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Porto Selvaggio is without doubt one of 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 thought for.
Porto Selvaggio Beach is a part of the character reserve, Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio. To attain the rocky seaside and crystal clear sea, it’s a must to stroll by way of the pine forest.
This space is way much less developed than many of the Salento shoreline with no lidos (seaside golf equipment) and minimal amenities.
It’s good if you wish to get pleasure from a seaside in a extra pure setting and swim, snorkel, kayak, and hike.
In this publish, I clarify tips on how to get to Porto Selvaggio Beach, what to anticipate, and different tricks to profit from your go to.
Contents
How to Get to Porto Selvaggio Beach
Porto Selvaggio (which interprets as Wild Port) is situated in Puglia in southern Italy. The nearest 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 potential to succeed in Porto Selvaggio on bus 104 which runs from Lecce to Gallipoli through Porto Cesareo. Get off on the Ristorante Casablanca bus cease on SP286, which is near the mountain climbing path to the seaside.
The bus solely runs each few hours, so I like to recommend driving to the seaside if potential. 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 Beach, 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 Beach). This is a non-public car parking zone in a area that prices €5 a day and is open from 8am – 7pm in summer season (hours could fluctuate).
When we arrived at 7.15am, the car parking zone was closed, so we parked down the unpaved aspect avenue throughout the highway. This is free, however there are just a few spots. Walk over the pedestrian crossing to get to the park entrance.
Do not 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 seaside. It took us 10 minutes on the rocky path by way of the pine bushes.
Around midway down observe the signal pointing left for “Spiaggia” (Beach).
Decent footwear (not flip-flops) are greatest for the stroll. Our Teva mountain climbing sandals have been wonderful. It’s a bit tougher on the way in which again as you’ll be strolling uphill.
If the car parking zone is full, there’s one other one a couple 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 possibly can entry Porto Selvaggio from the Torre Uluzzo entrance, the place there’s coin machine parking. It’s a 1.7km stroll to the seaside from right here—permit round 40 minutes every method.
Entrance to Parco Regionale Porto Selvaggio is free.
What to Expect at Porto Selvaggio Beach
The path by way of the pine forest will lead you to a bay the place you’ll discover Spiaggia della Sorgente (also called Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio/ Porto Selvaggio Beach), the primary seaside within the park.
The pebble seaside 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 footwear 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 contemporary 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.
Unlike at most Salento seashores, there aren’t any solar lounger leases. You’ll need to deliver your personal umbrella for those who plan to remain all day as shade is proscribed except you cover within the pines.
The solely amenities at Porto Selvaggio Beach are a conveyable rest room, picnic tables amongst the pines, and a fundamental snack stand serving sandwiches and pizza slices (summer season solely).
Although this can be a protected nature reserve, don’t anticipate a wilderness expertise on the most important seaside—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 will probably be packed.
To keep away from the crowds, go to in May, early June, late September, or October.
For a extra tranquil expertise, you would additionally keep away from the seaside, head in both route alongside the coast, and arrange on one of many rocky ledges on this giant park.
Porto Selvaggio Hiking Trails
Porto Selvaggio is greater than only a seaside. There are many mountain climbing trails (sentieri) by way of the forest for those who’d like an extended stroll. This is an efficient technique to keep away from the crowds.
See AllTrails for a few of the route choices.
This signal at Porto Selvaggio Beach says that the stroll to Grotta del Cavallo (Horse’s Cave) is 2100 metres and is medium-low problem. You can’t entry the cave however there are stunning views on the way in which.
You might additionally stroll to the tower on the southern finish of the park, Torre Santa Maria dell’Alto, for an excellent view of the coast.
Porto Selvaggio Kayaking
If it hadn’t been too sizzling for exertion on our August go to, I’d have beloved to do that Porto Selvaggio sea kayak tour.
The three-hour tour is appropriate for novices. You’ll kayak previous the Tower of Santa Maria dell’Alto, discover hidden caves, and cease for a break at Porto Selvaggio Beach.
Check availability for the Porto Selvaggio kayak tour right here.
Where to Stay Near Porto Selvaggio Puglia
Porto Selvaggio could be simply reached on a day journey from most locations on the Salento Peninsula.
If you need to keep in an untouristy city with a good looking historic centre, Nardò is simply 10 minutes away.
Seaside Gallipoli is way busier, particularly in summer season, however the outdated city is picturesque and there are many sandy seashores close by.
Porto Cesareo is widespread for seaside holidays and you may even discover leases proper on sandy Torre Lapillo seaside.
There is a few lodging near Porto Selvaggio. Despite its title, Porto Selvaggio Resort will not be on the seaside, nevertheless it’s solely a five-minute drive from the park. Reviews are blended.
Other lodging choices inside a brief drive of Porto Selvaggio are Masseria Corsano, Dimora Villa Serena Porto Selvaggio, and Villa Gariga Apartments.
Porto Selvaggio Italy Map
Is Porto Selvaggio Worth Visiting?
Porto Selvaggio Beach is value visiting for a extra pure expertise than the seaside club-filled sandy seashores of the Salento.
As properly as swimming and snorkelling within the limpid water, you possibly can hike by way of the tranquil pine forest and alongside the rugged coast.
I wouldn’t journey too far out of your technique to go to, although, and ensure to handle your expectations—whereas trickier to entry, Porto Selvaggio will not be an undiscovered spot.
In July and August, I extremely advocate getting an early begin to keep away from the crowds and warmth.
And be sure to go to the charming city of Nardò after your seaside journey.
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