An oasis of nature with spotlessly clean beaches - dream holidays at Portoselvaggio

It is an impressive natural landscape with bizarre rocky cliffs, fragrant macchia, sandy bays and a sea like a diamond, where you can enjoy carefree, wonderful holidays.  

Nature park Porto Selvaggio – a protected four kilometers of coastline between two Saracen towers, Torre dell’Alto in the south and Torre Uluzzo in the north.

Besides beachwear and goggles, you should take along hiking shoes, because there is much to discover: Baia dell’Uluzzo with its three grottos, for example, where 40,000 year old traces of settlements from the times of the Neanderthals have been discovered.

WWF and the inhabitants of the towns around Porto Selvaggio once joined forces and prevented the private property from being sold to a real estate agent; they also succeeded in having the area protected. That is why the area can be explored only on foot. Parking is available outside the park.

Santa Caterina

At the southern border of the nature park lies the small town of Santa Caterina with its idyllic fishing harbor, its sandy bays and its stores, bars and restaurants.

Walk along the seaside promenade, enjoy the view of the sea and savor a cup of creamy cappuccino – experience holiday feelings at Santa Caterina!

Nardò - Baroque and Pizzica

Along with Gallipoli, the small town of Nardò is considered one of the centers in this coastal section of the Ionian Sea. The roots of the lovely place lie far back. At the times of the Romans and the Messapii, Nardò had its own harbor, thus gaining importance in the empire. During Byzantine rule, it then developed into an important intellectual center in the Salento.

Today, you find hardly any traces left by the Romans and Byzantines. The historic center 'radiates' with lush Baroque. Stroll around and stop by the friendly bars, ice cream parlors and shops around Piazza Salandra.

Beautiful Baroque Chiesa S. Domenica near the piazza is worth a closer look. At Nardò’s cathedral, somewhat plainer in design, you may admire the Cristo Nero, a dark wooden cross dating back to the 13th century and shrouded in numerous legends. By a simple movement of his finger, Christ is said to have once fended off an attack by the Saracens.

Nardò is also known for the Pizzica, a sweeping folk dance dating back to pre-Christian times. Every now and then, small concerts take place in Piazza Salandra – traditional music accompanied by singing and dancing. Give in to the fascination of the Pizzica and give it a try – dance with the locals.

In Piazza Salandra, a small museum is dedicated to Luigi Stifani, the singing barber, and run today by his daughter. A large number of Stifani’s original instruments are on display as well as all kinds of interesting information about the life and work of this man who breathed life back into the traditional folk dance.