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Hiking the Salento Coast – from Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca
Hiking the Salento Coast is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided coastal walking tour from Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca, at the southern tip of Puglia, of moderate level with some demanding stretches. From Baroque Lecce you follow the Adriatic cliffs past Roca Vecchia, the sea stacks of Sant'Andrea, the Alimini Lakes, Otranto, the Punta Palascia lighthouse, Porto Badisco, Castro and Tricase to the Cipolliane path, the Ciolo inlet and the Leuca lighthouse.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Lecce
Independent arrival in Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, one of the most interesting cities in the region for its 17th-century Baroque architecture. Don't miss Piazza Duomo and Piazza Sant'Oronzo with its Roman amphitheatre. Overnight in Lecce.
- Day 2
San Foca – Frassanito (Laghi Alimini)
14 km · +70 m
A private taxi, included in the price, takes you from Lecce to San Foca, where the trail starts at the old harbour tower. You reach Roca Vecchia, with the megalithic walls and rock-cut tombs of a Messapian city, the natural pool of the Grotta della Poesia and a 16th-century coastal tower, then Torre dell'Orso, where a swim is hard to resist even out of season, and the limestone sea stacks of Sant'Andrea. A dense pine forest leads to Frassanito (14 km, +70/−60 m, about 4 hours). Overnight in the Alimini Lakes area.
- Day 3
Laghi Alimini – Otranto
15 km · +90 m
The two Alimini Lakes, the Large Lake and the Small Lake, are coastal lakes rich in wildlife. After stretches among olive groves you return to the coast and look down on a series of sea caves – Grotta Sfondata, Grotta dell'Eremita, Grotta Verde and Grotta della Monaca – before reaching Otranto, with its Aragonese castle on the sea and a cathedral that houses one of Puglia's finest mosaics (15 km, +90/−100 m, about 4.5 hours). Overnight in Otranto.
- Day 4
Otranto – Porto Badisco
17 km · +290 m
One of the most demanding stages. Beyond Otranto's seafront you pass the Torre del Serpe, a 16th-century watchtower built against pirate raids, and the colourful Orte area with the former bauxite quarry and its small lake among reddish rock walls. A dirt track along the coast leads to the Punta Palascia lighthouse, the easternmost in Italy, then on to Porto Badisco, a small inlet with crystal-clear water, said to be where Virgil's Aeneas landed in Italy, and close to the Grotta dei Cervi with its prehistoric paintings (17 km, +290/−290 m, about 6 hours). Overnight in Porto Badisco.
- Day 5
Porto Badisco – Castro
15.5 km · +340 m
The first half of the day follows the coast; then the Malepasso climb takes you inland towards Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its thermal springs, the Porto Miggiano and Fontanelle beaches and the oriental-style Villa Sticchi. You pass close to the Zinzulusa Cave, which runs for about 1,500 m, and reach Castro, whose name means “fortress”, walking along its megalithic walls to your accommodation (15.5 km, +340/−335 m, about 5.5 hours). Overnight in Castro.
- Day 6
Castro – Tricase
17.5 km · +350 m
An easy, well-marked path runs along the rocky, jagged coast to the gates of Marina di Andrano. You continue to Tricase Porto, a picturesque fishing harbour where a coffee in the little bars on the pier is a must, then walk inland to Tricase on old roads such as the Via Francigena, whose arrival is marked by the religious buildings at the entrance to town (17.5 km, +350/−270 m, about 6 hours). Overnight in Tricase.
- Day 7
Tricase – Gagliano del Capo – Santa Maria di Leuca
17.5 km · +305 m
A 17-minute train ride takes you from Tricase to Gagliano del Capo (ticket about € 1.20, not included), where the last stage begins. You reach Marina di Novaglie and its sea caves, then follow the 2.5 km Cipolliane path, once used to carry goods and salt, among rare plants, dry-stone walls and pajare, to the Ciolo inlet, a fjord between clear sea and high rock walls. Further south the Leuca lighthouse and the basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae appear: you have reached the southern tip of Puglia (17.5 km, +305/−450 m, about 6 hours). Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.
- Day 8
Santa Maria di Leuca
If you have time, enjoy a last morning walk along the seafront, then breakfast and end of our services. Goodbye, Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided walking tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Salento
- Distance
- 96.5 km
- Level
- Moderate
- Departures
- Dates of your choice, subject to availability
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in Comfort Plus category accommodation, double room.
- Meals
- Breakfast every day; lunches and dinners are not included.
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort PlusPer person in a double room – low / mid / high season | € 1,050 | € 1,125 | € 1,195 |
Seasons
| Season | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Low season | 7 Jan – 31 Mar · 7 Apr – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec | 7 Jan – 21 Mar · 5 Apr – 18 Apr · 3 May – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Mid season | 1 Jun – 13 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep | 22 Mar – 4 Apr · 19 Apr – 2 May · 1 Jun – 12 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep |
| High season | 28 Mar – 6 Apr · 14 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan | 13 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan |
Included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Private taxi from Lecce to San Foca (starting point)
- Luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
- Access to our navigation app with preloaded GPX tracks, digital roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Eco bag with snacks and gadget
- Telephone assistance
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Train ticket Tricase – Gagliano del Capo (€ 1.20 per ticket)
- Minivan assistance
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not listed under “What is included”
Supplements
| Single room | + 30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings of 1 participant only, covers per-person logistics costs) | + € 360 |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Economy category | + € 255 per person |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Deluxe category | + € 505 per person |
Prices are per person in a double room and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? The single traveller supplement applies.
Route map
Questions about this tour
How long is the Salento coast hike and how much does it cost?
8 days / 7 nights, from € 1,050 per person in a double room in low season. Mid season costs € 1,125 and high season € 1,195 per person.
Where does the walk start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts in Lecce and ends in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the southern tip of Puglia. Brindisi is the nearest airport to Lecce; the taxi from Lecce to the trailhead in San Foca is included, while airport transfers are not but can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I walk?
Moderate, with some demanding coastal stretches: about 96.5 km over 6 walking days of 14 to 17.5 km, with up to 350 m of ascent and 450 m of descent a day. Walking times range from 4 to 6 hours.
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most pleasant seasons for walking in Puglia, and on this coast you can often swim well outside summer. Prices follow low, mid and high season, and an August supplement applies from 1 to 24 August.
What kind of paths will I walk on, and what shoes do I need?
Coastal footpaths and dirt tracks, sometimes on rocky ground above the cliffs, plus stretches of paved road. Hiking shoes with a good grip are strongly recommended; you only carry a daypack, because your luggage is transferred for you.
Is luggage transfer included, and how do I find the way?
Yes: luggage transfers between accommodations are included, along with 7 nights with breakfast, the private taxi from Lecce to San Foca, our navigation app with GPX tracks and digital roadbook, luggage and health insurance and telephone assistance. The train ticket from Tricase to Gagliano del Capo, meals other than breakfast, airport transfers and tourist taxes are not included.
