15 Beaches of Roca Vecchia - Melendugno
Grotta della Poesia
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: In Salento, in Roca Vecchia a few kilometres from Melendugno on the wonderful and mighty Adriatic Sea is the Grotta della Poesia (Poetry Cave). Here the cliff collapsing on itself has formed a real natural pool, about thirty metres from the sea and known all over the world. To reach the Grotta della Poesia, the path in front of you is fantastic, an evocative panorama of high cliffs dropping sheer into the sea. The area, closed to the public for danger of collapse and for archaeological work, is continually stormed by the numerous tourists. Trying the thrill of diving from the Grotta della Poesia is a bit like feeling part of and merging into nature itself, between the cliffs that surround you and the infinite beauty of this wonderful landscape. Above all, the Grotta della Poesia is about immortalising the moment through a photo, watching other people dive from prohibitive heights, climbing back up the cliff after a dive with just the strength of your fingers, having fun with friends, drinking a beer on a day of absolute relaxation, small things and great emotions that make you feel fulfilled and satisfied to the point that you wish the summer would never end. The Grotta della Poesia actually has a smaller, circular sister and is connected to it by an underwater passage. A little further back you can see a column supporting the statue of Santa Maria di Roca.
Torre di Roca Vecchia
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Heading north up the coast from Otranto towards the beautiful marina of Melendugno, we come across a tiny town, insignificant perhaps in terms of population but rich in history and natural beauty that is the envy of the most famous international tourist spots. We are in Roca Vecchia in the province of Lecce, and this corner of Apulia is a perfect combination of culture, crystal-clear sea and an enchanting landscape surrounded by the scents of the omnipresent Mediterranean maquis and the greenery of unspoilt nature. Roca Vecchia is the site of an important archaeological area that has been visited by various scholars in the past, who have discovered Messapian writings in a series of sea caves along the coastline of this small town. Also worthy of note are the remains of a castle dating back to the late Middle Ages, with a lookout tower that is now a ruin and a testimony to a distant past. The Tower of Roca Vecchia stands unchallenged on a small islet adjacent to the remains of fortifications and archaeological excavations. The stretch of coastline in question is characterised by broad cliffs that fall sheer to the sea, although there is no shortage of spots where you can easily descend and spot an inviting rock where you can spread out your towel and let the warm rays of the sun warm you for a perfect tan. The whole area adjacent to the Roca Vecchia Tower is quite busy in the middle of summer, both with families and young people looking for a spot where they can dive into the sea and feel those shivers of being thrown into the water in a split second. The sea is transparent and clean and has an unusual freshness due to the presence of several freshwater currents. The depth and beauty of this seabed are ideal for those who love snorkelling and discovering the most interesting inlets or the various caves present. In the mood for summer and relaxation, welcome to Roca Vecchia.
Grotta della Madonnina
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: The Grotta della Madonnina is located in Roca Vecchia, a beautiful place that is part of the Melendugno marina in the province of Lecce. Along this characteristic stretch of coastline made up of cliffs mingling with the spontaneous colours of the typical Mediterranean scrub, among the various wild plants that perfume the entire surrounding environment, you will find the Grotta della Madonnina, a karstic cavity, one of the many in the area, containing a small statue of the Madonna, hence the name of the cave. Here you can breathe an air of absolute relaxation, far from the tram tram of the most famous tourist centres, this glimpse of Salento is the ideal place to get lost among the various nature trails as well as to take advantage of the freshness of a clear blue sea, several times awarded the prestigious Blue Flags in the past. The entire area adjacent to the Grotta della Madonnina is a spectacle for the eyes and the senses, as it conveys real emotions; the high cliffs do not make access to the sea very easy, but by inspecting the entire area thoroughly, it will not be difficult to identify a path from which to access the sea. Roca Vecchia is a place that fills up with tourists in the height of summer as the village is located halfway between the famous marinas of Otranto and Melendugno; as the coast is particularly fascinating and full of beautiful inlets, the ideal thing would be to rent a small boat to visit every single ravine in depth. Pleasant and true holiday sensations from the Grotta della Madonnina, welcome to the Salento.
Nfoca Ciucci
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Roca Vecchia is a place that packs some natural beauty and a fairytale landscape into a few square kilometres. Small inlets alternate with a few sea caves and high cliffs falling sheer to the sea. A series of tiny islets characterise the specific landscape of this area surrounded by the unchallenged blue of the Adriatic Sea. We are in the province of Lecce, along a beautiful stretch of coastline between the marina of Melendugno and Torre dell"Orso, and this beautiful bay called Nfoca Ciucci sums up all the genuine beauty of Roca Vecchia in a few small aspects. The whole area in question has a wide reef with several points from which to enjoy that unique thrill of a breathtaking dive; the environment is wild and natural for many families with children, the sea for a few stretches maintains a shallow depth, after which it opens up in its immensity in an enthralling embrace. The bay of Nfoca Ciucci is quite famous in Roca Vecchia, in case you are not sure just ask a local and he will be able to point you to this wonderful place. A few swims away you can easily reach the famous Grotta della Poesia and many other wonderful coves all worth visiting. Happy holidays from Roca Vecchia.
