As Salento is a small peninsula surrounded by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, the beach is never far away. You can get to the coast within half-an-hour from the furthest inland points.

While many of the sandiest bays are colonised by the vacationing Italians during August, there are plenty of rocky coves where you can find peace and quiet all through the summer.

Northern Europeans, used to less hospitable seas, can swim from late April until October.