Península salentina, Peninsula in Apulia region, Italy

The Salento Peninsula is a sub-peninsula of the Italian Peninsula in southeastern Italy, covering between 5,329 and 5,856 km² depending on the administrative limits considered. It runs roughly 100 to 150 km north to south and narrows to 30–40 km between the Gulf of Taranto and the Adriatic Sea. Its southern tip is Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, at the narrowest point of the Otranto Channel.

The Salento peninsula was settled by the Messapians in ancient times, and Greek colonists later founded coastal settlements along its shores. The peninsula belonged to Apulia, and its southern tip is Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, at the narrowest point of the Otranto Channel. Its cities include Taranto, Lecce, Manduria, Nardò, Mesagne, Francavilla Fontana and Otranto.

The local food reflects Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences that visitors can taste in traditional dishes tied to fishing and farming. These recipes reveal how centuries of cultural exchange shaped daily eating habits and family gatherings throughout the region.

This area is best explored by car, as regional roads connect the various towns and coastal sections throughout the peninsula. The airports in Brindisi and Bari provide international connections, making it easy to reach the main gateway city.

The peninsula's southern tip is Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Otranto Channel narrows to its tightest point. The peninsula spans roughly 5,329 to 5,856 km² depending on which administrative boundaries are counted, and runs about 100 to 150 km from north to south. At its narrowest it measures only 30 to 40 km between the Gulf of Taranto and the Adriatic.