Marina Di Novaglie: Cliffs and Walking Trails

Marina di Novaglie combines a distinctive rocky coastline with several walking trails of different kinds. A small landing place carved into the rock shapes the coastal landscape; the Grotta Azzurra and historic traces at various points along the coast add to it. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Marina Di Novaglie, you can choose your destination based on whether the coast, a short trail in the village, or a hiking route connected to the nature park is your priority. The trails can be distinguished by their routes and functions.

Rocky Coast, Bay, and Grotta Azzurra

Off Marina di Novaglie, the sea becomes deep quickly; by contrast, the water along the rocky coast is shallower. This contrast describes two water conditions within the same coastal landscape, adding a specific point of contrast to the rocky scenery. The small landing place carved into the rock adds a distinctive feature along the shore.

The Grotta Azzurra lies a few dozen metres from Punta Rossa, which marks the northern end of the bay. The short distance places the cave and the bay’s northern boundary in close proximity without making them one and the same. This makes it possible to identify the cave as a separate point in the coastal landscape, while Punta Rossa marks the northern boundary of the bay.

Walking Trails by Route and Function

The Sentiero Grotta Azzurra is a short walking trail in Marina di Novaglie, within the municipality of Alessano. From Marina di Novaglie, it follows the coast to the upper part of the entrance to the Grotta Azzurra. Both the coastal route and the destination area are therefore part of this trail.

The Sentiero del Porto has a different focus. A coastal walking trail in Marina di Novaglie, it follows the rocky coast around the small marina and returns to Via Amerigo Vespucci via natural stone steps. Compared with the Sentiero Grotta Azzurra, this trail focuses on the route around the harbour and the return to a road; the other trail leads to the upper part of the cave entrance. Check the conditions on the Sentiero del Porto locally before setting out.

The Sentiero Tratturo di Novaglie is a short connecting trail in Marina di Novaglie’s network of trails. Its function differs from that of the coastal trails: it serves as a link within this network. The Ciolo and Grotte Cipolliane hiking route, in turn, begins in Marina di Novaglie and explores landscapes in the Costa Otranto-Leuca e Bosco di Tricase Nature Park. When choosing a trail based on its character, you can thus distinguish between coastal routes, a link within the trail network, and a route connected to the nature park’s landscapes.

Historic Traces Along the Coast

Torre Novaglie is still visible at the northern edge of Novaglie, on the tip of an imposing cliff. By contrast, all that remains of an old watchtower at the southern tip of the small bay of Marina di Novaglie is an amorphous pile of stones. The two traces differ in their locations and visible condition: the tower can still be made out in the north, while only shapeless remains are left in the south.

Discover more destinations: Marina Di Andrano, Lido Marini, Matino, Torre Pali, Bagnolo Del Salento, Capilungo, Presicce, Baia Verde

For the main travel overview: Lecce.