Brindisi

Brindisi played an important role in the First World War for which it was awarded the War Merit Cross and also the construction of this national monument in honour of the 6000 sailors lost in the conflict. 

Between September 1943 and February 1944 Brindisi was home to Prime Minister Badloglio and King Vittorio Emanuale who had escaped from Rome. 

TenRock Teatro Circo is found in Brinsidi. This is a travelling circus tent that offers lessons in circus acts, workships, exchanges, internships and creative residences.

A residential area that’s accessible via motorboat. An evocative place to look out at the old city and the sea.

A stronghold against the Turkish expansion, Alfonsino Castle – or Forte a Mare – is found on the small Sant’Andrea island. It is an Aragonese fortified complex that was started ini 1558 and completed 46 years later. It is also known as the Red Castle due to the colour that it takes at sunset, and for the stone it was built with. 

If you love fast-moving experiences, this is for you: a bike tour along via Traiana Calabra. Leave Brindisi and head inland, leaving the traffic behind you, as well as the tourists who stay near the coast. 

This beautiful rural church is very close to Salento airport. It was named a national monument in 1875. Pilgrims stopped off here during their journey to the Holy Lands, and so it was a meeting point for exchanges with the East. 

For a day of good, clean fun on the beach, choose Pantanagianni – an evocative place with two sandy beaches. The smaller of the two is completely free, whilst the larger beach has lidos to rent sunloungers. A tasty slice of focaccia or a puccia with a cold beer is the cherry on top at this moment.