Salento is one of the most popular destinations during the holidays of Italian. The VIPs during this summer 2022 literally invaded the coasts of the Salento peninsula, savoring the typical dishes of the region, the wines famous throughout Europe and enjoying the historical and landscape beauties. Needless to say, the province of Lecce has several pearls that deserve to be savored. Starting right from the extraordinary Lecce, the capital of the province kissed by the two seas, steeped in history, Baroque art, architectural culture. TO Lecce there is really so much to see: from the Basilica of Santa Croce, to the Duomo, from the Roman Amphitheater to the Church of San Matteo, without forgetting the beautiful Piazza Sant'Oronzo.
Otranto, the pearl of the Adriatic
Immediately after Lecce, the breathtaking beauty of Otranto. This is how Giorgio Panariello from Otranto spoke when he went to visit it, a few years ago: “Otranto is one of those cities that when you visit them you instinctively take off your hat”. As evidence that also VIPs particularly appreciate the places in Salento. Otranto, until the last century, was a very important destination not only for art but also for the politics of the period. The easternmost town of Italy was in fact the capital of the "Terra d'Otranto". This extended west to Lucania (province of Matera) and north to the land of Bari. For this reason, many extraordinary architectural works can be admired in Otranto. Starting from the Cathedral, with its largest mosaic in Europe in the center, without forgetting the Aragonese Castle, the Serpe tower, the Palascìa lighthouse and much more. But it doesn't stop there. Among the most popular tourist destinations there are also Gallipoli, Porto Cesareo, Castro, Santa Maria di Leuca, Torre San Giovanni, Santa Caterina.
The most beautiful beaches of Salento
It is really a difficult task to create a ranking of the most beautiful beaches in Salento. We apologize in advance to those who have been excluded from this ranking, aware of the fact that the Salento beaches to visit are much more than five. Here we have listed the ones that we think are unmissable. Many aspects were evaluated: cleanliness, clarity of the water, services, availability of a free beach, accessibility.
5th place: the “Two sisters” in Torre dell'Orso
Beach with many services and called "the two sisters" because two rocks that rise in the middle of the sea are very similar, so much so that they are considered "sisters". Good accessibility and many beaches available. The only flaw: the free beach is really skimpy because, due to the storms in recent years, the beach has shrunk and the "free" spaces are now practically halved.
4th place: the Maldives of Salento, Hello
You will be able to appreciate the crystal clear sea in a very large beach. You will really feel like you are in exotic places looking at the water that for many meters remains low and therefore accessible even to the little ones.
3rd place: Porto Selvaggio, Nardò
Porto Selvaggio gets on the podium. Surrounded by a vast natural park overlooking the west coast, the bay of Porto Selvaggio is a must-see in your Salento holiday. It is the only beach mentioned in this article where there is not the classic light sand of Salento, but pebbles and a beautiful cliff. Breathtaking panorama.
2nd place: the beaches of Porto Cesareo
The whole coast of Porto Cesareo is breathtaking, from the south to Torre Lapillo. It would be unfair to speak of one area (such as Punta Prosciutto) rather than another. Porto Cesareo boasts a spectacular sea, where you will look forward to diving. Here you will find expanses of fine white sand, crystal clear water with shades of the sky and splendid dunes spotted with luxuriant vegetation. Not to mention the rocky bottoms just a few strokes away and perfect for diving worthy of the Tropics.
1st place: the Baia dei Turchi, Otranto
An uncontaminated landscape that has remained with very few services, a pine forest that surrounds the small beach which overlooks a crystalline sea. The Baia dei Turchi has had its greatest success in recent years, until a few decades ago it was almost exclusively known by the Salento while tourists preferred to visit beaches that were more comfortable to reach. The Baia dei Turchi is known today for the various shades of blue visible in the sea.
