Italy for me From Italy with love
This review showcases the best hotels for a getaway in Gallipoli (Gallipoli), a beautiful town on the Ionian coast of the Salento peninsula, known as the “heel” of Italy’s “boot.”
Except for the already luxurious first option, each property sits at an equal distance from the town center and the string of beautiful Baia Verde beaches (Baia Verde). Everything lies within easy walking distance, and by bike or car the distances barely register.
For its incredible sea beauty, Italians call these places the “Italian Maldives,” and it’s hard to disagree. You could spend a week here or even a month—it never gets boring. Without any undue hype, this is a true gem of Apulia (Puglia).
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Grand Hotel Costa Brada 4*
Grand Hotel Costa Brada 4* is located within the regional nature park’s Island of Sant’Andrea (Isola Sant’Andrea) and the Punta Pizzo coastline, approximately 3.1 miles (5 km) from Gallipoli’s center.
Surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation, the complex blends contemporary Mediterranean architecture with an elegant palette of white, cream, and brown tones. The hotel offers 76 comfortable rooms across six categories—varying in layout, comfort level, and size from 183 to 301 sq ft (17 to 28 sq m), accommodating one to five guests, each with a private balcony or terrace.
Guests enjoy three restaurants serving local and international cuisine: the main Panoramico with a varied buffet, the seasonal Fico d’India offering light lunches with sea views, and the Solebrado pizzeria specializing in grilled dishes and traditional pizza, plus two excellent bars.
The grounds feature a landscaped park with secluded gazebos and a small pine grove. For young travelers, there’s a kids’ club, playground, and evening entertainment. You’ll also find an outdoor pool, a private beach reserved for guests, an exclusive beach club, and the beautifully appointed Sant’Anna beach.
Rates start at €140 per night (rates are based on two people).
Appartamento Gallipoli in Spiaggia
Appartamento Gallipoli in Spiaggia is a modern, well-maintained 722 sq ft (67 sq m) apartment in a three-story complex overlooking the expansive San Giovanni beach (San Giovanni).
Bright, air-conditioned rooms include a spacious bedroom and a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, sofa bed, and balcony. A supermarket on the ground floor—and two more just steps away—cover all grocery and essentials needs. The beach club, bars, and cafés lie within easy walking distance.
For convenient travel, rent a car in advance via auto.italy4.me (around €30 per day); free parking is available by the building. Nearby dining highlights include the Il chiosco bar for quality burgers, sandwiches, and beer, and the authentic Don Vincenzo pizzeria (Don Vincenzo)—a true slice of Naples in Apulia.
Rates total €230 for two nights.
M&F Hotel 4*
M&F Hotel is an ultra-modern 4-star hotel that creatively marries bold architectural elements with a retro-inspired design ethos.
The hotel faces the 16th-century coastal defense tower Torre San Giovanni la Pedata, just 328 ft (100 m) from Appartamento Gallipoli in Spiaggia.
The minimalist interiors unfold in a balanced neutral palette with retro accents. The varied room inventory includes eight types, from an intimate single room at 108 sq ft (10 sq m) to a two-room suite spanning 431 sq ft (40 sq m) with a kitchenette. A generous European buffet breakfast is served daily. On the rooftop, you’ll find a panoramic terrace with a bar, sun deck, and a small hydrotherapy pool.
Guests enjoy 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, and bike rentals. The friendly staff can arrange excursions and provide tourist information. The historic center (Centro Storico) offers many excellent restaurants, though in high season it’s wise to reserve a table in advance.
Rates start at €80 per night.
B&B Primafila
B&B Primafila sits just 656 ft (200 m) from San Giovanni beach and offers equal access to the relaxing Baia Verde shores and the charming historic center.
The welcoming host accommodates guests in four cozy rooms on the building’s third floor. Unusually for a B&B, the family room and suite feature a small kitchen with a dining area and a balcony overlooking the sea. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, and towel changes every other day. A fitness center, supermarket, butcher shop, and several eateries—including partner café Karim, where a hotel voucher entitles you to a traditional Italian breakfast with hot drinks and croissants—are all a minute’s walk away.
