Not to be missed

Salento to discover

Thousand-year-old villages, crystal-clear sea and history just minutes from the courtyard.

Bagnolo del Salento train station: 3 minutes' walk from the courtyard

What happens in summer

Salento in celebration

Traditional fairs, concerts, and patron saint festivals that light up summer evenings.

Piazza Duomo in Lecce illuminated at night

End of May

Lecce — Open Courtyards

For one day, the doors of the historic palaces in the centre open to the public, offering the chance to discover private courtyards, gardens and inner courts — authentic treasures normally hidden from visitors' eyes.

Evening concert in the piazza during the Notte Blu in Gallipoli

Early June

Gallipoli — Blue Night

A special evening when Gallipoli's historic centre comes alive with music, shows and events dedicated to the sea and sustainability, symbolically marking the start of summer in the city.

Large illuminated lantern-shaped structures in the piazza during the Festival of Lanterns in Calimera

13 – 21 June

Calimera — Festival of Lanterns

The streets of the historic centre light up with handcrafted lanterns made of tissue paper and cane, amid folk music and ancient traditions celebrating the summer solstice.

The monumental illuminated arches of the Feast of Santa Domenica in Scorrano

Early July

Scorrano — Feast of Santa Domenica

Scorrano, the world capital of illuminated arches: cathedrals of light dozens of metres tall, a procession for the patron saint, and fireworks competitions.

Wine tasting at sunset during the Castro Wine Fest

3 – 5 July

Castro — Wine Fest

Tastings of Salento wines, street food and live music through the lanes of Castro, suspended between the Aragonese Castle and the sea.

Fire performance in the piazza during the Circonauta Festival in Nardò

3 – 12 July

Nardò — Circonauta Festival

An international contemporary circus festival: street performances, live music and performance art in the baroque piazzas of the historic centre.

The stalls of the Taste Market in Maglie in the evening

1 – 6 August

Maglie — Taste Market

One of the best food and wine events in Salento: tastings, wines, local products and live music in the historic centre.

The crowded piazza during the Beer and Sound Festival in Galatina

1 – 9 August

Galatina — Beer and Sound Festival

Craft beers, street food and big concerts for a week-long celebration.

Concert on stage at the Festival of the Municeddha in Cannole

10 – 14 August

Cannole — Festival of the Municeddha

The traditional food festival dedicated to the municeddha (land snail), with stalls, music and Salento folklore.

Fireworks over the harbour in Otranto for the Feast of the Holy Martyrs

13 – 15 August

Otranto — Feast of the Holy Martyrs

The Feast of the Holy Martyrs brings Otranto to life with markets and stalls filling the historic centre and seafront. Amid local flavours, crafts and entertainment, the event closes with the traditional fireworks display over the harbour, one of the festival's most anticipated moments.

Concert by the Orchestra Popolare during the Notte della Taranta

End of August

Melpignano — Notte della Taranta

The grand final concert of Italy's largest festival dedicated to folk music, with the Salento pizzica dance taking centre stage in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Piazza Sant'Oronzo in Lecce lit up with illuminated arches during the patron saint's festival

24 – 26 August

Lecce — Feast of Sant'Oronzo

The patron saint's festival brings the historic centre to life with illuminated arches, concerts in the piazza, stalls and a joyful festive atmosphere.

Book your stay

Have a question, or want to book?

Get in touch: we'll be happy to help you plan your stay and give you all the information you need.

Book now