Salento, a land of sun, sea and wind, represents one of the most authentic sides of Puglia. A peninsula stretching between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, where ancient traditions, unique landscapes and culture come together to create a region filled with places to discover.
Staying at Palazzo Sant’Anna, in the heart of Lecce, means enjoying an authentic experience in Salento and discovering its many different sides: from golden beaches to dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea, from stone villages to the flavours of local cuisine.
Salento’s Ionian coast captivates with its crystal-clear waters, long sandy beaches and spectacular sunsets. Porto Cesareo, with its transparent sea and nature reserves, is one of the area’s most popular destinations. Gallipoli, known as the “Beautiful City”, charms visitors with its historic centre overlooking the sea, Spiaggia della Purità and its traditional fish market.
Salento’s Adriatic coast reveals a wilder landscape, characterised by cliffs, caves and breathtaking views. The route from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca is one of the most scenic itineraries in the area, passing through Porto Badisco, Castro, Marina Serra and Punta Palascia, the easternmost point of Italy, where the country sees its first sunrise.
To the south, Santa Maria di Leuca, with its monumental lighthouse and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, is the symbolic place where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet.
Salento also reveals itself through its inland villages. Specchia and Presicce, listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, tell the story of a land shaped by stone, hidden courtyards and ancient traditions. Nardò and Galatina are also well worth discovering: elegant art towns that preserve the region’s Baroque heritage and Salento culture.Among the most iconic places on the Adriatic coast is the Grotta della Poesia, an extraordinary natural pool carved into the rock, today celebrated for its landscape and as a testament to the power of nature.

Salento is much more than a destination: it is an experience made of light, scents, flavours and encounters. It is the pleasure of watching a sunset over the sea, strolling through the narrow streets of a village and discovering an authentic land, starting from Lecce and the historic heart of Palazzo Sant’Anna.