Gallipoli (Italy)

Gallipoli is divided into two different parts: the modern city is on a peninsula; the fascinating old town, on a calcareous rock island connected to the mainland by a 17th century stone bridge.

Talk

Practically everyone knows Salentino dialect (Salentìnu) and usually speaks it with family and friends. It is a variant of Sicilian language, spoken in almost all Salento peninsula, and can be heard in particular in the historic centre, especially by fishermen.

Tourist Information Office

Information about the locality, nearby tourist destinations and various events.

By plane

• Brindisi Airport

  phone: +39 0831 411 7406
  address: Contrada Baroncino
  The airport is located 65 km (40 miles) north of Gallipoli, that can be reached from here trough the efficient bus services or renting a car.

The companies that provide a car-rental service from the airport of Brindisi are:

• Autoeuropa

  phone: +39 0831 412589

• Autovia

  phone: +39 0831 412672

• Avis

  phone: +39 0831 418826

• Budget

  phone: +39 0831 418826

• Europcar

  phone: +39 0831 412061

• Hertz

  phone: +39 0831 182 2843

• Locauto

  phone: +39 0831 412882

• Winrent

  phone: +39 0831 411253

By train

• Gallipoli railway station

  address: Via XX Settembre
  It is the main station of the town and is served by the trains of Ferrovie del Sud Est (FSE), a local railway company that provides a link to Lecce in about 90 minutes. The station was open in 1885 and is located in the modern centre close to Corso Roma, few minutes by foot from the bridge that leads to the old town.

By bus

Various private bus companies provides links from cities of Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland to Gallipoli:

• Flixbus from 32 destinations in Italy and Europe, like Hannover, Munich, Nuremberg, Pescara, Pompeii, Rimini, Rome, Siena.
• Marino Bus from Florence, Frankfurt, Lyon, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Stuttgart, Zurich and many other localities.
• Marozzi from Avellino, Bari, Benevento, Rome.
• Miccolis from Caserta, Matera, Metaponto, Naples, Pompeii, Potenza, Salerno.
• Ouibus from Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Milan, Nice.

Fares can drastically change according to the period and even the day chosen. Info are available on their websites.
All coaches stop at the bus station of , in front of the municipal cemetery.

By car

• From Brindisi: take
  ColdShine
  to bypass the city, merge onto
  Skyluke
  towards Lecce, here take Tangenziale Ovest and
  Xander89
  to Gallipoli. (1 hr)
• From Bari: Bari Nord motorway exit, then take
  ColdShine
  until Fasano and
  Grasso83
  to reach Brindisi, then follow the route above. (2 hr)
• From Taranto: the easiest way is reaching Brindisi heading down
  ColdShine
  and following the route above (1½ hr). Another possibility is driving along the Ionian coast crossing some towns, but it usually requires more time.
• From Santa Maria di Leuca: drive along
  Gigillo83
  for 30 minutes.

By train

The town has two more minor train stops

• Gallipoli Baia Verde

  address: Strada vicinale Madonna del Carmine
  A small train stop near the beach resort of Baia Verde ("green bay"), in the southern area of the municipality. The ride from the main city station requires 7 minutes and it costs €1,10.

• Gallipoli Via SalentoTrain stop useful to reach the southern suburb, an area rich of B&B and holiday homes near Galileo Galilei waterfront. 3 minutes away from the main station at a cost of €1,10.

The local train service has a reputation form being not very reliable, and people may discourage you to choose it, despite the recent improving. Check the FSE site for informations about routes and fares.

By car

During summer streets can be extremely busy especially at night and find a parking can literally become an adventure! Reaching the old town or the modern center from the suburbs will require parking the car quite far away and walking along the lively Corso Roma.

On foot

The only option to explore the historic centre after you have crossed the bridge. Walk along the boardwalk of the island to admire the magnificent view then lose yourself in the narrow alleys.

Old city

The island of the historic centre is characterized by the present of various churches, all of them built in Baroque style. The narrow alleys are surrounded by enchanting white and cream-colored houses, that make this zone similar to a Greek or Arab old city.

• Cathedral

  phone: +39 0833 261987
  address: Via Duomo, 1
  Imposing Baroque church completed in 1696, with the facade in Lecce stone and the Latin cross plan interior rich of statues and paintings. It has been declared Italian national monument in 1940.

• Santa Maria della Purità

  phone: +39 0833 261699
  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro
  Baroque church built in 1665 overlooking the Seno della Purità (Cove of the Purity). The sober facade hides a single nave interior rich of paintings, one by Luca Giordano.

• San Francesco d'Assisi

  phone: +39 0833 262529
  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro
  Ancient medieval church of the 13th century, completely renovated in the 18th century in baroque architectural style. The two aisles contains ten richly decorated altars.

• Angevin-Aragonese Castle

  phone: +39 0833 262775
  address: Riviera Armando Diaz
  A wooden drawbridge permits the entry to this imposing defensive structure of the 11th century, rebuilt and restored several times. It is border by the sea on three sides, while the semi-circular bastion, overlooking the modern centre, is completely surrounded by the waters of the Seno del Canneto (Cove of the Cane field).

• Santissimo Crocifisso

  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro, 133
  Sanctuary erected in 1750 along the promenade. The exterior is quite simple and sober, while the single nave interior is almost totally white and is a true triumph of baroque decorations and stuccoes.

• Santa Maria degli Angeli

  phone: +39 333 364 0283
  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro
  A dazzling white facade enriched by a pediment in limestone. Inside it is possible to admire a majestic harmonium of the 18th century.

• San Francesco di Paola

  phone: +39 0833 261987
  address: Riviera Cristoforo Colombo
  Sober white exterior and a decorated interior rich of floral designs.

