Torre San Giuseppe

You’re perfectly placed to explore everything that historic Galatina has to offer during a stay at Torre San Giuseppe. The town centre is roughly 700m away, so you can walk there in around 15 minutes, or jump in the car and arrive in just five. You’ll find many shops, restaurants and markets on offer throughout this picturesque town. With some buildings dating back to medieval times, the most stunning architecture is from the Baroque period. There are lots of churches and majestic palaces from this era, with the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia and the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria being particularly impressive. If you fall in love with Galatina’s Baroque buildings, then you’ll be totally smitten with the city of Lecce (20km) as it’s famous for them. Make sure you visit the Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo. Lecce is also well-known for the ruins of a Roman theatre and amphitheatre. Coastal Gallipoli (28km) is the best place to go to enjoy a family day out by the sea. It offers a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, with Baia Verde being the longest and one of the most popular. The sea here is crystal clear, making it beautiful for swimming in and you can rent parasols and chairs to fully relax on this sandy beach. Other fascinating places that are within easy driving distance are the seaside town of Otranto (34km) and Taranto (120km) with its diverse and naturally beautiful landscapes. Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio (28km) is on the coast close to the town of Nardò and features great walking and cycling trails.