Family Fun in Lecce: Exploring the Aquarium, Beaches, and Family-Friendly Adventures at Santa Maria al Bagno
Planning a day trip from Lecce, Italy, can offer a unique blend of marine education, beach relaxation, and a taste of local culture. Here are two suggested itineraries that combine a visit to the Acquario del Salento with beach experiences:
## Day Trip 1: Acquario del Salento and Porto Selvaggio
Start your day by visiting the Acquario del Salento, a living museum dedicated to marine education and conservation. This aquarium, located in Santa Maria al Bagno, is home to diverse marine life and is run by a team of marine biologists and researchers. Spend a few hours exploring the interactive exhibits and guided tours, gaining insights into each species' role in the marine ecosystem.
After a morning filled with marine life discovery, head to the Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio. This park offers stunning natural scenery, including wild beaches and pine forests. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
## Day Trip 2: Acquario del Salento and Torre dell'Orso
Following the same pattern, begin your day with a visit to the Acquario del Salento. The aquarium houses seventeen tanks showcasing various marine life, from coastal shallows to submerged caves. After immersing yourself in the underwater world, head to Torre dell'Orso, a beautiful seaside town near Lecce.
Torre dell'Orso offers white sandy beaches and clear waters, making it perfect for a beach experience. Spend your afternoon soaking up the sun, swimming in the sea, or even snorkeling around the rocky edges of the beach to spot schools of tiny fish and occasional octopuses.
## Tips for Your Day Trip
- Rent a car to easily travel between locations. - Plan your day to allow sufficient time at each location, especially if you want to enjoy both the aquarium and the beach without feeling rushed. - Check the weather forecast before heading out to ensure a pleasant day.
Both of these day trips offer a great combination of marine life insight and beach relaxation, making them ideal excursions from Lecce.
As the day comes to an end, make sure to savour a pasticciotto, Lecce's famous custard-filled pastry, before dinner. Dinner options in Lecce include cozy trattorias offering hearty orecchiette with cime di rapa or simple, perfect pizza bianca.
In the evening, Lecce transforms into something magical, with golden streetlights illuminating intricate baroque facades and the city humming with evening life. The village atmosphere of Santa Maria al Bagno is low-key and authentic, with local children diving from rocks, old fishermen mending nets, and families enjoying gelato along the promenade.
The Acquario del Salento's mission is to support the future of Salento's natural heritage through marine conservation efforts. Many of the animals at the aquarium are rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild, as part of an effort to protect Salento's marine ecosystems.
By mid-afternoon, it's time to gather the family and head back towards Lecce, with the children often falling asleep due to the day's adventure. The drive from Lecce to Santa Maria al Bagno is scenic, winding through olive groves, ancient stone walls, and sleepy villages.
The Museo dei Bambini in Lecce is an inviting space designed to spark creativity and curiosity in young visitors, with exhibits encouraging climbing, building, imagining, and experimenting. This makes it an excellent choice for a family-friendly activity during your stay in Lecce.
Whether you choose Day Trip 1 or Day Trip 2, a morning spent at the Acquario del Salento and a leisurely lunch at Ristorante La Pergola captures the essence of southern Italy: natural beauty, slow living, and the quiet joy of discovery.
- After spending a morning at the Acquario del Salento, spend your afternoon in Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio, where you can find beautiful beaches and pine forests.
- The region of Puglia, particularly Lecce, is famous for its pasticciotto, a custard-filled pastry, and cozy trattorias offering orecchiette with cime di rapa or pizza bianca.
- As evening falls, Lecce transforms with golden streetlights, baroque facades, and a lively atmosphere, creating a magical atmosphere to end your day.
- The village of Santa Maria al Bagno, near the Acquario del Salente, has a low-key and authentic ambiance with local children, old fishermen, and families enjoying gelato along the promenade.
- The Acquario del Salento supports the future of Salento's natural heritage through marine conservation efforts, with many animals being rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild.
- On your way back to Lecce, visit the Museo dei Bambini, an engaging and interactive museum designed for children to spark creativity and curiosity.