Museums

• Diocesan Museum

  phone: +39 0833 264110
  address: Via Antonietta De Pace, 51

• Museo civico Emanuele Barba

  phone: +39 0833 264224
  address: Via Antonietta de Pace, 108

• Marea

  phone: +39 347 703 9082
  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro, 131/A
  Multimedia museum about the sea and its flora.

Mainland

• Greek Fountain

  address: Piazza Aldo Moro
  The name derives from the presence of caryatids and bas-reliefs depicting the mythological metamorphosis of Dirce, Salmacis, and Byblis.. It had been considered the most ancient fountain of Italy, also if many consider it dating to the Renaissance. The exact dating remains a mystery.

• Santa Maria del Canneto

  phone: +39 0833 262529
  address: Piazza Aldo Moro
  Baroque sanctuary facing the characteristic fishing port of Seno del Canneto. It was built in the late XVII century on the site of a church owned by the Teutonic Order. The interior is preceded by a portico with three round-arches and is decorated various paintings and a XVIII century harmonium.

• Festa di Santa Cristina (Festival of Saint Christina): the most important religious festival in the town, in honor of the town's patron saint. The event takes place on 23, 24 and 25 July, when the statue of Saint Christina is procession over the sea and Corso Roma is decorated with spectacular and colored illuminations, in addiction to many stalls. This is a really can't-miss events if you choose to visit Gallipoli during this period.

• Acquapark Splash!

  phone: +39 0833 273400
  address: Litoranea Santa Maria al Bagno
  A large water park with giant slides and many other attractions, 2 km north of the city centre.

Theatres

• Teatro Garibaldi

  phone: +39 0833 275538
  address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 8
  The most ancient theatre of Apulia, built in 1825 as Teatro del Giglio, in honor to the House of Bourbon. It is the most elegant one of the city and it's focused on theatrical exhibitions, conferences with actors and musicians and cinema projections of cultural interest.

• Cinema Teatro Italia

  phone: +39 0833 266940
  address: Corso Roma, 207
  Built in 1976 with a capacity of 1550 viewers. It is mainly used as a cinema, but sometimes it hosts theatrical performances.

• Cinema Teatro Schipa

  phone: +39 0833 266940
  address: Corso Roma, 170
  500-seat hall built in 1900 and dedicated to Tito Schipa, one of the greatest leggero tenors of all times. It is mainly focused on cinema projections.

The main street for shopping is , that runs for 1 km (0,6 miles) from the modern centre to the bridge leading to the old town. Along this avenue you will find many shops of various categories, clothing stores above all.
If you are a souvenir lover you cannot miss a walk along a narrow street that runs parallel to the , facing the commercial port. Here it is possible to buy not only postcards and fridge magnets, but a lot of decorations like lamps in pietra leccese (Lecce stone), shells, fish and sponges.
Another option is the (covered market) that shares its entry with the castle and sells various souvenirs, local handicraft and costume jewelry. It is open daily from 09:30 to midnight.

• Don Vincenzo

  phone: +39 328 206 1792
  address: Via Kennedy, 13
  True neapolitan pizza few steps from Corso Roma.

• Ristorante Marechiaro

  phone: +39 0833 266143
  address: Lungomare Marconi
  Romantic seafood restaurant on a rock at sea facing the bridge.

• Il Bastione

  phone: +39 0833 263836
  address: Riviera Nazario Sauro, 28
  Suggestive restaurant on the ancient walls overlooking the sea, specialized in seafood.

• Martinucci

  phone: +39 0833 261455
  address: Corso Roma, 95
  Appetizers and excellent ice cream, cakes and a wide choice of pastries.

Cafes

• Blanc

  phone: +39 0833 263499
  address: Via XXIV Maggio,19
  Elegant lounge and living store in the heart of the old town's island, where you can choose between a wide selection of wines and cocktails.

Nightclubs

Most of the famous nightclubs of Gallipoli are in the locality of Baia Verde, a few km south of the centre. Prices can change depending on various factors, such as the services required, but they are usually considered quite expensive by Italian standards.

• Cave

  phone: +39 338 381 9525
  address: Contrada Li Monaci

• Praja

  phone: + 39 348 629 7999
  address: Lungomare Lido San Giovanni
  Well-known open air club with the presence of many world-famous deejays.

• Riobo

  phone: +39 342 111 6027
  address: Strada Prov.le Lido Conchiglie-Sannicola
  Large open air disco in the northern suburb of the town, with excellent cocktails and commercial music, a bit expensive compared to nearby clubs.

• B&B Ghalà

  phone: +39 0833 263705
  address: Via di Sansebastiano, 2
  3-star few minutes by foot from the old city, with an enchanting view of the sea.

• Hotel a Due Passi dal Pizzo

  phone: +39 0833 182 4188
  address: Strada Provinciale 215 Leuca-Gallipoli
  3-star hotel close to the Natural Park of Punta Pizzo. Open air pool, restaurant, free WiFi, at only 300 m from the sea.

• Hotel Rivabella

  phone: +39 0833 209093
  address: Viale Orsa Maggiore, 11
  Excellent 3-star hotel in the seaside locality of Rivabella, with free WiFi, restaurant, open air pool, shuttle service to/from Brindisi airport.

• Joli Park Hotel

  phone: +39 0833 263321
  address: Via Lecce, 2
  3-star hotel with pool, free parking, free Wi-Fi and shuttle bus service, located in the modern town.

• Gigillo83

  Pharmacy

  phone: +39 0833 261567
  address: Via Antonietta de Pace, 9
  Handy pharmacy in the old town, few steps from the castle.
• Gigillo83

  Post Office

  phone: +39 0833 267549
  address: Via Quartini, 5

• Brindisi
• Lecce
• Nardò
• Otranto
• Santa Maria di Leuca
• Specchia