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Puglia: Italy off the beaten track

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Puglia Italy off the beaten track
Puglia can be very warm: be aware of what to wear in Italy in summer to pack right!

Birthday parties aren’t my thing. That’s the main reason why every year I choose to leave for a trip, rather than having to deal with cake and candles.. This year for my birthday we decided to explore a part of Italy off the beaten path: Puglia. Or better, the Salento area, which is becoming a particularly popular destination.

Full disclosure: before I got to Torre dell’Orso, where the Expeloo group found us a place, I had no idea what to expect. After all, I’d heard everything and its opposite about Puglia!

Salento is the Southern part of Puglia, between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. We could say it’s the “heel” of Italy, if you see my peninsula as a big boot in the European map. It includes the entire province of Lecce, a big chunk of the Brindisi provice and part of the Taranto area. Tourism here is one of the main sources of income, especially during the Summer. However, too many people only visit Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli or Lecce, without exploring the lesser famous areas.

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… or they just want to vegetate on the beach, missing all the wonderful things the Salento has to offer! Of course, we can’t blame them, but we’d still like to show you a few juicy tips and things to see that you could incorporate in your next trip to Puglia. After all, you can explore Italy off the beaten track even starting from the most popular cities.

The best way to visit Puglia and Salento in Italy is to plan a road trip. Travelling by train or buses might prove quite challenging, because it will limit your trip to the bigger cities and also because not all the beaches are served by public transport.

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Another option for you would be to find lodging in Lecce and from there book a Salento tour with a professional guide. There’s one with hotel pickup and drop-off, transport (with aircon, which is great in summer) and an English-speaking guide. Click here to check their rates and availability.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Italy off the beaten track: the best beaches in Salento

It is important to note that Puglia is a windy region. As Salentines have said, this area goes through periods with extreme heat and others in which the tramontane blows for days, making it impossible to even think of diving into its turquoise waters. Of course, the wind helps to overcome the torrid Summer days, but as we soon discovered… it is also quite annoying.

As soon as we arrived we immediately started exploring Torre dell’Orso and the surrounding area, but the tramontane was so strong that even getting closer to the cliffs was dangerous for us and our photographic equipment. Saltwater is not a friend of your camera, so unless you use a waterproof case on an action camera, it’s better to avoid keeping it too long in the open.
The nice dress I brought, that I hoped to wear for dinner? It had to stay in my suitcase, unless I wanted to replicate the scene played by Marilyn Monroe in “The seven year itch“: I don’t have the phisique du role!

Yet as soon as the wind subsided, the beach at Torre dell’Orso has been invaded by tourists. I’ve never seen anything like that! To reach the sea, literally, you had to walk on a carpet made of towels and bodies laying in the sun. I hate this kind of places and so we went looking for another place where we could enjoy a nice swim.

The beach of Torre Sant’Andrea is a very suggestive little place, though, especially in July and August, it will still be crowded (not as much as Torre dell’Orso!). The high cliffs shelter the area from the wind, so the small beach between the sea stacks is perfect even when the wind is particularly strong.

If you don’t mind to lay down on the rocks, the most characteristic coves are accessible through small, almost hidden trails along the coast. If you prefer the sand, you will find a tiny, sandy beach not far from the small village of Torre Sant’Andrea, from which you can admire what the locals call the “Sphinx Rock“. In the evening, in fact, this long rock formation resembles a small Egyptian sphinx!

As you might have guessed already, the best way to experience a tour of Italy off the beaten track is by renting a car… or maybe a Vespa!

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Another particularly beautiful and less crowded area (probably because there are no sandy beaches), is the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry). According to a legend, a beautiful princess came here to bathe in the turquoise waters of this cave. The news spread very soon, and so a multitude of poets and writers began to come to this place to write verses, that is where the name comes from!

This is one of the ten most beautiful natural pools in the world. A ladder carved in the stone will allow you to get down to the water, but the most popular method tourists and locals use to enter the cave … is to jump off the nearby cliffs!

