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The Salento peninsula, a subregion of Puglia in southern Italy, is thought for its white sandy seashores and calm turquoise sea.
It’s a preferred summer time vacation spot for Italians, however overseas guests usually overlook it. That’s a disgrace as other than the gorgeous shoreline, Salento options untouristy historic cities, scrumptious meals, and interesting native tradition with many festivals.
It’s additionally house to Lecce, a metropolis of golden baroque structure that’s probably the most beautiful in Italy.
We’ve visited Salento many occasions together with most just lately for a month-long summer time keep.
In this detailed Salento Italy journey information, we share our suggestions for the perfect cities, seashores, actions, and meals, plus the place to remain and the way to get there.
At the top of the publish, you’ll discover a map with all these Salento suggestions.
Contents
Where is Salento Italy?
Salento is on the Salentine Peninsula (Penisola Salentina) within the southern Italian area of Puglia (also called Apulia). It’s the tip of the heel of Italy’s boot.
The largest metropolis in Salento is Lecce, which is a 4.5-hour drive southeast of Naples and 6.5 hours from Rome. Bari in Puglia is a two-hour drive north.
From Lecce, it’s an additional hour’s drive to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Salento (and Puglia).
Towards the top of this publish, I share a Salento Italy map and particulars of the way to get there.
Best Towns on the Salento Peninsula
The prime three cities or cities to go to within the Salento area are Lecce (inland close to the highest), Otranto (on the Adriatic Coast), and Gallipoli (on the Ionian Coast).
But there are numerous different lovely small cities to go to. Especially inland, you’ll usually discover historic streets, historical castles, wonderful eating places, and only a few vacationers.
Lecce
Lecce is a Salento should see. This small college metropolis is nicknamed “The Florence of the South” resulting from its lovely baroque structure.
It’s effectively value spending a day or two away from the coast to discover the golden, extravagantly carved church buildings, picturesque piazzas, and wonderful bars and eating places.
On our final go to to Lecce, we spent a month within the metropolis and cherished wandering the hidden corners of the historic centre.
The streets come alive within the evenings when locals of all ages take a pre or post-dinner passeggiata (stroll).
See our Lecce journey information for heaps extra suggestions.
Otranto
Otranto has a shocking location on the Adriatic Coast. You can spend the morning wandering the whitewashed streets and the afternoon stress-free on its small however fairly seashore and swimming within the turquoise water.
The important attraction is Otranto Cathedral with its enormous mosaic flooring that dates again to the twelfth century.
The chapel includes a disturbing sight—the skulls of 800 martyrs who resisted the Turkish invasion in 1480 that destroyed a lot of the town.
North of Otranto are the gorgeous Torre dell’Orso seashore and the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry) pure swimming gap.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is the opposite main coastal city within the Salento area. It’s on the alternative facet of the peninsula from Otranto overlooking the Ionian Sea.
The spotlight is the outdated city on an island that’s linked to the mainland by a causeway. Wander the slim streets previous hidden church buildings or stroll alongside the town partitions for sea views.
The partitions are the proper place for a drink at sundown. We loved aperitivo at Trattoria Scoglio delle Sirene with an exquisite view.
One of probably the most fascinating sights in Gallipoli is Frantoio Ipogeo in Granafei Palace, an underground olive press that was first utilized in 1600.
You can see the unique gear used for grinding and urgent the olives to make olive oil for lamps. Working on this darkish, damp cave together with blindfolded donkeys who labored the olive mill was a depressing expertise.
Gallipoli has a stunning metropolis seashore and is a brief drive from a few of the greatest seashores in Salento.
This is an especially standard vacation spot with Italians in summer time and we discovered the crowds on our August night stroll right here slightly overwhelming. It’s way more nice outdoors excessive season.
Castro
Castro is much less visited than Otranto or Gallipoli and is my new favorite coastal city in Salento. Even throughout the busiest week of the yr (mid-August), Castro felt vigorous slightly than unpleasantly crowded.
