Sunset Garden, Porto Cesareo
Holiday Apartments in Porto Cesareo
Two luxury holiday apartments in the heart of Porto Cesareo, Puglia. Private jacuzzis, designer interiors, and the Ionian Sea 150 metres from your door.
Not a hotel. Not a compromise.
Most people who find Sunset Garden weren't exactly looking for it. They were searching for somewhere in Porto Cesareo, clicked through a few options, and then stopped. That tends to be how it goes.
What makes it hard to leave behind is simple enough: it doesn't feel like a rental. Both apartments were rebuilt from scratch in 2025 by people who actually care about where guests sleep, what they touch, and what they see when they open the shutters in the morning. The jacuzzis aren't an afterthought. The toiletries aren't supermarket brand. The 150 metres to the sea is genuinely 150 metres.
If you're after a holiday home on the Salento coast that won't require lowering your expectations at check-in, you've probably found it. And if you want a base for exploring the south of Italy properly (Lecce, Gallipoli, Otranto and the rest), Porto Cesareo puts all of it within easy reach.
Two Apartments, One Address
Sunset Garden offers two distinct holiday apartments in Porto Cesareo, each with its own personality, its own strengths, and its own reasons to love it. Both accommodate up to 4 adults and are adults-only by design.
Mare
Sea Views, 40m² Terrace, Jacuzzi for Two
Mare is spread across two private levels and opens onto one of the best terraces in Porto Cesareo: 40 square metres of outdoor space with unobstructed views of the Ionian Sea, Isola dei Conigli, and sunsets that earn their reputation. The private jacuzzi is built into the living area on the lower level. The bedroom sits quietly above it all, with a queen bed and sea light filtering through in the morning.
This is the apartment for couples and guests who want to feel like they've found something rare. Check-in is via the hosts, with flexible arrangements to suit your travel schedule.
Explore Mare
Terra
Spacious Interiors, XL Jacuzzi, Private Balcony
Terra is all on one generous level. The XL jacuzzi, comfortably fitting two and spacious enough for four, is the centrepiece of the living area. The private balcony has a table for two and room to breathe. There's also a dedicated workspace if you're travelling with a laptop. Self check-in via smart lock means you can arrive at your own pace.
Same designer finishes as Mare, different energy: grounded, light-filled, effortlessly comfortable.
Explore Terra
Why Porto Cesareo
People who know Puglia tend to be slightly possessive about Porto Cesareo. It's not hard to understand why. The water on this stretch of the Ionian coast is the kind that makes you stop mid-sentence. Shallow enough to see the bottom clearly, warm from late June, and protected by a marine reserve that keeps it that way. The town itself is small, walkable, and almost entirely free of the kind of tourist infrastructure that tends to ruin places like this. Restaurants serve what came off the boats. The passeggiata in the evening is for locals first.
Getting here from northern Europe is easier than the map suggests. Brindisi airport is around 50 kilometres away (45 minutes by car on straightforward roads) and Ryanair and easyJet both fly there directly from the UK, Ireland, Germany, and elsewhere. Bari is the alternative if your route works out better that way, about 140km north. Either way, hiring a car at the airport is the right call; the drive through Salento is part of the trip, not a chore.
The honest comparison point for international travellers is the Amalfi Coast: equally beautiful coastline, significantly less of everything else that makes Amalfi exhausting. No cliff roads, no crowds thick enough to make the beach feel like a commute, no need to book six months ahead. Porto Cesareo in summer is busy by its own standards, but quiet by anyone else's. The guests who come here once tend to come back, and they tend not to tell too many people about it.
Adam and Fabrizio, who run Sunset Garden, have lived this coast for years. If you want to know which beach is quietest on a Saturday morning, where to eat without paying tourist prices, or which back road gets you to Lecce faster, just ask.
What's Included in Every Stay
Both apartments at Sunset Garden are equipped to a standard that removes the usual friction of holiday rental life. Free Wi-Fi and air conditioning are included throughout. There's no need to pack extra or make do.
In both apartments
- Private jacuzzi
- High-speed Wi-Fi and air conditioning throughout
- Fully equipped kitchen with induction hob, Lavazza coffee machine, mini fridge, and central island
- 55"–65" Ultra HD Smart TV in both living room and bedroom
- Luxury Acqua di Parma toiletries
- Bed linens and towels provided
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Quiet building, adults-only
Mare also includes
- 40m² panoramic terrace with sea views and sun loungers
- Outdoor shower on the terrace
- Two private levels
Terra also includes
- XL Jacuzzi (fits 2–4 guests)
- Private balcony with table for two
- Dedicated workspace
- Self check-in via smart lock
What Guests Are Saying
Sunset Garden holds a 5.0/5 on Airbnb, 9.6/10 on Booking.com, and 5.0/5 on Google. These aren't scores that happen by accident.
