An Essential Travel Guide to Santa Maria di Leuca

Planning a trip to Santa Maria di Leuca, or wondering whether to include it on your Puglia itinerary?

Our guide has got you covered!

At the very tip of Puglia’s heel, where the land meets the sea and the waters of the Adriatic and Ionian meet in a swirl of blue, you’ll find the charming little seaside town of Santa Maria di Leuca.

A place of azure shutters and whitewash walls, man-made promenades and viewpoints over the sea, it has an elegant 1920s resort vibe, the Art Nouveau villas that line the seafront testament to the town’s century long popularity amongst the Pugliese elite.

Arguably not quite as pretty as other more famous spots along the Puglian coast, it remains much less visited amongst road-tripping foreign tourists. Indeed, whilst it first caught our eye back in 2017 as we traced a path along the region’s periphery – a trip that began our enduring love affair with Italy – it wasn’t until our third and most recent visit to Puglia that we finally made Santa Maria di Leuca our home by the sea.

In this guide we’ll cover our favourite things to do in Santa Maria di Leuca, where to find the best beaches and sunbathing spots, some must-do day trips, and share our favourite places to eat, drink, and stay. We also cover transport connections at the end.

This is our guide to Santa Maria di Leuca, Puglia.

Is Santa Maria di Leuca Worth Visiting?

First and foremost, Santa Maria di Leuca is a holiday town.

A very nice holiday town, but primarily a place to relax, lounge and top up your tan.

Unlike Otranto, Polignano a Mare or Monopoli, which manage to straddle both historic interest, pretty old towns and seaside vibes, there isn’t a great deal to do in Leuca beyond swim and sunbathe.

For some this means you’ll want to move on after a few nights, or just use it as a base for exploring the gorgeous beaches nearby.

For others, this is exactly what makes it such a great summer time destination for those looking for a vacation experience in Puglia rather than constant sight-seeing, and is particularly well-suited to families.

The Beaches and The Lidos of Santa Maria Di Leuca

As Santa Maria di Leuca is essentially a purpose-built Italian resort, it should come as little surprise that there are an abundance of places to throw down your towel and have a dip, both for free and at a fancy lido.

The Beaches & Sunbathing Spots

Spiaggia Libera (maps) | Santa Maria di Leuca’s free beach is also its main beach. It’s pretty small but the majority is sandy with really calm waters. If you fancy a few hours here, be sure to arrive nice and early.

Lo Scalo di Leuca (maps) | Located within the arches beneath a bridge, this was our very favourite place to relax in Leuca. It won’t suit those that prefer sand or a sunbed, but we loved the super chilled, super Italian vibe. It’s a bit of a walk away, so bring what you need with you, but there’s a little cafe by the bridge where you can buy beers and snacks to take away (put your shirt back on when entering).

Piscinetta Naturale di Acqua Salata (maps) | A natural pool of sorts, its location next to a playground means you’ll need to time your visit well for a relaxing swim, but it is particularly pretty at golden hour when the water softly reflects the summer sky above.

The Rocks (maps) | Next to Lido Azzuro, you’ll find an entry point to a small pier and rocks we liked for swimming and sunbathing.

The Lidos

Santa Maria di Leuca has a number of really excellent and stylish lidos,which very much add to that old school resort vibe that the town exudes, and they trump the beaches on offer in town.

Daily prices vary quite considerably depending upon the time of year, beginning at €20 for two sunbeds and a parasol in low season (June or September), to €70 in August.

We’ve shared the best of the bunch below and, unless we say otherwise, all these lidos have their sunbeds placed upon purpose-built wooden platforms above a rocky shoreline.

Not sure what a lido is? Then you definitely need to read our guide to beach clubs in Italy before you set off on your trip!

Relax Leuca (maps) | This relatively large lido is located in west of the town, furthest from the centre. Its restaurant has particularly good reviews, and this is a good option if arriving early in the day, as this lido tends to lose sun in the late afternoon / early evening due to its location.

Lido Giulia (maps) | Popular, highly-rated lido in a quiet section of town.

Samarinda Fine Beach (maps) | By far the best lido set-up (in our opinion at least), with gorgeous sunbeds and an old holywood glam vibe. The food is really excellent too. Unfortunately this combo means it is pretty darn expensive – which has resulted in a less than stellar Google Reviews rating. We still think it’s gorgeous though.

Blanc Leuca (maps) also has amazing beds, but we wouldn’t recommend it.

Lido Azzurro Leuca (maps) | This super popular lido is a good choice for those that prefer a sandy beach, as one section of their sunbeds are on the little sandy cove. The restaurant has really excellent reviews.

Lido AlbaChiara (maps) | We personally didn’t love the lido set up here (the sunbeds are a little too close together and it feels like more of a restaurant than somewhere to relax all day), but they make a really good spritz so it’s a great shout for an aperitivo with views over the water.

