Camping in Salento

You can't really go any further south in Italy - Salento forms the boot heel of the country and fascinates with its romantic seclusion. The region is for real nature lovers and anyone who wants to spend relaxing days together with their partner, family or dog in a dreamlike setting - for example in the evening hours when the sun sets spectacularly over the Mediterranean.

Special features of camping in Salento

Pure seclusion is the big plus of a holiday on the campsites in the Salento region. The peninsula forms the heel of Italy's boot and stretches far into the Mediterranean. Travellers can expect fantastic beaches and bathing bays here.

The cliffs offer holidaymakers fantastic views over the sea. The white cliffs of sandstone and chalk are particularly fascinating. They form a unique contrast to the deep blue of the sea. Those who choose to camp on Salento's coast can also indulge in water sports. Surfing and kitesurfing courses are offered in many places, as are guided sailing boat excursions. On land, active campers enjoy hiking and cycling tours.

Travelling to Salento

Campers should plan at least two days for the journey to Salento by car or motorhome - depending on the stopovers. It is worth making several short city stops on the way from the north to the south of Italy, for example in Milan, Verona or Rimini. From Germany, the route first passes through Austria or Switzerland.

The easiest route is via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass. Tolls are payable for this route. These are conveniently paid in the form of a vignette at the first petrol station after the border. Once in Italy, the tolls for the Italian motorways are paid at the toll booths.

A typical stopover on the way to Salento is Bologna, a time-honoured university city with a lot of history. The A14, one of the country's most important motorways, runs through the municipality. It leads from Milan down to the heel of Italy's boot.

Travellers can get to Lecce and on to the seaside resorts of Gallipoli, Leuca and Otranto without having to change roads. The distance from Bologna is around 800 kilometres. Munich is around 1,400 km from the destination.

Destinations in Salento

The towns of Salento are predominantly characterised by Romanesque and Baroque architecture. The old palaces of the medieval Crown of Aragon are particularly worth seeing. Travellers are also impressed by the picturesque forests and beaches.

Gallipoli

Gallipoli is Apulia's best-known seaside paradise on the Salento peninsula. The harbour town delights visitors with its beautiful beaches and white walled old town. In the hinterland, hikers can stroll over high cliffs and picturesque forest areas. Gallipoli is also a top destination for water sports enthusiasts who enjoy sailing and surfing.

Lecce

Lecce is located inland and slightly away from the coast. Architecturally, the city is known above all for its Romanesque and Baroque buildings, which are richly decorated and have an imposing appearance. Lecce is also considered the cultural heart of Salento, where visitors can attend concerts and theatre performances.

Brindisi

Located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Brindisi offers its visitors the best recreational opportunities. Many travellers are naturally drawn to the beach, where sun loungers are waiting to be used. Worth seeing are the mighty buildings of the Aragonese kings, mostly in Romanesque architecture. The most famous landmark is the Hohenstaufen Castle Castello Svevo.

Top 5 sights

• Castello Svevo: The castle of Hohenstaufen in Brindisi was built by Frederick II and is one of the most impressive legacies of the Romanesque period.
• Lecce Baroque: An architectural style that characterises the entire Salento region. In Lecce, the Basilica di Santa Croce is particularly famous.
• Old town of Ostuni: The many white plastered houses of Greek architecture and the somewhat darker churches characterise the cityscape.
• Harbour of Taranto: One of the best places for a stroll and a taste of southern Italian fish dishes.
• Punta Ristola: The southernmost point of Salento offers a marvellous view.

Activities and excursions

Salento is one of the most picturesque and secluded regions in Italy. Holidaymakers can admire the Baroque and Romanesque architecture, relax on the beaches, enjoy water sports or go hiking in peace and quiet.

Swimming and water sports

Travellers can go swimming and relax in the sun on the beaches around Lecce, Brindisi and in the south of Salento. There are also many opportunities to enjoy water sports such as diving, surfing or sailing on holiday.

Hiking in the forests of Cerano and Santa Teresa

Salento is a predominantly flat peninsula that also offers the best hiking opportunities for the 50+ generation and families with children. Fertile stretches of countryside dotted with olive trees and rugged coastlines offer great routes. Popular excursion destinations include the forests of Cerano and Santa Teresa. You can also take a detour to the large wetlands of Punta della Contessa.

Sightseeing

The towns of Salento are an attraction in themselves with their baroque buildings. Lecce in particular is characterised by its style. In many places, cultural assets from Roman times are also worth seeing, including the two columns of Brindisi as a monument at the harbour.

events

March - April

• Easter: Good Friday is one of the highlights of the Salento festival calendar. In every municipality, festively dressed processions are held through the centres to commemorate the Passion of Christ. Among other things, fires are lit and sounding sticks are used. On Easter Sunday, there is a big feast with the family.

July - August

• Locomotive Jazz Festival: This festival takes place for several weeks on several stages in and around Lecce. Other towns such as Taranto, Ceglie Messapica and Castro also take part in the event.

August

• Tarantula Nights: According to ancient superstition, the victims of a tarantula bite fall into a deep hysteria that can only be cured by dancing and singing. Today, many visitors to the town enjoy this form of medicine and are carried away by the sounds of mandolins, accordions and violins. The event takes place in several municipalities, including Brindisi.
• San Rocco: The festival is mainly celebrated around Lecce and Ruffano. On the eve of 15 August, music is played with small organs in the town centres and dances are performed according to ancient tradition. People symbolically duel with their fingers.

Gastronomy

In the south of Italy, travellers can sample the excellent fish cuisine of Salento. The Mediterranean Sea provides the local people with delicacies such as tuna, swordfish, sardines and squid. The delicacies are prepared with great attention to detail and flavoured with regional herbs. Many variations are served with pasta made from durum wheat flour. Fish and seafood are usually fried in extra virgin olive oil.

In the Gulf of Taranto, tasty mussels are farmed, known as cozze in Italian, which are served as fish soup, for example. Campers can buy fresh local produce such as sheep's cheese, garlic, lemons, aubergines and tomatoes at the markets in Salento. Alongside high-quality meat, sun-ripened vegetables are the most important ingredients on a southern Italian pizza. Flavoured salamis are made from lamb.

Best time to visit

In the south of Italy, hot temperatures await holidaymakers all year round. If you like the heat, it's best to spend the summer days in the region. In June, July and August, an average high of 30 °C can be expected. This period is particularly popular with beach holidaymakers.

Apart from that, the spring and autumn days are ideal for water sports and relaxing days on the beach. May and October are well suited for such activities. The thermometer climbs to over 23 °C as early as May. In winter, it hardly gets colder than 7 °C. During the cold season, many holidaymakers therefore devote themselves to extensive hikes.