Beyond the Beach: 7 Things to Do in Salento

While the beaches are the main draw, Salento has a depth of culture, history, and gastronomy that rewards exploration. Here are our top recommendations.

1. Explore Lecce

Known as the 'Florence of the South', Lecce's Baroque old town is a UNESCO-worthy treasure. The Basilica di Santa Croce, the Roman amphitheatre, and the winding limestone streets are unforgettable. About 50 minutes from Porto Cesareo.

2. Visit Otranto

Italy's easternmost town, with a dramatic clifftop castle, a cathedral with a remarkable 12th-century mosaic floor, and crystal-clear swimming from the rocks below the old walls. About an hour's drive.

3. Wine Tasting in the Countryside

Salento's warm climate produces exceptional Primitivo and Negroamaro wines. Several estates near Porto Cesareo offer tastings and tours through their vineyards.

4. Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve

Hike through pine forests to hidden coves and dramatic cliff viewpoints. The trail from the car park to the bay takes about 20 minutes and is one of the most beautiful walks in Puglia.

5. Seafood at the Fish Market

Porto Cesareo's morning fish market is a spectacle. Fishermen sell their catch straight from the boats. Several restaurants nearby will cook what you buy at the market.

6. Sunset Aperitivo

The aperitivo hour is sacred in Salento. Watch the sunset from Mare's terrace with a Spritz, or head to one of Porto Cesareo's waterfront bars for the ritual.

7. Gallipoli Old Town

A fortified island old town connected to the mainland by a bridge. Wander the narrow streets, visit the cathedral, and swim from the small beaches tucked between the ancient walls. About 30 minutes south.