Experience the wilder side of Salento on a night hike through Porto Badisco, where limestone cliffs, ancient paths and the Adriatic Sea create an unforgettable landscape after sunset.

Meet your local environmental guide in Porto Badisco and begin with a short safety briefing before walking down towards the bay. Discover the small freshwater spring that flows close to the sea, then continue through the canyon and along a landscape shaped by ancient geological processes. The route passes fossil-rich rock formations and the remains of an ancient coral reef, offering an open-air journey through the natural history of the Salento coast.

As darkness falls, follow the Sentiero di Sant’Emiliano, a coastal trail surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, rocky cliffs and wide sea views. Learn about the archaeological importance of the area around the Grotta dei Cervi, one of Europe’s most important prehistoric cave sites. The cave itself is not open to visitors, but the guide will explain its history, its Neolithic paintings and the human presence that once inhabited this landscape.

Continue towards the panoramic area near Torre Sant’Emiliano, a 16th-century coastal watchtower overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the Valle dei Cervi. Pause to enjoy the silence of the coast and, when sky conditions allow, take part in a simple astronomy experience. Learn how to identify major constellations, find the North Star and observe the night sky away from the lights of the towns.

The hike ends with a return walk to Porto Badisco through the natural trails of the coastal park.