Plan // Our 16 Favourite Beaches in Puglia

Things to Do in Santa Maria di Leuca

| Join a boat trip along the coast

As you walk along the seafront, you’ll pass countless stands and signs announcing boat excursions to the various grottoes and inlets the line this beautiful section of the coast. Popular ones to visit include Grotte dei Giganti, Grotta del Presepe, Grotta del Diavolo and Grotta del Drago.

These tours vary between 90 minutes and a couple of hours, and cost around €25 per person.

If you’re visiting during high season or with a large group we’d recommend reserving your spot in advance, as this is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Maria di Leuca. It can either be done with one of the tour operators in town, or alternatively – if you’d prefer to get things sorted – consider this highly rated three-hour option which can be booked online.

| Head up to the Basilica

Perched atop a hill overlooking the town is the 18th century Santuario di Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, a sentinel at the southernmost tip of Italy.

Originally a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva, the site’s spiritual trajectory shifted dramatically with the arrival of Christianity; legend has it that Saint Peter himself transformed the pagan temple into a place of worship dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The honey-coloured structure we see today may be a product of later centuries, but the enduring myth has solidified the Basilica’s sacred status and it remains an important pilgrimage site for thousands of Christians each year. We actually discovered on a recent visit to Lazio that Santa Maria di Leuca is the final stop on the Southern Via Francigena, a vast pilgrimage route that begins in Rome.

You can find the Basilica here, and its opening hours are 6.30am to 10pm, but it shuts to visitors when Mass is taking place. To reach it, either drive up and park in the nearby carpark, or alternatively walk down the Aquedotto steps.

Top Tip // If you’re planning your Puglian escape for mid-August, time your stay in Santa Maria di Leuca with the Festival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Taking place every year on the 15th August, the statue of the Virgin (which normally resides in the Basilica) is paraded through the streets and down to the port, before being placed on a fishing boat for a jaunt along the coast. The festival culminates with her return to to the Basilica, a huge fireworks display and a street party!

| The Lighthouse

Not far from away, you’ll find the 50 metre tall Faro di Capo Santa Maria di Leuca.

Built in 1864 on the site of a 16th century watchtower, it is still in use and remains one of Leuca’s most impressive landmarks (and the second tallest lighthouse in all of Italy)

The lighthouse isn’t actually open to the general public though, and the main reason that people head out this way is for the views over the two seas – head to this spot for this viewpoint.

| Head to the nearby beaches

One of the very best things about basing yourself in Santa Maria di Leuca is the town’s proximity to an abundance of excellent beaches and swimming spots (including a number of our favourites).

A few of our nearby favourites include:

Spiaggia de Pelousce

Piscina Zinzulusa

Cala dell’Acquaviva

Marina Serra

Il Ciolo

Realistically, those using the town as a base for day trips should have a rental car. You can find full details on how to reach these beaches, available facilities and parking etc in our favourite beaches in Puglia guide, alongside other amazing spots throughout the region.

| Drive the stunning coastal road to Otranto

Much of the driving you’ll do to on the coast of Puglia is along a highway split by the pink flowers. It’s pretty, but not a patch on what we think is the most enjoyable and scenic coastal drive in all of the region: the high winding road from Santa Maria di Leuca to Otranto.

If you’re on a road trip that passes through this part of the region, or plan on visiting any of the nearby beaches, you’ll naturally travel along some of its 60km length, but even if you plan on spending most of your time in Leuca, we highly recommend travelling its distance at least once on a sunny day.

It truly is wonderful – just make sure to set your GPS to hug the coast rather than take you via the quicker inland road.

Did You Know? // The Acquedotto Pugliese, an important 20th century engineering project to solve eternal water shortages, stretches for hundreds of kilometres across Puglia. It culminates in Leuca’s dramatic Cascata Monumentale (maps), a man-made waterfall that is only open a couple of times a year, so a must-see if you’re lucky enough to be in the area at the right time.

| Take a Day Trip to Gallipoli

In the south-west corner of Puglia lies the old island town of Gallipoli. Accessible only via sea or a 16th century bridge, it was once a strategic centre of influence for the maritime trade. These days however, it is more of a seaside summer escape for holidaying Italians and a decent number of Europeans drawn to the fabulous setting.

Surrounded by water on all sides, its identity remains indelibly linked to the rhythms of the ocean – fishermen fixing nets or doing repairs after their early morning outings are still common, seafood is a feature on most menus and the atmosphere in town can change should a salty gale begin to blow and buffet its ancient walls. 

One thing has remained true throughout the changes; Gallipoli still more than lives up to the provenance of its name, ‘beautiful city’ in Greek. 

How to Get To Gallipoli | If you have a rental car, it’s an easy 40-minute drive from Santa Maria di Leuca, however it is also possible with the public bus system. There are several routes (with different departure points) in operation, so we suggest looking into further. Journey time is around 1.5 hours.

Plan your visit with our guide to Gallipolli

Where to Stay in Santa Maria di Leuca

Hotels & Guesthouses

In line with Santa Maria di Leuca’s reputation as a holiday destination, there are several resort-style hotels in town – two of our top picks are Approdo Boutique Hotel Leuca and Hotel Terminal.

