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Highlights
Explore Puglia from Otranto to Gagliano del Capo on this epic walking tour
Hike along the fabulous Tratturi trail, an ancient road through olive groves and orchards.
Stroll the Cipolliane path overlooking the ocean and stop to explore hidden caves along the way.
Explore historical sites from Roman churches and fortresses to Messapian towers and villas.
Rest your legs on pristine beaches with the deep blue Adriatic Sea stretching before you.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour is a breathtaking excursion along the coast of the heel of Italy, where perfect beaches and blue ocean beckon at every turn. Combine stunning Italian scenery with charming villages, vibrant history and wonderful Italian food and wine.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour begins with the fresh air of the ocean greeting you in Otranto. You’ll dip into the Idro Valley beside a flowing spring. Orchards, olive groves, and orange trees line your adventures before you find yourself in quaint seaside towns. Pass under the Punta Palascia Lighthouse and through knee-high grasses towards the sea, then relax with a sandwich in Porto Badisco before trekking up to a pine tree forest. Rest in the shade before hiking back to the coastline, and indulge in a luxurious swim in the deep blue water.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour will lead you up to the ancient Messapian town of Castro, where you’ll explore the historic old town before hiking to a hidden swimming inlet. Sip local iced coffee while you walk through Tricase Porto, or dip your feet at Marina Serra.
The Puglia Coastal Walking trip ends in Lecce, a beautiful baroque city you’ll never want to leave. Book your spot on the Puglia Coastal Walking tour today, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour is a breathtaking excursion along the coast of the heel of Italy, where perfect beaches and blue ocean beckon at every turn. Combine stunning Italian scenery with charming villages, vibrant history and wonderful Italian food and wine.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour begins with the fresh air of the ocean greeting you in Otranto. You’ll dip into the Idro Valley beside a flowing spring. Orchards, olive groves, and orange trees line your adventures before you find yourself in quaint seaside towns. Pass under the Punta Palascia Lighthouse and through knee-high grasses towards the sea, then relax with a sandwich in Porto Badisco before trekking up to a pine tree forest. Rest in the shade before hiking back to the coastline, and indulge in a luxurious swim in the deep blue water.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour will lead you up to the ancient Messapian town of Castro, where you’ll explore the historic old town before hiking to a hidden swimming inlet. Sip local iced coffee while you walk through Tricase Porto, or dip your feet at Marina Serra.
The Puglia Coastal Walking trip ends in Lecce, a beautiful baroque city you’ll never want to leave. Book your spot on the Puglia Coastal Walking tour today, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
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Puglia Coastal Walking Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Otranto
Toss your bags on the hotel bed and get out to enjoy the historic centre of Otranto. Dine on Italian food to your heart’s content tonight – you’re carb-loading for the trek ahead!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Otranto
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Otranto loop
Today, you’ll walk alongside a babbling stream in the peaceful Idro Valley. You’ll be surrounded by orange trees, olive groves, and orchards. Hike up through the forest to the San Angelo rock church, and then drop back into Otranto to relax for the evening. Dinner is included tonight.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Otranto
Distance: 2 hours, 7.5 km, 96m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk along the Ocean to Porto Badisco
The next adventure of your walking tour of Puglia begins in a maze of narrow streets in the old town of Otranto. You’ll emerge onto a gravelly, flat path that winds around a series of oceanside coves and old WWII bunkers. Take as many stops along the beach as you like- the water never stops tempting you! Eventually, you’ll reach the Punta Palascia lighthouse, which contrasts in bright white against the blue water. On a clear day, you’ll be able to look across the Adriatic all the way to the Albanian mountains, just 71km away.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porto Badisco
Distance: 5 hours, 12.5 km, 270m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Porto Badisco to Santa Cesarea Terme
Start the morning at the lovely inlet of Porto Badisco. Grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich from the local supermarket before heading up a shepherd’s path towards an inland plateau. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for “Pagliari”, the round, flat-topped stone buildings where shepherds used to stay. Rest for a minute in the pine tree forest before heading downhill to the spa village of Santa Cesarea Terme, which is great for swimming.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santa Cesarea Terme
Distance: 4 hours, 13 km, 200m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Marittima
The morning starts with a walk up to the fields near the ancient Messapian town of Castro, wrapped with high stone walls. Grab lunch in the town centre before running down the hill for a swim. Then, walk along the coast to the Acquaviva coast. It’s a lovely secret inlet with a flowing fresh water spring trickling in. You probably won’t want to leave this magical spot, but leave some time to finish your trek to Marittima for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Marittima
Distance: 4.5 hours, 11.5 km, 309m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk through Olive Groves to Marina Serra
Grab a picnic lunch in Marittima before walking through the nearby olive groves on the way to Tricase Porto. On the way, you’ll see “tratturi”, or the ancient system of roads and pathways used by locals to get to the ocean, orchards, and nearby towns. The view of the sea will lead you to Tricase, where you should definitely grab one of the delicious iced coffees the town is known for. Feel free to take a swim before heading to the hamlet of Marina Serra to unwind in bliss for the night. Dinner’s on the house.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Marina Serra
Distance: 4.5 hours, 13.5 km, 310m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Sentiero del Nemico Trail to Gagliano del Capo
