5 Beaches of Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme
Spiaggia dei 100 Scalini
Salento, Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme: The Spiaggia dei 100 Scalini (100 Steps Beach) or Spiaggia dei Cento Gradini (Hundred Steps Beach), also simply called Baia di Miggiano (Miggiano Bay) or Cala di Miggiano (Miggiano Cove), is a small beach hidden inside an inlet at Porto Miggiano. It is called Spiaggia dei 100 Scalini (Beach of a Hundred Steps) precisely because you have to climb quite a few steps to reach the small beach. To get down to the beach, there are actually two options: the first, also the easiest, is to descend using the concrete steps that allow you to get to the bottom of the beach without any problems (apparently, however, access is closed off by a gate due to the danger of collapse); the other option to get down to the Spiaggetta dei 100 Scalini is very dangerous, as you have to be very careful where you put your feet to avoid falling and finding yourself down with broken bones. Once you reach the little beach you will find yourself in paradise, the sea is emerald green surrounded by an impressive high cliff and the whole surrounding landscape is a wonder for the eyes and the spirit. The small beach, with its fine, white sand, almost contrasts with a characteristic stretch of coastline known for its high, steep cliffs, signifying a precious stone set into the rock. This stretch of coastline is a masterpiece of nature that should definitely be visited.
Torre di Porto Miggiano
Salento, Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme: Torre di Porto Miggiano or simply Miggiano Tower, is located in the municipality of Santa Cesarea Terme, in Porto Miggiano, in the province of Lecce. As can be seen from the light-coloured ashlars that distinguish it, the tower has been fully restored to its original splendour of long ago. Torre Miggiano is part of the complex watchtower system erected during the course of the 16th century to defend the local population from the constant incursions of the Turkish pirates that raged the coast in those years, and is circular in shape divided by a curb that marks its end. Torre Miggiano communicated to the south with the fortifications of Castro and to the north with Torre Santa Cesarea. The tower is located a few metres from the sea and stands on a rocky ridge overlooking the deep, clear blue Adriatic Sea. From here you can enjoy a suggestive panorama, when the sea is a bit rough the perpetual wave motion slams violently against this cliff that seems so skilfully modelled by mother nature; in the height of summer Porto Miggiano is quite busy because of the more famous Spiaggia dei Cento Scalini (Hundred Steps Beach), and the Miggiano Tower together with the tiny harbour complete a respectable landscape, surrounded by uncontaminated nature and the beauty of the territory... Happy summer from the Tower of Porto Miggiano.
Pilane
Salento, Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme: Sometimes, when organising a summer holiday, one tries to combine different sensitivities and tastes when choosing a particular place; some prefer a deep, golden beach, others a cliff because most of the time the water is much cooler and clearer than on a crowded beach, others prefer the nightlife with loud music and wild entertainment, and others are looking for a remote, little-known place to enjoy a bit of relaxation. It is not easy to satisfy the different needs and this is understandable, but many times a little advice is perhaps welcome. We are in Porto Miggiano, in the province of Lecce, on the eastern side of Salento, on the outskirts of Santa Cesarea Terme, a town famous for its thermal waters and location of several discos that have been satisfying the tastes of many young people for many years now. In Porto Miggiano one can admire above all the Pilane, these characteristic sculptures, artfully carved by expert hands and caressed by the sea over the centuries, which today represent singular tourist attractions surrounding and framing veritable natural open-air pools, a destination in the height of summer for many families who decide to spend a day at the seaside at this typical stretch of coastline. The depth of the water remains shallow for long stretches so you can let your children play safely in the sea, and this place is a good compromise especially when the sea is a little rough being sheltered from the wind. Porto Miggiano is a small, quiet village with its small harbour, 16th-century tower and, above all, the Pilane, which is why it is worth popping into this enchanted hamlet and experiencing for yourself those emotions we need, especially in summer. The hot Salento sun will do the rest, warming our bodies when we come out of the sea and are spoilt for choice in looking for an inviting rock where we can spread out our towel and relax, perhaps with our favourite book. Small gestures, a sea of positive feelings, and the blue Adriatic surrounding our thoughts... welcome to the Pilane and have a good summer at Porto Miggiano.
Grotta delle Ancore
Salento, Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme: The Grotta delle Ancore is located on the stretch of coastline that connects Porto Miggiano to Santa Cesarea Terme, characterised by broad cliffs and beautiful inlets that draw a landscape of singular wonder. Every corner, every rock, every ravine on this stretch of coastline represents a story in itself, and the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea completes a fabulous panorama. The Grotta delle Ancore (Anchor Cave) is one of the many sea caves in this specific area and can be reached along a path through a small flight of steps that is not exactly comfortable and safe (which I strongly advise against), either by swimming, perhaps taking the opportunity to snorkel and discover these beautiful seabeds, or by boat. In high summer, however, there are various local associations that organise various guided excursions to visit this beautiful stretch of coast in comfort. The bay that hosts the sea cavity is very characteristic and the Grotta delle Ancore presents itself to our eyes as a gash in the limestone rock and a regular entrance as the cave is not very deep. In the height of summer, this place is quite busy and crowded with people looking for a bit of refreshment or simply those who enjoy a healthy, invigorating swim. For diving enthusiasts, there are several stations from which to try your hand at pure adrenalin rushes. The place is perhaps not recommended when the sea is rough and the waves crash violently against the rocks. In that context, it might be a good idea to sit in a sheltered spot and enjoy the perpetual, relaxing wave motion. The location of the Grotta delle Ancore is very isolated, so perhaps take along a cooler bag full of cold drinks for possible needs. Happy holidays from the Grotta delle Ancore in Porto Miggiano.
Porto di Miggiano
Salento, Porto Miggiano - Santa Cesarea Terme: Porto Miggiano is a tourist resort in the Salento region and overlooks a stretch of coastline dominated by wide cliffs that end directly in the sea and the presence of numerous caves and inlets all worth visiting. We are on the south-eastern side of the Salento coast, where the mighty Adriatic Sea washes these shores, and Porto Miggiano, usually an almost desolate village in winter is populated as never before in midsummer by tourists and locals who move in from the cities during the summer months to open their summer homes and enjoy this spectacular landscape. Porto Miggiano is part of the municipality of Santa Cesarea Terme, and as well as being home to the 16th-century tower of the same name, with the evocative Grotta delle Ancore, the Pilane and the more famous Spiaggia dei Cento Scalini, it also has a small marina that in midsummer is taken by storm by bathers and tourists seeking some cool relief from the summer heat.The harbour is located in a characteristic artificial bay with high white limestone walls from which one can enjoy a beautiful panorama that mixes the green of the promontories surrounded by Mediterranean maquis with the blue of these transparent waters. The sea is shallow at first and is ideal for families with children. Moreover, Miggiano Harbour is not very far from the centre so it should be easy to reach a bar or market to refresh yourself with a drink. In the height of summer, the Port of Miggiano attracts many people because it is easy to reach and also because it is a tourist attraction as well as a meeting point. Here one breathes a summer air with that slight warm breeze that usually blows in these parts, and the sensations one gathers when visiting this characteristic harbour are more than positive. Smell the Salento summer surrounded by the beauty of Porto Miggiano... happy holidays.