A’mmare Rooms| This place is absolutely ideal for couples or single travellers who want new, stylish, modern rooms without out all the eccentricities of a full-on hotel.

We stayed in Biancaleuca Rooms & Suite, which offered a similar set up but breakfast was delivered to our room. Would definitely recommend it to other travellers.

fuoridalgusciohome | This little B&B is so charming. Owned, run and loved by a local lady, every little corner is considered, stylish and homely. The garden area with sun loungers is particularly lovely.

Villa Romasi| An ideal option for those that wish to be close to the beach but stay within a relaxing environment, this 17th historical property has been beautifully refurbished and offers a real oasis of calm. Guests also speak highly of the breakfast.

If you don’t mind going a little further outside Leuca in search of solitude, consider Masseria Serine, a highly-rated agrotursimo or the stunning Montiro’ Hotel – both are only a couple of kilometres from town.

Other spots that are worth taking a look at are B&B Santa Maria Di Leuca,B&B Leucaineout and B&B Villa Ines.

Apartments & Airbnbs

Stella Marina | This wonderful one-bedroom traditional house with vaulted stone ceilings is a super popular choice in Leuca – and we can see why. It’s light and airy with tasteful decor, plus has a private courtyard with dining area and space to park a car.

Other one-bedrooms we love the look of are Villetta Federica, and the beautifully renovated Vistamare.

Maldives of Salentois a great one-bedroom option if you need to keep costs down.

Porto Grande Leuca | This two-bedroom apartment is just gorgeous! It’s large and modern throughout, and has a huge terrace with views out over the water. Also has free parking.

Remember that sunbathing spot beneath the arches that we said was our favourite? Well you can rent this property whose frontage opens up directly on to it! The interior is a bit dated, but the location is incredible. Also available on Booking.com.

CasaSignorina| A new property (so limited reviews), but the design, attention to detail, space, location in the centre of Leuca and the outdoor area with small swimming pool makes this two-bed definitely worth taking a look at!

Other two-bed properties worth checking out (both very popular and with excellent reviews) are Favoloso Attico tra Cielo e Mare and Villa Buganvilleuca.

Renovated Estate | Our top pick for a family or group of friends, this traditional stone villa underwent a complete renovation in 2021. offering three good-sized bedrooms, plenty of communal space and – best of all – a private swimming pool. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the beach.

If you need even more space, have a look at this 5-bedroom, architectural masterpiece. Pricy, but stunning.

Where to Eat in Santa Maria di Leuca

Ristorante La Conchiglia (maps) | As two people who have never really been keen on super fancy restaurants, this simple eatery ticked all our boxes. Good, quick service, large plates of excellent, good value seafood & pasta (and okay pizza), large carafes of decent house wine and table after table of loud, raucous local families and visiting Italians. A delight to every single sense.

Pizza da Leo (maps) | If you’re looking for truly excellent Neapolitan pizza, head here! Another cheap and easy option, served on plastic chairs in an unassuming pizzeria on an unassuming street – seriously good.

Calura Leuca (maps) | Hidden away along a small backstreet just a couple of minutes from the seafront, you may not notice this restaurant unless you knew where to head. Specialising in local seafood (alongside some veggie and meat options) in a delightful setting, it’s one of our top tips for a proper meal out. Do be aware that it gets super busy, even in shoulder season, so book ahead.

La Fica Paccia (maps) | This is a popular restaurant with a lovely garden setting, but that’s not why we’re recommending it. Instead, this is our top gelato stop! Just head inside the main door and you’ll spot a little gelateria. The pistachio (Emily’s standard Italian gelato order) was excellent!

Martinucci’s (maps) | This familiar Italian chain isn’t where we’d normally send people, but in a town that appeared to be surprisingly lacking in bars when we wandered round for ages in search of them, it was the only place we found with an aperitivo after 8pm (most places had already switched to the dinner service by then and we really couldn’t find another hangout). The aperitivo was surprisingly good though, and it’s a super popular place amongst locals and tourists alike, but please do let us know in the comments if you find alternatives!

How to Get to Santa Maria di Leuca

The nearest airport is Brindisi Airport, around 130 kilometres away / 1.5 hours away.

Whilst many of Puglia’s most popular tourist towns and villages are accessible by public transport, Santa Maria di Leuca is very much not.

Whilst there are bus connections to elsewhere in Puglia, there is no train.

We’d suggest that if you have plans to spend even just a couple of nights here (let alone use it as a base for the duration of your stay), hiring a car is absolutely essential.

All major car rental companies operate in Puglia, alongside some less well known Italian companies; whichever you choose to go for, if travelling in high season be sure to book your car hire in advance – although the supply is large, it is finite, and Puglia is now a very popular destination!

We rarely go direct when hiring our road trip vehicles, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are RentalCars and AutoEurope – both of which we have had only excellent experiences with.

If you really, really don’t want to rent a car and plan on remaining in Santa Maria di Leuca for the duration of your holiday, you may wish to consider a private transfer from Brindisi Airport, like this one.

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