Carovigno and San Michele Salentino (north, near Ostuni)
This is where most of our Salento houses are, often stone farmhouses with pools among olive groves. Carovigno's coast includes the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, with dune-backed beaches and a protected marine area. Ostuni, the hilltop white town, is around 15 minutes away, and the Valle d'Itria is close. Brindisi airport is about half an hour away.
Best for: A short transfer, a protected coastline and the white town of Ostuni
Not for you if: You want the far south's long sandy beaches: Leuca is two hours' drive away.
The southern Ionian beaches (Lido Marini, Torre Vado, Marina di Pescoluse, Mancaversa, Torre Suda)
This coast has long stretches of pale sand and shallow, clear water, especially at Pescoluse and Lido Marini. Torre Vado has a small harbour with boat trips round the cape to the sea caves near Santa Maria di Leuca. The resorts are quiet outside summer and many places shut from October. Brindisi airport is around an hour and a half away.
Best for: Families who want sandy beaches and shallow water
Not for you if: You want peace in August, when these beaches fill with Italian families.
The villages inland of the south coast (Acquarica del Capo, Casarano, Ugento, Morciano di Leuca, Taurisano)
Many houses here are country villas and restored masserie (farmhouses) between olive groves and dry-stone walls. Large numbers of olive trees in southern Salento have died from the Xylella disease in recent years, so some views are of bare or replanted land. Casarano and Ugento are proper working towns with supermarkets and weekly markets. Brindisi airport is about an hour and a half away.
Best for: Space and a private pool, with beaches 10 to 20 minutes away
Not for you if: You want to walk to the sea.
Gallipoli, Nardò and Porto Cesareo (Ionian north)
Gallipoli's old town sits on an island joined to the mainland by a bridge, with fish restaurants and a castle by the harbour. Nardò has a baroque main square. Porto Cesareo has shallow, sandy water and islets just offshore, with Punta Prosciutto a little north. Manduria, further west, is the home of Primitivo wine. Brindisi airport is around an hour away.
Best for: Beach days with an old town and restaurants nearby
Not for you if: You want quiet nights in August: Gallipoli is Salento's party town in high summer.
The Adriatic south (Castro, Marina Serra, Otranto)
South of Otranto the coast road runs along cliffs above clear, deep water. Castro has a hilltop old town and the Zinzulusa sea cave, and Marina Serra has a natural rock pool cut into the shore. Otranto has a walled old town, an Aragonese castle and a cathedral with a huge medieval floor mosaic. Brindisi airport is about an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Couples and good swimmers who like cliffs and coves
Not for you if: You have small children who need sand: much of this coast is rock, reached by steps or ladders.
Lecce and around (Vernole, Lizzanello, Carpignano Salentino, Galatina)
Lecce's old town is built of soft, honey-coloured stone carved into baroque church fronts, with a Roman amphitheatre in the main square. Galatina has a church covered in medieval frescoes and is known for pasticciotto, a custard pastry. Vernole is close to the Adriatic beaches at San Foca and Torre dell'Orso. Brindisi airport is around 40 minutes away.
Best for: Baroque architecture, food and day trips to both coasts
Not for you if: You want a beach on the doorstep: the coast is 20 minutes or more away.