There are two elements to this small city. Castro Marina is on the bay with gorgeously clear water. There’s no sandy seashore however lidos hire sunbeds on the rocks. You can take boat journeys to discover close by caves.
Up the hill is Castro outdated city (accessed by a shuttle prepare or steep stroll), one of many prettiest small cities in Salento. There’s a fortress and a clifftop piazza overlooking the ocean.
The wine bar Delizie in Contea is a superb place for a drink and platter of regional delights.
Castro is about half-hour south of Otranto on the Adriatic Coast and I extremely suggest persevering with the coastal drive all the way down to Santa Maria di Leuca (see issues to do beneath).
Santa Cesarea Terme
10 minutes north of Castro is one other beautiful coastal city perched on cliffs overlooking the rocky shoreline. Santa Cesarea Terme is most well-known for its thermal baths.
In the nineteenth century, it was a preferred spa resort with the higher lessons from Lecce who constructed ornate, vibrant villas right here. Two of probably the most iconic are the Moorish-style Palazzo Sticchi and Villa Raffaela with its Disney fortress vibe.
We loved strolling alongside the seafront however didn’t fancy soaking within the scorching waters within the peak of summer time. Terme di Santa Cesarea has a thermal sulphur pool and entry to caves that function 30ºC sulphurous water. Spa remedies are additionally accessible.
Santa Maria di Leuca
At the southernmost tip of Salento is Santa Maria di Leuca (additionally known as Leuca). For us, the spotlight is the coastal drive right here from Castro.
The nice seaside city has a palm-tree-lined lungomare (promenade) for strolling, a big marina, and vibrant Art Nouveau villas.
We didn’t discover it fairly as scenic as the opposite coastal cities, but it surely’s top-of-the-line locations to go to in Salento for a ship journey. We rented our personal boat (see beneath).
The hottest sight is the lighthouse subsequent to the basilica, Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae.
Galatina
25 minutes south of Lecce is Galatina, considered one of my favorite untouristy inland cities.
The beautiful historic centre options golden baroque buildings like in Lecce and is a pleasure to wander.
The important attraction is the Romanesque and Gothic church, Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, with its frescoed partitions and ceiling courting again to the fifteenth century.
The well-known Salentine dessert, the pasticciotto (pastry crammed with cream) was invented right here. You can strive it at Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone, however observe that it does comprise lard. (Vegan variations can be found on the Martinucci chain in different elements of the Salento.)
Nardò
Nardò is one other much less visited inside city and is the second largest in Salento, after Lecce.
We got here right here after visiting Porto Selvaggio seashore, simply 10 minutes away. It was very quiet on a summer time morning, however I think about it’s livelier within the evenings.
As all the time, the centro storico is the place you wish to head. The important sq., Piazza Salandra, options a formidable column, the Fontana del Toro (Fountain of the Bull) and the Lecce-style baroque church, Chiesa di San Domenico.
Corigliano d’Otranto
Corigliano d’Otranto is without doubt one of the 11 cities of the Grecia Salentina. This small space within the coronary heart of the Salento peninsula retains its Greek heritage from the Byzantine interval together with the Griko dialect.
The spotlight of this quiet city is the medieval Castello De Monti. It’s probably the most spectacular castles within the space and also you’ll probably have it to your self.
We visited whereas staying at close by Masseria Sant’Angelo, a working farm. It’s an excellent place to study in regards to the traditions of the realm and listen to the native pizzica people music.
Felline
Another charming, off-the-beaten-track village is Felline, 20 minutes south of Gallipoli.
We solely discovered it as a result of we have been staying in a rural Airbnb close by. It’s a tiny place with a fortress and probably the most lovely piazza embellished with fairy lights.
There’s not a lot to see throughout the day (besides the close by iContadini store, see beneath), so come for dinner at one of many eating places with outdoors seating.
