Night 1-2
See Tripadvisor ReviewsHotel San Giuseppe in Otranto
This hotel is built into a 16th-century farmhouse, and the rooms are lovely. They offer air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and TV.
Puglia Coastal Walking
Prices
Highlights
Explore Puglia from Otranto to Gagliano del Capo on this epic walking tour
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour is a breathtaking excursion along the coast of the heel of Italy, where perfect beaches and blue ocean beckon at every turn. Combine stunning Italian scenery with charming villages, vibrant history and wonderful Italian food and wine.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour begins with the fresh air of the ocean greeting you in Otranto. You’ll dip into the Idro Valley beside a flowing spring. Orchards, olive groves, and orange trees line your adventures before you find yourself in quaint seaside towns. Pass under the Punta Palascia Lighthouse and through knee-high grasses towards the sea, then relax with a sandwich in Porto Badisco before trekking up to a pine tree forest. Rest in the shade before hiking back to the coastline, and indulge in a luxurious swim in the deep blue water.
The Puglia Coastal Walking tour will lead you up to the ancient Messapian town of Castro, where you’ll explore the historic old town before hiking to a hidden swimming inlet. Sip local iced coffee while you walk through Tricase Porto, or dip your feet at Marina Serra.
The Puglia Coastal Walking trip ends in Lecce, a beautiful baroque city you’ll never want to leave. Book your spot on the Puglia Coastal Walking tour today, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Puglia Coastal Walking Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Otranto
Toss your bags on the hotel bed and get out to enjoy the historic centre of Otranto. Dine on Italian food to your heart’s content tonight - you’re carb-loading for the trek ahead!
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Otranto
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Otranto loop
Today, you’ll walk alongside a babbling stream in the peaceful Idro Valley. You’ll be surrounded by orange trees, olive groves, and orchards. Hike up through the forest to the San Angelo rock church, and then drop back into Otranto to relax for the evening. Dinner is included tonight.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Otranto
- Distance
- 2 hours, 7.5 km, 96m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3 Walk along the Ocean to Porto Badisco
The next adventure of your walking tour of Puglia begins in a maze of narrow streets in the old town of Otranto. You’ll emerge onto a gravelly, flat path that winds around a series of oceanside coves and old WWII bunkers. Take as many stops along the beach as you like- the water never stops tempting you! Eventually, you’ll reach the Punta Palascia lighthouse, which contrasts in bright white against the blue water. On a clear day, you’ll be able to look across the Adriatic all the way to the Albanian mountains, just 71km away.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Porto Badisco
- Distance
- 5 hours, 12.5 km, 270m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 Porto Badisco to Santa Cesarea Terme
Start the morning at the lovely inlet of Porto Badisco. Grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich from the local supermarket before heading up a shepherd’s path towards an inland plateau. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for “Pagliari”, the round, flat-topped stone buildings where shepherds used to stay. Rest for a minute in the pine tree forest before heading downhill to the spa village of Santa Cesarea Terme, which is great for swimming.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Santa Cesarea Terme
- Distance
- 4 hours, 13 km, 200m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Marittima
The morning starts with a walk up to the fields near the ancient Messapian town of Castro, wrapped with high stone walls. Grab lunch in the town centre before running down the hill for a swim. Then, walk along the coast to the Acquaviva coast. It’s a lovely secret inlet with a flowing fresh water spring trickling in. You probably won’t want to leave this magical spot, but leave some time to finish your trek to Marittima for the night.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Marittima
- Distance
- 4.5 hours, 11.5 km, 309m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 Walk through Olive Groves to Marina Serra
Grab a picnic lunch in Marittima before walking through the nearby olive groves on the way to Tricase Porto. On the way, you’ll see “tratturi”, or the ancient system of roads and pathways used by locals to get to the ocean, orchards, and nearby towns. The view of the sea will lead you to Tricase, where you should definitely grab one of the delicious iced coffees the town is known for. Feel free to take a swim before heading to the hamlet of Marina Serra to unwind in bliss for the night. Dinner’s on the house.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Marina Serra
- Distance
- 4.5 hours, 13.5 km, 310m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Sentiero del Nemico Trail to Gagliano del Capo
The last portion of your walking journey through Puglia starts up the enemy’s path! Don’t worry, the Sentiero del Nemico trail might have been used to ambush unwanted visitors back in the day, but there’s no risk now. You’ll cross over back inland before reaching Novaglie, a rocky beach perfect for a quick rest. Then, you’ll start the most wonderful part of the tour- a walk along the Cipolliane path, named for the caves along the way. It’s simply beautiful all the way to the Ciolo bridge, which is the last of many swimming spots on your journey. Enjoy a final dip before heading up the valley to Gagliano del Capo, where you’ll hop on the train to Lecce. This beautiful Baroque city offers great restaurants for dinner and plenty of lovely sights to enjoy as the sun sets.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Lecce
- Distance
- 5 hours, 12.5 km, 530m elevation gain
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 Goodbye, Puglia
While you won’t want to head home, after breakfast it’s time to pack up and start your travels. Until next time!
