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Porto Selvaggio is among the hottest seashores on the Salento Peninsula of Puglia. It’s very totally different from the lengthy stretches of white sand that the area is understood for.
Porto Selvaggio Seaside is a part of the character reserve, Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio. To achieve the rocky seashore and crystal clear sea, it’s important to stroll by means of the pine forest.
This space is far much less developed than a lot of the Salento shoreline with no lidos (seashore golf equipment) and minimal services.
It’s excellent if you wish to take pleasure in a seashore in a extra pure setting and swim, snorkel, kayak, and hike.
On this publish, I clarify the way to get to Porto Selvaggio Seaside, what to anticipate, and different tricks to profit from your go to.
Contents
How one can Get to Porto Selvaggio Seaside
Porto Selvaggio (which interprets as Wild Port) is positioned in Puglia in southern Italy. The closest main city is Nardò, a 10-minute drive inland.
It’s on the Ionian Coast with Gallipoli 20 minutes south of Porto Selvaggio and Porto Cesareo 20 minutes north.
Lecce, the primary metropolis within the Salento, is half-hour northeast.
Public transport is proscribed. In summer season (mid-June to early September), it’s doable to succeed in Porto Selvaggio on bus 104 which runs from Lecce to Gallipoli by way of Porto Cesareo. Get off on the Ristorante Casablanca bus cease on SP286, which is near the climbing path to the seashore.
The bus solely runs each few hours, so I like to recommend driving to the seashore if doable. See beneath for the place to park.
My Salento Italy journey information has extra particulars on reaching the area.
Porto Selvaggio Parking
There are a number of entry factors to the Porto Selvaggio nature reserve and it may be complicated understanding the place to park.
For the shortest stroll to Porto Selvaggio Seaside, you need to park close to the Villa Tafuri entrance on the SP286 highway which runs north to Porto Cesareo.
On Google Maps (see our map beneath), search for “Parcheggio più vicino alla spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio” (nearest parking to Porto Selvaggio Seaside). This can be a non-public car parking zone in a subject that fees €5 a day and is open from 8am – 7pm in summer season (hours could fluctuate).
Once we arrived at 7.15am, the car parking zone was closed, so we parked down the unpaved aspect avenue throughout the highway. That is free, however there are just a few spots. Stroll over the pedestrian crossing to get to the park entrance.
Don’t park on the shoulder of the SP286 as this isn’t allowed and we noticed somebody get a parking ticket.
The Villa Tafuri entrance to the park is subsequent to the car parking zone and it’s a simple 0.75km stroll to the seashore. It took us 10 minutes on the rocky path by means of the pine timber.
Round midway down observe the signal pointing left for “Spiaggia” (Seaside).
First rate sneakers (not flip-flops) are greatest for the stroll. Our Teva climbing sandals had been effective. It’s a bit more durable on the best way again as you’ll be strolling uphill.
If the car parking zone is full, there’s one other one a number of hundred metres additional alongside the highway (in direction of Porto Cesareo). It’s marked on Google Maps as “Parcheggio Porto Selvaggio con sentiero veloce per il mare”.
Alternatively, you may entry Porto Selvaggio from the Torre Uluzzo entrance, the place there’s coin machine parking. It’s a 1.7km stroll to the seashore from right here—permit round 40 minutes every approach.
Entrance to Parco Regionale Porto Selvaggio is free.
What to Anticipate at Porto Selvaggio Seaside
The path by means of the pine forest will lead you to a bay the place you’ll discover Spiaggia della Sorgente (also referred to as Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio/ Porto Selvaggio Seaside), the primary seashore within the park.
The pebble seashore is small and fills up in summer season. It’s the simplest place to get into the crystal-clear water (except you need to soar off the rocks).
Water sneakers would make entry simpler, however I managed on the pebbles with out.
The aquamarine water may be very inviting, however it’s colder than different seashores within the space as recent water enters the bay.
I headed in with my snorkel and noticed loads of fish.
The rugged coast can be dotted with caves carved into the limestone.
Not like at most Salento seashores, there are not any solar lounger leases. You’ll need to convey your individual umbrella when you plan to remain all day as shade is proscribed except you disguise within the pines.
The one services at Porto Selvaggio Seaside are a conveyable rest room, picnic tables amongst the pines, and a fundamental snack stand serving sandwiches and pizza slices (summer season solely).
Though this can be a protected nature reserve, don’t count on a wilderness expertise on the predominant seashore—Porto Selvaggio is extraordinarily busy in July and August.
We arrived at 7.30am on a weekday in August and there have been just a few others round, nevertheless it began filling up after 8am. Afternoons might be packed.
To keep away from the crowds, go to in Might, early June, late September, or October.
For a extra tranquil expertise, you might additionally keep away from the seashore, head in both route alongside the coast, and arrange on one of many rocky ledges on this massive park.
Porto Selvaggio Climbing Trails
Porto Selvaggio is greater than only a seashore. There are lots of climbing trails (sentieri) by means of the forest when you’d like an extended stroll. This can be a good strategy to keep away from the crowds.
See AllTrails for among the route choices.
This signal at Porto Selvaggio Seaside says that the stroll to Grotta del Cavallo (Horse’s Cave) is 2100 metres and is medium-low problem. You’ll be able to’t entry the cave however there are lovely views on the best way.
You may additionally stroll to the tower on the southern finish of the park, Torre Santa Maria dell’Alto, for a great view of the coast.
Porto Selvaggio Kayaking
If it hadn’t been too sizzling for exertion on our August go to, I’d have cherished to do that Porto Selvaggio sea kayak tour.
The three-hour tour is appropriate for freshmen. You’ll kayak previous the Tower of Santa Maria dell’Alto, discover hidden caves, and cease for a break at Porto Selvaggio Seaside.
Examine availability for the Porto Selvaggio kayak tour right here.
The place to Keep Close to Porto Selvaggio Puglia
Porto Selvaggio will be simply reached on a day journey from most locations on the Salento Peninsula.
If you wish to keep in an untouristy city with an exquisite historic centre, Nardò is simply 10 minutes away.
Seaside Gallipoli is far busier, particularly in summer season, however the previous city is picturesque and there are many sandy seashores close by.
Porto Cesareo is well-liked for seashore holidays and you’ll even discover leases proper on sandy Torre Lapillo seashore.
There may be some lodging near Porto Selvaggio. Regardless of its identify, Porto Selvaggio Resort is just not on the seashore, nevertheless it’s solely a five-minute drive from the park. Evaluations are combined.
Different lodging choices inside a brief drive of Porto Selvaggio are Masseria Corsano, Dimora Villa Serena Porto Selvaggio, and Villa Gariga Residences.
Porto Selvaggio Italy Map
Is Porto Selvaggio Price Visiting?
Porto Selvaggio Seaside is value visiting for a extra pure expertise than the seashore club-filled sandy seashores of the Salento.
In addition to swimming and snorkelling within the limpid water, you may hike by means of the tranquil pine forest and alongside the rugged coast.
I wouldn’t journey too far out of your strategy to go to, although, and ensure to handle your expectations—whereas trickier to entry, Porto Selvaggio is just not an undiscovered spot.
In July and August, I extremely suggest getting an early begin to keep away from the crowds and warmth.
And ensure to go to the charming city of Nardò after your seashore journey.
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