Masseria Uccio

Overview

Tucked away in the countryside of southern Puglia, Masseria Uccio is a charming agriturismo B&B set within a beautifully restored historic masseria. Surrounded by olive groves and orchards in the Natural Park of Otranto–Santa Maria di Leuca, it offers a wonderfully peaceful base for exploring the Salento region.

Mornings begin with a wholesome breakfast of fresh local produce, served in the dining room or on the shaded loggia. From there, spend your days visiting the beautiful beaches of Salento or exploring the many charming Puglian towns nearby.

The Owners

Masseria Uccio is run by Francesco and his wife Paola, who returned from Milan to lovingly restore his family’s old farm. They’ve created a relaxed and authentic retreat centred around a traditional courtyard, with a simple, understated style- think whitewashed walls, tiled floors, and sturdy wooden furniture that reflect the character of the historic building.

Each morning they prepare a wonderful breakfast of fresh local produce, and when you arrive Francesco is happy to sit down with a map and share his favourite recommendations for exploring the Salento region.

Why we love it

The Location
You’re close to beautiful historic Puglian towns, incredible swim spots along the coast, and yet the masseria itself feels wonderfully peaceful, surrounded by olive groves and countryside.

Refreshingly Untouristy
One of the things we loved most about staying here was how local it felt. This part of Puglia is far less touristy than other parts of Italy, so you’re much more likely to be sharing restaurants and beaches with locals rather than crowds of visitors.

The Food
The food in this region is honestly some of the best we’ve had in Italy and that’s saying something. Every meal felt special, from simple plates of handmade pasta to incredible seafood, and of course Francesco and Paola's tasty breakfasts. It’s the kind of place where you’re constantly thinking about what you’re going to eat next.

The Setting

Masseria Uccio sits in the peaceful countryside just outside the historic town of Tricase, surrounded by olive groves, prickly pear cacti, and the red earth typical of southern Salento. Set within the Otranto–Santa Maria di Leuca Coastal Natural Park, the landscape here feels wonderfully wild and unspoilt.

The Adriatic coast is just a short drive away, with crystal-clear swimming spots and small rocky coves. It’s also a great base for exploring the wider region, with Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gallipoli and the beautiful baroque city of Lecce all within easy reach.

The details that matter

- Great night's sleep
- Tasty breakfast
- Salento's beaches and historic towns nearby
- Beautiful relaxed setting
- Parking

Food & Drink

Breakfast at the masseria is seriously delicious. Each morning a spread of fresh local produce is served in the courtyard- think crusty breads, local cheeses, fruit, yoghurt, pastries, and homemade cakes (with a different “cake of the day” to look forward to). Tomatoes, figs, plums and pears often come straight from the garden, making it the perfect slow start to the day.

For lunch or dinner, the nearby town of Tricase has plenty of great restaurant options. Two favourites are Locanda del Levante and Taverna del Porto, both known for excellent classic Puglian cuisine and relaxed atmospheres. For drinks, Farmacia Balboa is a brilliant cocktail bar. We’ve shared more of our favourite spots in the Our Notes section, and Francesco and Paola are always happy to recommend theirs too.

Food in Puglia is famously simple and delicious, built around incredible local produce and traditional recipes. Expect handmade orecchiette pasta, creamy burrata cheese, tomato-topped focaccia barese, and plenty of seafood thanks to the long Adriatic coastline. Many dishes follow the region’s cucina povera tradition- simple ingredients transformed into delicious meals packed with flavour.

In short: come hungry. This is one of the best places in Italy to eat.

Our Notes (tips)

Hire a Car:
We’d definitely recommend hiring a car to explore the Salento region- it's not expensive in Puglia and gives you the freedom to see so much more. At the start of your stay, Francesco will sit down with you and mark must-see spots on a map. Use that (and of course our recommendations) as your guide.

Make the Most of Breakfast:
Don’t rush breakfast. It’s an incredible traditional Puglian spread served in the courtyard, with fresh local produce, pastries and homemade cakes. It’s the ideal way to start the day before heading out exploring.

Explore Tricase:
The historic centre of Tricase is about a 15-minute walk from the masseria and has plenty of great bars and restaurants. Start with a pre-dinner cocktail at Farmacia Balboa, then head to Locanda del Levante, our favourite restaurant in town. The food is classic Puglian and the atmosphere relaxed- cosy indoor rooms with ancient fireplaces in winter, or tables out in the pretty Piazza Dell’Abate during summer evenings. The spaghetti Cavalieri with red prawns from nearby Gallipoli was exceptional.

A short drive away is Tricase Porto, the town’s small marina. It’s well worth visiting for lunch at Taverna del Porto, one of the best fish restaurants in the region. The restaurant has a lovely story: fisherman Vituccio Coppola left life at sea to open it, passing it down to his son Mario and now nephew Alessandro. Each morning at dawn Mario still walks across the road to the sea to source the day’s catch, resulting in some of the best seafood spaghetti we’ve ever had.

Slow Evenings at the Masseria:
The setting at the masseria is wonderfully peaceful, so make sure you spend time enjoying it too. Read a book in the courtyard or wander out among the olive groves behind the property. One of our favourite evenings was driving into town for takeaway pizza from Pizzeria La Cistareddha, grabbing a bottle of wine, and watching the sunset over the fields.

Day Trip to Lecce:
Lecce is one of our favourite cities in Italy and absolutely worth a day trip. Known as the “Florence of the South”, it’s full of ornate baroque architecture and a brilliant food scene. Spend time wandering the piazzas, Piazza del Duomo and Piazzetta Santa Chiara, and peek inside the city’s magnificent churches. The Roman Theatre is also worth a visit.

For a classic local treat, head to Syrbar and try a Caffè Leccese (espresso with almond syrup and ice). If cocktails are more your thing, Quanto Basta is a great spot. Our favourite restaurant was Pietrabianca Vino e Cucina, where we had a perfect lunch in the sunshine- fresh pasta, a spritz, and of course a Caffè Leccese to finish. Before leaving, browse some of the lovely independent shops- Nel Salento l’arte di creare is a little gem.

Swim Spots & Coastal Towns:
There are some beautiful places to swim along this stretch of coastline. Our favourites include Marina Serra, where you can bring a picnic and swim in the natural rock pools, and Cala dell’Acquaviva near Marina di Marittima- a small cove with crystal-clear water and a relaxed beach bar.

Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost tip of Puglia where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, is also worth a visit. You can rent sunbeds at some of the seafront restaurants and enjoy an easy lunch and a dip in the sea.

A little further afield, Gallipoli is another fantastic day trip. The historic old town sits on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge and is a maze of narrow streets, baroque churches and sea views at every turn. It’s a brilliant spot for wandering and long seafood lunches by the water.

More Puglia Inspiration:
If you’re planning to explore further, take a look at our Puglia itinerary for more ideas on what to see in this beautiful region.