The Adriatic coast is mainly rocky, often with high cliffs and stacks. The coastal stretch at South of Lecce up to Santa Maria di Leuca is also characterized by the presence of several splendid karst caves, reachable by sea and/or by land.
TORRE SANT’ANDREA
Set in a small rocky bay, this sandy and free beach of Melendugno paints a wild and unspoilt scenery. To the south and north of the bay, the stacks emerge from the water creating a magical atmosphere. The stretch of coast is moreover jagged, full of ravines and caves.
TORRE DELL’ORSO
In this place there is one of the largest beaches in the area, large inlets and dunes. Two big stacks, very similar to each other, emerge from the sea, in front of the beach,. They are the famous "Two Sisters", so called for their resemblance.
Near Torre dell’Orso, there is the Grotta della Poesia (Poetry marine Cave), a group of caves that winds underground, near a source of fresh water, with access from the sea and the land. In one of them, the Grotta Poesia Piccola (Little Poetry Cave), you can admire votive inscriptions, dating from the second millennium B.C. and the Roman Republican age.
OTRANTO
The Grotta dei Cervi, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe is near Porto Badisco, Otranto. This cave is known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Neolithic“.
CASTRO
Near Castro Marina you may visit the Grotta Zinzulusa (Zinzulusa cave), with stalactites and stalagmites that look like rags hanging out to dry (the "zinzuli" in Salento dialect). It’s one of the most important site of Italian coastal karstism.
The Grotta Verde (Green Cave) is located at the “Marina di Andrano” and it can be easily reached by swimming few minutes from the coast. Once inside, the show is really exciting: the sunlight pass through the many cracks on the walls of the cave, is reflected on the green and cobalt water inside and project a green light on the inner walls of the cave, offering a truly unique light and color show
LEUCA
Near Leuca, there are many wonderful caves. Among these: Grotta del Diavolo (Devil Cave), Grotta dei Giganti (Giant Cave), which owes its name to the discovery of the bone remains of pachyderms), Grotta delle 3 porte (3 Doors Cave), Grotta della Palombara, Grotta della Vora o Grotta della Cattedrale, Grotta Cazzadri, Grotta del Drago (Drake Cave), Grotta degli Innamorati o del Moriggio (Lovers Cave) and the splendid Ciolo’s Cave, one of the most famous on the Leuca Coast. Here you may dive from the bridge, climb on the rocks and also do scuba diving.
