Road trip in Salento

Wonderful beaches and baroque art

Are you curious about Salento, or you’ve yet been here, and do you want to travel to Salento in a new way? A road trip in Salento is what you need!

Let’s imagine an itinerary from Lecce to Otranto and back, that will make you touch some of the most beautiful places in Salento: Roca Vecchia, Torre dell’Orso and Sant’Andrea.

Let’s go!

Travelling in Salento

Otranto is almost 45 kilometers far from Lecce, a good distance for a road trip by car, especially if you’re thinking about stopping by some towns and attractions you can find along the way.

If you’re arriving in Puglia by plane, you will probably land at the Airport of Salento Brindisi-Casale, which is nearer to Lecce than the Airport Karol Wojtyla of Bari-Palese.

To reach the Lecce city center by bus, you can take the Sita Sud line, checking the timetable time table here, or grab a taxi ride calling by telephone the number 039 0831597901.

Do you want to rent a car to start your road trip through Salento? Choose one of the services suggested here.

Arriving in Lecce

Lecce is known as the capital of the Apulian Baroque art and architecture.

Starting from the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta and the Basilica of Santa Croce, you’ll feel surrounded by churches, buildings, and statues characterized by the rich details of Baroque art, very diffused in Lecce in late 1500.

Lecce is crossed by signs of all past ages: surely not only the history lovers will be amazed by the Roman amphitheater and the medieval Castle of Carlo V, as well as the expositions at the archaeological historical museum MUSA and the Museo Faggiano.

The tour in Lecce wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the artisan shops of Piazza Mazzini, a walk in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and a night out in Porta San Giovanni.

Once you’re in Lecce you can choose to move to the towns nearby by train, from the station, or continue by car.

Torre dell’Orso, Roca Vecchia and Sant’Andrea

On the way to Otranto, we suggest you three stops during your road trip in Salento: Torre dell’Orso, Roca Vecchia and Sant’Andrea.

Almost 35 kilometers separate Lecce from Torre dell’Orso, which is one of the most popular summer destinations in Puglia, ideal for young people and family’s trips.

Torre dell’Orso is just in the middle of the way between two wonderful places in the area of Melendugno: Roca Vecchia and Sant’Andrea, both just 3 kilometers far from the town.

In Roca Vecchia, you will find the Poetry Cave (Grotta della Poesia), a little paradise beach recognized as one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world.

Sant’Andrea also has one of the most beautiful beaches in Salento. The view from the cliff is breathtaking, the water is crystal clear and the white rocks entering the sea, known as the Faraglioni (Sea Stacks), are stunning.

If you still have time, we suggest extending your road trip in Salento to the Alimini Lakes, a beautiful nature reserve where a huge pine forest protects two lakes.

Are you planning your tour in Salento for the end of August?

Take into consideration to live the magical experience of the Night of Taranta, in Melpignano: a folk music festival that celebrates the folklore and traditions of Salento and that recalls people from all around the world.

Finally Otranto

Your eyes will be yet full of wonder when you’ll arrive in Otranto, but there will still be a lot to discover there!

You’ll recognize the influence of Baroque art here too, starting from the church of Santa Maria dei Martiri.

After a walk along the white streets of the delightful old town of Otranto, make sure to visit Baia dei Turchi and Porto Badisco, two wonderful beaches.

Just 4 kilometers far from Otranto, you can find the Bauxite Cave, a wonder of nature where the red land and the green vegetation hugs an emerald green lake.

Have you eaten a good pasticciotto for breakfast and some frisa or rustico leccese for lunch?

If so, you can say you really had a road trip in Salento and you’re ready to go back home or start a new road trip to Puglia!

Do you want more suggestions?

Start planning your visit to Salento with us now.