4 Beaches of Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo
Spiaggia del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: Just imagine a blue sky, that light summer breeze gently blowing caressing our dreams, summer, the sun tingling just enough to color most of our body, a crystal 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, there where the land ends, finibus terrae the Latins called it, there where the Ionian Sea embraces the Adriatic Sea and where the coast takes on that bizarre and whimsical appearance of high cliffs that end sheer above the sea, dotted with sea caves and hidden inlets all to be discovered and visited. This area looks like the perfect copy of a nature that wanted to give proof of all its greatness and mastery in designing a landscape of such beauty. Ciolo is a seaside resort that lies 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 you can admire a wonderful postcard landscape. Spiaggia del Ciolo can be easily reached by parking the car near the bridge and continuing on foot through an evocative path all to experience along a stairway between steep paths and vertical rocks that accompany us with a beautiful glimpse almost sealing a perfect fusion between man and nature. Spiaggia del Ciolo is not a real beach as one might well imagine, in fact it is a stretch of pebbly shoreline set between high rock 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 mostly by intrepid thrill-seeking youngsters who decide to dive from the most prohibitive spots; the sea floor is ideal for snorkeling and discovering fascinating marine life but also just for a healthy swim. To be really nitpicky and find a small flaw in this beautiful place maybe the short hours of sunshine given the position where it is located, almost swallowed inside this characteristic cliff, maybe take advantage of the early morning hours for a proper tan and then continue the rest of the day with other activities. So many words are always spent describing Salento and its beautiful coastline, but experiencing it live and making those unique emotions your own is something else... welcome to Spiaggia del Ciolo and have a great vacation.
Ponte del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: The Ciolo Bridge is located in the municipality of Gagliano del Capo and can be reached along the stretch of coast that connects Santa Maria di Leuca to Marina di Novaglie; in practice we are talking about that strip of land that the Latins called Finibus Terrae, that is, the point where the land precisely ended. Since 2006 the 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 because of the presence of numerous caves, a typical feature of this jagged coastline. The name Ciolo would derive from the local dialect and refers to magpies or crows, beyond that this place has over the years become a popular destination for many young thrill-seeking tourists 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 the high coefficient of danger. Nonetheless, the Ciolo Bridge remains a spectacle of nature, built in the 1960s precisely to join the marina of Leuca with that of Novaglie, today the bridge represents to all intents and purposes a respectable tourist destination, well embedded in the marvelous landscape that this land provides. A further and no less important emphasis, however, in addition to the suggestive height of the bridge, should also be given to the part below; in addition to the crystal blue sea this area is also known as the Canyon of Salento because of the characteristic coastline consisting of rocky ridges, impervious rocks in addition to the presence of numerous caves. Here one can admire the whims of nature by walking along an ancient path of the local fishermen who used to move from the center of town to reach the small beach. Along this stretch, where today several excursions are organized for trekking lovers, the vegetation opens wildly to our eyes in a mixture of Mediterranean scrub with the presence of myrtle, lentisk, the Leuca carnation and other typical species of native vegetation. The place as a whole remains a wonder of nature so if you come to Salento do not forget to make a fixed stop at Ponte del Ciolo the show is guaranteed.
Grotta Grande del Ciolo
Salento, Ciolo - Gagliano del Capo: The 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 meters from the Ciolo bay. We are just a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca and this stretch of coastline is characterized by high cliffs and large cliffs that end sheer directly into the sea, due to the 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 for this entrance almost like a big mouth, overlooks the blue waters of a beautiful sea and can be visited inside, just equip yourself with mask and fins and reach it by the sound of strokes. Inside, the Grotta Grande del Ciolo guards a marvelous little lake with beautiful plays of light; the entrance to the cave is more than 30 meters high, and inside, several freshwater currents characterize this small lake illuminated by the shimmering glimpses that cross the inner walls. Here one breathes an air of absolute tranquility and relaxation, a sense of peace pervades our emotions and one has the impression of being out of the world in close contact with an almost unknown nature so much is the emotional impact felt inside this cave. The cave can also be reached through the outside from the main shoreline via a channel of the water drainage, only avoid venturing into unnecessary acrobatics if you are not an experienced rock wall 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 it is the Grotta Piccola del Ciolo, the little sister of the Grotta Grande del Ciolo about 120 meters deep and flooded for its entire length. Unique beauties of a Salento all to be experienced between sun, sea and wind as the maxim goes ... 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 that connects Santa Maria di Leuca to Marina di Novaglie, in the locality of il Ciolo, in the province of Lecce. This lido develops in an evocative location, among the high rocky walls of this wonderful stretch of coastline and appears just like a balcony on the sea, there where the Ionian Sea mixes with the Adriatic Sea in a whirlwind of continuous currents that characterize this stretch of land. Enchantment offers all the possible comforts so that your day at the beach will be one of relaxation and tranquility, equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds positioned to look like real living rooms with sea views. This facility offers restaurant service for lunch and dinner, and the bar also offers a wide selection of drinks to sip comfortably lying on the sun lounger admiring a wonderful panorama. Glimpses of Apulia all to be discovered and this enchanting landscape represented by the deep south of Salento...have a good summer at Incanto al Ciolo.