On your doorstep

Lecce may be the Queen of Salento, but Nardo is its equally beautiful little sister.

Piazza Salandra, the vibrant heart of this charming old town, is considered one of the most picturesque piazzas in Puglia and is just a few steps from Nardo House. It is surrounded by numerous places to enjoy coffee, brunch, ice cream, aperitivo, or dinner. You can simply park yourself on one of the benches in the square, just like the locals do; this is the perfect spot to watch the world go by. Try a Salento signature warm brioche ice cream sandwich for breakfast, or sip a perfect Negroni at sundown. Nardo has a rich history of religious houses, some of which are still in operation today. With the nearby cathedral and the numerous beautiful, well-kept churches, architectural gems abound.

Culinary delights await you in local trattorias, as well as through many local kitchen take-away outlets and fresh pasta or salumeria shops. Each morning, you’ll find armfuls of seasonal produce piled high at the street market stalls, alongside fresh local seafood often sold by family-run shops that caught it earlier that day.

A walk around the ring road that follows the old city walls surrounding the historic centre takes at most a brisk 30 minutes; that’s if you can resist stopping for a coffee or aperitivo at one of the many cafes along the way. Be sure to look for the artisan dairy shop in the city wall near the castle, or the Gabbiano cafe, which sits on a famously sunny corner, or Cafe Mari (just around the corner from Gabbiano) for a delicious home-cooked lunch. An insider’s guide in your room provides you with all the hidden gems and recommendations for easy dining and cultural treasures within walking distance of your front door.