There is a panoramic spot that moves you every time: it is the Punta Meliso viewpoint. There, where the two seas divide, stand the white 19th-century lighthouse and the Basilica of the Madonna de Finibus Terrae, which a stairway connects to the old port and runs alongside the Monumental Waterfall; the terminal work of the Apulian Aqueduct. From there, the view embraces Leuca as far as Punta Ristola and beyond, with the seafront enriched by eclectic late 19th-century villas, the tourist harbor, the low cliff, the Torre dell’Omomorto, and then the rocky coast with countless caves, to be visited by boat.
SEA SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA
All the caves along the cliff between Santa Maria di Novaglie and Santa Maria di Leuca are different: some are crossed by freshwater springs, others are rich in artifacts, hard to access from land, many submerged and reachable by swimming or by boat.
THE CAVES OF SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA
GROTTA AZZURRA: named for the light effects that make the sea water color particularly vivid with cobalt reflections;
GROTTA DEL DIAVOLO: dark and narrow;
DI PORTO VECCHIO and the subsequent CIPOLLIANE complex with Paleolithic artifacts;
GROTTA GRANDE: of Ciolo with an imposing entrance and its blue pond;
GROTTE DELLE MANNUTE: a complex of interconnected caves;
DELLA VORA OR DELLA CATHEDRAL: tall with a light opening;
PUNTA MELISO AND GROTTE CAZZAFRI: have a huge vault rich in stalactites;
PUNTA RISTOLA: the extreme point of Italian territory and also the landing point for those arriving from the sea;
GROTTA PORCINARA: also reachable from land with Greek and Latin inscriptions;
GROTTA DEL DIAVOLO: rich in Neolithic artifacts;
TRE PORTE: with arches and a chamber with stalactites and stalagmites;
GROTTA DEI GIGANTI: where remains of pachyderms, Byzantine shards, and bronze coins were found;
GROTTA DELLA STALLA: cavity with limestone sculptures, exceptionally beautiful and multicolored stalactites. They seem to reproduce nativity scene characters;
GROTTA DEL DRAGO: where you can admire a green rock resembling a huge crocodile.
FOR BOOKINGS OF CAVE EXCURSIONS OR BOAT RENTALS IN SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA
Classic or fully customizable excursions.
Prices to be agreed upon.
Departures, duration, and itineraries of excursions may vary due to weather and sea conditions.
Discover the other excursions available on the Piccola Nautica website and book now.
