Nardò: Why Choose the Town Centre Over the Seaside Resorts

Nardò is famous for its beaches and the Ionian Sea of Salento. Popular spots include Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina, and the Quattro Colonne area. The town is just 7 km from the beaches. The Porto Selvaggio Regional Natural Park is also in the area, one of the coast's most important natural sites.

But Nardò isn't just about the sea. The historic center has squares, churches, and baroque palaces, showing a different side of the city, more tied to its history and architecture.

The historic center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). If you arrive by car, it's best to park outside and walk in.

The main spot is Piazza Salandra.

Several baroque buildings face the square, including the Sedile and the Palazzo della Pretura, with its portico and the Torretta dell'Orologio. In the center stands the Guglia dell'Immacolata, about 19 meters tall.

Piazza Salandra also hosts events and cultural activities. In August, there are some events from Circonauta, a festival for contemporary circus and music.

Around the square, you'll find bars, venues, and trattorias where you can try some typical Salento products, like rustici, calzoni, and pasticciotti. We had a great breakfast at Gabbiano, in Piazza Mazzini, just a few meters from Piazza Salandra.

A few steps away is the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. Its origins date back to the 7th century. Inside, it's divided into three naves and has elements from different eras. Among the most important works is the Crocifisso Nero, from the 13th century. There are also paintings and frescoes.

Car, stay, and historic center in the evening

Getting from Brindisi to Nardò by public transport isn't very convenient. By train, you first go to Lecce, then take a regional train from Ferrovie Sud Est. So, we preferred to rent a car at the Brindisi airport.

With the car, we could choose where to stay. We preferred staying in Nardò instead of the coastal areas like Santa Caterina. During the day, we could easily reach the sea. In the evening, the historic center was just a short walk away.

It was a choice I'd make again. It allowed us to combine the sea, historic center, and Salento cuisine in one trip, without limiting our stay to coastal areas.

In the evenings, we strolled between Piazza Salandra and the center's streets, stopping at local spots and trattorias. We also visited the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, and entry was free.

In other important churches in Puglia, we've found tickets required for some tourist visits. In the Cattedrale di San Sabino in Bari, for example, some paths or areas require payment. Access for Mass or prayer is separate from the tourist visit.

If you can choose the time, September is a great month: the weather still allows for beach visits, and the area is less crowded than in the peak summer months. However, there's one point to improve: local connections and mobility, especially for those wanting to move between Nardò, the coast, and other Salento spots without a car. Easier public transport would make it much simpler to enjoy the sea, historic center, and surroundings together.