Perfect Italian Weekend | Nardò

In 2017, we discovered our refuge in Nardò, a small town in southern Apulia. What began as a welcome escape from the bustling life in Berlin quickly evolved into a second home. My husband, a filmmaker, and I, a product designer and owner of a concept store in Berlin-Mitte, led lives constantly shifting between creative projects and the fast-paced rhythm of the city. Yet, the more we explored southern Italy—Salento in particular—the more we felt that this place offered an invaluable tranquility and harmony that was sorely lacking in our urban daily lives.

The Apulian town of Nardò, with its beautifully preserved and vibrant historic center, offers an authentic Italian lifestyle year-round. This town belongs to its warm-hearted inhabitants, who greet every visitor with genuine hospitality. Just a few minutes from the coast with its crystal-clear waters, Nardò is nestled in a landscape that changes with the seasons, yet always exudes a unique charm.

The kindness and effortless beauty of the city and its residents make it easy to feel at home here. It’s a place defined by simplicity and authenticity—and it’s exactly that charm that keeps drawing us back.

Saturday

A day in Nardò starts early, with a morning walk along the coast accompanied by the sound of waves and the scent of Mediterranean plants. A coffee at one of the cafés by the sea is the perfect way to start the day — watching the endless blue unfold in front of you in peaceful silence.

Even within the town itself, after a coffee at Café Gabbiano, you can easily let time slip by. We usually spend Saturday mornings shopping from the local vendors. In the small shops that surround the historic center, we find fresh, regional products: handmade cheeses from local dairies, fragrant fruit from nearby farms, and fresh fish from the coast. These ingredients are more than culinary delights — they reflect the deep connection between the people and the land.

Conversations with the friendly shopkeepers are part of the experience. You learn where things come from, how they’re made. It’s a rhythm of life where food is grown, bought, and shared with care and respect for nature.

For a longer excursion, we love visiting the nearby towns of Galatina and Grottaglie. Galatina is known for its artisanal products — especially the traditional Pasticciotto, a must-try sweet. In Grottaglie, small workshops continue the age-old tradition of Apulian ceramics — refined, simple, and timeless.

From there, it's not far to Ostuni, the “White City.” Don’t miss Café Burro, a charming spot that transforms from a daytime café into a magical evening venue. One of our absolute favorites.

Food & Drink – A Culinary Journey Through Salento

Mediterranean cuisine is one of the region’s greatest treasures. Nardò is full of small, thoughtful restaurants where the ingredients are local and the recipes rooted in tradition. One of our favorites is Il Cortile, a peaceful courtyard restaurant in the old town where you can enjoy regional specialties. From fresh seafood to Orecchiette, the region’s famous pasta, there’s something for every palate.

After a morning market visit, we often prefer to cook at home — simple meals made from local ingredients like sun-ripened tomatoes, handmade pasta, and fragrant olive oil. Lunch is served in the garden or on the terrace, where time slows and the beauty of the place does the rest.

The region is also ideal for aperitivi. Whether it’s on our own rooftop or at Caffè Parisi on Piazza Salandra, watching the sun set with a glass of wine has become a cherished ritual.

Sundays 

A Stroll Through Antiques Markets

Sunday mornings are reserved for the antiques markets. On the first Sunday of each month, Nardò holds its own market — always full of curiosities and vintage finds.

If you’re willing to go a bit farther, Lecce offers one of the largest antiques markets in the region, held on the last Sunday of each month. Lecce’s Baroque streets make the perfect setting for a leisurely wander — and who knows what treasure you’ll bring home?

Summer in the South – Nature, Sea & Stillness

Summer in Salento is slow and serene. In the heat of the day, a long siesta is part of the rhythm. Later, as the sun softens, we head to one of the many nearby beaches:
• Porto Selvaggio and Frascone, both untouched nature reserves
• Or Punta Prosciutto, with its beach club and relaxed atmosphere (a reservation by phone is a must)

These places are far from the tourist crowds and offer the stillness and beauty you rarely find elsewhere.

Evenings are when Nardò glows. The streets fill with people heading to dinner, cafés, and aperitivo spots. Whether seated on a piazza or tucked inside a candlelit courtyard, the night unfolds gently. The warm air, the soft lights, the voices in the square — everything invites you to linger.

Nardò Is the Perfect Choice

Nardò isn’t just a place — it’s an experience. A visit here means surrendering to a slower, more fulfilling way of life. Its authenticity, beauty, and rhythm offer a rare kind of peace. If you're looking for a genuine Mediterranean escape, Nardò offers not just a destination, but a new perspective on what it means to feel at home.

 Addresses

Caffè Gabbiano | Address: Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 18, 73048 Nardò (Lecce), Italy

Caffè Parisi | Address: Piazza Salandra, 73048 Nardò (Lecce), Italy

Café Burro (Ostuni) | Address: Corso Giuseppe Mazzini, 43, 72017 Ostuni (Brindisi), Italy
Website: www.cafeburro.it

Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone (Galatina) | Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 73013 Galatina (Lecce), Italy
Specialty: Famous for its traditional Pasticciotto and other Apulian sweets.

Stagliopanificati (Galatina) | Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 16, 73013 Galatina (Lecce), Italy
 

Restaurants

Il Cortile | Address: Via 28 Luglio, 73048 Nardò (Lecce), Italy
 

Excursions and Sightseeing

Porto Selvaggio | Nature reserve and coastal area – a popular bathing spot.

Punta Prosciuto | Address: Contrada Punta Prosciutto, 73010 Porto Cesareo (Lecce), Italy
A small beach and coastal section, ideal for a peaceful swimming experience.

Frascone Beach | A secluded beach near Nardò, renowned for its natural beauty.

Grottaglie (Ceramic Town) | Address: Grottaglie, 74023 Taranto, Italy | Website: www.grottaglie.org

Lecce Antiques Market (Last Sunday of the Month) | Address: Piazza Mazzini, 73100 Lecce (Lecce), Italy

Nardò Antiques Market (First Sunday of the Month) | Monthly antiques market held in Nardò every first Sunday of the month.
 

Cities and Towns

Ostuni (The "White City") | Address: Ostuni, 72017 Brindisi, Italy | Website: www.comune.ostuni.br.it

Lecce – “Florence of the South” | Address: Lecce, 73100 Lecce, Italy | www.comune.galatina.le.it

Stay

An accomplished product designer and founder of a successful concept store in Berlin, Anja is also the visionary behind two of Plinius’ hidden gems in the heart of Nardò.

Little Gem No. 084 | Historic Tower House

Hidden in the heart of Nardò’s historic centre, Torre Piccola is a beautifully restored 12th-century tower that rises quietly above the rooftops. Once a simple watchtower, it has been transformed into a design-forward holiday home that balances authenticity with clean, modern lines. Vaulted ceilings, original stone, and soft light meet minimalist interiors and carefully chosen pieces — creating a space that feels both serene and soulful.

Little Gem No. 086 | Nardo Rooftop

Tucked away in the quiet backstreets of Nardò’s old town, Casa Bernadetta is a light-filled hideaway designed for those who love simplicity, beauty, and a sense of space. Behind its modest façade lies a carefully restored home where clean lines, vintage touches, and natural light create an atmosphere of calm and ease.