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Porto Cesareo from above: the turquoise sea, the low islets, the tower on its islet with the little bridge, and the town along the coast

The area

Porto Cesareo & Salento

Sea, nature and tradition in the heart of Salento.

Looking out over the Ionian Sea and surrounded by landscapes of rare beauty, Porto Cesareo is one of the best-loved destinations in Salento. Clear water, beaches of the finest sand, unspoilt nature and living traditions make this corner of Puglia an ideal place for a holiday you will remember.

A fisherman at work on his boat moored at the quay, the low white town across the water
The fishing boats at the quay.

What to see

  1. Isola dei Conigli

    A few hundred metres off the coast, Isola dei Conigli — Rabbit Island — is one of the symbols of Porto Cesareo. This small natural paradise, reached by boat or, on calm days, by swimming, is ringed by clear water and seabeds rich in marine life, ideal for snorkelling and boat trips.

  2. Le Antiche Torri Costiere

    The coastal watchtowers are a precious historical record of Salento. Built in the sixteenth century to defend the territory against pirate raids, Torre Cesarea, Torre Lapillo and Torre Chianca are today among the most distinctive and most photographed places along the coast.

    A square stone coastal tower, with the arched ramp climbing to its doorway and a cloudy sky above
    Torre Lapillo, the tower and its ramp.

  3. Le Spiagge

    • Punta Prosciutto Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, Punta Prosciutto wins visitors over with its turquoise sea, shallow water and fine white sand, in settings that recall the most exclusive tropical destinations.
    • Scalo di Furno A splendid inlet set in open nature, with transparent water and a shallow shoreline: perfect for families and for anyone who wants to relax away from the crowds.
    • Torre Lapillo With its long stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear sea, Torre Lapillo is one of the best-known seaside spots in Salento and a place no lover of the sea should miss.
    • Spiaggia di Porto Cesareo A few steps from the town centre, it is the ideal choice for anyone who likes to alternate days by the sea with a walk among the shops, restaurants and bars of the town.
    A white sand beach curving along shallow turquoise water, with the pine wood at the far end and a few people in the distance
    Punta Prosciutto: white sand and turquoise water.
    The shoreline, with waves spreading over the wet sand, the dunes and low scrub on the right and a streaked sky
    Punta Prosciutto: waves on the shoreline, with the dunes behind.

  4. Area Marina Protetta

    Established in 1997, the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo is one of the most important ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Its seabeds are home to an extraordinary variety of marine species and offer spectacular settings for diving, snorkelling and boat excursions.

  5. Palude del Conte e Duna Costiera

    This nature reserve is one of the most evocative settings in the area. Between sand dunes, Mediterranean scrub and paths deep in greenery, it is the ideal place for walks close to nature and for taking in unspoilt landscapes.

  6. Museo di Biologia Marina

    Founded in 1966, the Museum of Marine Biology holds a rich collection of Mediterranean marine species and is an important centre for research and public science. A rewarding visit for adults and children alike, discovering the biodiversity of the sea at Porto Cesareo.

  7. Il Lungomare e il Centro Storico

    The seafront promenade of Porto Cesareo is the beating heart of town life. Between restaurants, ice-cream parlours, shops and summer markets, it has a lively, easy atmosphere, perfect for a stroll and for sociable evenings.

  8. Tramonti sul Mar Ionio

    One of the most moving sights Porto Cesareo offers its guests is sunset over the sea. The colours of the sky reflected on the Ionian water create scenes you do not forget, best watched on a walk along the seafront or over an aperitif with a view.

  9. Escursioni in Barca e Aperitivi al Tramonto

    Porto Cesareo offers many ways to experience the sea from a different angle. Boat trips, tours of the Marine Protected Area, snorkelling and unhurried sunset aperitifs let you discover the finest stretches of the coast and take home something real.

A wooden walkway with a railing between scrub-covered dunes, with the beach and the turquoise sea at the end
Punta Prosciutto: the walkway through the dunes, down to the beach.
Two fishing boats on still water in rosy light, a wooded islet on the horizon
Still water and rosy light on the Ionian.

Further afield

Discovering Salento

  • Lecce

    The capital of the baroque, with the golden stone of its churches and the Roman amphitheatre at the heart of the main square.

  • Gallipoli

    The old town on an island linked to the mainland, the walls facing the sea and the beaches that lie at their foot.

  • Otranto

    The easternmost point of Italy, with the white town above the bay and the mosaic in the cathedral.

  • Santa Maria di Leuca

    Where the Ionian meets the Adriatic, among the lighthouse, the basilica and the villas on the sea.

Torre Lapillo at sunset: the square stone tower on the low coast, the sun on the horizon and the sea to the left
Torre Lapillo, at sunset.

We are glad to point you to the right beaches, beach clubs and restaurants for the day you arrive.

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