The name Gallipoli (Caddhrìpuli in the Gallipoli dialect) derives from the Greek "Kalé Polis," meaning "beautiful city." The city, located along the western coast of the Salento peninsula, juts out into the Ionian Sea with a coastline of approximately 20 km, including the towns of Punta Pizzo, Baia Verde, Rivabella, and Lido Conchiglie. It is divided into two parts: the village, which houses the more modern part of the city, and the historic center, located on an island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. Of considerable historical and natural importance is the Island of Sant'Andrea, about a mile off the historic center, known for its wildlife, such as the Audouin's Gull. The entire coast boasts a low, long beach composed of white dunes, dotted with splendid sandy beaches with crystal-clear water, very popular in the summer, and interspersed with cliffs that open onto sandy shores and hidden corners.

WHAT TO DO OUT OF SEASON

GALLIPOLI is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Salento and the whole of Puglia.

It's much more than just sea and nightlife for summer holidays. Here are some tips to help you spend a weekend even out of season.

With these tips, you can fully appreciate its essence, far from the hustle and bustle that overwhelms it in summer. It's worth discovering.

Gallipoli has so much to offer: architectural treasures, art, natural beauty, quality products, shopping, and gastronomy, all enhanced by the authenticity of the generous and welcoming people of Gallipoli.

Visit the historic center of Gallipoli.

From the Greek fountain to the castle, from the bastions on the ancient walls to the evocative Cathedral of Sant'Agata, known as the Pinacoteca. And also noble palaces, underground oil mills, typical courtyard houses, and the historic pharmacy, the churches of the confraternities, the library, and the museum. Everywhere you turn, beauty looms over Gallipoli's historic center, which isn't physically located "in the center," but on an island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge.
Gallipoli's historic center is definitely worth a visit.

Buying fish at the port

Among the things to do in Gallipoli, one must definitely wait for the fishermen returning from sea right on the port dock. Live fish, purple shrimp, and all the precious fruits of the fishermen's labor are sold by weight, often after a colorful haggling. Also interesting is the Gallipoli fish market, located at the entrance to the port, at the foot of the historic center.

Visit and sunbathe on Purità Beach

A small stretch of sand set like a precious jewel at the foot of the mighty bastions of the old city: Purità Beach. A beautiful place to spend hours relaxing and sunbathing, and for the more daring, a swim out of season, as the cove is almost always sheltered from the wind.

A Raw Seafood Aperitif

For seafood lovers, you can't spend a weekend in Gallipoli without experiencing the unique, unparalleled flavor of raw seafood, featuring mussels, sea urchins, shrimp, oysters, and all the best the rich and flavorful Ionian Sea provides fishermen. There are many businesses that guarantee excellent raw seafood aperitifs, including many in the center and around the Nazario Sauro seafront.

Sunset from the ramparts

A small lighthouse marks the horizon, overlooking the sea of ​​Gallipoli. It is located on the islet of Sant'Andrea, opposite the historic center. An essential sight for sailors, it takes center stage at sunset, when the sun peeks over the horizon and slowly sinks behind the island, plunging into the splendid Gallipoli sea. Not infrequently, a boat crosses the water at the foot of the ramparts, leaving a wake that adds to the romantic beauty of the sunset over the sea, best enjoyed from the ramparts of the ancient city.

Admire the repair of nets and traps

Gallipoli offers countless glimpses of the daily life of its skilled fishermen. It's not uncommon to encounter them while strolling along the docks of the various ports, repairing their precious nets, either at the foot of the bastions in the historic center or in the square between the Greek Fountain and the Church of the Madonna del Canneto, near the beautiful little church of Santa Cristina, the saint most beloved by the people of Gallipoli. Among the activities that still survive, mostly carried out by a few elderly people, is the repair of traps: a true art.

Buy local products to take home

In complete contrast to other towns, Gallipoli's historic center is becoming more lively every year. In addition to the many bars, cafes, and shops selling classic souvenirs, numerous businesses have chosen to open in this part of the "Città Bella." These include shops offering typical products not only from Gallipoli, but from throughout Puglia. Therefore, to bring back something typical from your weekend in Gallipoli, we recommend a stroll along Via Antonietta De Pace and adjacent streets.

Jogging along the seafront and at Baia Verde

For sports enthusiasts who simply can't give up a jog, even during the holidays, Gallipoli offers its seafront. Many choose it for a workout by jogging between the city and the sea. From here, you pass Lido San Giovanni and reach Baia Verde, famous for its long golden beaches, also beautiful in the low season for relaxing walks on the beach.

Hiking in the coastal park

Nature is also at its best in the Gallipoli area. For trekking enthusiasts, the Punta Pizzo coastal natural park offers a beautiful trail amidst the sea, dunes, and Mediterranean scrub, starting, for example, from the Torre San Giovanni la Pedata on the seafront and continuing towards the beaches of Baia Verde, Parco delle Sirene, Punta della Suina, and Torre del Pizzo.

Taste the Spumone

You can't leave Gallipoli without tasting the most typical dessert of the Beautiful City: Spumone. It's a small dome of artisanal ice cream with a surprise inside. A sweet center made with sponge cake soaked in Strega wine and faldacchiera. There's certainly no shortage of imagination, and over the years the people of Gallipoli have created this specialty in a variety of flavors to please everyone.