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Another very nice beach I recommend is the Baia dei Turchi. However, just like Torre dell’Orso, it’s better to visit in less crowded period. So book a trip to Puglia in late Spring, or June at the latest. Some locals also told us that September and October are also good times, as schools reopen and many of the families who come to Puglia on vacation will leave.

Italy off the beaten track: Things to do in Salento

A few steps away from the Cave of Poetry, a Messapic worship site has recently been discovered. On the road that goes from Torre dell’Orso to San Foca you will find a new Archaeological Area. The entrance is free and at certain times there are guides who will tell you legends and historical information about this area. Mind you: I have no idea if they do speak English!

Puglia Italy off the beaten track


A few steps away from the Grotta, in what looks like a small temple carved into the rock, you will find a statue of the Virgin Mary. It seems that here there was an apparition of the “Madonna di Roca“.
From this point you can also see the Roca Tower and the Messapic fortifications of Roca Vecchia.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

As we continued our tour of Italy off the beaten track, we found some images online of the beautiful rock formations at Torre Sant’Andrea, that I mentioned before. Well, getting as close as possible to the coast, trying to find a scenic spot that would allow us to take some beautiful photos seemed impossible. Until we found a little street with a nice parking lot to leave our car. From there a very easy hike (I suggest you use your sneakers for this) will guide to a series of beautiful viewpoints. Stone arches, hidden coves, turquoise waters and above all … absolute silence.

We were completely on our own, except for a few people who passed by, walking their dogs.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track


GPS coordinates to Torre Sant’Andrea

Enter the following GPS coordinates in the navigator: N. 40 Β° 15’18 ” E. 18 Β° 26’35 ”
Once there you should find a free parking lot where you can leave your car.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Another tip for a Summer getaway off the beaten track in Salento is to spend a day at the Alimini Lakes. Especially in the Summer, in fact, they are mainly frequented by the locals fleeing from the overcrowded beaches and therefore particularly quiet.


These are two small lakes located North of Otranto, connected to each other by a channel called “Lu Strittu“. The Alimini Lakes are surrounded by thick pine forests and Mediterranean vegetation. On the North side you will find numerous springs, including Zudrea, the one that feeds Alimini Grande along with the sea.


In this area you can go hiking or horse trekking, and the woods are especially appreciated by the birdwatchers. Renting the rowing boats, for a romantic two-trip trip on the placid waters of Alimini Grande, is also a popular activity.
From the oasis of the Alimini Lakes you can also reach the Baia dei Turchi.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Among the myriad of architectural and natural beauties, don’t miss a visit to the Bauxite Lake. This lake, also known as “Red Lake“, was once a quarry from which they extracted materials to make aluminum materials. When the quarry got closed, the basin filled with water, making it what you can see today.

If you’ve been to any of the beautiful USA Canyons, then it will feel like this place belongs to Utah or Arizona! The waters are emerald green (colored by the remaining bauxite) and the surrounding rocks vary from bright yellow to deep red: this is a fascinating example of how nature can regain its territory after human exploitation.

A few steps from the lake there is a large pine forest where you can stop for a picnic in the shade of evergreen trees.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

If you want to enjoy your trip in Italy off the beaten track, then you might want to head to Otranto. Its beautiful historical city center deserves at least half a day. You can access it through the majestic Porta Alfonsina, the oldest entrance to the city. The small village, enclosed in Aragonese walls, is made up of stone streets, narrow staircases and craft shops, which converge to the magnificent Cathedral, one of the largest in Puglia.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track


If you want to get into the Diocesan Museum, you can access it from Palazzo Lopez, on Piazza Basilica. We opted to walk up to the Aragonese Castle, which partly overlooks the sea. In the Summer, especially in the morning, most tourists go to the beaches, while in the evening this area is particularly chaotic and busy. So be smart and plan a visit in the morning!

