Holiday homes near Porto Selvaggio, an oasis of nature with spotlessly clean beaches

It is an impressive natural landscape of bizarre rocky cliffs, fragrant macchia, sandy bays and diamond sea, where you can spend wonderful holidays.  

The protected nature park Porto Selvaggio stretches out along the coast (4 km) between two Saracen towers, Torre dell’Alto in the south and Torre Uluzzo in the north.

Besides beachwear and goggles, you should take along hiking shoes, because there is much to discover: Baia dell’Uluzzo with its three grottos, for example, where 40,000 year old traces of settlements from the times of the Neanderthals have been discovered.

WWF and the inhabitants of the towns around Porto Selvaggio once joined forces and prevented the private property from being sold to a real estate agent; they also succeeded in having the area protected. That is why it can be explored only on foot. Parking is available outside the park.

Santa Caterina

At the southern border of the nature park lies the small town of Santa Caterina with its idyllic fishing harbor and sandy bays, its stores, bars and restaurants.

Strolling along the seaside promenade, enjoying the view of the sea, savoring a cup of creamy cappuccino – that's what you call holiday feelings, also at Santa Caterina.

Nardò - Baroque and Pizzica

Along with Gallipoli, the small town of Nardò is considered one of the centers in this coastal section of the Ionian Sea. The roots of lovely Nardò lie far back. At the times of the Romans and the Messapii, the town had its own harbor, thus gaining importance in the empire. During Byzantine rule, it then developed into an important intellectual center in the Salento.

Today, you find hardly any traces left by the Romans and Byzantines. The historic center 'radiates' with lush Baroque. Stroll around and stop by the friendly bars, ice cream parlors and shops around Piazza Salandra.

Beautiful Baroque Chiesa S. Domenica near the piazza is worth a closer look. At Nardò's somewhat plainer cathedral, you get to admire the Cristo Nero, a dark wooden cross dating back to the 13th century and shrouded in countless legends. By a simple movement of his finger, Christ is said to have once fended off an attack by the Saracens.

Nardò is also known for the Pizzica, a sweeping folk dance dating back to pre-Christian times. Every now and then, small concerts take place in Piazza Salandra – traditional music accompanied by singing and dancing. So, when you are there, give it a try, dance with the locals, let yourself be swept away by the Pizzica.

In Piazza Salandra, a small museum is dedicated to Luigi Stifani, the singing barber. At the museum, run today by his daughter, you find a large number of Stifani's original instruments on display as well as all kinds of interesting information about the life and work of this man who breathed life back into the traditional folk dance.