Along the Adriatic Coast

When drive South along the Adriatic coast, enjoy the view on your left. This will be your first stop. This cave is an amazingly beautiful and poetic swimming hole. The seawater is incredibly blue and clear.

Sant' Andrea is another beautiful spot to stop. This is the postcard of Puglia. Those cliffs in the blue sea make great pictures from the cliff. You can also go down to have a swim.

The medieval castle of Otranto was built in the 15th century. It offers great views from the fortifications. And you can visit the underground area.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 13:00.

Have lunch at this great seafood restaurant before sightseeing the village of Otranto. They have an original specialty: carbonara pasta with sea urchins. You can book a table on their website.
Open hours Tuesday - Sunday: 12:30 - 15:00 and 19:30 - 23:00

The historical center of Otranto is interesting to walk around. You can wander the old streets until the cathedral opens. The cathedral is the most impressive building. It has a vast 12th century mosaic that covers the entire floor with tree of life and elephants. Behind the altar on the right, you will find the bones of 813 martyrs that died in the Turkish massacre of 1480.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 12:00, 15:00 - 19:00.

Check out this impressive Moorish style palace in Santa Cesarea Terme. Then walk around the seaside for amazing views of the Adriatic Coast with cliffs. Santa Cesarea Terme is a thermal town, so if you have more time and you want to do balneotherapy, you know where to go.

Visit this cave which is easy access to have an idea of all the caves that are along the coast of the Adriatic sea. The part of the cave that you can visit goes hundreds of meters back from the shore with magnificent stalactites.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:30 - 18:30.

You next stop will be in the small village of Castro. It is located high on a cliff with dramatic views on the sea from its main square. You can visit the Aragonese castle that exhibits archeological finds of the area. After visiting the castle, walk around the historical village with old little streets and churches.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:30 - 12:30, 15:00 - 18:00.

Check online the sunset time and come to this Belvedere to see the sun going down at the most Southern point of Apulia. You will get amazing views of the town and port of Santa Maria di Leuca. Behind you, on this same place, there is a nice church and a lighthouse.

Have dinner at this restaurant right by the port. Fresh seafood would be a good choice.
Open hours Wednesday - Monday 12:30 - 14:15, 19:30 - 22:00 Closed on Tuesdays.

After this very busy day, it is time to rest. You will visit other beautiful sites on the other side by the Ionian sea tomorrow.