Portulignu
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Portulignu is a beautiful bay in the territory of Roca Vecchia, a few kilometres south of Melendugno in the province of Lecce. This glimpse of Salento is characterised by several inlets and cliffs ending in the sea and the crystal-clear blue water with stretches of sandy seabed colouring these enchanting places in summer. The bay of Portulignu is a free reef, there is only a small kiosk nearby in case you need refreshment from the summer heat, otherwise the place maintains those classic standards of a wild and quiet stretch of coastline, several natural steps carved in the stone facilitate access to the water; obviously, rock shoes and a little care is recommended given all the impervious and capricious surroundings. The bay of Portulignu is a magnificent example of a natural inlet with a sea that is in some places a real natural open-air swimming pool; for lovers of rocks and uncontaminated nature, it is the ideal place to spend a few hours relaxing under the warm Salento sun for a perfect tan. Take advantage of it also for a refreshing swim as in some places you can feel that unusual freshness of the sea due to the presence of some freshwater springs typical of some of the cliffs. So for a summer that is both refreshing and relaxing at the same time Portulignu in Roca Vecchia is the right solution, happy holidays.
Punta Sapone
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: The beach of Punta Sapone is located not far from the port of Roca Vecchia and is characterised by a beautiful inlet with high cliffs that end in the sea, but above all by the clarity of these waters, which have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag in the past. We are on the eastern coast of Salento along a stretch of coastline washed by the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by the green of the omnipresent Mediterranean scrub that grows wild almost everywhere, almost as if to mark the entire surrounding area as a distinctive sign. Punta Sapone beach, apart from its name, has very few sandy stretches and the rocks instead dominate. Easily reached from its central location in the beautiful village of Roca Vecchia, Punta Sapone is a meeting point for many families and young people who choose to spend a few hours of refreshment along this characteristic bay every summer. It is certainly not recommended for those seeking an equipped lido and preferring expanses of soft sand, but otherwise Punta Sapone is a true corner of paradise where one can relax and enjoy a wonderful sea that lends itself very well to snorkelling so that one can discover all the remote corners of this inlet with its caves in tow, such as the Grotta dello Zingaro, easily reached from Punta Sapone beach. Nothing more to add except to wish you a well-deserved relaxation.
Rokamel
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno:
Kum Beach Club Roca
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: The Kum Beach Club in Roca Vecchia in the province of Lecce has been permanently closed and replaced by the Playa Pequeña lido. For any information on the beach, I invite you to visit the Playa Pequeña page on Salentissimo.it.
Lido Coiba
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno:
Spiaggia canale Zzuccatu
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Between the marinas of San Foca and Torre dell"Orso, along a beautiful stretch of coastline characterised by the unmistakable colours of a land that offers so much in the way of scenery, immersed in the green of the Mediterranean scrub, here is a beautiful inlet, the Spiaggia di Canale Zzuccatu. We are on the Adriatic side of the Salento coast, and just a few kilometres separate us from the provincial capital of Lecce. Along this coastline, we can say that Mother Nature has been truly benevolent, drawing a landscape that encompasses in just a few square kilometres all the essential beauties for spending hours of leisure and relaxation in the company of a crystal-clear blue sea and, above all, a warm sun ready to warm us with emotions for a suntan so perfect that we will be the envy of our colleagues once we return to work. The Canale Zzuccatu beach, apart from its name, is mainly characterised by low cliffs that are easy to walk on, and the vast reed thickets that accompany us through the green native vegetation from the nearby car park to the bay are evocative; the sandy stretch is at the same time really tiny, the water becomes deep after a few strokes and in some places retains an unusual freshness due to the various currents of fresh water present along this coast. The Spiaggia di Canale Zzuccatu is a lost corner of paradise, this glimpse of Apulia is the ideal place to relax far from crowded, noisy beaches and for those seeking only moments of tranquillity surrounded by unspoilt nature. Positive feelings from Roca Vecchia, have a good summer.
Castello di Roca Vecchia
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Around here, Melendugno usually rhymes with summer, the scents of a Salento to be experienced, and crystal-clear blue sea. Awarded the prestigious Blue Flag several times, this municipality in the province of Lecce encompasses much of the beauty of Salento and one never ceases to discover more aspects and characteristics typical of this corner of Apulia. Travelling the length and breadth of the coast road that connects San Foca to Torre dell"Orso, we cannot fail to notice the remains of the ancient town of Roca with its imposing castle now reduced to ruins, dismantled following the continuous raids of Saracen pirates during the mid-16th century. The origins of the Roca Vecchia Castle date back to the late Middle Ages when it was built together with the fortified town of Roca. The Roca Vecchia Castle was surrounded by an imposing moat and for the time represented an impregnable fortress built with all the criteria to defend the indigenous population. Today this beautiful and evocative castle has almost merged with the surrounding area to form a single block with the cliffs that end directly in the sea and the green of the typical Mediterranean scrub covering most of these ruins that once meant defence and survival. The panorama one enjoys when observing these ruins from any perspective, combined with a horizon so captivating that it links the turquoise of the sky to the deep blue of the Adriatic, is a glimpse of rare beauty. Living certain experiences that link the history of an area to the unspoilt nature of the surrounding landscape fully repays the decision to spend part of our time discovering these wonderful places. Salento"s beauties and one colour above all, the blue that only the Melendugno marinas manage to render as far as it really can. Happy summer from the Castle of Roca Vecchia.
