The drive along the coastal route from Santa Cesarea Terme to Santa Maria di Leuca is one of our favorite #WeAreInPuglia journeys. The route, one of the most dramatic in Puglia, is sandwiched between prickly pear lined cliffs and shimmering sea.
Cala dell’Acquaviva is a hidden heaven. The small channel that runs through rocks and lush vegetation. The water sparkles turquoise and blue against a background of rock. It’s a busy spot known well to locals, but not often included in the guide books. It can get busy at weekends and in August, when those lucky enough to live nearby are on vacation.
Cold water springs feed into the channel, making for an especially refreshing swim in the summer heat. The water is incredibly enticing, and the swim always refreshing thanks to those springs.
A free public beach. There is a bar with a seating area, offering coffee, soft drinks, beer and other light refreshments and snacks.
How to get there
In summer the SP358 coastal road from Castro is closed off before you get here. Coming out of Castro to Marittima, then take the SP310 out, down to Cala dell’Acquaviva (which will bring you back out onto the SP358).
There are limited parking spaces. Steep steps take you down to the beach.u approach the climb before the bridge!
Try Cala dell’Acquaviva on the coastal route – one of Puglia’s best drives – from Santa Cesarea Terme to Santa Maria di Leuca. A secret swimming spot, best known to locals, the clear waters sparkle and shimmer in shades of azure and blue.
More Puglia by beach | Santa Maria di Leuca