7 Beaches of Marina di Novaglie - Alessano
Grotte Cipolliane
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: Salento is a land full of surprises waiting to be discovered; we are in the deep south, in the east, where one can admire the bright and colorful sunrise rising from the immensity of the sea. Here the coast tells centuries of history, and is characterized by the high impervious cliffs, countless hidden caves, and typical inlets that blend with the surrounding vegetation made up of wild shrubs and expanses of Mediterranean scrub. This area is rich in nature trails all to be contemplated, for lovers of trekking or simply for those seeking close contact with unspoiled nature you will be spoiled for choice. One of the many paths that leads down to the sea, through glimpses of land engulfed by the green of wild vegetation, and with a wooden fence marking this steep path takes us straight to the Grotta delle Cipolliane, an evocative cave located between Marina di Novaglie and Ciolo, set about 30 meters above sea level on an overhanging cliff. The Grotta delle Cipolliane presents itself to our eyes as a wide cavity overlooking the crystal blue sea; from the top of the cave we can admire a panorama that has no equal, while emotions multiply as we scan the horizon of that faint line that divides the sky from the sea. Cipolliane Cave is quite deep and it is evident how atmospheric events have contributed to shape this fantastic example of a cave; different shades of colors characterize the rock walls and range from white, gray, brown and bronze. Once you get to the bottom of the cavity you can admire the beautiful glimpse of the entrance of the cave that contrasts with the immense blue of the Adriatic; it is a bit of a struggle to reach it, but once you get there you will realize immediately that the effort has been repaid in full by the spectacle that you can enjoy from inside this beautiful cave. This is Salento, with all the richness of the territory and the charm of magical places like the Grotta delle Cipolliane... have a good summer.
Spiaggia Torre di Novaglie
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: Marina di Novaglie is a fraction of the municipality of Alessano, in the province of Lecce. We are just a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca, the extreme tip of the Heel of Italy, there where the land ends and strong emotions begin instead, represented by the blue of a sea that mixes between various currents, where it is not understood when the Ionian Sea ends and the Adriatic Sea begins and where the wind never stops blowing softly, along our journey to discover a land full of surprises. The Torre di Novaglie Beach stretches along a stretch of coastline characteristic for its impervious cliffs, inlets that see the presence of several caves all worthy of a visit and the lush green of the Mediterranean scrub to color a magical landscape in every respect. These coves in the past have been the center of intense commercial exchanges between fishermen, a small harbor carved out of the heart of the rock remains the testimony, today this coastal stretch constitutes the pride and beauty of the entire Adriatic coast. The sea with its different shades of blue and turquoise represents the real wealth of this area, for the most daring you will be spoiled for choice in finding a spot from which to dive and feel that instant freshness of these waters due to the presence of different freshwater currents; and here even a simple swim can come in handy and regenerating during the hot and sultry summer days. The area is quiet and you can enjoy the right relaxation, away from the crowded and noisy beaches, maybe not really suitable for families with children, but if you are looking for a piece of paradise surrounded by nature with a fabulous view then this is the place for you... enjoy the summer at Torre di Novaglie Beach.
Il Porticciolo
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: The Marina di Novaglie Marina has a charm all its own, both because of the fact that it was built by excavating inside the sandstone rock and because in the past it represented a respected commercial hub between local fishermen and traders arriving from all over Italy. We are south of the Adriatic coast, in the municipality of Alessano in the province of Lecce, a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca. This stretch of coastline is characterized by the presence of wide cliffs and numerous caves and inlets all worthy of a visit and representing all the richness and beauty of Marina di Novaglie. Porticciolo today may no longer experience the splendor of yesteryear, but it undoubtedly remains a fantastic place, immersed in unspoiled nature with a sea that looks like an open-air swimming pool, such is the clarity and blue of these clear, cool waters. This sea is particularly rich in fresh water springs here is the reason why already from the first dives you feel a rush of adrenaline that goes through the whole body for a regenerating bath especially during the hot and sultry days of a Salento summer. The seabed is ideal for snorkeling, rich in fish and bright sea cavities that are reflected in the sun"s rays in a spectacular play of light. The place is quiet and relaxing even at the height of the season, frequented by both families and young people looking for fun.There is easy access to the sea via a small wooden walkway, but there is certainly no shortage of interesting ideas for diving from the different sections of the reef. The Porticciolo di Novaglie is an absolute pearl of this fantastic land called Salento, which in its complexity of territory always offers something interesting whether you love the beach or the cliffs, and it is always a surprise to look out to visit these beautiful coastlines...have a good summer from the Porticciolo di Novaglie.