Vite Colta, which is run by an area winemaker, is our favorite. Antico Monastero is the preferred restaurant and we cherished the stuffed pepper starter. We loved the pasta at Terra e Sale too.
Best Beaches in Salento Puglia
The seashores are the primary purpose many individuals go to Salento. You are by no means removed from one of many two coasts.
The Ionian Coast (north and south of Gallipoli) is flatter and options white or golden sand and clear turquoise sea.
The seashores right here are sometimes in comparison with the Caribbean or the Maldives, though that’s overstating issues.
The Adriatic Coast (from Santa Maria di Leuca and north to Otranto and past) has a unique really feel.
It’s rockier and options extra dramatic cliffs with charming cities overlooking the water. The sea is a deeper blue-green. There are a couple of sandy seashores, however most seashore golf equipment are perched on the rocks.
Lidos (seashore golf equipment with umbrella and sunbed leases) dominate the Salento coast, however there’s all the time a free part. Expect excessive crowds in July and particularly August.
These are our picks for the perfect Salento seashores:
Torre San Giovanni
The Salento coast is filled with trendy seashore cities like this. They lack fairly historic centres however provide the services you want for a seashore vacation.
The seashore within the centre of Torre San Giovanni is rocky however simply south is an extended stretch of sentimental white sand backed by dunes. The sea may be very shallow and heat.
There’s an extended string of lidos with free sections in-between. We appreciated the free space simply earlier than Lido Isola Beach.
In the evenings, the promenade again in central Torre San Giovanni is a pleasant place for a stroll.
For sundown views, we appreciated aperitivo at Vespera Bar on the water and pizza and puccia (sandwiches) throughout the highway at A Puccia Salentina.
Marina di Pescoluse
Further south on the Ionian Coast is Marina di Pescoluse, generally known as the Maldives of Salento due to its crystal clear water.
We’ve been to the Maldives and this doesn’t examine, but it surely’s nonetheless a phenomenal Salento seashore.
We discovered it extra crowded than Torre San Giovanni and the sand was extra golden than white. The swimming is healthier right here because it’s not fairly as shallow however nonetheless heat and calm.
Much of the seashore is free, however we have been capable of hire an umbrella and beds from a vendor (€18) and set them up in a first-rate front-row spot.
Baia di Torre Lapillo
Porto Cesareo is a well-liked Salento seashore city additional north on the Ionian Coast. The city itself has no actual seashore so head north to Torre Lapillo and Punta Prosciutto.
We visited Torre Lapillo, a 4km lengthy seashore between the 2 watchtowers, Torre Chianca and Torre Lapillo.
As it’s protected in a bay, the clear aqua water is often calm, though it was windy and wavy on our go to. The powdery white sand was the nicest of all of the seashores we visited.
This is an especially standard seashore, and in mid-August, the free part was packed even at 9am. We have been glad we’d splurged on the flowery lido, Bahia del Sol Porto Cesareo, for extra space.
While our Bahia Luxury bundle was very costly (€220 in peak season), we have been ready to make use of the charge as credit score in the direction of foods and drinks (champagne helped us use it up!). It was value it for a snug, stress-free day on the seashore on the busiest time of yr.
Porto Selvaggio
For a really completely different seashore vibe, head to Porto Selvaggio, a wooded nature reserve.
This is far much less developed, with no lidos, though it does get busy in summer time.
You must stroll via pine bushes to achieve the seashore. We parked by the Villa Tafuri entrance, which is just a 10-minute stroll to the seashore on a rocky path (uphill on the best way again).
The seashore is small and pebbly, and the water is colder than at different seashores, but it surely’s crystal clear. Snorkelling was surprisingly good and I noticed loads of fish.
Torre dell’Orso
For sandy seashores on the Adriatic Coast, head north of Otranto.
Torre dell’Orso has powdery white sand, aqua sea, and engaging rock formations referred to as Le Due Sorelle (The Two Sisters). There’s a mixture of public seashore and lidos.