The last portion of your walking journey through Puglia starts up the enemy’s path! Don’t worry, the Sentiero del Nemico trail might have been used to ambush unwanted visitors back in the day, but there’s no risk now. You’ll cross over back inland before reaching Novaglie, a rocky beach perfect for a quick rest. Then, you’ll start the most wonderful part of the tour- a walk along the Cipolliane path, named for the caves along the way. It’s simply beautiful all the way to the Ciolo bridge, which is the last of many swimming spots on your journey. Enjoy a final dip before heading up the valley to Gagliano del Capo, where you’ll hop on the train to Lecce. This beautiful Baroque city offers great restaurants for dinner and plenty of lovely sights to enjoy as the sun sets.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lecce
Distance: 5 hours, 12.5 km, 530m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Goodbye, Puglia
While you won’t want to head home, after breakfast it’s time to pack up and start your travels. Until next time!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departure on October 1st – 31st, 2023:
- Solo traveller: EUR1143
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1000
- Sharing a double room: EUR743
- Sharing a twin room: EUR720
- Sharing a triple room: EUR591
Departure on March 20th – April 24th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1255
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1112
- Sharing a double room: EUR773
- Sharing a twin room: EUR795
- Sharing a triple room: EUR638
Departure on April 25th – May 26th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1303
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1158
- Sharing a double room: EUR799
- Sharing a twin room: EUR822
- Sharing a triple room: EUR658
Departure on May 27th – June 14th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1333
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1188
- Sharing a double room: EUR818
- Sharing a twin room: EUR840
- Sharing a triple room: EUR675
Departure on June 15th – June 25th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1363
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1218
- Sharing a double room: EUR833
- Sharing a twin room: EUR855
- Sharing a triple room: EUR685
Departure on June 26th – July 13th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1465
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1322
- Sharing a double room: EUR874
- Sharing a twin room: EUR897
- Sharing a triple room: EUR717
Departure on July 14th – July 26th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1495
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1352
- Sharing a double room: EUR889
- Sharing a twin room: EUR912
- Sharing a triple room: EUR727
Departure on September 1st – 6th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1465
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1322
- Sharing a double room: EUR874
- Sharing a twin room: EUR897
- Sharing a triple room: EUR717
Departure on September 7th – 20th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1363
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1218
- Sharing a double room: EUR833
- Sharing a twin room: EUR855
- Sharing a triple room: EUR685
Departure on September 21st – 30th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1303
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1158
- Sharing a double room: EUR799
- Sharing a twin room: EUR822
- Sharing a triple room: EUR658
Departure on October 1st – 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1255
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1112
- Sharing a double room: EUR773
- Sharing a twin room: EUR795
- Sharing a triple room: EUR638
Accommodation on the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels and B&Bs. The hotels offer pleasant rooms with ensuite bathrooms and great locations. Rooms are double occupancy. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Solo travellers must pay a supplement that varies based on the season and the size of the group (please check Dates and Prices for more info). However, it’s sometimes possible to match single travellers up.
What’s Included in the Puglia Coastal Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 7 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers on trekking days; however, you are responsible for any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Route guides and notes
- Maps and detailed information packs
- 24/7 telephone guidance and support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Personal transfers
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes (€1.5-3 EUR per person daily)
- Personal equipment
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- How hard is the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included on the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Otranto to start this tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Is the Puglia Coastal Walking tour guided?
- Where does the Puglia Coastal Walking tour end?
- Are equipment rentals included?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
- When is the best time to travel to Puglia for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will walk moderate distances on mostly rocky coastal footpaths, sometimes through low vegetation or bushes. Sometimes the trail is not obviously visible, therefore having good navigation skills is ideal.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
If you fly to Bari, you will need to take the train or bus to Bari Centrale station. From there, take the train to Lecce, and then the bus to Otranto. You can fly into Bari (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS). From Brindisi, you can take the Salento Easy Shuttle to Otranto, or take the train to Lecce and then the bus to Otranto.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. You don’t need to carry lots of things with you and can only carry your daypack, as your luggage will be picked up from your hotel daily in the morning and delivered to your destination hotel.
No, you will be provided with maps, route guides, notes, and 24/7 telephone support to complete your self-guided tour.
The tour ends in Lecce, where you can take the train to Brindisi or Bari and then the bus to the airport.
Equipment rentals are not included. Please bring any personal and hiking equipment desired.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Italy for the Puglia Coastal Walking tour is from March through October, however, the tour cannot be booked at August because of extremely hot temperatures. The end of July is also not recommended for those who are sensitive to the heat.
Customer Ratings
S-Cape Travel is a boutique tour operator focused on sharing the best walking, cycling, cultural and food & wine tours in Europe. Book one of their self-guided tours to live La Dolce Vita for a week or two, as you walk or cycle around Europe, enjoying incredible views and amazing food and wine.
