We first visited Puglia years ago, when it was still the forgotten part of Italy and not the chic destination it has now become. It drew us in because we were chasing sunlight — the kind that gilds olive groves and dances across the Adriatic.
We had two weeks and our plans were vague by design: long, unhurried days by the sea, a slow rhythm of discovery. The Old Town of Gallipoli wasn’t even on the map at first. Yet one spontaneous morning, we followed the coastal road west and found ourselves stepping into its ancient heart — a maze of stone lanes and sea breezes that felt instantly timeless.
This is how it began. For two weeks, we stayed across the peninsula, where the horizon glowed blue and the days unfolded like watercolor. Mornings began with fresh orange juice and warm bread from the village bakery. After breakfast, we’d drive without a plan — guided by wind, whim, and the occasional church bell in the distance. It was in this spirit of wandering that Gallipoli revealed itself, not as a destination but as a quiet revelation: a place that seemed to breathe with history and salt air.
SANTA CESAREA TERME : FORGOTTEN BY TIME
Our base was Santa Cesarea Terme, a faded beauty along the southern coast of Puglia and a long way from Gallipoli. Here, grand but shuttered 19th-century villas gazed toward the sea and sad-looking souvenir shops lined the promenade.
At first glance, the town seemed to have dozed off — a single winding road, boarded up buildings, and echoes of a more glamorous past when visitors came here for the healing thermal springs. Yet even in its stillness, Santa Cesarea Terme possessed an undeniable grace: Moorish-inspired domes glowed in the afternoon sun, balconies framed with bougainvillea, and the slow hum of waves against the cliffs below.
We quickly grew fond of its quiet rhythm. Our apartment overlooked the sea, and each evening we walked along the wide promenade that curved above the water. There was a small pizzeria with only four tables and five kinds of pizza — simple, perfect, and always served with a smile. A pizza cost five euros, a bottle of local wine about the same. Sitting outdoors in the golden light, listening to the hush of the sea, we couldn’t have asked for more.
La Esperanza Granada — a luxury villa and private hacienda in Spain surrounded by olive groves
After a few days in Puglia, I found myself wishing I could slow time itself — to linger a little longer under southern skies where beauty feels effortless and days unfold gently by the sea. It reminded me of another place where the Mediterranean spirit lives on, just across the water in Spain.
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WHERE TO GO FOR A WEEKEND IN PUGLIA
One morning, after another slow breakfast overlooking the turquoise sea, we decided to drive west until we found something interesting. The roads wound through olive groves and sleepy villages, each with a bar, a church, and a single piazza where life unfolded unhurriedly. Somewhere between the fields and the horizon, Gallipoli appeared, shimmering across the Ionian, its old town rising from the water like a mirage of limestone and sun.
WALKING ACROSS TIME
Crossing the bridge into Gallipoli’s Old Town felt like stepping into another century. The air grew saltier, the light more golden. Narrow lanes curled past faded palazzi, laundry fluttered from iron balconies, and cats slept in doorways carved from coral-colored stone. Every turn revealed a glimpse of the sea, a reminder that this island town has always lived by and for it.
There was no plan, only discovery. We followed the scent of coffee into quiet courtyards, paused at small churches with open doors. Then, we listened to the bells echo across the rooftops. Gallipoli was not merely beautiful; it was alive with layers of memory, still breathing through its cobblestones and sunlit walls.
EXPLORING THE OLD TOWN OF GALLIPOLI
The heart of Gallipoli’s Old Town unfolds in a maze of narrow streets that seem to twist and turn toward the light. It is a place where time feels suspended, where the rhythm of the sea dictates the pace of life. Fishermen mend their nets on the stone piers, women chat in shaded doorways, and the scent of salt and grilled seafood lingers in the air.
At midday, when the sun turns every wall into gold, the town glows. You can wander aimlessly and still feel as though you are part of something timeless. Small artisan shops line the cobbled lanes, selling hand-painted ceramics, coral jewelry, and bottles of olive oil pressed from groves that have stood for centuries. Every corner invites you to pause — for an espresso, for a photograph, or simply to breathe in the sea breeze.
THE SECRETS OF THE OLD TOWN
Beyond the streets, Gallipoli’s seafront offers another kind of beauty. The ramparts that once protected the town now make the perfect promenade for sunset walks. Locals gather to watch the horizon burn with color before the night begins. The air fills with the sound of laughter, church bells, and the clinking of glasses from rooftop terraces.
Gallipoli is not a grand city. It is something rarer — an intimate world of light and shadow, of salt and stone, of stories whispered by the sea.
COFFEE WITH A VIEW OF THE IONIAN SEA
As the afternoon softened into gold, we followed the sea walls until we reached a tiny café perched above the water. The sound of waves echoed against the stones below, and the breeze carried the scent of salt and espresso.