Grotte di Novaglie
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: Marina di Novaglie is a locality that is part of the territory of Alessano, in the province of Lecce. We are in the east of the deep south of this fantastic land called Salento and Marina di Novaglie represents that beautiful stretch of coastline characteristic for its countless karst caves all worthy of a visit: one of them is the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Cave), so called precisely because of its reflection of blue color that is reflected in a crystal clear sea; the cave has two different entrances that are divided by a rock wall, and the only way to visit it thoroughly is to equip oneself with mask and flippers and cross precisely the different rock barriers. The Blue Cave of Novaglie is often confused with the more famous Blue Cave of the same name in Castro, but they are actually two completely different caves. Another cave mentioned in the Marina of Novaglie is the Grotta del Diavolo, bordering the nearby Santa Maria di Leuca for which I refer you to the page of Salentissimo dedicated to Santa Maria di Leuca, as well as the Grotta del Presepe we find it in the marina of Felloniche; we are within not even five kilometers of coastline and the various ravines and sea caves that characterize this territory merge as if in a single block so it is sometimes complicated to delimit the caves by following a predefined boundary line. Most of the time it is a bit complicated to reach most of these caves, my advice would be to rent a small boat and sail along the coast one stretch after another, so that you can experience the sea in all its freshness and at the same time be caressed by that soft wind that often blows in summer in these areas. You can also, if necessary, inquire about the various excursions that are often organized by the various associations linked to the area; in one way or another this stretch of coast should be experienced in all its complexity both for the beauty that the caves of Marina di Novaglie represent and for the panorama that can be enjoyed from whatever point of view it is observed... welcome to Salento and have a good summer.
Torre di Novaglie
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: The Tower of Novaglie, or Torre Porto di Novaglie is located in the seaside resort of the same name that falls under the municipality of Alessano, in the province of Lecce. We are on the Adriatic coast, just north of Santa Maria di Leuca, on a stretch of coast characterized by the impervious cliffs and a landscape rich in hidden coves and a multitude of ravines and sea caves all worthy of note. The Novaglie Tower stood just over 10 meters from the sea and communicated to the south with Torre Montelungo, which has now completely disappeared, and to the north with Torre del Ricco in the town of Corsano. Little remains today of the Novaglie Tower, except for a pile of stones bearing witness to the splendor and memories of a time long gone. The tower was part of that complex defensive system of watchtowers erected in the 16th century all along the Salento coast to defend against the constant raids of Saracen pirates who raged the coasts at the time. In all likelihood, in addition to human neglect, the tower has suffered exposure de various weather events such as storm surges and raging winds that have affected its very existence. From the top of this characteristic promontory there is a breathtaking view, with the blue of a wonderful sea and the hot summer wind caressing our emotions. The surrounding landscape is characterized by the typical Mediterranean scrub that colors this beautiful area with green until above the ruins of the Novaglie Tower; beauties of Salento all to be discovered... enjoy your vacation and have a good summer.
Grotta di Porto Vecchio
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: Marina di Novaglie has maintained over time its special charm due to the beauty of the area that sees the presence of the typical dry stone walls, small streets that are lost among the fields of centuries-old olive trees and expanses of Mediterranean scrub that embrace a coast characterized by low cliffs and inlets full of caves. Certainly the richness of this location has been preserved by the fact that Marina di Novaglie is still unknown in popularity compared to other desirable destinations in the Salento such as nearby Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Castro, or the beaches of Gallipoli just to name a few. At a time when the development of mass tourism accelerated by tools such as the Internet and social networks has seen much of Salento"s territory involved, Marina di Novaglie has remained a stranger to all the changes taking place, and visiting it in person one immediately realizes how in these areas time seems to have stopped to give precedence to the simpler and more genuine emotions of a land waiting to be discovered. Located in an area that is said to have been inhabited since the Paleolithic period this area owes its tourist richness also to the presence of several caves all worthy of a visit, and one of them is the Grotta del Porto Vecchio. This small cave rises in the area adjacent precisely to the Porto Vecchio and the main chamber has different shades of colors ranging from bronze, white, brown and gray; a green grassy shelf also overlooks the upper part of the cave. All the inlets of this beautiful coastline can be visited safely by kayak or by renting a small boat...have a good summer from the blue Adriatic Sea.
Grotta dell Elefante
Salento, Marina di Novaglie - Alessano: The Grotta dell"Elefante, so called because of its characteristic rocky conformation that makes it resemble an elephant, is located in Marina di Novaglie, part of the municipality of Alessano in the province of Lecce. We are on the Adriatic coast of the deep south of Salento, and this area full of hidden inlets and karst caves all to be visited represents the jewel in the crown of a Salento all to be discovered in terms of landscape, history, and geology. The view from the top of one of the many promontories in Marina di Novaglie is unparalleled; from here one can admire the immensity of the Adriatic Sea that becomes almost one with the blue of a clean sky. This area is also famous for hosting the Salento Rally every year; engines aside, the Grotta dell"Elefante is important above all for the fact that a pebble carved by a human hand dating back to the Paleolithic era was found inside it, and this find is now on display at the Museo Civico di Paleontologia e Paletnologia in Maglie, in the province of Lecce. This landscape also offers trekking lovers many nature trails to cross in close contact with unspoiled nature, the most recommended of all and reopened to the public a few years ago is the ancient sheep trail that leads from Novaglie to Gagliano del Capo, right up to the gates of Santa Maria di Leuca. The Salento summer continues to amaze among magic, history and an enchanting landscape ... happy vacations.