Nardò is the second largest municipality in the province of Lecce (capital of Salento) both in terms of territorial extension and number of inhabitants.
It boasts very ancient roots that date back to the Paleolithic period, as evidenced by graffiti and archaeological finds found in one of the many characteristic caves in the bay of Uluzzu. Between unspoiled nature, splendid beaches and architectural beauty, the town of Nardò is one of the most touristy places in Puglia.
A town that exudes history and art and attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. A fascinating place that offers the possibility to spend a vacation full of lots of sea, relaxation and historical monuments and churches to visit. Below is a sort of vedemecum with the most beautiful places and monuments in the Neretina province.
How to get to Nardò
The town of Nardò can be easily reached by plane, bus or train. If you prefer to travel by plane, the closest airport to your destination is Brindisi-Casale. Once you arrive at the airport you can decide to take a bus to your destination, or take advantage of the transfer service. If you usually travel by train, however, the nearest station is Lecce. As for bus travel recently, agreements have been made with Flixbus, which offers discounted routes, from any Italian city. In Lecce, the meeting point is at the Airport City Terminal at the city’s northern entrance. If, on the other hand, you love to travel freely and move more independently, once you reach your destination, the best means is definitely the car. If you are not familiar with the area, just follow the audio directions of the GPS satellite, now also present in all smartphones, et voila you’re done.
What to visit and see in Nardò: spectacular sea and monuments unique in beauty for this fantastic city called “Porta di Mare” (Sea Gate)
Nardò is stunning, this is now self-evident, and we at Foodismo are so in love with this wonderful city. The Lecce stone, the beauty of the entirely pedestrian-friendly historic center, the quaint and romantic little restaurants and last but not least, the sea and the beauty of its marinas. It is no coincidence that the city of Neretina is also called Nardò Porta di Mare.
We give you two suggestions on how to experience this beautiful city of Salento and especially what to visit and what to see in Nardò.
The marinas of Nardò Porta di Mare
The town of Nardò is known for its many marinas that stretch for about 20 kilometers on the Ionian side of Puglia. Here is a concise list:
- Santa Maria al Bagno an ancient fishing village now popular with tourists from all over the world for its crystal clear water and beautiful beach.
- Santa Caterina a famous seaside resort known for its lovely promenade, quiet green pine forest, rocky coastline and crystal clear water.
- Sant’Isidoro with its very fine sand, shallow seabed and crystal clear water is one of Nardò’s 4 marinas. On its magnificent shoreline also stands its 16th-century tower.
- Porto Selvaggio consists of about 1,000 hectares of parkland in which there is a protected natural area that is characterized by the presence of two bays: the Bay of Porto Selvaggio and the Bay of Uluzzo.
Porto Selvaggio: imposing nature and “wild” sea
Porto Selvaggio Bay, which can be accessed through Villa Tartufo, following a small path inside the park, is characterized by the presence of a cliff and a breathtaking panoramic view.
Uluzzo Bay in Nardò: prehistoric paradise
Uluzzo Bay is a natural gulf, where the dense and wild vegetation and the presence of numerous caves and coves make it a small and unspoiled corner of paradise.
The monuments of Nardò
If you move from the marinas of Nardò to the historic center, you can visit a series of monuments that assert the very ancient origins of this town. A riot of Baroque-style monuments that testify to the irrefutable historical and artistic value of the town of Neretino.
Here is a list for you, follow and read our suggestions:
- The Municipal Theater whose works were completed back in 1895 represents a small and elegant jewel in the heart of the municipality of Nardò, which over the years has had the honor of hosting several theater companies and international artists such as Carla Fracci and Franco Battiato.
- The Church of San Domenico built in the 16th century for the Dominican order. Following an earthquake event in 1743, the church was totally destroyed, leaving intact only the facade and the left side of the church, which was later rebuilt. The facade appears to have been built at two different times, and this is clear from the numerous decorations on the lower part that are much sparser on the upper part.
- The Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta located in the heart of the town of Nardò is the jewel in the crown and a source of great pride for the town of Neretina. Dating back to Norman times, over the years it has undergone a series of renovations and the current structure seems to date back to the 700′. The facade, which recalls the typical Baroque style, introduces a three-aisled structure.
- Piazza Salandra, originally called Piazza delle Legne, is located in the heart of the town of Nardò on which face the most beautiful Baroque monuments of the town of Neretina. In the center, it is possible to admire the imposing spire of the Immaculate Conception, a full 19 meters high, on the top of which stands the statue of the Madonna.
The museum of prehistory in Nardò
A separate mention deserves the museum in Nardò. With its 300 square meters, inside the former Franciscan convent adjacent to the church of St. Anthony of Padua, it offers a journey through time that began as many as 75 million years ago. The museum houses prehistoric artifacts and fossil remains of fish, turtles, crustaceans and mollusks from the last phase of the Mesozoic era, as well as lots of documents, illustrative panels and multimedia stations to make clear to visitors the meaning and importance of the archaeological work being done.
