Gallipoli's old town, a city on a limestone island in the Ionian.

Gallipoli is on the Ionian coast of the Salento, about 40 km from Lecce, three-quarters of an hour by car. Its old town occupies a limestone island joined to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge. Inside are white alleys, courtyards, Baroque churches and, all round, the wall with the sea at its feet. It is a free, flat walk that needs no booking.

The route

The Greek Fountain. Start on the mainland, beside the bridge. The fountain has mythological bas-reliefs; for a long time it was believed to date from the 3rd century BC, but it is from the 16th century.

The castle. Cross the bridge: the Angevin-Aragonese castle closes the entrance to the island. Its origin is 13th-century and the Angevins and Aragonese rebuilt almost all of it. Beside it is the harbour, with the fishing boats.

Sant'Agata cathedral. Go up the main street to the centre of the island. The cathedral is Baroque, from the 17th century, with a richly worked local stone facade. Inside, the high altar in coloured marbles is by Cosimo Fanzago.

La Purità. Continue to the end of the island along the wall walk, the Riviera, with the Ionian beside you. You reach the church of Santa Maria della Purità, from 1661, with a canvas by Luca Giordano on the altar. Just below, at the foot of the wall, is Purità beach, a small sandy beach within the city.

Back along the wall. Complete the ring along the Riviera to the castle. At sunset, the sun sets over the sea from this side of the island.

When to go and how to get there

It can be done all year. In July and August, the old town and the beach clubs fill up at midday: go early or from six in the evening. Gallipoli has a train from Lecce run by Ferrovie del Sud Est. By car, park in the new part, before the bridge, and cross on foot. If you stay on the island, as at the Palazzo Mosco Inn, ask the hotel how to leave the car.

With children and with a dog

It is a flat, short walk: with a pushchair it is possible, though some alleys are narrow. Purità beach is the reward at the end. With a dog, on a lead in the streets; for churches and the beach, ask first.