Palazzo Presta
Eclectic globetrotter's bolthole — every room is its own destination. Think bold color, antique finds, original Salento brick ceilings, and a personality that punches well above its size.
Book a sea-view table at Terrazza Presta for sunset — request in advance, especially on weekends
Why It Matters
Michelin Guide selected, Tablet Hotels member, Mr & Mrs Smith partner. One of the very few properties in Gallipoli's historic center with a private guest pool. Named for Giovanni Presta, an 18th-century Enlightenment doctor and olive classification scholar — the building carries actual history, not just aesthetic nostalgia. The interior designer, Alessandro Cesario, also created Aethos Milan.
A 17th-century palazzo in the tight-knit alleyways of Gallipoli's walled old town — itself a small island off Puglia's Ionian coast. Palazzo Presta has just 10 rooms, each channeling a different corner of the world: Morocco, Japan, the Silk Road, the Americas. It's more of a globetrotter's cabinet of curiosities than a standard southern Italian hotel, which is exactly the point. The restoration in 2018 kept original star-vaulted ceilings and historic stonework intact, then layered in antique furniture, bold color, and objects the owners picked up traveling.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Cozy Room
The most compact option in the palazzo — from 15 sqm, intimate and thoughtfully designed. King-size or twin beds, private bathroom with shower, minibar, and all the usual in-room details. No balcony. The trade-off for tighter quarters is the same Salento character and quality linens as the larger rooms.
King or Twin · 15 sqm
Deluxe Room
18 sqm rooms, most with a private balcony. Each one is themed around a different destination — Nosy Be (Madagascar), Souk (Middle East), and others — with antique furnishings, bold color, and original Salento architectural details. Some include the original star-vaulted brick ceilings. Rain-head shower bathrooms.
King or Twin · 18 sqmJunior Suite
At 35 sqm and sleeping up to 4 adults, these are the flagship rooms. Most have a private terrace. Named suites include Marrakech (rich red interiors, Juliet balcony), El Fenn, and others along the same globetrotter theme. Antique furnishings throughout. Spacious bathrooms with rain-head showers. These are what the hotel is known for.
King or Twin · 35 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Bicycle tours exploring Salento's historic centers, baroque facades, and ancient trails. Bike rental also available independently.
Hotel-arranged boat excursions along the Ionian coastline, exploring unspoiled coves and sea caves. Boat tours to Santa Maria di Leuca (where Ionian meets Adriatic) also available on request.
Learn traditional Salento recipes and techniques directly from Palazzo Presta's chef. Covers local dishes and the culinary heritage of the peninsula.
The old town is a ZTL restricted zone. The hotel arranges golf buggy pickup from the port car park 250 meters away. Book through the hotel ahead of arrival.
The bar hidden behind the Libreria del Mare bookshop doubles as a private cinema. Reservation required.
Hotel-arranged visits to local Salento wineries with tastings. The negromaro grape is native to this area — wineries around Alezio are a highlight.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Property is equipped with an elevator.
Rooms and dedicated spaces for meetings, workshops, or presentations. Personalized setups and catering available on request.
An on-site library dedicated to Mediterranean culture, travel, and maritime tradition. A quiet space to read and relax. Doubles as the entrance to the secret bar.
Available for breakfast (8am–10.30am) and dinner and drinks (7pm–11pm).
Destination manager on hand to recommend local activities, restaurants, and arrange experiences and transfers.
Provided on request (noted as a direct booking advantage).
Small dogs welcome on request. Supplement of €15 per day applies.
Private pool for hotel guests with a solarium area. Open 8am–6pm. One of very few properties in Gallipoli's historic center with an in-house pool.
Private transfers from Gallipoli train station from €15 each way. Brindisi and Bari airports also served on request.
BUILD YOUR PALAZZO PRESTA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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