Grotta dello Zingaro
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Among the many caves of the Salento, present for the most part along the south-eastern coast of this fantastic area, a special mention goes to the Grotta dello Zingaro in Roca Vecchia. This beautiful example of a cave is characterised by two main entrances that communicate with each other through a small man-made tunnel that starts from the mainland and ends in the sea; the place adjacent to the Grotta dello Zingaro stands out for its scenic beauty from which one can admire the entire surrounding landscape at a glance. The cave can be easily reached from the sea on the other side of the entrance, which is however completely flooded with some smooth rocks emerging a bit everywhere. The sea is an infectious blue; these waters have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag in the past and maintain a unique transparency. The Grotta dello Zingaro (Zingaro Cave) is often visited in the height of summer and is very well known and sought after in the area. So many beauties that this marvellous land offers to the many visitors who every year decide to spend part of their holidays along these coasts in search of moments of relaxation and wellbeing, all this is the magic of Salento, greetings from the Grotta dello Zingaro.
Insenatura della Zolfara
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: The Insenatura della Zolfara is located in Roca Vecchia and is an interesting stretch of reef with a sea that soon becomes deep, making it ideal for those who love diving and for those who prefer snorkelling to discover the beautiful stretches of coastline with the most beautiful seabed in Salento. We are located on the Adriatic side of this wonderful land, about 30 kilometres from Lecce and along a stretch of coastline that stands out for the quality of its water and unspoilt nature; The Insenatura della Zolfara is a little corner of paradise. In the height of summer, this place still retains that solitary and lost-in-time aspect, far from the crowded and noisy beaches that play loud music, here you can breathe an air of absolute relaxation, and despite the cliffs, the place is also frequented by families with children in tow and many young people. Access to the sea is guaranteed safely via steps carved into the rock that facilitate entry and return from the water. The nearby car park is quite convenient and once you arrive at this characteristic bay you will immediately realise that you have stumbled upon an unspoilt place with real natural pools under the open sky. Vibrant sensations and a longing for summer, many greetings from the Insenatura della Zolfara.
Pascariello Grande e Piccolo
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: The Salento offers multiple solutions both in terms of landscape and the beauty of the coastline, and can satisfy a little of every visitor"s taste. This is the strong point of a land that never ceases to amaze with its landscape and a whole series of natural inlets that draw some of the most evocative coastal stretches worth visiting. Among the many marvels the coastline has to offer, special mention must go to the Pascariello Grande and Piccolo bays, veritable natural pools with a clear, clean sea formed over time and now an undisputed destination for young and old who take advantage of them every year to cool off from the summer heat by diving into the inviting blue of this fantastic sea. Pascariello Grande and Piccolo are small inlets right in the centre of Roca Vecchia, a tiny village in the province of Lecce that fills up with holidaymakers in summer and offers a whole series of natural beauties with a sea so transparent that it has been awarded Blue Flags several times in the past; Since these natural pools are somewhat sheltered from the open sea, the water remains calm even when the sea is a little rough, which is why many families with children prefer to spend a few hours of their day along this characteristic stretch of coastline. Being right in the centre, it will not be difficult to find a nearby bar to refresh oneself with some snacks or a cool drink. Scent of true summer at Pascariello Grande and Piccolo di Roca Vecchia, happy holidays.
Playa Pequena
Salento, Roca Vecchia - Melendugno: Playa Pequeña is a beach resort located in Roca Vecchia on the eastern coast of Salento on the Adriatic Sea about 30 kilometres from Lecce. This lido lies along a beautiful stretch of coastline characterised by a crystal-clear blue sea and expanses of fine white sand. It is spread out, with beach umbrellas and sunbeds, along the entire sandy stretch and with some wooden platforms that also facilitate access to the sea from the cliff side. The Playa Pequeña lido has all the necessary standards for you to spend a peaceful and relaxing day at the beach in all respects. The sea pleases a little of everyone, both those who love the rocks and those who prefer the soft golden sand. It also has a large and comfortable terrace from which to admire the wonderful panorama. The bar offers a wide range of drinks to sip while lying comfortably on a sun lounger, and the kitchen will delight you with the best dishes of Salento cuisine. Lovely and well-kept environment, here you can breathe a real holiday atmosphere and relaxation is guaranteed, have a good summer.