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

 

Italy off the beaten track: What and where to eat in Salento

The king of the Salento table is, of course, the amazingly fresh fish. In spite of the fact that we have visited many villages, we only found one place to eat a good grilled steak, in San Foca. The Braceria Macelleria San Foca is, a butcher shop that in the evening becomes a tiny little restaurant where you are welcomed with kindness and expertise.

We tasted delicious dishes from Puglia, such as bean puree, chicory with pork, “frise” and many other fresh vegetables. We were then presented a mixed grilled meat plate that was even too much for us! The huge surprise were the Turcinieddhi, roasted lamb chops, twisted in lamb guts and grilled (you will appreciate them also during a trip to Italy in Winter, especially during the holidays).

Accompanying everything with a good Primitivo red wine, we finished our dinner with a spumone, a traditional Salento gelato, filled with sponge cake and hazelnuts. Primitivo is a great souvenir from Italy but make sure you can bring it home!

If you don’t know about our Italy tipping etiquette you can check here: I also added a few Italian sentences that will be useful during your trip!

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

Another place where we ate divinely is Osteria Mesciu Chiapparu at Borgo Sant’Antonio. The place is really small and always full, so unless you want to wait (as we did!), it’d be wise to book your table in advance!


Here the fish dominates the menu, even though meat dishes are also served. The owner and employees made us feel right at home, offering us some excellent raw shrimps fished in the morning: they vanished in a matter of minutes! From appetizers to desserts, you have the chance to sample all the best Salento traditional recipes, at really affordable prices. To be honest, we strongly believe that you can experience our Italy off the beaten track through food tasting and the best way to do so is to avoid the many tourist traps that await for you along the coast!

The bonus? The stray dogs adopted by the restaurant, who quietly wait for the customers to leave to have their own bowl of food.

Puglia Italy off the beaten track

The most famous pastry in Salento, now known throughout Italy, is located in Torre dell’Orso: Dentoni.
To my delight, we could walk her up every morning to have breakfast with the local delicacies, first of all the iced coffee with almond milk, served only in the Summer. One of the best-known Salento cakes is the Pasticciotto: a delicious soft pastry that holds a light, sweet cream. Lately the locals have also invented a chocolate version, absolutely delicious, Salento’s tribute to the former President of the United States of America: the Obama.

Dentoni is also famous for the Torta Crepes, which is especially popular in Summer (probably because they keep it in the fridge and serve it fresh). It’s made of seven layers of crepes stuffed with a very light and fresh cream, with a last layer of Nutella, decorated with whipped cream, chocolate curls and hazelnut grains. Needless to say, I already miss it!

Italy off the beaten track: Where to stay in Salento

We have been invited by Expeloo, “Experience Local Organization“, a company born from the ideas of a group of young people from the Salento, who wanted to introduce the wonders of their land to the world. They handle the accommodation facilities located in various locations in the Salento, mainly apartments for short or long-term stays, suitable for every need (young couples, families, pets, etc.).

The promotion of the territory is at the center of all the initiatives of these young folks who have decided to focus an area that is perhaps too often underrated. They can plan foodie tours, short courses to teach you how to make pasta, naturalistic experiences with quads or on horseback, and even wine tasting tours.

We were very impressed by the fact that it is a company created and managed only by young people, which is uncommon in Italy. They decided to start working hard and are always ready to welcome their guests with anecdotes or suggestions to help you to enjoy your trip in Puglia. If you are looking to find a place to stay in Salento, contact them to ask for information: they speak a very good English! After all, the best way to experience a tour of Italy off the beaten track is… to ask the locals!

