Hidden Gems for Salento

Find great things to do in Salento

Salento is sun-kissed all year round. Along with impressive works of art, excellent Mediterranean cuisine, and genuinely hospitabile locals, the area boasts a stunning landscape. In our travel guide you will find great things to do in Salento.

1. Hidden Gem Salento: Trulli Alberobello

This place is a UNESCO World Heritage site and cannot be missed on your trip to Salento. The trulli, typical limestone dwellings of Alberobello, are located in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Characteristically, the buildings are rectangular forms with conical corbelled roofs. Trulli were originally constructed to serve as temporary field shelters and storehouses or as permanent dwellings by small-scale landowners or agricultural labourers. Just stroll around a bit and enjoy exploring the whimsical trulli villages.

Trulli Alberobello / © Instagram: whereisjady

2. Hidden Gem Salento: Baldo Gelato

This gelateria in Lecce has excellent ice cream! The owner produces all flavours in house, so you will not get second-rate, commercial products – only high-quality gelato. It is a true family business. Make sure to try Fior de Latte, classic pistachio or chocolate with orange.

Baldo Gelato / © Instagram: yordanstagram

3. Hidden Gem Salento: Punta Prosciutto

The beach has crystal-clear water and vast kilometres of rolling white sand dunes. So, it’s the perfect beach! Walking along this coastline, you’ll find several sections with umbrellas for rent, as well as cute local bars. It is located in the heart of Salento – more specifically in the province of Lecce.

Punta Prosciutto / © Instagram: francie_bee

4. Hidden Gem Salento: Blanc

This place is an incongruous mix of cosmopolitan bar and urban furniture store. Located within the heart of historic Gallipolli, in an old eighteenth-century oil deposit, you can find this cafe and furniture/lifestyle store. Blanc offers the opportunity to both enjoy a coffee or an aperitif, delicious dining and also peruse a collection of ceramics, clothing, accessories, vintage furniture and lighting. You can enjoy a magic night in Gallipoli just sitting and sipping in the courtyard out back.

Blanc / © Instagram: ana_hartigan

5. Hidden Gem Salento: Baia Delle Orte

A place of many wonders, Baia Delle Orte is a fascinating spot to escape the world and connect with nature thanks to its seclusiveness. The bay is characterized by a very low cliff along the coast. This allows people to go down to the small beach formations along the bay and lay back on the empty beaches and relax like never before. The water is crystal clear and the view is astonishing. It is also a great place for scuba diving to admire the undisturbed sea life. Finally, on the back, you will be surrounded by the greens of the area and you can visit another hidden gem called the bauxite quarry, a beautiful lake of emerald and reddish colors.

Baia Delle Orte / © Instagram: therealclaris_

6. Hidden Gem Salento: Faro Di Punta Palascia

For a breathtaking view of the ocean in Salento, look no further than Faro Di Punta Palascia. This beautiful lighthouse is located at the easternmost part of Italy, exactly where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. Thanks to its incredible location you can witness an unforgettable sunrise or sunset by the coast. Many people decide to come here on New Year’s Eve because it is the first place in Italy that receives the sun! If you wish, you can also enter the lighthouse and go up its spiral staircase to the top. Here you’ll have an even better view of the ocean and the Albanian and Greek coast.

Faro Di Punta Palascia / © Instagram: martina_ebasta

7. Hidden Gem Salento: Grotta Delle Tre Porte

An astounding natural spectacle by the coast, Grotta Delle Tre Porte is a hidden gem that you don’t want to miss. It is a beautiful cave which consists of three big openings or doors, hence its name in Italian, which create a 30 meter long cavity. Inside you can swim and enjoy the refreshing waters of the Ionian Sea! Getting there is also wonderful. You can take any of the boat tours offered along the coast, any time of the day. For the adventurous types, swimming directly to the cave is also an option! This spot is also worth your time, for anyone looking for great sunrises or sunsets by the ocean.

Grotta Delle Tre Porte / © Instagram: ari_fife

8. Hidden Gem Salento: Masseria Le Stanzie

Visiting this charming farmhouse dating back to the fifteen hundreds is an experience like no other in Salento. The combination of ancient architecture with vibrant tonalities of orange and red around La Masseria Le Stanzie creates an exceptional atmosphere to be in. Apart from having a rich history, it has become a place for tasting the best of what the Salento cuisine has to offer. Be sure to finish your meal with their amazing artisan goat milk ice cream, which will become your new favorite. You know that coming to this hidden gem is a must, because this spot is loved by Italians from the region. So be sure not to skip it!