“Let’s stay here a while,” I said, as we found two bar stools overlooking the Ionian. Before us, the whitewashed houses of Gallipoli shimmered in the fading light. The sun sank slowly behind their rooftops, turning the sky into a painting of amber and rose. Beneath our feet, the sea crashed and foamed, catching the last light of day. That evening, the coffee tasted richer than ever — the kind you remember not for its flavor but for the moment itself.
READ ABOUT THE MOST ROMANTIC WEDDING VENUE IN SPAIN
THE BEST HOTEL IN GALLIPOLI
The light faded, and we lingered until the café owner began stacking chairs. That golden evening sealed my affection for Gallipoli. So when it came time to choose where to stay, I knew I wanted to remain close to the old town’s rhythm. The sea, the sunsets, and that sense of timeless ease were intoxicating.
We booked rooms at the Hotel Palazzo del Corso. This stately residence, just off the road leading to the Old Town, is as the finest hotel in Gallipoli. Officially, it carried five stars. However it felt more like a luxury boutique property. It was intimate, elegant, and gracefully designed. This jewel of a hotel became our home during those sunlit days on the Ionian coast.
PAINTED CEILINGS OF BEAUTY
Each morning, I awoke beneath a ceiling painted with frescoes. I observed with wonder the soft clouds, cherubs, and endless blue. To open my eyes to such beauty felt like a daily benediction, and I never failed to whisper a quiet thank you for the gift of this life.
Breakfast was served on the rooftop terrace, a civilized affair of fresh fruit, pastries, and espresso strong enough to rival the sea breeze. Often, I lingered there with my laptop for an hour or two. It was wonderful to work here while gazing at the marina below, where fishing boats shimmered like small jewels in the sun.
WHERE TO HAVE LUNCH IN GALLIPOLI
By midday, the streets shimmered in the sun, and we wandered toward the Old Town in search of a small, inviting trattoria. The plan was simple: a long, lazy, and liquid lunch. After all, it feels almost criminal to rush a meal in Italy — especially by the sea. Diets are forgotten here, replaced by the joy of slow living and good wine.
We found a restaurant tucked beneath flowering vines. Here, time seemed to pause between courses. A plate of handmade pasta, a carafe of local white wine, and the hum of conversation from nearby tables. It was enough to make the whole afternoon disappear.
ROOFTOP TERRACE WITH A VIEW IN GALLIPOLI
Back at the Hotel Palazzo del Corso, the rhythm of the day unfolded like a ritual. First, a dip in the rooftop seawater jacuzzi, followed by sunset cocktails overlooking the Ionian Sea. And then finally, dinner beneath a sky filled with stars. Each day felt perfect in its simplicity — radiant, restorative, unforgettable.
TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN GALLIPOLI – A QUICK GUIDE
What makes Gallipoli’s Old Town so special?
Gallipoli’s Old Town sits on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Its maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and dazzling sea views give it an unmistakable charm. It’s the perfect place to wander slowly, discovering hidden courtyards and centuries-old churches.
Is Gallipoli Castle worth visiting?
Yes. The Castello di Gallipoli guards the entrance to the Old Town and offers panoramic views of the harbor. Inside, rotating exhibitions and ancient walls tell stories of defense, trade, and the city’s maritime legacy.
What can I see at the Cathedral of Saint Agatha?
This baroque masterpiece stands in the heart of the Old Town. It has frescoed ceilings, ornate altars, and golden light filtering through tall windows. Moreover, it’s considered one of southern Italy’s most beautiful churches and a must for architecture lovers.
Where is the best beach in Gallipoli?
Purità Beach is the local favorite — just steps from the Old Town. Its calm turquoise waters and golden sand make it ideal for a swim or a lazy afternoon under the sun.
What’s the best way to experience Gallipoli at sunset?
Stroll along the seafront promenade as the sky turns gold and pink. Locals and travelers mingle at cafés and bars facing the sea, and the entire city glows with evening light — a fitting finale to any day in Puglia.
Your Questions About Gallipoli, Answered
Is Gallipoli worth visiting?
Absolutely. Gallipoli Old Town combines history, beauty, and authenticity in one unforgettable coastal destination.
What is Gallipoli known for?
For its baroque churches, sun-drenched architecture, whitewashed lanes, and vibrant seafood culture. It’s also one of the best spots in Puglia for sunsets.
Where to eat in Gallipoli Old Town?
Seek out family-run trattorias with sea views — try grilled seafood, fresh pasta, and local wine for a true taste of southern Italy.
Where to stay in Gallipoli?
Luxury travelers love Hotel Palazzo del Corso, an elegant boutique hotel just across the Old Town of Gallipoli that captures the essence of Gallipoli with its frescoed ceilings, rooftop jacuzzi, and marina views.
Some photos courtesy of the Hotel Palazzo del Corso
