Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance of your tour date are fully refundable, minus our 3% credit card processing fee. See our complete Cancellation Policy for more information.
Salento Coast Day Trip from Lecce
Day Trip
Seaside
City Tour
8 hours
Transportation Included
Private Tour
About
Puglia's Salento coast is dotted with a mix of rocky and sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and little beach towns that bustle in the summer. The Adriatic sea laps the eastern coast of the peninsula while the Ionian sea glistens on the west. At the far southern tip, the two seas meet at a promontory upon which sits the town of Santa Maria di Leuca.
On this day trip, we'll depart from Lecce and cover a long stretch of the coastline, enjoying some of the prettiest towns and views in the Salento Peninsula!
Because the coast is long, we unfortunately can't cover all of it so will have to choose what part to see. So, we have two options:
Option 1: Beginning from Lecce (or nearby), we head to Santa Maria di Leuca where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. Here, we'll visit the town and promontory and take in some fantastic views.
Departing Leuca, we'll then cruise along the SP358 coast road (one of the most beautiful drives in Italy) all the way up to Otranto.
On our drive, we'll pass by villages like Tricase, Castro Marina, and Santa Cesarea Terme and can make some stops at great viewpoints and marinas where we can take a dip in the gorgeous sea!
On arrival to Otranto, we'll head into town to admire the pretty architecture, check out the stunning Cathedral, and stroll along one of the prettiest lungomares (seafront promenade) in Puglia.
Our day ends with a 30 minute drive back to Lecce.
Option 2: Beginning from Lecce (or nearby), we head straight to the charming port town of Gallipoli, where we'll explore the center, walk along the city walls, see the lovely beach and marina, and learn a bit about the history of the region and this little port.
From Gallipoli, we'll drive the coastline, stopping by some of Puglia's best sandy beaches like Le Pescoluse and Torre San Giovanni. This stretch of coast (the western side of Salento) is flat and low, and the beaches here are renowned for their calm, turquoise waters. It's quite different from the high and rocky eastern Salento coastline.
As we hop between beaches, we'll also have the chance to stop at some pretty little towns, most of which are quite unvisited.
The town and lookout point of Santa Maria di Leuca is our final destination of the day, from which it's about a 45-minute drive back to Lecce.
Overview
Highlights
- Walking tour of Gallipoli (if selecting option 2)
- Visit to Santa Maria di Leuca
- SP 358 Coastal Drive (one of Italy's best drives!)
- Swimming stops
- Walking tour of Otranto (if selecting option 1)
- Private tour - only you and your guide
Duration
Approximately 8 hours
Start Time
This tour can start at any of the following times: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 11:00 AM
Included
- Your guide Paolo
- Private round-trip transportation
Not Included
- Optional entrance tickets (museums, churches, etc.)
Languages
This tour can be delivered in English or Italian
Max Participants
This private tour can accommodate parties of up to 7 people
Price
This tour costs a flat fee of $710.00 USD
Transportation
Private round-trip transportation is included in the cost of this tour
Tour Itinerary
Meet Paolo at your hotel/accommodation
Option 1:
Drive to Santa Maria di Leuca and visit the promontory/cape
Scenic drive along the SP358 route from Leuca to Otranto
Walking tour of Otranto
Drive to Lecce (30 mins)
Option 2:
Drive to Gallipoli
Walking tour of Gallipoli
Scenic drive along the western Salento coast road from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca
Beach stops all along the way!
Visit Santa Maria di Leuca
Return to Lecce (45 mins)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance of your tour date are fully refundable, minus our 3% credit card processing fee. See our complete Cancellation Policy for more information.
