4 Beaches of Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo
Spiaggia del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: Just imagine a blue sky, that light summer breeze that blows gently caressing our dreams, summer, the sun tingling just enough to colour most of our bodies, a crystal clear blue sea and a stretch of coastline that for a moment you think you are in the Grand Canyon... wake up, you are in Salento, welcome to Ciolo. We are in the deep south of Apulia, where the land ends, finibus terrae as the Latins called it, where the Ionian Sea embraces the Adriatic Sea and where the coastline takes on that bizarre and capricious appearance of high cliffs that drop sheer to the sea, dotted with sea caves and hidden inlets to be discovered and visited. This area seems to be the perfect copy of a nature that has proved its greatness and mastery in designing a landscape of such beauty. Ciolo is a seaside resort located between Santa Maria di Leuca and Marina di Novaglie in the province of Lecce, famous above all because of a bridge that connects a cliff and from which one can admire a marvellous picture-postcard landscape. The Spiaggia del Ciolo is easily reached by parking the car near the bridge and continuing on foot through an evocative pathway along a flight of steps between steep paths and vertical rocks that accompany us with a beautiful glimpse almost as if to seal a perfect fusion between man and nature. The Spiaggia del Ciolo (Ciolo Beach) is not a real beach as one might well imagine, in reality it is a stretch of pebbly shoreline set between high rocky walls and with a sea so cool and transparent that it is a unique pleasure to bathe during the sultry days of a Salento summer. This is a corner of paradise, the place is frequented mainly by intrepid young thrill-seekers who decide to dive from the most prohibitive spots; the sea bed is ideal for snorkelling and discovering fascinating marine fauna, but also just for a healthy swim. To be really nitpicky and find a small flaw in this beautiful place, perhaps the short hours of sunshine given the position in which it is located, almost swallowed up inside this characteristic cliff. Perhaps take advantage of the early hours of the morning for a proper tan and then continue the rest of the day with other activities. So many words are always spent describing the Salento and its beautiful coastline, but experiencing it in person and making those unique emotions your own is something else... welcome to the Spiaggia del Ciolo and have a great holiday.
Ponte del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: The Ciolo Bridge is located in the municipality of Gagliano del Capo and can be reached by travelling along the stretch of coastline that joins Santa Maria di Leuca to Marina di Novaglie; in practice, we are talking about that strip of land that the Latins called Finibus Terrae, i.e., the point where the land ended. Since 2006, Ciolo has become part of the Regional Natural Park Costa di Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca - Bosco di Tricase, as well as being known as an archaeological site due to the presence of numerous caves, a typical feature of this jagged coastline. The name Ciolo derives from the local dialect and refers to magpies or crows. Apart from this, over the years this place has become a popular destination for many young tourists in search of a thrill precisely because of the height of the bridge from which they decide to dive into the blue waters below, although, it must be said, it remains a practice to be forbidden because of its high danger coefficient. Nonetheless, the Ciolo Bridge remains a spectacle of nature. Built in the 1960s precisely to link the Leuca marina with that of Novaglie, today the bridge is to all intents and purposes a respectable tourist destination, well embedded in the marvellous landscape that this land offers. A further and no less important highlight, however, besides the bridge"s suggestive height, is the area below it; in addition to the crystal-clear blue sea, this area is also known as the Canyon of Salento because of its characteristic coastline made up of rocky ridges, impervious rocks and the presence of numerous caves. Here one can admire the whims of nature by following an ancient path of the local fishermen who used to move from the centre of the town to reach the small beach. Along this stretch, where various excursions are now organised for trekking enthusiasts, the vegetation opens wildly before our eyes in a mixture of Mediterranean scrub with the presence of myrtle, lentisk, the Leuca carnation and other species typical of native vegetation. The place as a whole remains a marvel of nature, so if you come to the Salento, don"t forget to make a fixed stop at Ponte del Ciolo, the spectacle is guaranteed.
Grotta Grande del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: Grotta Grande del Ciolo, or Bocca di Pozzo as it is called by the locals, is a splendid example of a natural cave located a few hundred metres from the Ciolo bay. We are only a few kilometres from Santa Maria di Leuca, and this stretch of coastline is characterised by high cliffs and broad reefs ending in sheer drops directly into the sea. Due to its characteristic geological conformation, this stretch of coastline is rich in countless large and small caves, all worthy of a visit. The Grotta Grande del Ciolo, easily visible because of its entrance almost like a big mouth, overlooks the blue waters of a beautiful sea and can be visited inside, all you need is a mask and flippers and a few strokes to reach it. Inside, the Grotta Grande del Ciolo guards a marvellous lake with beautiful plays of light; the entrance to the cave is more than 30 metres high, and inside, various freshwater currents characterise this small lake illuminated by the shimmering gashes running through its walls. Here one breathes an air of absolute tranquillity and relaxation, a sense of peace pervades our emotions and one has the impression of being outside the world in close contact with an almost unknown nature, such is the emotional impact one feels inside this cave. The cave can also be reached externally from the main coastal road via a water drainage channel, only avoid venturing into unnecessary acrobatics if you are not an experienced rock climber with all the necessary equipment. On the left side of the narrow Ciolo inlet we find another cavity, again with access to the sea, and this is the Grotta Piccola del Ciolo, the little sister of the Grotta Grande del Ciolo, about 120 metres deep and flooded for its entire length. Unique beauties of a Salento to be experienced amidst sun, sea and wind, as the maxim goes... have a good summer from the caves of Ciolo.
L Incanto
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: L"Incanto is a bathing establishment located on the coast road connecting Santa Maria di Leuca to Marina di Novaglie, in the Ciolo area, in the province of Lecce. This lido is located in a picturesque location, among the high rocky walls of this wonderful stretch of coastline, and looks just like a balcony over the sea, where the Ionian Sea mixes with the Adriatic Sea in a whirlwind of continuous currents that characterise this stretch of land. Enchantment offers all possible comforts to ensure that your day at the beach is one of relaxation and tranquillity, with beach umbrellas and sun loungers positioned in such a way that they look like living rooms with a sea view. It offers a restaurant service for lunch and dinner, and the bar offers a wide selection of drinks to sip comfortably on a sun lounger while admiring the wonderful panorama. Glimpses of Puglia waiting to be discovered and this enchanting landscape represented by the deep south of Salento... enjoy your summer at Incanto al Ciolo.