Gallipoli Island Old Town

Gallipoli is the pearl of the Ionian coast of Salento, an old town built on a small limestone island and linked to the modern mainland town by a stone bridge dating to the 16th century. The name comes from the Greek for beautiful city, and the old centre lives up to it, with whitewashed lanes, Baroque churches, palazzi and a seafront that circles the entire island. The Angevin-Aragonese castle guards the bridge, the fishing port is full of colourful boats, and the evening light on the sea is a highlight. Gallipoli is farther from Bari than the other places in this guide, roughly two and a half hours by road, so it suits a Salento extension, ideally combined with Lecce and Otranto. It is lively in summer, with a busy beach scene on the mainland side, but the old town retains plenty of local character and is a pleasure to walk at any time of year.

The best way to see the old town is on foot. Cross the bridge from the mainland and enter through the arch beside the castle, then follow the lanes toward the cathedral. The Cattedrale di Sant'Agata has a richly decorated Baroque facade and an interior filled with paintings and gilded altars, and it is the main monument of the island.

Nearby churches and chapels hold fine details, and the main street is lined with shops and cafes. Walk around the sea wall for views across the Ionian Sea, with the fishing harbour on one side and open water on the other. Fishermen still sell their catch at the market near the bridge, and the fresh seafood in the restaurants is among the best in Puglia.

One of the most interesting features is below ground. Gallipoli was a major producer of lamp oil in past centuries, and beneath the old town are underground olive mills, carved into the soft rock, where olives were pressed and the oil stored. Several are open to visitors on guided tours, often with food tastings, and they give a fascinating insight into how the town prospered. A guided walking tour covers the castle, the cathedral, the lanes and the story of the oil trade in a couple of hours.

Practical points are simple. The old town is compact, and the whole island can be walked in an hour or two. Parking is easiest on the mainland side near the bridge. Summer evenings are lively, with crowds along the seafront, so book restaurants in advance in the high season. The sea around the island is good for swimming, and beaches stretch along the coast, including the well-known Baia Verde. Gallipoli fits well into a Salento itinerary alongside Lecce, which is about 40 minutes away, and Otranto.

Wear comfortable shoes for the stone paving and bring a hat in summer, when the island has little shade. Look out for the little bars and fish stalls near the bridge, where you can have a plate of raw prawns or a simple fried fish with a glass of local wine, and try the pasticciotto, the custard pastry popular across Salento, from a bakery in the old town. Evening is the best time for a long slow dinner overlooking the sea.