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Are you planning a trip to Italy off the beaten path? By all means add Puglia and Salento to your itinerary! Let me show you the best Puglia beaches, the Italian lifestyle, and the most delicious Puglia food you will ever eat! Are you ready to spend your summer in Italy? | #puglia #slowtravel

Travelling Dany – Danila Caputo

Danila Caputo is a bilingual travel writer living in between Naples and the Amalfi Coast (Italy), graduating from the University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa in Foreign Languages and Literature. She travels and works with her husband Aldo, photographer and videographer. Their blog chronicles their adventures around the world, their love for the USA (where they have family), Italian/European culture and tips on how to be responsible travelers. You can find out more about their latest trips and their life on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook.

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65 Comments

  1. Sandy N Vyjay says:

    Puglia looks so ravishing. A place that looks so surreal, it seems to have materialized from an artist’s imagination. We would love to get there next time we are in those parts. Definitely an Italy beyond Rome, Venice, and Florence.

    1. The food is delicious and the water is crystal clear so definitely worth a visit! It’s also much less expensive than Rome, Venice and Florence. πŸ˜‰

  2. This is such a great insight into Puglia, I haven’t actually traveled to Italy before but I will be putting Puglia onto my list. The beaches and coves look amazing. I will also be sure to visit Bauxite Lake. I can only imagine how scenic the routes will be as I travel around on my Vespa πŸ˜€

    1. Oh yes and Campania region, Naples and the Amalfi Coast are awesome! (Yes, I’m biased! :D) A Vespa ride in Puglia is absolutely suggested, especially because Summer can be torrid!

  3. Carla Durham says:

    The water looked amazing. It may have been a bit choppy for swimming but I could watch at it all day. I would hope I was eating some of those pastries too.

  4. Sylvester Akpan says:

    Ahhhhh. Beautiful blue waters. I absolutely love going off the beaten path as well. And just like you I take a teip every year for my birthday which is so much more fun than material things. I’ve never even heard about Puglia but I will add it to my list. Great photos!!!

    1. Haha where do you usually go for your bday? I was in Amsterdam last year, and the previous one in Las Vegas πŸ˜€ I’m just not the “happy birthday” kind of girl! πŸ˜€ Puglia might be a good spot to party for your bday πŸ˜‰

  5. We loved Pulglia. We were in the region after the summer season and some of the beach communities were like ghost towns. However, it was nice to have beaches and coast line to ourselves.

    1. We were over there a couple of weeks ago and it was SO crowded on the beach! But yes the locals told us that Spring and Autumn are dead seasons. The Expeloo team is trying to work on tourism also during those seasons, with pasta making lessons and horse riding trips! The region has so much to offer but mostly people focus on the beaches!

  6. Carmen Edelson says:

    I love learning about off the beaten path destinations. THis is going on my Italy list! Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

    1. Make sure you’re adding also Naples and the Amalfi coast to your list!
      …yes I’m SO biased. πŸ˜€

  7. Parnashree Devi says:

    I haven’t heard about Puglia ever. This is such a scenic part of Offbeat Italy. Thank you for showing us this part of Italy. Taking a rented card or quintessential vespa are the best way you can escape city madness and soak into the Italian beauty. Loved the experience.

    1. You know, exploring with a Vespa here or the Amalfi coast is just about the coolest thing ever, it’s iconic and so much fun!

  8. What a wonderful place to spend your birthday! The water looks amazing here!

  9. That blue water, the fresh fish, that “off the beaten path” experience….all right up our alley. It embodies everything we love about Italy (our favorite). To ride around on a Vespa, exploring, would be a dream. Will add it to our list for next time!

  10. I’ve visited Bari, Alberobello and Polignano a Mare in Apulia and Salento was just added to my bucket list! Southern Italy is just magic!

  11. This is a perfect mini guide to Puglia..thanks for sharing. I love to Grotta della Poesia and jump…maybe a few times…would be so much fun. The sea looks lovely blue everywhere…perfect for a beach vacation!

  12. I am not a birthday party person either. I am more of a take a trip for my birthday too, but I still want the cake. Looks like a great trip and time.

  13. Global Brunch says:

    What a great way to celebrate your birthday! I completely agree going on a trip is so much better than any birthday party.