The famous Brindisi saying from the Salento dialect is: “Salentu, lu sule, lu mare, lu ientu”. That means: Salento, the sun, the sea, the wind. To optimally enjoy a day at the beach, choosing the sea based on the current wind direction is an important, much-discussed factor among locals, especially around days off and the summer holidays. Because that simply determines whether the sea is calm and crystal clear, or whether there are waves and drifting sand.
And those lucky Salento people have some options, because the Salento has two seas at its disposal: the Adriatic (in the east, Brindisi side) and the Ionian (in the west, Mediterranean side). Loving the sea means knowing the wind that moves it, even the Romans had a quote for that "we cannot direct the wind, but we can go to the sea"
What does this folk wisdom mean for you if you want to plan a beach day during your visit to the Salento?
Below an overview:
South wind
These are hot and humid winds coming from south-east or south-west, called Scirocco and Libeccio. South winds mean that the eastern beaches on the Adriatic Sea north of Otranto are the best choice, including Brindisi. The Ionic sea waters will be less quit.
Torre Guaceto Brindisi area
Area north of Otranto
North Wind
These are fresh and sparkling winds called Tramontana and Grecale, coming form the straight north or north-east. When the Tramontana blows, the south-east Adriatic coast will be nice between Otranto and Leuca. The Ionian Sea on the south-west side will certainly be calm when the Grecale blows. The famous beaches of Gallipoli, Torre San Giovanni and the Maldives of Salento are recommended then.
The Adriatic Sea can vary in appearance depending on the location. If you like wind, sailing and kite surfing, the coast north of Otranto is interesting, such as the beautiful Frassanito.
Tricase porto area (Tramontana)
Maldive del Salento area (Grecale)
East wind
East wind also occurs sometimes, it is called Levante. Then the Ionian Sea north of Gallipoli is the calmest sea, and here you should not miss a visit to Torre Lapillo: one of the most beautiful and white beaches of Salento, Torre Lapillo extends from Punta Prosciutto to Porto Cesareo, with clear, crystalline waters and long coastlines with beautiful sand.
The westerly wind, called Ponente, is generally little taken into account. That is generally no more than a moderate breeze. In the Adriatic area it is said that this wind "blows from the land", because it is a wind that crosses the hinterland to blow slowly towards the sea.
Torre Lapillo area
Pulsano area