Overtourism in Puglia: how to avoid it?

Italy, with its rich history, culture and breathtaking landscapes is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, the massive influx of visitors has led to phenomena of overtourism, with serious consequences for local communities, the environment and cultural heritage.
Overtourism, or tourist overcrowding, is a growing problem in many large Italian cities such as Venice, Florence and Rome. The excessive presence of tourists creates pressure on infrastructure, natural resources and public spaces, deteriorating the quality of life of residents but also the experience of visitors themselves. Consequences include rising property prices, loss of cultural identity and environmental degradation. The problem also affects Puglia which has become one of the most crowded regions, especially during the summer season, pushing tourists to look for alternative solutions.
Puglia, with its splendid beaches, historic villages and excellent gastronomy, has seen a notable increase in tourism in recent years. Locations such as Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto have become very popular destinations, contributing to a significant increase in tourist traffic and, in some periods of the year, they are literally overrun by tourists. This has resulted in similar problems to those found in Venice and Florence: congestion, pollution, pressure on local ecosystems and sometimes loss of cultural identity. In some periods of the year, the unfortunate tourists who have decided to stay in these crowded places even find it difficult to walk through the streets due to the amount of people present. Not to mention the “standard and all the same” shops, the noticeably higher prices, the difficulties in finding a parking space or the time wasted in endless queues for whatever activity you decide to do. In short, the holiday, which should represent a moment of relaxation and pleasure, risks becoming an unpleasant experience or even a kind of “torture”.

But fortunately, Puglia also offers a solution to the problem: the villages of Salento. To cope with overtourism and promote more sustainable tourism, many tourists have discovered, and are starting to explore, lesser-known destinations, such as small villages. These small towns offer a quiet but authentic alternative to busier destinations, allowing visitors to discover the true heart of Puglia. Villages such as Specchia, Presicce, Alessano, Ruffano and Matino are truly wonderful and boast a unique historical and cultural heritage, with picturesque streets, traditional architecture and a warm welcome from the inhabitants. In short, they have nothing to envy of the better-known Gallipoli and Otranto, but they have a huge advantage: tranquility.
The choice to visit or stay in these villages of Salento not only relieves the pressure on the most popular destinations, but, in fact, also offers numerous other advantages.
First of all, distributing the tourist flow over a larger area reduces the environmental impact and better preserves natural resources. Furthermore, tourism in small villages can stimulate the local economy, creating job opportunities and supporting local family businesses, rather than the large international tourist groups present in the more well-known tourist destinations.
But above all, exploring lesser-known destinations such as the villages of Salento improves the tourist experience. In fact, there are considerable advantages for the tourist who can thus live authentic experiences, away from the crowd, discovering traditions, local festivals and truly genuine local cuisine. Without the risk of running into the classic “tourist traps” or artificial cheap restaurants/experiences offered to tourists who frequent the most famous locations. In the small villages everything is more authentic and you can still perceive the true Salento atmosphere which has been almost irremediably lost in the large tourist cities.

For heaven’s sake, Alberobello, Otranto and Gallipoli are beautiful and undoubtedly worth a visit. But, after spending time in these cities, do you want to have the pleasure of returning to your hotel, away from the chaos in an authentic village in Salento without parking difficulties and enjoying relaxation in absolute silence?
Alessano, a small village equidistant from the Ionian and Adriatic seas, presents all these qualities. Tourists can find their refuge of serenity in Corte Manfredi, a home where guests can stay in tranquility, to be used as a base camp to explore not only Gallipoli or Otranto but also other small villages (Presicce, Specchia, Ruffano) and discover the wonderful Salento sea. Knowing that upon their return, after the chaos, they will find only peace and silence waiting for them.
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