Porto Cesareo: Coast, Nature and Culture

As a destination, Porto Cesareo brings together coastal protection, marine nature and cultural sites. When planning a hotel stay, you can focus on the topics that interest you most: marine habitats, the island beach, water activities or archaeology. The topics range from the underwater world to archaeological traces and a natural history museum.

Coast and protected habitats

The Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area covers 16,654 hectares and 32 kilometres of coastline, stretching along the coasts of Porto Cesareo and Nardò. Its ecologically valuable underwater habitats in need of protection include Posidonia oceanica seagrass, coral formations and submerged caves.

Another protected area is the Palude del Conte e Duna Costiera - Porto Cesareo Regional Nature Reserve. It stretches along the coastal area of the municipality of the same name and covers almost 900 hectares.

Island beach and water activities

Isola dei Conigli especially attracts visitors with its white beach, crystal-clear water and beautiful seabed. At low tide, Isola dei Conigli can also be reached on foot; access depends on the tides and sea conditions.

Guided activities in the Porto Cesareo Underwater and Coastal Park are led by archaeologists from the Department of Cultural Heritage at the University of Salento. The weekly activity programme for 2026 includes kayak and SUP excursions. The 2026 activity calendar also lists a walk through the archaeological area of Torre Chianca, characterised by a coastal tower and traces of a past dating back to the Roman era. Coastal caves in the Marine Protected Area can be visited on boat excursions.

The options differ in focus: kayaking and SUP, as well as boat excursions, offer water-based activities, while the walk explores the archaeological character of Torre Chianca. Dates and availability for the park activities in the 2026 programme may change; times and providers for boat excursions may also vary. Check the latest information for your travel dates.

Marine biology and archaeology

The “Parenzan” Marine Biology Museum displays 900 exhibits, including fish, turtles, birds and mammals. The number may change as collections are updated. Educational exhibitions also cover shellfish farming, fouling and the formation of Posidonia balls of seagrass debris. For visitors interested in marine biology, the exhibits range from animal groups to topics relating to the marine environment.

Scalo di Furno can be reached by car, on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The archaeological site contains the remains of a sanctuary dedicated to Thalna, the Messapian goddess of childbirth. Another archaeological point of interest is Torre Chianca, where a coastal tower and traces of a past dating back to the Roman era take centre stage.

An annual festival date

The Festa di Santa Cesarèa takes place in Porto Cesareo every year from 21 to 24 August. The programme may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around this period, check the dates and programme for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Sternatia, Surano, Marina Di Mancaversa, Marina Di Ugento, Alessano, Corsano, Morciano Di Leuca, Lizzanello

For the broader travel overview: Lecce.