Gallipoli Old Town
Gallipoli
An old town on an island in the Ionian Sea, linked to the new town by a bridge, with white alleys, baroque cathedrals and sunsets along the city walls that make you want to linger.
The name Gallipoli means 'beautiful city'. The old town is built on a small limestone island in the Ionian Sea, connected to the new town by a 17th-century stone bridge. A walkway along the island's walls offers views of the sea and the small Puritta beach within the town, and it is a good spot to watch the sunset. Inside the narrow lanes are the baroque cathedral of Sant'Agata, many confraternity chapels and underground olive oil mills. At the foot of the bridge are an Aragonese castle and what is claimed to be Italy's oldest Greek fountain. By the harbour, the fish market serves raw sea urchin and other fresh seafood. To the south, Baia Verde is a beach that becomes a party spot on summer nights. Gallipoli is about 40 km from Lecce.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Porto Selvaggio Nature Park
- Nardò
- Porto Cesareo
- Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, Galatina
- Punta Prosciutto
- Pescoluse
- Lecce Cathedral & Piazza del Duomo
- Museo Faggiano