Gallipoli (Italy)

Gallipoli (Sicilian: Caḍḍìpuli) is a town of 20,600 inhabitants in the Apulia region of Italy, on the west coast of Salento Peninsula, facing the Ionian Sea. Gallipoli has become one of the main Italian tourist destinations for summer holidays, because of its beach resorts, enchanting historic center and vibrant nightlife.

Understand

Gallipoli is divided into two different parts: the modern city is on a peninsula; the fascinating old town, on a calcareous rock island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century stone bridge.

Talk

Practically everyone knows Salentino dialect (Salentìnu) and usually speaks it with family and friends. It is a variant of Sicilian language, spoken in almost all Salento peninsula, and can be heard in particular in the historic centre, especially by fishermen.

🌍 Tourist Information Office (Pro Loco Gallipoli), Via Kennedy, 20, ☏ +39 0833 264283, . M-Sa 08:30-13:30/15:00-20:00. Information about the locality, nearby tourist destinations and various events. (updated Jul 2018)

Get in

By plane
  • 🌍 Brindisi Airport (BDS IATA known as Aeroporto del Salento), Contrada Baroncino, ☏ +39 0831 411 7406. The airport is 65 km (40 miles) north of Gallipoli, that can be reached from here through the efficient bus services or renting a car. (updated Jun 2018)

The companies that provide a car-rental service from the airport of Brindisi are:

By train

Gallipoli is well served by regional trains via Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE)

  • 🌍 Gallipoli railway station (Stazione di Gallipoli), Via XX Settembre (Close to Corso Roma and few minutes by foot from the bridge that leads to the old town.). The main station of the town, with a station building dating back to 1885. (updated Sep 2023)

By bus

Various private bus companies provides links from cities of Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland to Gallipoli:

  • Flixbus from 32 destinations in Italy and Europe, like Hannover, Munich, Nuremberg, Pescara, Pompeii, Rimini, Rome, Siena.
  • Marino Bus from Florence, Frankfurt, Lyon, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Stuttgart, Zurich and many other localities.
  • Marozzi from Avellino, Bari, Benevento, Rome.
  • Miccolis from Caserta, Matera, Metaponto, Naples, Pompeii, Potenza, Salerno.

Fares can drastically change according to the period and even the day chosen. Info are available on their websites.

All coaches stop at the bus station of 🌍 Piazzale Cimitero, in front of the municipal cemetery.

By car
  • From Brindisi: take to bypass the city, merge onto towards Lecce, here take Tangenziale Ovest and to Gallipoli. (1 hr)
  • From Bari: Bari Nord motorway exit, then take until Fasano and to reach Brindisi, then follow the route above. (2 hr)
  • From Taranto: the easiest way is reaching Brindisi heading down and following the route above (1Β½ hr). Another possibility is driving along the Ionian coast crossing some towns, but it usually requires more time.
  • From Santa Maria di Leuca: drive along for 30 minutes.

Get around

By train

The town has two more minor train stops

  • 🌍 Gallipoli Baia Verde, Strada vicinale Madonna del Carmine. A small train stop near the beach resort of Baia Verde ("green bay"), in the southern area of the municipality. The ride from the main city station requires 7 minutes and it costs €1.10. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Gallipoli Via Salento (Corner of Via Salento and Via Madonna del Carmine). Train stop useful to reach the southern suburb, an area rich of B&B and holiday homes near Galileo Galilei waterfront. 3 minutes away from the main station at a cost of €1.10. (updated Jun 2018)

The local train service has a reputation for being not very reliable, and people may discourage you to choose it, although it has improved. These stations are served only in summer season (updated September 2022). Check the FSE site for information about routes and fares.

By car

During summer streets can be extremely busy especially at night and find a parking can literally become an adventure! Reaching the old town or the modern center from the suburbs will require parking the car quite far away and walking along the lively Corso Roma.

On foot

The only option to explore the historic centre after you have crossed the bridge. Walk along the boardwalk of the island to admire the magnificent view then lose yourself in the narrow alleys.

See

Old city

The island of the historic centre is characterized by the present of various churches, all of them built in Baroque style. The narrow alleys are surrounded by enchanting white and cream-colored houses, that make this zone similar to a Greek or Arab old city.

  • 🌍 Cathedral (Basilica di Sant'Agata), Via Duomo, 1, ☏ +39 0833 261987, . Imposing Baroque church completed in 1696, with the facade in Lecce stone and the Latin cross plan interior rich of statues and paintings. It has been declared Italian national monument in 1940. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Santa Maria della PuritΓ , Riviera Nazario Sauro, ☏ +39 0833 261699. Baroque church built in 1665 overlooking the Seno della PuritΓ  (Cove of the Purity). The sober facade hides a single nave interior rich of paintings, one by Luca Giordano. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 San Francesco d'Assisi, Riviera Nazario Sauro, ☏ +39 0833 262529. Ancient medieval church of the 13th century, completely renovated in the 18th century in baroque architectural style. The two aisles contains ten richly decorated altars. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Angevin-Aragonese Castle (Castello angioino-aragonese), Riviera Armando Diaz, ☏ +39 0833 262775. 10:00-00:00. A wooden drawbridge permits the entry to this imposing defensive structure of the 11th century, rebuilt and restored several times. It is border by the sea on three sides, while the semi-circular bastion, overlooking the modern centre, is completely surrounded by the waters of the Seno del Canneto (Cove of the Cane field). (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Santissimo Crocifisso, Riviera Nazario Sauro, 133 (corner of Vicolo Croce). Sanctuary erected in 1750 along the promenade. The exterior is quite simple and sober, while the single nave interior is almost totally white and is a true triumph of baroque decorations and stuccoes. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Santa Maria degli Angeli, Riviera Nazario Sauro (corner of Via Angeli), ☏ +39 333 364 0283. A dazzling white facade enriched by a pediment in limestone. Inside it is possible to admire a majestic harmonium of the 18th century. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 San Francesco di Paola, Riviera Cristoforo Colombo (corner of Via Roncella), ☏ +39 0833 261987. Sober white exterior and a decorated interior rich of floral designs. Free entry. (updated Jun 2018)