Other Things to Do in Salento Italy
Drive the Coast Road to Santa Maria di Leuca
The most scenic drive on the Salento peninsula is the SP358 on the Adriatic Coast between Santa Cesarea Terme to Santa Maria di Leuca (it’s also possible to begin in Otranto).
The winding 35km highway follows the dramatic rocky shoreline with sea views many of the manner. It takes about an hour to drive, however there are many attainable stops together with:
- Grotta Zinzulusa – A cave you may take a tour of. We skipped it because it appeared too busy and industrial.
- Castro Marina – A reasonably bay with good swimming, bars and eating places. See above.
- Cala dell’Acquaviva – A rocky swimming spot.
- Tricase Porto – A cute harbour with waterfront cafes and a pebble seashore.
- Marina Serra – A pure swimming pool.
- Il Ciolo – Definitely cease at this scenic cove in a ravine. There’s an excellent view from the bridge or you may stroll down the steps to the tiny rocky seashore for a swim, but it surely will get packed in summer time. In cooler climate, try the mountaineering trails.
Don’t blindly observe your GPS on this route because it’ll attempt to take you inland.
We’ve pushed this highway in August and September and it’s way more fulfilling outdoors the summer time. While the highway itself was quiet in August, the cities and swimming spots have been rammed and parking was very troublesome. Start early if you happen to can.
Explore the Coast by Boat
Santa Maria di Leuca is without doubt one of the hottest Salento locations to take a ship journey. Located on the tip of the peninsula, it’s the place the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, so you may discover each coastlines.
Most folks take a guided boat journey like this small group tour of the caves. They are cheap and usually final 1 hour half-hour (3 hours to see each coasts) together with a swimming cease.
In August, the boat journeys appeared very crowded, so we rented our personal boat from Piccola Nautica. The least expensive 40HP boat, the Simpaty Honda (which doesn’t require a ship licence) prices from €85 for 4 hours.
It was simple to drive, comfy, and had house to lie on the cushions on the entrance. There’s a 10km restrict on the place you may go, so you may’t attain the sandy seashores north of Torre Vado.
We began on the Adriatic Coast previous the lighthouse and alongside this undeveloped, rocky coast of rugged cliffs and sea caves.
You can’t take the boat into the caves, however technically you possibly can anchor and swim in. It was too wavy for us to do that, although.
After returning to Leuca, we continued within the different course on the Ionian Coast. The shoreline is decrease with extra pebble seashores the place you may anchor and swim within the clear water.
We loved our journey and it was a great way to see the coast, however we didn’t discover it as spectacular as comparable boat journeys we did in Corfu.
Next time, I’d love to do this kayak tour, which seems to be like a greater method to discover the caves.
Take a Cooking Class
A cooking class is a wonderful method to study Salento meals and revel in a scrumptious meal. Lecce has probably the most selection of lessons.
We did a category with Cooking Experience in Lecce, which included buying on the market earlier than making recent pasta and different tasty native dishes. We ended the night with a leisurely meal to get pleasure from all the pieces we’d made.
Read extra about our Lecce cooking class.
Other Salento cooking lessons embrace:
Discover Local Festivals
The Salento’s geographical isolation has led to a powerful identification with its personal delicacies, traditions, and music, influenced by its Greek previous.
There are many festivals in villages and cities throughout the area, particularly in summer time. It might be onerous to seek out info, so look out for posters regionally or ask your lodging or at a vacationer workplace. This information to festivals in Puglia lists a few of them.
The most well-known is the Notte della Taranta on the finish of August, which is a celebration of pizzica, the native people music and dance. The important live performance takes place in Melpignano, however there are small occasions all around the area.
Taste and Shop at iContadini
iContadini is a big farm store between Felline and Ugento. They develop greens and tomatoes and dry them within the solar, protect them below oil, or make spreads and sauces.
