Brindisi as a Base for Visiting Apulia and the Salento
Strategic location, distances and tips for exploring the whole of Apulia with Brindisi as your starting point.
In short: Brindisi sits in the middle of the heel of Italy: Lecce is 35 minutes away by car, Ostuni 40, Alberobello an hour, Otranto just over an hour and Matera an hour and a half. With a car you can spend one day in the Salento, one in the Itria Valley and one at the beach, and be back in town for dinner.
Why Brindisi Is the Perfect Base for Exploring Apulia
Brindisi sits right in the middle of the heel of Italy, halfway between northern Apulia (the Itria Valley, Alberobello) and the deep Salento (Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gallipoli). This strategic position makes it the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to see as much as possible in a short time.
Distances from Brindisi to the Main Places
| Destination | Km | Time by car | What to see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecce | 38 km | 35 min | Lecce Baroque, Roman Amphitheatre |
| Ostuni | 40 km | 40 min | The white city, masserie |
| Fasano | 55 km | 50 min | Alberobello trulli, safari park |
| Alberobello | 70 km | 1h | UNESCO: the trulli |
| Otranto | 80 km | 1h 05 min | Castle, Baia dei Turchi |
| Taranto | 90 km | 1h | MArTA museum, old town |
| Gallipoli | 100 km | 1h 10 min | Old town, beaches |
| Matera | 120 km | 1h 30 min | UNESCO: the Sassi |
| Santa Maria di Leuca | 120 km | 1h 30 min | The tip of the heel |
| Bari | 110 km | 1h 15 min | San Nicola, old town |
Itineraries from Brindisi: Day Trip Ideas
A day in the Salento
Lecce → Otranto → Castro → Leuca. Leaving Brindisi at 9, you can visit the Baroque centre of Lecce (3 hours), then move to the east coast as far as Otranto (castle and cathedral with its mosaic floor), carry on to Castro and end at sunset in Santa Maria di Leuca. Back by 8:30 pm.
A day in the Itria Valley
Ostuni → Alberobello → Locorotondo → Cisternino. The Itria Valley offers breathtaking landscapes of olive trees and trulli. Morning in Ostuni, afternoon among the UNESCO trulli of Alberobello and the white villages of Locorotondo and Cisternino.
A day at the sea
North of Brindisi: Torre Guaceto (nature reserve), Specchiolla, Costa Merlata. To the south: the crystal-clear beaches of the Salento (Torre dell'Orso, Baia dei Turchi). Distances between 30 and 60 km.
Getting Around Apulia
Your own car or a rental is the most flexible option. There are several car rental companies at Brindisi airport. The state and provincial roads are generally in good condition. We have a partner car rental for our guests: ask us for details!
Trains connect Brindisi to Lecce (35 min, frequent), Bari (1h 10 min) and Taranto (1h). For Alberobello and Matera a car is practically essential.
By air: Brindisi's Aeroporto del Salento is Apulia's second airport, with direct flights from all over Italy and Europe. Landing in Brindisi instead of Bari saves you time if the Salento is your goal.
Practical Tips
- Summer (July-August): the beaches get crowded. Book parking and umbrellas in advance.
- Spring and autumn: the best months for visiting towns and going on excursions without too much heat.
- Winter: many beach clubs close, but the inland villages are wonderful and very lively.
- Staying in Brindisi: choosing a place in the old town, such as Giardino del Geco B&B, lets you set off each morning full of energy for a new destination and come back in the evening for a traditional dinner in town.
This article is taken from www.giardinodelgeco.it.