Porto Badisco: a paradise three steps from Otranto

Porto Badisco is a seaside resort between Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme and Castro and, according to the legend linked to Virgil’s narrative, Aeneas landed here together with his father and son.

An area of historical and landscape interest, among rocks, caves and crystal clear waters, the town is renowned above all for its sea full of sea urchins.

Furthermore, here is the Grotta dei Cervi, an underground complex that contains graffiti and paintings dating back to the Neolithic. Virgin beaches, silent coves and isolated shores: Porto Badisco does not offer sandy expanses but rather ravines and inlets. Since the Grotta dei Cervi has been closed to the public since 1970, the more famous Grotta della Zinzulusa, a cave of karst origin, can be reached in a very nearby location (Castro).

The beach

Surrounded by prickly pears and myrtle, the beach of Porto Badisco is a real small fjord in which sand and not very sharp rocks alternate. The water is crystal clear, almost like a spring, and the scenery is heavenly.

Access is easy, there is the possibility of parking and renting umbrellas, canoes and sunbeds: these are other aspects that mean that the beach is literally “stormed” during the summer season by tourists from all over the world .

What to do in Porto Badisco

In the surroundings of Porto Badisco, lovers of trekking and excursions can visit the Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Regional Natural Park, rich in many species of plants and animals.

Also of extraordinary beauty is the boat excursion along the entire coast that can be done with organized tours: in this way you will be able to admire all the wonders near Porto Badisco such as the aforementioned Zinzulusa Cave, passing through Santa Cesarea Terme, the Punta Palascia lighthouse until you almost reach Otranto.

Immersing yourself in the crystal clear waters by taking a dip during the excursion will make the experience even more unforgettable.

Boat excursions also depart from the town of Porto Badisco for all diving lovers who will thus be able to appreciate the treasures of this sea even better.

What to eat

As in all of Salento, the typical cuisine is full of good fish, traditional Apulian first courses and mouth-watering desserts.

Sea urchins are a must, to be enjoyed with linguine, fried seafood and other fish, crustacean and mollusc dishes.

Here too you can find the tasty “pasticciotto leccese“, a shortcrust pastry dessert filled with cream but also available in many other flavors to satisfy everyone’s palates.

Or the rustico Leccese, a puff pastry filled with tomato sauce, bechamel and mozzarella, excellent to enjoy while walking through the streets of the town.

How to get to Porto Badisco

By plane:

• Brindisi airport: 100km
• Bari airport: 213km

By train:

The most convenient station is Lecce. Once you arrive, take the bus to Porto Badisco or book a rental car with driver service which will take you directly to your destination.

By car:

• From Brindisi: SS613 towards Lecce. Before entering the city, take the West Ring Road towards Maglie-Otranto; take exit 11B towards Maglie. Just before arriving in Maglie, take the SS16 for Otranto and take the exit for Giurdignano. Once you arrive in Giurdignano you will find the signs for Uggiano la Chiesa, crossing the city center follow the signs for Porto Badisco.
  
• From Bari: Take the SS16 towards Brindisi; without turning, continue towards Lecce. From here follow the directions above.