Porto Selvaggio Nature Park
Parco naturale regionale Porto Selvaggio e Palude del Capitano
A pine-covered coastal nature park where a trail through the woods leads down to hidden coves, and freshwater springs welling up from the sea offer a refreshing, tingling chill.
Porto Selvaggio Nature Park lies on the Ionian coast south of Nardò. Covering about 1,000 hectares, it is made up of Mediterranean pine forest, scrubland and limestone cliffs, and it also includes the Palude del Capitano sinkhole cluster further inland. From the car park, a pine-shaded footpath takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the main cove. The shore here is made of pebbles and rocky ledges rather than sand, and freshwater springs seep up from the seabed, so the water is noticeably cold. Along the coastal trail you can walk to the 16th-century Torre dell'Alto lookout. Entry is free, facilities inside the park are few, so bring water and non-slip shoes, and in summer mind the fire restrictions.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Nardò
- Gallipoli Old Town
- Porto Cesareo
- Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, Galatina
- Punta Prosciutto
- Lecce Cathedral & Piazza del Duomo
- Museo Faggiano
- Lecce Old Town