Museums
  • 🌍 Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano), Via Antonietta De Pace, 51, ☏ +39 0833 264110, . Tu-Th 09:30-13:30, F-Su 16:00-20:00. €3 full; €1.5 EU citizens between 14 and 25 years; free for students, under 14, disabled. 
  • 🌍 Museo civico Emanuele Barba, Via Antonietta de Pace, 108, ☏ +39 0833 264224, fax: +39 0833 275580. Tu Th Sa Su 10:00-13:00, 15:30-18:00; W F 10:00-13:00. €1. (updated Jul 2018)
  • 🌍 Marea (Centro di cultura del mare), Riviera Nazario Sauro, 131/A, ☏ +39 347 703 9082, . 10:30-13:30, 19:00-23:00. Multimedia museum about the sea and its flora. €7.5 full; €6 over 65, 7-13 years, disabled; free under 6 years. (updated Jul 2018)

Mainland
  • 🌍 Greek Fountain (Fontana Greca), Piazza Aldo Moro. The name derives from the presence of caryatids and bas-reliefs depicting the mythological metamorphosis of Dirce, Salmacis, and Byblis.. It had been considered the most ancient fountain of Italy, also if many consider it dating to the Renaissance. The exact dating remains a mystery. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 🌍 Santa Maria del Canneto, Piazza Aldo Moro, ☏ +39 0833 262529. Baroque sanctuary facing the characteristic fishing port of Seno del Canneto. It was built in the late 17th century on the site of a church owned by the Teutonic Order. The interior is preceded by a portico with three round-arches and is decorated various paintings and a XVIII century harmonium. Free entry. (updated Jul 2018)

Do
  • Festa di Santa Cristina (Festival of Saint Christina): the most important religious festival in the town, in honor of the town's patron saint. The event takes place on 23, 24 and 25 July, when the statue of Saint Christina is procession over the sea and Corso Roma is decorated with spectacular and colored illuminations, in addiction to many stalls. This is a really can't-miss events if you choose to visit Gallipoli during this period.
  • 🌍 Acquapark Splash!, Litoranea Santa Maria al Bagno (Rivabella locality), ☏ +39 0833 273400, . 10:00-18:30. A large water park with giant slides and many other attractions, 2 km north of the city centre. €12. (updated Jun 2018)

Theatres

Buy

The main street for shopping is 🌍 Corso Roma, that runs for 1 km (0.6 miles) from the modern centre to the bridge leading to the old town. Along this avenue you will find many shops of various categories, clothing stores above all.

If you are a souvenir lover you cannot miss a walk along a narrow street that runs parallel to the 🌍 stone bridge, facing the commercial port. Here it is possible to buy not only postcards and fridge magnets, but a lot of decorations like lamps in pietra leccese (Lecce stone), shells, fish and sponges. Another option is the 🌍 Mercato coperto (covered market) that shares its entry with the castle and sells various souvenirs, local handicraft and costume jewelry. It is open daily from 09:30 to midnight.

Eat

Drink

Cafes
  • 🌍 Blanc, Via XXIV Maggio,19, ☏ +39 0833 263499, . 09:30-14:00, 18:00-03:00. Elegant lounge and living store in the heart of the old town's island, where you can choose between a wide selection of wines and cocktails. Mid-high range. (updated Jul 2018)

Nightclubs

Most of the famous nightclubs of Gallipoli are in the locality of Baia Verde, a few km south of the centre. Prices can change depending on various factors, such as the services required, but they are usually considered quite expensive by Italian standards.

  • 🌍 Cave (Le Cave), Contrada Li Monaci, ☏ +39 338 381 9525, . 21:00-05:00. Entry €15, cocktail €10, parking €5. (updated Jul 2018)
  • 🌍 Praja, Lungomare Lido San Giovanni (in front of the beaches of Baia Verde), ☏ + 39 348 629 7999, . 22:00-04:30. Well-known open air club with the presence of many world-famous deejays. Entry €25, cocktail €10. (updated Jul 2018)
  • 🌍 Riobo, Strada Prov.le Lido Conchiglie-Sannicola, ☏ +39 342 111 6027, . Tu W F Sa 23:00-04:00. Large open air disco in the northern suburb of the town, with excellent cocktails and commercial music, a bit expensive compared to nearby clubs. Entry €15, cocktail €10, parking €5. (updated Jul 2018)

Sleep

Cope

Go next
  • NardΓ² – Museums, Baroque architectures, enchanting seaside villages and nature reserves. (15 min by car)
  • Lecce – The famous "capital of the Baroque" with its numerous churches and palaces, all of them richly decorated. (30 min)
  • Salve – Small picturesque town surrounded by a pleasant countryside, with miles of sea resorts including the "Maldives of Salento". (30 min)
  • Santa Maria di Leuca – Popular tourist destination with a relevant sanctuary and several sea caves to explore. (35 min)
  • Otranto – Colorful historic centre with its majestic castle, many beaches and coves to take a bath. (50 min)
  • Brindisi – relevant Romanesque churches and port with ferries to Albania and Greece. (1 hr)
Routes through Gallipoli
Lecce ← NardΓ² ←  N  S  β†’ END
END ←  N  S  β†’ Salve β†’ Torre Vado β†’ Santa Maria di Leuca


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