Porto Selvaggio
Nardò, Italy
A protected Ionian bay with a pine wood, a cold freshwater spring in the sea and a coastal watchtower. It is reached on foot by a path of about 15 minutes from the car parks on the coast road.
The Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio e Palude del Capitano in the municipality of Nardò exists in this form since 2006, while the protected area itself dates back to 1980. It covers about 1,100 hectares. Aleppo pines, holm oaks and maquis grow here, along with the Palude del Capitano, a protected wetland for migrating birds. The coast is about 7 km long and mostly rocky; Torre Uluzzo lies to the north and Torre dell’Alto to the south. In the Baia di Uluzzo is the Grotta del Cavallo, with finds of Homo sapiens about 45,000 years old.
To reach the bay of pebbles and rock, you take an easy path of 15 to 20 minutes through the pine wood. The water is cool because freshwater springs flow into the sea. There are no beach restaurants, only a mobile kiosk; water shoes are recommended. Cars are not allowed into the park, and paid parking is outside it. Allow half a day.
- Nearest town
- Nardò, Italy
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 40.1480, 17.9690
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Village La Vecchia TorreCampsite8 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- La Masseria CampingCampsite9 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowed
- AgriCampeggio & Glamping Torre SabeaCampsite9 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Baia di Gallipoli Camping ResortCampsite17 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterDogs allowed
- Porto cesareo CampingCampsite20 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Torre CastiglioneCampsite20 km from Porto SelvaggioTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Porto Selvaggio?
Porto Selvaggio is in Nardò, Italy, at GPS 40.1480, 17.9690. It is about 10 km from Gallipoli.
Can you camp near Porto Selvaggio?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is La Sosta, about 7 km away; within 25 km there are 14 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Porto Selvaggio?
Porto Selvaggio is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Salento: sea pools and cliffs between two seas.
What is there to see near Porto Selvaggio?
Places worth a stop nearby: Basilica di Santa Croce (29 km), Torre dell'Orso (41 km), Grotta della Poesia (42 km) and Otranto bauxite quarry (45 km).
When is the best time to visit Porto Selvaggio?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)