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Puglia Coastal Walking Price and Dates
This self-guided walking tour of Puglia is always run as a custom tour for your group only, therefore the price depends on your traveling dates and whether you are staying in a single, double or a triple room.
The departure is available at any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Departure on March 20th – May 23rd:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,275USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,125USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $825USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $675USD
Departure on May 24th – June 26th:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,425USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,275USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $875USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $725USD
Departure on June 27st – July 18th:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,495USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,350USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $925USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $750USD
Departure on July 19th – 26th:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,550USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,395USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $950USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $795USD
Departure on September 1st – 15th:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,450USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,275USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $895USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $725USD
Departure on September 16th – 30th:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,425USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,250USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $875USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $725USD
Departure on October 1st – 31st:
- Price per person staying in single room (min 1 traveler): $1,275USD
- Price per person staying in single room (min 2 travelers): $1,125USD
- Price per person staying in double room (min 2 travelers): $825USD
- Price per person staying in triple room (min 3 travelers): $675USD
Accommodation on the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels and B&Bs. The hotels offer pleasant rooms with ensuite bathrooms and great locations. Rooms are double occupancy. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Solo travellers must pay a supplement that varies based on the season and the size of the group (please check Dates and Prices for more info). However, it’s sometimes possible to match single travellers up.
Night 3
See Tripadvisor ReviewsMasseria Panareo in Porto Badisco
Masseria Panareo is nestled into an olive grove, and the rooms are classy, comfortable, and have swimming pool access.
Night 4
See Tripadvisor ReviewsGrand Hotel Mediterraneo in Santa Cesarea Terme
Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is perched above the coastline. The rooms offer TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a tasty breakfast buffet.
Night 5
See Tripadvisor ReviewsB&B Palazzo Vecchio in Marittima
This unique B&B is built into a renovated castle and offers a swimming pool, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.
Night 6
See Tripadvisor ReviewsB&B Il Rifugio dei Lavaturi in Marina Serra
This B&B is a quick walk from the beach, and the spacious rooms offer garden views and free Wi-Fi.
Night 7
See Tripadvisor ReviewsHotel Delle Palme in Lecce
This stunning hotel is a great example of 20th-century Leccese architecture. The rooms are elegantly decorated and large.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the Puglia Coastal Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 7 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers on trekking days; however, you are responsible for any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Route guides and notes
- Maps and detailed information packs
- 24/7 telephone guidance and support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Personal transfers
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes (€1.5-3 EUR per person daily)
- Personal equipment
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- Airport transfers
Frequenty Asked Questions about Puglia Coastal Walking
How hard is the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will walk moderate distances on mostly rocky coastal footpaths, sometimes through low vegetation or bushes. Sometimes the trail is not obviously visible, therefore having good navigation skills is ideal.
Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Puglia Coastal Walking Trip?
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Otranto to start this tour?
If you fly to Bari, you will need to take the train or bus to Bari Centrale station. From there, take the train to Lecce, and then the bus to Otranto. You can fly into Bari (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS). From Brindisi, you can take the Salento Easy Shuttle to Otranto, or take the train to Lecce and then the bus to Otranto.
I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. You don’t need to carry lots of things with you and can only carry your daypack, as your luggage will be picked up from your hotel daily in the morning and delivered to your destination hotel.
Is the Puglia Coastal Walking tour guided?
No, you will be provided with maps, route guides, notes, and 24/7 telephone support to complete your self-guided tour.
Where does the Puglia Coastal Walking tour end?
The tour ends in Lecce, where you can take the train to Brindisi or Bari and then the bus to the airport.
Are equipment rentals included?
Equipment rentals are not included. Please bring any personal and hiking equipment desired.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Puglia for this tour?
The best time to travel to Italy for the Puglia Coastal Walking tour is from March through October, however, the tour cannot be booked at August because of extremely hot temperatures. The end of July is also not recommended for those who are sensitive to the heat.
Reviews
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I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
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Why 10Adventures?
Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews
Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You will walk moderate distances on mostly rocky coastal footpaths, sometimes through low vegetation or bushes. Sometimes the trail is not obviously visible, therefore having good navigation skills is ideal.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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