It’s extra of an expertise than a store. The workers converse a number of languages and can introduce you to the assorted merchandise. You can do a tasting to resolve what you’d like to purchase—it’s free and parts are beneficiant.
If you propose to self-cater, come right here close to the beginning of your journey to top off on pasta, taralli, oil, and sauces. The merchandise additionally make good souvenirs.
We cherished all the pieces we purchased, however our favorite was the sundried tomato patè.
Unlike many Italian shops, iContadini is open all day from 8am-8pm. I like to recommend going round 7pm earlier than heading to Felline for dinner.
Try Salento Wine
Salento is thought for its Salice Salentino wine, a full-bodied pink produced from Negroamaro grapes. Primitivo is one other standard pink selection. In summer time, I’m an enormous fan of Salento rosato (rosé).
Our favorite place to strive Salento wines is Enoteca Mamma Elvira in Lecce, the place you may strive all kinds of wines by the glass accompanied by tasty small plates.
If you’d want to study native wine from an knowledgeable, think about this Salento wine tasting in Lecce the place you strive six wines with native merchandise.
Visiting an area vineyard is tougher for English audio system as most aren’t effectively arrange for guests. One possibility is that this wine expertise at Feudi di Guagnano vineyard, 25 minutes outdoors Lecce.
Or be part of this Primitivo and Negroamaro wine tour from Lecce, which visits two wineries and consists of lunch.
Sample Salento Cuisine
Don’t miss these typical Salento dishes:
- Puccia Salentina – A sandwich made with a spherical, flat roll. You can select from all kinds of fillings and there are all the time vegetarian choices utilizing native greens preserved in oil.
- Ciceri e Tria – A comforting pasta and chickpea dish. Some of the pasta is fried so as to add crunch.
- Sagne ‘Ncannulate – A protracted twisty pasta usually served with a sauce of tomato and powerful ricotta.
- Rustico Leccese – Puff pastry crammed with mozzarella and tomato. Found in bakeries as a snack or generally in eating places as an appetiser. It’s greatest when heat.
- Pasticciotto – Flaky pastry (often made with lard) filled with custard. Find it in bars and bakeries for breakfast or as a candy deal with.
- Caffè Leccese – Also referred to as caffè salentino outdoors Lecce, this iced espresso is made with latte di mandorla, a candy almond syrup. I don’t often like espresso however discover it so refreshing.
My information to Puglia meals has extra dishes to look out for all through the area together with the commonest pasta, orecchiette (little ears).
Best Restaurants in Salento Puglia
Here are a few of our favorite locations to eat in Salento.
See our information to the perfect eating places in Lecce for a lot of extra suggestions.
The Felline part above has extra suggestions.
- Pizza & Co, Lecce – Delicious pizza slices for a fast meal.
- Baldo, Lecce – Our favorite gelato.
- Gelateria Dolce Leuca, Santa Maria di Leuca – Another good gelato spot.
- Alle Due Corti, Lecce – A terrific place to strive conventional dishes like ciceri e tria. Don’t miss the vegetarian antipasti to begin.
- Postofisso, Otranto – Tasty puccia (sandwiches). We cherished the vegetarian one.
- Duca, Ugento – A trendy restaurant within the Monteforte Hotel in an untouristy city. We ate on the roof terrace with a view of the fortress. The meals is great and fairly priced for its high quality. They had a couple of vegetarian choices on the menu however provided to make us some extras off-menu too. It’s value travelling for.
- La Corte, Gallipoli – An upmarket pizzeria with some artistic toppings, though we most popular the basic Margherita.
- Delizie in Contea, Castro – Wonderful platters of native merchandise on a reasonably piazza.
- Masseria Sant’Angelo – Our Salento feasts whereas staying at this farm have been a few of our most memorable meals. It could also be open to non-guests a couple of occasions every week in the summertime.