“Sunset Garden is truly a gem in Porto Cesareo. Close to the sea, always clean and well-kept. Adam and Fabrizio make you feel right at home. The terrace of Mare is perfect for breathtaking sunsets overlooking Isola dei Conigli. Highly recommended.”
Porto Cesareo and Salento: What to Do
A holiday apartment in Porto Cesareo puts you within easy reach of some of the best of southern Puglia. Here's what's on the doorstep, and what's worth the short drive.
In Porto Cesareo
The beach is two minutes on foot. The marine protected area that surrounds the coastline, including areas like La Strea, keeps the water exceptionally clear, making snorkelling here genuinely rewarding. The seafront fills up in the evenings with a passeggiata that feels entirely local rather than performed for tourists. Restaurants along the lungomare serve seafood that was in the water the same morning.
A short drive west along the coast brings you to Torre Lapillo, another beautiful stretch of the same protected marine area, with shallow turquoise water and a quieter atmosphere than the main town beach. It's worth the ten minutes and is a favourite among guests staying in the area.
Day trips from the apartment
Lecce is the undisputed highlight for most guests, and it's only 35 kilometres north, around 30 minutes by car. Often called the Florence of the south, Lecce is one of Italy's finest Baroque cities: a compact historic centre built almost entirely from the warm local pietra leccese stone, carved into a level of ornate detail that takes an afternoon just to absorb. The main piazzas, Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Sant'Oronzo, are extraordinary. Lecce also has excellent restaurants, independent aperitivo bars, and a food market worth arriving early for. Many guests staying at Sunset Garden make Lecce a full-day trip rather than an afternoon; it earns it.
Gallipoli
A fortified island town with a different character, excellent beaches at nearby Baia Verde and Punta della Suina, and one of the best fish markets in southern Italy. 30km south.
Otranto
On the Adriatic coast, with a mosaic cathedral floor that stops you in your tracks, a castle with real history, and a charming old town. Worth the 70km drive.
Taranto
A city with a fascinating old town built on an island, a serious archaeological museum housing some of the finest Greek artefacts in Italy, and a completely different side of Puglia. 50km north-west.
Nardò
A smaller Baroque town closer to Porto Cesareo, often overlooked but genuinely worth an hour of wandering. Just 20 minutes away, it makes an easy evening outing from the apartment.
A car is recommended for exploring the wider region, and hire is available at both Brindisi and Bari airports. The roads through Salento are easy to drive and the landscape (dry stone walls, olive groves, and occasional masserie) is part of the experience. Most guests find that Lecce alone justifies the trip south.
Frequently Asked Questions
150 metres, a short walk with a towel over your shoulder. Porto Cesareo's main beach and the marine reserve are both within easy reach on foot. Torre Lapillo, another protected beach just ten minutes along the coast, is a favourite for guests who want a slightly quieter spot. Between the two, you have some of the best swimming in Puglia right on your doorstep.
It's one of the best destinations in Puglia for couples, and Sunset Garden is designed with that in mind. Both apartments are adults-only, both have private jacuzzis, and Mare's terrace (with its sea views and sunset exposure) is the kind of space that people come back for year after year. Porto Cesareo itself is a genuinely romantic town: unhurried, beautiful, and unpretentious. As a holiday home for two, it's hard to beat, and with Lecce just 35 minutes away, there's no shortage of things to do when you eventually leave the terrace.
The easiest option is to hire a car at the airport. The drive takes around 45 minutes along straightforward roads. Brindisi is well-connected to major European cities, particularly with Ryanair and easyJet. Bari airport is a further option if you're flying from outside Italy or other parts of Europe, with a drive of around 1 hour 45 minutes. Sunset Garden's hosts are happy to recommend reliable car hire options and can share the best route.
Yes. You're welcome to contact Sunset Garden directly via email at info@sunsetgarden.it or via WhatsApp to check availability, ask questions, or arrange a booking. Direct bookings allow for more flexibility on dates, group arrangements, and specific requests.
A permit for free street parking near the property is included with your stay, though availability varies by season and time of day. For guaranteed parking, a private reserved space is available approximately 700 metres from the apartment at €10 per day. Contact the hosts in advance to reserve.
Sunset Garden is an adults-only property. Both apartments are designed exclusively for guests aged 18 and over, each featuring a private bathroom. Families travelling with children would need to look at alternative accommodation in Porto Cesareo.
Ready to Book?
Sunset Garden accepts bookings through Airbnb, Booking.com, and directly. For direct enquiries, including group bookings of both apartments for up to 8 guests, get in touch via email or WhatsApp.
Travelling with friends? Book both apartments for up to 8 guests.