and beaches, even the most remote ones.
When to go: watch out for the summer, which is expensive and super-crowded. June and September are better.