Rates start at €70 per night.
Ventidimaregallipoli
The boutique Ventidimaregallipoli occupies the second floor of a small residential building in Lido San Giovanni.
Guests can choose from four bright rooms—two standards, a superior, and a family room—ranging from 215 to 258 sq ft (20 to 24 sq m), each elegantly furnished in a minimalist style. The superior and family rooms feature furnished balconies with bay views. Your attentive hosts will be happy to share insider tips on Apulia’s attractions and serve you their homemade pastries.
Each morning, a full Italian breakfast is served at the nearby partner bar. For a refreshing change, visit the excellent Splash water park just 2.2 miles (3.5 km) away. History buffs and romantics will love wandering Gallipoli’s winding streets, dotted with flowering courtyards, varied architectural styles, and cultural monuments spanning multiple eras. You’ll find excellent restaurants, cafés, gelaterias, and local shops at every turn.
Rates start at €170 for two nights.
LE NOBILI DIMORE
The aparthotel LE NOBILI DIMORE offers two three-room apartments for summer getaways in the lovely Residence Rosa Virginia complex, just 328 ft (100 m) from San Giovanni beach.
The stylish apartments feature designer touches and bold accents in blue or yellow. Each includes two bedrooms, a dining area with a kitchenette and comfortable sofa, and a spacious veranda with garden furniture. The apartments measure 592 and 646 sq ft (55 and 60 sq m) and accommodate up to six to seven guests. In the complex’s courtyard, you’ll find a small garden and a pool with a furnished relaxation area.
Local amenities include supermarkets, bars, a pizzeria, a laundromat, and bike and scooter rentals. As you explore the Old Town, don’t miss the 17th-century Baroque Cathedral of Saint Agatha (Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata) with its stunning interior. Just 328 ft (100 m) from the cathedral, Baguetteria De Pace lets you customize fresh panini with your choice of bread, sauces, meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Rates for two nights are €290 for two guests and €360 for six guests.
Santa Marina Masseria del Salento
Santa Marina Masseria del Salento is an atmospheric aparthotel styled as a country estate, peacefully set a five-minute walk from San Giovanni beach.
Guests can choose from several bright, clean apartments—from studio layouts to two-room suites—comfortably accommodating two to four people. Each features a kitchenette and a private patio with a dining table. On the estate’s 4.9 acres (2 hectares), a Mediterranean garden showcases citrus, pomegranate, strawberry, and fig trees alongside aromatic evergreens and herbs such as myrtle, bay laurel, sage, and rosemary. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi and bike rentals.
You can sample the cuisine at nearby bars and restaurants or prepare your own meals using fresh produce from local shops.
Be sure to spend your days wandering the medieval streets and enjoying the waterfront views. Near the port, you’ll find Gallipoli’s most beautiful Baroque church—Chiesa di Santa Maria della Purita—renowned for its ornate frescoes and intricate mosaic floors.
Rates start at €430 for three nights.
Gallipoli, lido san Giovanni, 5 posti letto
Gallipoli, lido san Giovanni, 5 posti letto comprises two spacious apartments on the second floor of a small residential building, just 328 ft (100 m) from San Giovanni beach.
The apartments feature a welcoming home-style interior and are fully equipped for self-catering stays of up to five guests. You’ll find a bedroom, bathroom, bright dining area with kitchen and living space, and a balcony overlooking either the sea or the courtyard. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, beach equipment, and bike rentals. Two excellent restaurants lie a 15-minute walk away.
For dinner, I recommend the osteria and authentic eatery L’Ucceria, where you can enjoy traditional seafood dishes alongside a varied meat menu. Coffee, chocolate, and gelato lovers will adore the cozy Cioccolati Gourmet café. In the historic center, don’t miss the Frantoio Ipogeo di Palazzo Granafei museum—housed in a former olive press—that reveals the challenging conditions of traditional oil production.
Rates start at €120 for two nights.
For convenience and understanding the locations, I have plotted all the hotels from the review on a map:
If you need advice on a beach vacation in Gallipoli, I’ll be happy to answer your questions in the comments.