About This Walk
Experience the Untamed Beauty of Italy’s Deep South
Step into the “heel” of Italy for a spectacular coastal adventure. This 8-day walk takes you from the historic “Pearl of the Orient,” Otranto, along rugged cliffs and red-earth trails to the white-sand coves of Salento. Your journey concludes in the magnificent Baroque city of Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South.”
Self-Guided Trip
7 Nights – B&B – From €835pp
Total Distance: 70 km | Difficulty: Moderate (due to rocky terrain)
Day 1:
Arrival in Otranto Arrive in the enchanting town of Otranto. Spend your evening wandering through the historic center and enjoying the fresh Mediterranean air before your coastal walk begins.
Day 2:
Otranto & Idro Valley Loop (7.5km) A gentle warm-up walk into the fertile Idro Valley. Pass through ancient orchards, olive groves, and orange gardens before returning to the beauty of the Otranto port.
Day 3:
Otranto to Porto Badisco (12.5km) Follow a flat coastal path past WWII bunkers and idyllic coves. You will reach the Punta Palascia Lighthouse—the easternmost point of Italy—where you can see the Albanian mountains on a clear day.
Day 4:
Porto Badisco to Santa Cesarea Terme (13km) Walk along ancient shepherd paths marked by “pagliari” (traditional stone huts). Your destination is the exotic spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme, famous for its thermal springs and sea views.
Day 5:
Santa Cesarea Terme to Marittima (11.5km) Hike toward the Messapian settlement of Castro, an imposing walled town. Continue along an uneven rocky trail to the stunning Acquaviva Cove—a hidden freshwater spring—before ascending to the village of Marittima.
Day 6:
Marittima to Marina Serra (13.5km) Walk through vast olive orchards and follow ancient “tratturi” (stone-walled paths) used for centuries by local peasants. Enjoy a stop at Tricase Porto for a famous Salento iced coffee before reaching the hamlet of Marina Serra.
Day 7:
Marina Serra to Gagliano del Capo & Lecce (12.5km) The final day features the breathtaking “Cipolliane Path,” leading past spectacular caves and cliffs. After a final swim at Ciolo Cove, you take a short train journey to the Baroque masterpiece of Lecce.
Day 8:
Arrivederci Lecce Your walking holiday concludes after breakfast. Take some time to explore the Roman amphitheater and Baroque palaces of Lecce before your onward journey.
From €835 per person sharing
Includes:
-
7 Nights in hand-picked B&Bs, hotels, and traditional Agriturismos.
-
Breakfast daily.
-
2 Traditional Dinners (Porto Badisco & Marina Serra).
-
Daily luggage transfers (1 bag up to 20kg).
-
Digital route maps and expert walking notes.
-
24/7 Local emergency support.
Not Included:
-
Flights (Recommended: Dublin to Brindisi or Bari).
-
Travel Insurance.
-
Local Tourist Taxes (payable in cash locally).
-
Lunches and daily snacks.
At UWalk, we believe the place you rest your head is just as important as the path you walk. For our Italian self-guided tours, we avoid bland, corporate chains. Instead, we hand-pick authentic, family-run accommodations that reflect the character of the region.
Arrival in Otranto
If you land in Brindisi, you have several alternatives:
- Salento Easy Shuttle, which connects Brindisi Airport to Otranto;
- STP bus or taxi to Brindisi train station, and then a Marozzi direct bus to Otranto;
- train from Brindisi train station to Lecce and then direct bus to Otranto.
If you land in Bari, you need to reach Bari Centrale train station by either train or bus. From there, you catch a train to Lecce, and then a direct bus to Otranto.
Departure from Lecce
On departure, you can take a train from Lecce to either Brindisi or Bari train station and then a bus to the relative airport.
GPS tracks are available on request