Tour in the Natural Beauties of Salento Santa Maria di Leuca and Specchia

Tour in the Natural Beauties of Salento Santa Maria di Leuca and Specchia

Explore some of Puglia's gorgeous scenery with this 9-hour day trip from Lecce to Santa Maria di Leuca and Specchia. See caves and geological formations, including an underground olive press. Enjoy panoramic views and lunch (own expense) at Patù/San Gregorio.

Get picked up at your hotel or other location in central Lecce by your driver for the day.

Travel first to Santa Maria di Leuca, which sits on the southernmost tip of the Salento peninsula on a stunningly beautiful bay. It's a popular town with visitors, and is steeped in history. According to legend, it was in this area that Aeneas, the founding father of the Roman people, set foot on land. And Saint Peter is said to have started on his missionary work in Italy from here. Visit the town's cathedral, which is located where there was once a temple to the goddess Minvera - on the right when you enter the church you can see a relic from this time.

Hire a local sailor to take you on a boat tour, which is the only way to see the truly fascinating underwater caves and other geological formations off the coast.

Continue to Patù/San Gregorio, where you can eat lunch (own expense) at the Bar del Moro, a local relaxed atmosphere with a breathtaking panorama. Sample typical local products in the various dishes.

Next, head for Specchia, where the historic center is still set according to a typical Medieval town plan, where the center is the castle. The most evocative part of the village is that behind the castle, among flights of stairs and short, narrow streets, among the alleyways and courtyards. Don't miss the recently-restored underground olive press, a testament to the historical importance of olive oil production in Specchia and in Puglia in general. There are four underground olive presses - Scupola, Cicca, Perrone, and Francescai Neri. The mills were built in the 15th-19th centuries, carved out of the soft tufa rock.

At the conclusion of the trip, your driver will return you to your starting point in Lecce.

Please note: This day trip does not include a tour guide, and all exploration is self-guided. Entry fees, boat trips, and meals are all at your own expense.