Sant'Isidoro: Bay, Beach and Torre Sant'Isidoro

Sant'Isidoro combines a sheltered bay with a rocky coastline, a sandy beach and the historic Torre Sant'Isidoro. The small island helps shelter the bay from the wind and can also be reached by swimming.

Coast, Bay and Sea

The coast of Sant'Isidoro lies within the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area. At Sant'Isidoro, the rocky coastline gives way to fine sand in a sheltered bay. A small island off Sant'Isidoro helps protect the bay from the wind. Very white sand dunes define the beach. The sea is transparent, with crystal-clear shades of green and blue; it is fed by freshwater streams that emerge from the karst subsoil. Two aspects are important when taking in the landscape: the transition from rock to sand, and the water features linked to the karst.

Beach Visits and Conditions

The seabed at the beach slopes gently, making it suitable for children playing and for non-swimmers. This suitability depends on sea conditions, and supervision is still necessary. When visiting with children or non-swimmers, consider both points together: the gently sloping seabed, on the one hand, and sea conditions and the need for supervision, on the other.

Some parts of the beach are freely accessible, and there are also two beach establishments. Beach services may change seasonally. Before travelling, check which options are available during your stay.

Swimming and Guided Kayak Tour

A small island off Sant'Isidoro can be reached by swimming. Before swimming, assess sea conditions and local safety. A guided kayak and canoe tour starts at Torre Sant'Isidoro; it begins with an introductory course in the basic techniques of both sports. The two options differ in how you get started: you reach the island by swimming, while the guided tour first introduces you to basic kayak and canoe techniques. Before travelling, check whether the tour is available during your planned dates.

Torre Sant'Isidoro and Other Landmarks

The history of Torre Sant'Isidoro is marked by two dates: the tower was rebuilt from the ground up in 1622, and the work was completed in 1624. It stands in the municipality of Nardò, less than 50 metres from the sea and at an elevation of 3 metres. It has a line of sight to Torre Inserraglio to the south and Torre Squillace to the north. The chronology and orientation answer different questions: the dates place the rebuilding in context, while the distance, elevation and sightlines describe the tower's position on the coast.

About 2 kilometres south of Torre Sant'Isidoro lies the Palude del Capitano, visible from the road towards the coast. This adds another named landmark to the tower's sightlines.

Discover more destinations: Alliste, Trepuzzi, Lucugnano, Uggiano La Chiesa, Racale, Diso, Ruffano, Taviano.

For the broader travel overview: Lecce.