If beach is your thing Salento can be your dream place. While the east coast is mostly rocky and dry, the Ionian side is all about Caribbean-like white sand bays, luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation and a lifestyle/economy that is still based on fishing and agriculture.

With nearly 300 days of sun a year and the northern tramontana wind blowing strong, the sea on this coast is flat almost every day, for the joy of the exacting beach goers. Along the way a sequence of small fishing towns and wild countryside makes it a pleasant trip. Starting from the deep south let’s head up north.

At Puglia’s very bottom, Salve, Ugento and Pescoluse is a super crowded touristic area for families and honeymooners. The beach is so beautiful that they call it The Maldives of Salento.

Maybe it is not so appropriate, yet the sand is really super white and the sea so still and clean. Frankly, places crowded this much are not my kind of destinations, unless It’s low season then it’s amazing for a marvelous beach day.

Let’s get started from Gallipoli then, the hip fishing town that in summer vaguely becomes a wannabe Ibiza but honestly it can’t make it to that level. It is still vibrant though – just don’t search for party and stuff here – and discover a town with real character. And incredible beach.

Once you are in Gallipoli you definitely feel it, it is very southern Italy. The old town is Wow!, like a little Medina with mini shops, food stalls, nice bars, interesting cultural spots and awesome beach.

But is the general vibe that makes the difference, the lifestyle… life here is all about the beach, seafood, taking it easy, and socializing under the spell of an ancient culture that the attentive traveler will perceive in may occasions.

15 mins north, the Natural Reserve of Porto Selvaggio is a spot of big interest. Super crowded in high season but still worth a visit or a whole day better:

trek to the little bays down the cliff – the lazy can jump on the cute train- and explore the park, or just lay in the pine-hood or by the rocks and have memorable swims in still ice-cold water together with an varied, funky humanity.

Leave before sunset to avoid mosquitos and drive through Santa Caterina & Santa Maria al Bagno. Fishing towns as usual, this area reminds the Amalfi coast, with all these colored short buildings gently rising over the cliff and fishing boats everywhere.

A beach day here or just an aperitivo at sunset will do. The nearby Cenate district is home to some amazing Moresque style villas, a true wonder for those into architecture.

The last town on the coast is the famous Porto Cesareo, famous for the beach, the crowd, and fish dining at stellar prices.

Avoid the high season – it’s even hard to reach due to small roads and thousands of cars- and discover (another fishing town of charm with incredible beach spots and a massive seafood culture

A further little effort to north, Punta Prosciutto is – again in low season – one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.