Gallipoli Travel Guide

My Gallipoli...
The Corso Roma is almost always the main street of Italian towns and Gallipoli's Corso Roma is no exception. Gallipoli's main street divides this town of Apulia into two parts that locals have named the north wind and the scirocco side of town, according to which winds affects it most. It's a nod to the town's sea-faring past, Gallipoli's role in trade between ancient Greek and Roman colonies, its fishing and sailing economy and today it's seaside holiday appeal. Set right on the water of the Gulf of Taranto, Gallipoli's beaches and breezes, along with her seafood and relaxed pace, are made for lazy summer days enjoying the best in life.

Events 
July
From the 22nd to the 29th July Gallipoli celebrates her patron saint, Cristina. The town is adorned with lights and decorations and a series of concerts, market stalls and fireworks as well as a boat parade are held throughout the week. It's a good time for holiday-makers to enjoy the town's local traditions and soak up the festive air.

Typical food
U spazzatu (Crumbed lamb rolls)
Gallipoli's traditional foods are often linked with special festive days, such as Easter, Christmas or celebrations of local saints. U spazzatu is a local specialty that is usually eaten at Easter and consists of fried lamb pieces battered with egg, bread crumbs, parsley, mint, nutmeg and a pinch of salt. Other typical dishes make use of chick peas and the local fishing catch.

Local wines
The Salento region of which Gallipoli is a part is becoming increasingly well known for its wine production. Depending on your mood you can choose between the wine named after Gallipoli itself, Lacrima di Gallipoli, which means Gallipoli's tears literally translated, or else the more romantically named rosè of Five Roses. Amongst the reds there's the Primitivo del Salento and Malvasia that are both from the local region.

Rhiannon's spotlight... A view beyond the wall
Gallipoli's historic town centre is located on an island outcrop and joined to the mainland by a bridge. Now marked by an iconic Greek-Roman fountain at the bridge entrance, the island zone was once a fortress against the Turks and during the 16th century was enclosed by high protective walls. From points within these island walls it's possible to make out the whole of the Taranto Gulf coastline with its beaches and sea blue, as well as the Pigeon's Rock and Campo island landmarks, the Pizzo promontory to the south, the Sant'Andrea lighthouse and in the western distance the Silo Mountains National Park.

How to arrive
Gallipoli is a town in south Italy's Apulia region, on the tip of the country's heel and on the Gulf of Taranto.
By Plane: The Papola Casale Airport at Brindisi is the closest airport to Gallipoli and is approximately 80km away.
By Car: Take the Brindisi to Lecce SS Strada Statale N. 613 and look out for the Gallipoli exit, the SS N.101.
By train: Gallipoli has a train station with regional trains running from Lecce. 
By bus: The Ferrovie del Sud A710 bus runs from Lecce to Gallipoli.

Top 10 of what to see and do
1. The beautiful beaches (including one called "the breast of purity")
2. The historic town centre
3. The 3rd century Greek-Roman fountain
4. The Angevin-Aragon Castle (NB. You can't visit inside the castle as it is currently used by the Italian Police)
5. The baroque Cathedral of Saint Agatha
6. The sea urchin monument
7. The Municipal Museum
8. Via Antonietta de Pace, a central shopping street
9. The nearby Otranto
10. Enjoy a seafood dinner overlooking the ocean