THE MOST EXCITING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TO DO IN APULIA
There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Apulia. We want to share with you the ones that we love the most and that will allow you to discover this rich land in a unique and surprising way.
BIKE TOUR
A healthy and sustainable way to discover the natural and historical beauty of Salento is cycling: one of the best ways to get to know the soul of this land, its traditions, legends, and wild nature. In 50 km by bike – and less than 3 hours and a half – you’ll be able to visit some of the most beautiful places on the Adriatic coast of Salento. Starting from Otranto, the town of the Aragonese Castle, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, you can reach the lighthouse of Punta Palascia, the easternmost point of Italy. After a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of Torre S. Emiliano, you can keep discovering the coast passing through Santa Cesarea Terme, with its oriental style and the picturesque Castro Marina. Continuing, you will then cross the Natural Park Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase, where the legendary Quercia Vallonea Dei Cento Cavalieri – a living monument of over 800 years old – stands. At the end of this beautiful tour, you will arrive in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the panoramic Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, where the sky and the sea merge on the horizon.
CANOE & KAYAK
Exploring Salento by Canoe and Kayak is a unique experience that will allow you to get away from the mainland to discover those beaches and high cliffs rich in caves and crags that can only be reached by sea. The crystal clear waters of the Ionian and the Adriatic Seas open the doors of a new world to be explored. Each seabed is extraordinarily beautiful. The Cave of Poetry in Roca Vecchia, Sant’Andrea’s cliffs, l’Isola dei Conigli, and the springs of Porto Selvaggio are just some of the sensational places that you can discover thanks to the preparation of local guides, who will offer you a unique point of view on the history, botany, zoology, and geology of the Salento coastal territory.
BOAT CRUISE
With about 800 km of coastline, Apulia is one of the most beautiful Italian regions to explore by boat: the Ionian and the Adriatic coasts are a continuum of beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery, characteristic seaside villages, and magical places, witnesses of ancient culture from the Mediterranean charm. Castro Marina, Otranto, Porto Selvaggio, Torre Pali, Pescoluse… there are many little harbours from where you can set sail for your boat adventure. Whether it’s during the day, at sunset, or at night, and whether you want to plough through the sea to catch your dinner or set out for a moonlit evening, all you have to do is choose your captain and drop anchor! When people talk about Salento they often mention the beauty of its seas and beaches, without sometimes considering the extraordinary richness of its seabeds, full of fish, colorful plants, and precious archaeological finds. There are many places where expert divers or beginners from all over the world dive to discover the two incredible seas of Apulia.
DIVING
One of the most famous places where to dive is certainly Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea meet. There you will dive into the seabeds of Punta Meliso, and discover Madonna Dei Due Mari, the wreck of Torrevado and Secca del Pisello.
Torre Lapillo and Porto Cesareo are two other destinations most loved by diving lovers for the airplane Junker 88’s wreck, the Roman columns, and Grotta delle Gravine. Even in the area of Gallipoli, precisely in Taviano, it is possible to dive and discover the wonders of the Salento seabed.
QUAD RIDE
A unique and exciting experience. A quad excursion allows you to go into the countryside, among the centuries-old olive trees with strange shapes, the dry stone walls, the nature, and the typical landscapes of Salento. Alone, in pairs, or with a group of friends, a quad ride is a fun experience to discover Salento in an alternative and exciting way.
Within 30 km from Masseria del Gigante, in half a day you will be able to visit the Dolmen Placa and Gurgulante – two megalithic monuments located in Meledugno – and the enchanting Alimini lakes, full of winding paths. Continuing towards the Adriatic coast, you can descend into the bed of the river Idro, and then enter the Via Della Bauxite. Continuing along the entire stretch of coast that leads to the port of Otranto, you will reach the high ground dominated by Torre Del Serpe. And if this is not enough, on the way back, a large natural park and a sanctuary will enrich your experience.
HORSE RIDE
From Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca, an infinite number of natural itineraries run between the Ionian Sea of Gallipoli and the Adriatic Sea of Sant’Andrea. To go horseback riding in Salento, you don’t need to be an expert: instead, you can rely on the experience of the guides and instructors of the many equipped stables available in this beautiful southern area of Apulia. You can, for example, ride along the low coastline of the Ionian part of the province of Lecce, from Gallipoli to Torre Vado, or follow the steep ups and downs of the Adriatic coast of Puglia, between Santa Maria di Leuca and Castro Marina. In any case, horseback riding in Salento will immediately become a fascinating adventure to be experienced to the fullest, whether along a beach of fine white sand or on the scenic hills in the hinterland of Alessano, where the Serra dei Cianci rises.