The sea has a deep blue colour if viewed from the top of the cliffs of the Adriatic, and a paler colour – with various shades or emerald green, green and light blue- when seen from the sandy or rocky beaches of the Ionian Sea.
Along both coasts there are numerous ancient circular or quadrangular watchtowers, built over the centuries for defense purposes. The natural reserve of Torre Guaceto is a few kilometers from Montenapoleone, on the Adriatic side. Going north, there are the beaches of Torre Santa Sabina and Savelletri, where you will find some small kiosks on the sea front where they prepare fresh fish.
Polignano a Mare is also worth a visit, where the famous singer-songwriter Domenico Modugno came from. A fascinating town built on the Cliffside, well known for its ice cream and “caffè speciale di Polignano” (special Polignano coffee).
Heading south, the beaches of Torre dell’Orso, San Foca, Otranto and Baia dei Turchi have white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. If you fancy heading a little further south you can head for Maldive del Salento, near Santa Maria di Leuca. Coming back along the Ionian coast, don’t miss the beaches of Gallipoli, Porto Selvaggio, Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto.
Between swims we advise you to stop and have a “pasticciotto” (a typical small cake from the salento, made with custard and puff pastry). In Lecce, start from Piazza Sant’Oronzo and then make your way through the alleys of the historic center, where every corner has a tale to tell – along with its fascinating baroque architecture in Piazza Duomo.
