Nardò, Porto Selvaggio nature reserve, and nearby beaches

Nardò is the second largest town in the Salento peninsula. Its Baroque architecture and proximity to beautiful natural landscapes, clear waters and scenic coastline make it the perfect place to stay.

Enjoy a cappuccino on Nardò Baroque Piazza Salandra

Discover Nardò and its surroundings

Nardò is the perfect holiday destination. It has a beautiful Baroque town center, 23 miles/40km of lovely coastline, including the Porto Selvaggio nature reserve.

There are historic monuments to admire, excellent wine and food to savour, lots of beaches to laze on, crystal-clear seas to dive into, and clear skies full of stars to gaze at in the evening.

Perfectly positioned to explore Salento

The town’s geographical position enables holidaymakers to enjoy a variety of experiences. The nearest seashore is just 5 miles/8 km away at Santa Maria al Bagno, the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce – also called The Florence of the South – is a 17-mile/27 km drive, and the charming port of Gallipoli is 12 miles/20 km away.

There are numerous other attractive old towns to discover, such as Galatina, Maglie, Cutrofiano, Otranto, Manduria, and many more, all within 30 miles/50 km of Nardò.

Beaches and Lidos of Nardò

There are hundreds of beaches in Salento. For the beach lover, the biggest decision is whether you want to experience a beach in one of the areas’ beautiful nature reserves like Porto Selvaggio or whether you would like to enjoy the comforts of a “Lido” where drinks and food are served and you sunbathe on a “lettino” under an umbrella.

The closest Lidos are in Santa Maria al Bagno – such as Habibi beach club or Salsedine Beach and in Santa Caterina, Lido Beja Flor caters to the sea- and sun-hungry.

Porto Selvaggio nature reserve and surroundings

Porto Selvaggio is the protected coastline near Nardò, stretching from the seaside town of Santa Caterina to beyond Torre Uluzzo. It is definitely worth a visit. Walk down to the sea through a beautiful pine forest, accompanied by the sound of millions of cicadas, and arrive at the deepest blue waters. Pack a picnic lunch, dive into the sea, and enjoy this beautiful spot of nature at its best. And a tip: wear closed shoes to protect your toes when walking down.

Also, in Porto Selvaggio on your way to the sea is La Grotta del Cavallo, a cave on the side of the cliffs, that was one of the earliest homes of prehistoric man. Although it’s closed to the public you can peep at it through a metal gate.

And for the less adventurous, the coast road that cuts through part of the park is a lovely scenic drive.

South and north of Nardò

Further south, about a 20-minute drive from Nardò, you find Punta della Suina, again in a nature reserve, and a beautiful spot to sunbathe and swim.

North of Nardò, there are the magnificent beaches of Torre Colimena: an endless stretch of sandy beaches for you to enjoy, with flamingos observing you from the Salt Lake behind the dunes.

Sandy beaches north of Nardò

For a sandy beach with shallow water, head to Sant’ Isidoro, 12 miles/20 km north of Nardò, or carry on a further 10 miles/16 km to Le Dune above Porto Cesario for long beaches of golden sand and turquoise sea.

There is an almost endless amount of beaches and Lidos driving from Porto Cesareo right up to Taranto. Some are free beaches and others Lidos that will provide deckchairs, umbrellas, food and beach bars.

Lidos and beaches south of Nardò

If you travel south from Nardò, you’ll first come to the beaches of Lido Conchiglie and Lido Canne. Beyond the town of Gallipoli La Baia Verde’s beaches stretch for several kilometers. It starts with one of the oldest Lidos, Lido San Giovanni, and then one Lido follows another. One of our favorites is Por do Sol, but it is by far not the only one.

Beyond these beaches, the shoreline becomes craggy, the water appears more beautiful than ever and the pine trees grow almost to the water’s edge.

The last beach before the next town is Punto Pizzo where the well-to-do of the area book their spot for the entire season.

The Adriatic coastline

There is also the whole Adriatic shoreline to explore; Baia dei Turchi, Torre dell’Orso, Torre Pali or Torre Vado, are just some of the beautiful places you can discover here.

If you prefer a more active holiday, there is a lot on offer. Cycling, yoga lessons, kite-surfing or boat trips, and water sports. There are also botanical gardens and dozens of historic town centres to visit. Enjoy coastal walks, organised bike trails, horse riding, great food, and wine and olive oil tasting.