The Maldives of Salento in Puglia

Maldives of Salento in Puglia: 3 words to perfectly describe a piece of paradisiacal coast. But the question is: where are the Maldives of Salento ?

 They are between S. Maria di Leuca and Gallipoli. 

More precisely, there are about 6 km of coastline between Torre Pali and Torre Vado , where the beating heart of these tropical beaches is located halfway: the small town of Pescoluse. But let’s go step by step, and start from the north.

Torre Pali Beaches

First of all, it is mandatory to know something about the area of ​​the Maldives of Salento: in some periods the most famous beaches are very crowded, so for those seeking peace and relaxation, the advice is not to stop at the first beach you will find near the parking lot , but maybe continue on foot and look for less targeted areas. An example above all is the area of ​​Torre Pali , which in the high season (late July and most of August) is very chaotic.

But on closer inspection if once you reach the beach continue north for another 100 meters (to be done on foot on the wonderful silky beach) you will reach the little-known beach of the Isola delle Fanciulle, which takes its name from the islet located there in front, also reachable on foot. 

So after this little walk along the Maldives of Salento, you can enjoy the relaxation of such a heavenly place. Worth noting is the presence of one of the rare Saracen watchtowers which is completely surrounded by the sea, from which it emerges for a small part. It will therefore be very suggestive to walk to the tower and walk around it.

Pescoluse Beach

A little further south is the beating heart of the Maldives of Salento, Pescoluse . During the summer, this small town transforms itself into a worldly place full of events. The beach, famous over the years for having the lightest color in the whole area, has seen a small decline in terms of organization and efficiency in recent years. 

But thanks to the hospitality of its inhabitants, and the beauty of nature are little things that make up for it. Clearly the advice is not to stop there but to get infected by the curiosity of the traveler and explore other nearby areas of the Maldives of Salento.

Torre Vado Beaches

Going a little further south we find the beach of the small town of Torre Vado. Much less people, more space on the beach, and also the opportunity to enjoy the sources of cold water that flow directly into the sea. A place certainly more scaled down than Pescoluse, but which retains the charm of discreet and reserved places. 

The Tower of the village from which it takes its name deserves particular mention, given that it was used by a sentry on horseback who left directly galloping from the tower to sound the alarm in case of sighting of Saracen ships. During the week it will be fascinating to get lost in the alleys of the village and buy some handicrafts in one of the characteristic stalls.

At the end of the day, the advice is to approach the small port, where among the silver lights of the sunset, you can observe the fishermen intent on preparing their nets for the following morning, in what is not just a gesture of work, but a real love ritual.

Near the Maldives of Puglia

The borders described here which delimit the Maldives area of ​​Salento are clearly only conventions, and this becomes evident when one goes to the nearby beaches, where the beauty of the place is unchanged or even enhanced by the lesser notoriety of the places, which consequently are less crowded.

Examples are the beaches of Torre Mozza and Lido Marini. Two small localities north of the aforementioned Torre Pali, where the sand preserves the sinuous dunes that reflect silver threads in the clear sea water. Further south of Torre Vado is the beach of Marina di San Gregorio ; here the sand loses the silky appearance typical of the Maldives beach of Salento, but the charm is always well guarded by a wild and well guarded nature.

There is no doubt that anyone who has set foot on these beaches has been struck by the light colors of the sand, and by the blue ones of the sea which in many respects recall the Maldives. On the other hand, however, the wonder and enchantment of this place also have other nuances, and they are certainly more typical of our Mediterranean than of tropical seas. 

In fact, walking along the coast you will happen to see the rare sea lilies, typical of the Mediterranean area, as well as the white santolina, a rustic and very aromatic shrub that populates the beaches of our seas. Separate mention then for the Mediterranean maquis, which despite being in different areas of the world, nevertheless originates from our sea, which therefore can also be compared to the Maldives, but whoseMediterranean beauty remains unique and self-sufficient.

There is no doubt that anyone who has set foot on these beaches has been struck by the light colors of the sand, and by the blue ones of the sea which in many respects recall the Maldives. On the other hand, however, the wonder and enchantment of this place also have other nuances, and they are certainly more typical of our Mediterranean than of tropical seas. 

In fact, walking along the coast you will happen to see the rare sea lilies, typical of the Mediterranean area, as well as the white santolina, a rustic and very aromatic shrub that populates the beaches of our seas. Separate mention then for the Mediterranean maquis, which despite being in different areas of the world, nevertheless originates from our sea, which therefore can also be compared to the Maldives, but whose Mediterranean beauty remains unique and self-sufficient.

if you want, you can also read what to see in Berlin!