Baia delle Orte in Puglia: beaches & things to do

Coast, landscape and places to discover

Baia delle Orte lies on the Adriatic coast in the area of Otranto. Nearby coastal places include Punta Palascia and Otranto.

The page brings together the main public, natural and historic places documented for this locality, including Laghetto di Bauxite, Cala Casotto, Baia dell Orte and Spiaggia di Porto Grande.

Municipality Otranto · Province of Lecce

Coast Adriatic coast

Landscape Wild bay, bauxite lake and rocky coast

Discover Baia delle Orte

A concise guide to the coastline, the main places and the historical or environmental context of this locality.

Coast and landscape

The coastline around Baia delle Orte is characterised by wild bay, bauxite lake and rocky coast. This setting shapes both access to the sea and the identity of the resort.

Places to know

Among the places documented on this page are Laghetto di Bauxite, Cala Casotto, Baia dell Orte and Spiaggia di Porto Grande. Proper names are kept in their original local form.

Context and protection

The Baia delle Orte area combines a wild rocky-sandy coast with the nearby former bauxite quarry and its intensely coloured lake landscape.

Where Baia delle Orte is

On the Adriatic coast in the area of Otranto. Nearby coastal places include Punta Palascia and Otranto.

Baia delle Orte Otranto · Province of Lecce

Take me there

Approximate coordinates: 40.128, 18.5066

Photographs of Baia delle Orte

15 photographs document the coastline, local landmarks and seaside activities of Baia delle Orte.

Laghetto di Bauxite - Baia delle Orte - Otranto — Photo: luigichiriaco

Baia dell Orte - Baia delle Orte - Otranto — Photo: oriettabarulli

Grotta Palombara - Baia delle Orte - Otranto

Grotte dell Orte - Baia delle Orte - Otranto

Submit your photo

Have you photographed this resort, beach or natural place? Send your image to Salentissimo.it.

The photo and the details you enter will be emailed to the editorial team and checked before possible publication.

Beach or photographed place

Nickname or alias to display (optional)

Photographer’s social profile or website (optional)

Select the photograph JPG, PNG or WEBP, maximum 8 MB.

I confirm that I have the right to share this photograph and authorise Salentissimo.it to publish, resize and optimise it using the credit provided.

Your details will only be used to assess the photograph and contact you about this submission.

Beaches and places in Baia delle Orte

The page lists 7 public, natural or historic places documented for this locality.

Bauxite Lake

The former quarry south of Otranto has become one of Salento’s most recognisable landscapes: red earth, vegetation and a small lake fed by groundwater. Since February 2026 the municipality has confirmed that pedestrian access for visitors will be guaranteed, while work continues to make the steepest areas safer.

Cala Casotto

A small rocky cove in the Orte area south of Otranto, close to the former bauxite quarry. It is a natural sea access with limited space and a walk-in approach.

Baia dell Orte

A natural coastal stretch south of Otranto with low rock, Mediterranean scrub and walking routes linking the town, the Orte area, Bauxite Lake and Punta Palascia. It suits visitors who enjoy rocky coast and walking more than those looking for an easy serviced beach.

Porto Grande Beach

A wild, mainly rocky stretch of Baia delle Orte reached on foot, with clear water, good snorkelling potential in calm conditions and very few facilities directly on the coast.

Grotte dell’Orte

Natural cavities in the limestone cliffs south of Otranto: first and foremost a coastal and geological landscape, with panoramic trails and important safety rules close to the cliff.

Grotta Palombara

A large sea cave opening in the limestone cliff south of Otranto, catalogued as PU 153 and also known as Grotta dell’Alga. It can be viewed from the Orte coastal trail, but this cliff sector is subject to rockfall safety restrictions: sea and cave access must never be improvised.

Torre dell’Orte

A massive sixteenth-century coastal tower overlooking Baia delle Orte, best treated as a historic and scenic landmark to be viewed while respecting paths and private property.

Salentissimo.it

Services in Baia delle Orte

Choose a service and view all available businesses and information on its dedicated page.

Where to stay Accommodation, contacts and booking options. Open service Tours Boat trips, tours and experiences near the resort. Open service Where to eat Restaurants, trattorias, bars and local venues. Open service Rentals Cars, scooters, bicycles and local mobility services. Open service Events Events today, tomorrow, this weekend and later. Open service

Frequently asked questions about Baia delle Orte

Essential answers about the location, coast, principal places and current context.

Where is Baia delle Orte?

Baia delle Orte is in the municipality of Otranto between Punta Palascia and Otranto town.

What is the landscape of Baia delle Orte like?

It features cliffs, Mediterranean scrub, small coves and caves along a lightly developed coastline.

How did the Bauxite Lake form?

The regional park explains that groundwater reached during quarrying led to the formation of the small lake.

When was the bauxite quarry abandoned?

The regional park dates the final end of extraction to 1976-1978.

Which places does the Baia delle Orte page link?

Seven: Bauxite Lake, Cala Casotto, Baia dell'Orte, Porto Grande, Grotte dell'Orte, Grotta Palombara and Torre dell'Orte.

Does the old page list private beach clubs at Baia delle Orte?

No. The seven linked items have been retained as public, natural or historic places.

Nearby seaside resorts to discover

Continue along the coast towards Punta Palascia and Otranto.

Otranto · Previous resort