A Guide to the Best Things to do in Gallipoli

Last Updated on 16th September 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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A little island just off the mainland of the Salento peninsula in Puglia, the ‘heel’ of the boot region of Italy, the historic city of Gallipoli has seen many centuries of history and is today one of the most visited cities in Southern Italy. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Gallipoli.

Is Gallipoli worth visiting?

Prior to visiting Gallipoli, I’d read very mixed reviews about the Southern Italian city. While one of my close friends revealed to me that it was one of her favourite places to visit in Puglia, other reviews online were mixed, with some loving the city while others declaring it a ‘tourist trap’.

Having spent a day exploring old town Gallipoli for myself, I would say that, while it wasn’t my favourite town to visit in Puglia, there was definitely some merit in spending a half day exploring the city’s forgotten little streets and admiring the vistas of the glittering blue sea.

With this being said, if you are short on time during your Apulia adventure, then I wouldn’t necessarily add Gallipoli to my itinerary and would instead focus on other sites of interest such as Santa Maria di Leuca. For more inspiration about the area, check out our guide to the best towns in Puglia.

Where is Gallipoli?

Gallipoli is situated in the South West of Puglia, on the Salento peninsula coastline. Located in the province of Lecce in Apulia, the town was formerly known as Kallipolli, the name literally means ‘beautiful city’.

Visitors to the Gallipoli of Puglia should ensure that they aren’t confused by the name ‘Gallipoli’; the name is also used for a peninsula in Turkey which was the site of a WWI  military campaign.

What is Gallipoli known for?

Once upon a time, Gallipoli was its own walled and fortified settlement, accessible only via a drawbridge. Nowadays, there are bridges connecting the old town to the sprawling suburbs, and yet still, to this day, it’s possible to spy vestiges of the past in the form of ancient walls, as well as Gallipoli’s iconic castle.

Gallipoli is most famous for being an island; old town Gallipoli sits on its own little isle, connected to the sprawling suburbs of modern day Gallipoli thanks to a 17th-century bridge.

The historic town centre is also surrounded by historic walls which date back to the 14th-century. The town is also one of the few remaining places where the dialect of Griko is spoken (Italiot Greek).

Things to do in Gallipoli

Castle of Gallipoli

Perhaps the most defining architectural feature of Gallipoli is that of its 13th-century fortified castle. Though the fortification dates back to the Middle Ages, it has seen a number of uses over the years.

Today, Gallipoli Castle (known as Castello di Gallipoli in Italian) remains almost entirely surrounded by the sea and now operates as a cultural centre showing various exhibits (you can find more details on the castle’s Facebook Page).

Cattedrale di Sant-Agata

As well as the castle, the other top striking landmark in old town Gallipoli is the city’s main ecclesiastical building. The cathedral of Saint Agatha was constructed between 1629 and 1696 to replace a previous church on site.

The current church on site is built in the beautiful and ornate Baroque style, who used local stone. As with most other cathedrals in small towns in Italy, the basilica is free to visit, though you should be sure to cover your shoulders and knees prior to entry.

Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi

Yet another ecclesiastical building that’s well worth visiting during your time in Gallipoli (not to mention that this church was free to visit and was open during our day trip) is the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. This church was constructed in the Baroque style and features a wooden altar, as well as several small frescoes.

Museo Civico Emanuele Barba

Those wishing to delve even deeper into the history of Gallipoli should head to the local town museum. Gallipoli’s museum features various exhibitions showcasing the history of the town and its surrounds, as well as archaeological artefacts, local artwork, and skeletons of whales and dolphins.

The Greek fountain

One of the most historic and interesting architectural features of Gallipoli is the Greek Fountain. The water feature dates back to the 16th-century; while one side features mythological carvings, the other is carved with symbols of Gallipoli itself and is located on the mainland, just across from the little island.

Gallipoli fish market

As one might expect from a town which was historically constructed on the fishing industry, the Gallipoli fish market still runs today and draws visitors and locals alike. The fish market is open on a daily basis.

If you’re a fish eater, then there are several restaurants on site where you can order a glass of crisp white wine together with a locally caught fresh fish (though be wary that this is quite a touristic location and so the fish can be over-priced). For more local food, check out our ultimate guide to food in Apulia.

Get lost in the little streets

Arguably one of the best things to do in Gallipoli is to simply stroll around and allow your feet to guide you where looks interesting. We personally walked the perimeter of old town Gallipoli’s former town walls and found it to be a great way to get a feel for the city as well as admire the turquoise sea.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to discover more about the history of Gallipoli together with a local guide, then you might consider booking a Gallipoli walking tour like this one.

Spiaggia della Purita

One of the best-known beaches in Gallipoli is that of Spiaggia della Purita, which covers the western front of the historic island. Thanks to the tiny and compact nature of old town Gallipoli, if you opt to stay in the centre of the city, you’ll never be more than a few minutes’ walk from the beach front.

Gallipoli fishing port

If you park at the Parking lot Port of Gallipoli (which is one of the largest and closest parking lots to old town Gallipoli), then you’ll no doubt come across the Gallipoli fishing port, which remains full of small fishing boats bobbing in the water to this day.

Take a day trip to Santa Maria di Leuca

Gallipoli’s position in the South West of Puglia means that it’s a great base from which to take day trips to the very end point of the Italian region. The most southerly point of Puglia is that of Santa Maria di Leuca, which features a lighthouse and an ancient monastery.

On the stretch of coastline between Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca, there are a number of ‘rock beaches’. As most public beaches don’t have sand, what most locals do is head to the rock beaches and go swimming in the crystal clear waters.

How to get to Gallipoli

As we were staying in the off the beaten path town of Torre Chianca, the only way to get to Gallipoli was by car. Renting a car is essential in this part of the boot-shaped country if you’re looking to discover lesser-known villages and hidden gems. 

With this being said, Gallipoli is one of the few cities that can be accessed by train. Indeed, there is a direct train between Lecce (the Baroque city on the eastern coast of Puglia) and Gallipoli. If I could give you just one travel tip, it would be to make sure that you have validated your ticket ahead of the journey.

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