If you are on vacation in Salento for a week and you don’t know which beach to start with, here is our list of the most beautiful beaches in Salento!!! You can’t go wrong!
1. Punta Prosciutto
The first day you will immediately jump into the water without a long distance to travel or messing around. So, let’s start immediately with one of the most beautiful: the Punta Prosciutto beach! Just 15 minutes, maximum 20, from Masseria Mazzetta, you are one step away from earthly paradise: huge beaches, crystal clear water, and little confusion.
How to get there: Take Torre Lapillo. At the first roundabout, go straight, then take the second right towards Aventrana. After about 4km turn left (there will be signs for Punta Grossa), at the end of the road on the right. Another 2km and then you turn onto one the narrow streets. Park and… Come on, come on! The sand is hot under your feet!
2. Porto Selvaggio
For the second day, we change the script: rocks, wild nature… Porto Selvaggio! We travel a few kilometers, but not many. In 40 minutes, you have arrived. There you will backpack (with a snack inside) wearing sneakers. You cross through the woods and then see the wonder of an uncontaminated and isolated bay in the midst of steep ridges.
In the bay, you can venture into a case with water of the most beautiful eye color. Up on top, after a small climb that requires a bit of trekking, a Saracen tower, where you will enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas of Italy. Ladies and Gentlemen, His majesty the Ionian!
3. Baia dei Turchi, Otranto
A traveler cannot say that he experiences Salento as he should have if he did not walk through the paths of Otranto. It is also beautiful, so rest assured, it will be worth it!
And again, guess what? It has amazing beaches!
How to get there: Proceed to Lecce, then to Maglie, then… to Otranto. Once you reach the main crossroads, follow the Alimini Lakes. As usual, you will go to the coast road. At this point, head towards the Baia dei Turchi! Oh, when you are red like boiled prawns, put on your shirt and flip-flops and get to the city.
4. Le Dune, Porto Cesareo
Someone rested on the seventh day, but we are a more fallacious thread. Let’s say that don’t get away on the fourth day is fine. Then just 20 minutes on the road, you will reach the main beach of Porto Cesareo, that of the Dunes. Huge, crystalline water that is similar to Punta Prosciutto, an islet in front (Malva Island) that calls you to it, with a wonderful swim awaiting.
And then… All the nightlife of Lecce and its surroundings waiting for you: no relaxation, young people, bikinis, sketches, look at that one there, see that one there, etc.
How to get there: As per usual, go straight at the roundabout used every day. Enter Torre Lapillo at the main crossroads (there is only one, don’t worry) on the left and then as soon as you exit the residential area, go immediately right at the crossroads. 500 meters and look for parking!
5. Castro Marina and Santa Cesarea Terme
This beach could be called the beach of flying boats, especially because of the photos taken that are circulating on Facebook. The water in the harbor and its surroundings are so crystal clear that the boats seem to hang in midair.
We are in Castro Marina, an agglomeration of houses on the sea that brings pleasure to the heart. The best thing to do is to rent an inflatable boat and go around in the surroundings. There is no beach, so enjoy yourself on the rocks like crabs or in the water. To use the formula of Otranto: a half-day to lounge and sing, the rest to walk: the ice cream parlors are excellent, the Arab style house more so. And a stone’s throw away, Santa Cesarea Terme. Between the two villages, there is a stretch of coast road with breathtaking views.
How to get there: up to Maglie as done for Otranto, then from there follow the signs that lead to a straight road towards Castro. Travel time: one hour.
6. Santa Maria of Leuca
Finis Terrae: so far three Ionian and two Adriatic beaches. We go where the two seas meet, in the most extreme point of Salento, where with the tip of the nose you are already in the Mediterranean. The most beautiful beaches are those of Felloniche, but then in the middle of the day, move to the town and sanctuary of Santa Maria. At first, you will find the most vivid visual explanation of fusion: the Arab-style houses, brought by the Scirocco which means Syrian wind. Second, a view which 1000 photos can be taken.
Small note of color: the staircase that descends from the sanctuary to Leuca must be traveled, according to a legend, at least once in a lifetime (I think it is valid only for the locals however.)
How to get there: Travel up to Maglie, from there take the Maglie – Leuca, time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
7. Togo Bay, to the seven dwarfs
Now you are ready to understand the meaning of life here in Salento from another perspective. Feet on the shoreline, refreshed by the water, the desire to chat and smile, the different flavor of the aperitif at dusk, the tables with sea view, and most of the time spent in a bathing suit. After reading these words, images will appear in your mind. But remember them on the seventh day.
The images will be only an appendix to a deep sense of joy, of cleansing the soul, of happiness that without realizing it, has brought back a smile to your face that has not happened for some time. So, let’s celebrate! Beach of the 7 dwarfs, or of the stables; everyone calls it what they want. You have to go to Togo Bay Saturday and Sunday aperitif and party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This time the rhythm will move you!
How to get there: Use the same road as Punta Prosciutto (15 minutes in all), but upon reaching the coast road, turn immediately left and then immediately right where you will see the road signs. Park and drink, eat dance, laugh…