- Martinucci Laboratorio – This native chain of bars is sweet for espresso, pastries, and gelato. Unusually, they’ve vegan cornetti and pasticciotto.
Where to Stay in Salento
The greatest space to remain in Salento is dependent upon your pursuits.
For a metropolis break, Lecce is the perfect guess. The walkable historic centre is gorgeous and there are many eating places and bars. It’s centrally positioned for day journeys, so it received’t take greater than an hour to get anyplace on the peninsula.
We rented an Airbnb, however there are many attractive accommodations in historic buildings. At Dimora Storica Torre Del Parco 1419 you may even keep in a fortress.
If you wish to keep in a phenomenal city on the coast, think about Otranto, Gallipoli, or Castro.
We completely cherished Hotel La Roccia proper on the water in Castro. Rooms are easy however all have sea views and embrace a assured spot at their lido. This was a significant benefit in August.
If your precedence is to spend numerous time on the seashore, Torre Lapillo, Torre San Giovanni, and Marina di Pescoluse have lodging choices as do many seashore cities on the Ionian Coast. My choose could be a vacation rental proper on Torre Lapillo seashore.
There aren’t any actual beachfront resorts in Salento.
We often keep in vacation leases. Twice we’ve chosen random areas primarily based on the homes accessible on websites like Vrbo. This works out effectively if you happen to aren’t bothered about strolling to points of interest and plan to take day journeys.
On our most up-to-date summer time keep, we rented Dimora Acquare, a spacious one-bedroom home close to Felline. The distant rural location isn’t for everybody, but it surely’s solely a 10-minute drive to Torre Giovanni seashore.
Search for Salento vacation leases on Vrbo right here.
Or see a variety of Salento lodging on Booking right here.
How to Get to Salento Italy
Salento is greatest explored with a automobile as public transport is restricted and sluggish. You can hire automobiles on the airports or in Lecce. Check Rental Cars or Kayak for automobile rent offers.
Brindisi (BDS) is the closest airport, simply half-hour from Lecce. It has some worldwide flights together with from price range airways like Ryanair.
Check Kiwi or Skyscanner for flight choices.
If you may’t discover flights to Brindisi, Bari Airport (BRI) additionally works. It’s slightly below two hours north of Lecce and there are some wonderful locations to discover on the best way (see our Puglia journey information).
We often fly or take a prepare to Bari and hire a automobile there to journey round Puglia.
We did principally handle with out a automobile after we spent a month in Lecce, however we rented one for 2 days for day journeys.
Lecce is well reached by prepare because it’s the final cease on the nationwide community (see Trenitalia). It’s a 6-hour prepare journey from Rome.
You can hook up with Otranto and Gallipoli from Lecce on the regional prepare community (Ferrovie del Sud Est), however there are restricted companies (with none on Sundays) and also you would possibly want to vary. Driving is often faster round Salento.
The Best Time to Visit Salento
The greatest months to go to Salento for heat climate however much less crowded seashores are May, early June, September, and October.
I like to recommend avoiding July and August except you like crowded seashores (there are many events and festivals in case you are searching for a vigorous vibe). Mid-August is absolutely the worst for crowds.
We have been shocked by how crowded Salento seashores have been in August, and parking was additionally a problem at coastal cities. We had blue skies and 35ºC temperatures each day, but it surely was a bit too scorching for us.
If you need to go to in summer time and the busy coastal cities get an excessive amount of, head inland the place the cities are a lot quieter. And go to the seashore early (earlier than 8am) to keep away from the crowds.
We additionally discovered April a pleasing month in Salento. It wasn’t fairly seashore climate, but it surely was sunny and heat and excellent for exploring the cities.
Map of Salento Italy
Is Salento Italy Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, the Salento is value visiting! Puglia is considered one of our favorite areas in Italy and the Salento is the place to come back for beautiful seashores, untouristy cities, fascinating tradition, and naturally, scrumptious meals.
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