Roca Vecchia Tower · Salento
Puglia · Salento · Melendugno · Adriatic Sea

Roca Vecchia Tower

Roca Vecchia Tower, also known as Torre di Maradico, is the ruin of a 16th-century coastal tower on the islet in front of the ancient settlement. It is a historic and scenic monument, not a beach or a place to reach by swimming.

Roca Vecchia Tower: What to know before you go

Checked practical information on access, sea conditions, services and safety. Since July 2026 the Roca Vecchia archaeological area and Grotte della Poesia have organised management. The small coves outside remain separate coastal places, but on-site signs, barriers and local orders must always be respected.

Getting there and access

View the tower from the coast and Roca paths. The national heritage catalogue places it on an islet separated by sea: we do not recommend swimming to it or climbing the ruins.

Access

If an access point is closed or altered, do not improvise shortcuts: use authorised routes only.

Sea, coast and seabed

Around the islet the coast is rocky and the seabed uneven. The scenery does not remove currents, waves or difficult exits: the sensible visit is a panoramic one from the mainland.

Sea

Before moving away from shore, identify a safe exit point and do not enter if waves or current exceed your ability.

Families and children

Recommended for visitors interested in Roca’s history, archaeology, photography and views. It is not a standalone swimming destination and not suitable for anyone intending to physically reach the monument.

Families

Before planning the day, consider access, distance from services, crowding and how easy it will be to get back.

Parking and services

Parking, ticketing and services relate to the Roca Vecchia visitor system, not the tower on the islet. Since 2026 check ArcheoRoca for opening times, routes and archaeological-area conditions.

Planning

Do not leave valuables visible in the car and do not occupy verges, access points or unauthorised spaces.

Accessibility

Viewpoints can be approached through the Roca visitor system, but the rocky coast and islet are not barrier-free. Ask the site management about the most suitable route.

Accessibility

If you have specific mobility needs, check before leaving whether the route is genuinely usable that day.

Wind and sea conditions

Do not climb the ruins or attempt a swim crossing simply because the distance looks short. Follow barriers, archaeological instructions and local orders.

Safety

If the wind strengthens, reassess your return before conditions worsen.

What has changed / rules to check

Since July 2026 the Roca Vecchia archaeological area and Grotte della Poesia have organised management. The small coves outside remain separate coastal places, but on-site signs, barriers and local orders must always be respected.

Update

If signs or barriers on site are more restrictive than this guide, the instructions on site always take precedence.

Who it suits

Recommended for visitors interested in Roca’s history, archaeology, photography and views. It is not a standalone swimming destination and not suitable for anyone intending to physically reach the monument.

Recommended

Before deciding, pay particular attention to the access and safety cards, as they can completely change the experience.

Less suitable for

Less suitable for anyone seeking an actual beach: this is mainly a historic, archaeological or scenic stop.

Less suitable

If one of these limitations is decisive for you, compare a nearby location before setting off.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, water, hat and camera/binoculars; swimming gear is not needed to visit the tower.

What to bring

Keep your phone and documents in a waterproof case and travel with only the essentials.

Roca Vecchia Tower

The pin locates the place; actual access, parking and conditions should be checked on site. Coordinates: 40.288430, 18.427810.

Coordinates: 40.28843, 18.42781

The gallery shows the available and verified photographs for this place.

Beach clubs and private businesses in Roca Vecchia

Do you own or manage a beach club or bathing establishment? Claim your listing free of charge: email us a photo, a short description, your contact details and a link to your website. We will create an updated card with the information you provide.

Do you own or manage one of these beach clubs? Claiming your listing is free. Email us a photo, a short description, phone number, email address, full address and official website. If your beach club is not listed, you can add it free of charge by email.

Nearby places to discover

Continue along the same coast with linked guides.

Accommodation in Roca Vecchia and nearby

Do you run a hotel, B&B, residence, holiday home or other accommodation? Claim your listing free of charge: email us a photo, a short description, your contact details and a link to your website. We will create an updated card with the information you provide.

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Hotel Belvedere Salento

Via Alessandro Volta, 37 Torre dell"Orso - Lecce +39 0832 84 12 44 Claim for free

Agriturismo Costarella

Provinciale Borgagne – S. Andrea Contrada Costarella,73026, Borgagne (Le) +39 380 4927948 Claim for free

Hotel Mare Blu

Litoranea Torre dell"Orso - San Foca, Via Gaetano Donizetti, 73026 Roca Vecchia (Le) +39 0832 841708 Claim for free

Barone di Mare

SP 366, 73026 - Torre Dell"Orso (Le) +39 0832/402530 Claim for free

Tenuta Pozzello

Prov.le Torre dell"Orso - Roca, Marina di Melendugno (Le) +39 347 3607044 Claim for free

The View b&b, Terrace & More

Via Venticinque Aprile, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 349 652 1865 Claim for free

Masseria Stali

Via Vicinale Cisterna Vecchia, 8 - 73010 Caprarica di Lecce (LE) +39 349.743.9463 Claim for free

Oasi Park Hotel

SP 366 Litoranea S. Cataldo - Otranto 73026 Roca di Melendugno (Le) +39 0832 842 633 - Cell: +39 320 382 6877 Claim for free

Posia Retreat & SPA UNA Esperienze

Via Lungomare Matteotti, 157, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 0832 700 433 Claim for free

Masseria La Millenaria

SP Melendugno - San Foca, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 389 177 3933 Claim for free

Antares Agriturismo

S.P. Melendugno – San Foca km 3, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 377 323 5826 Claim for free

Direzione Salento - Villa La Cisterna

Via delle Ginestre, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 320 084 6414 Claim for free

Hotel Morini

Piazza Fiume, 8A, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 0832 881 008 Claim for free

Sairon Village

Via Prov. per Melendugno, Torre Dell"orso, Melendugno (Le) +39 0832 842 000 Claim for free

Agriturismo Tenuta Kyrios

SP147 Borgagne-Martano km 1,3, 73026 Borgagne (Le) +39 334 171 7972 Claim for free

Borgo Segine - Tenuta del Falcone

Via Euterpe, Km 2,7 - Torre Specchia,Melendugno (Le) +39 337 826617 Claim for free

Masseria Carrozzi

Contrada Carrozzi, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 0832 881 003 Claim for free

Giardino dei Suoni B&B

Via Sant"Agostino, 22 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 329 40 54 410 (Claudia) Claim for free

Resort Leonardo

Via del Canneto, 2, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 351 512 5249 Claim for free

Casa vacanze Il Tramaglio

Via Padova, 14, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 333 724 9391 Claim for free

La Zolfara

Via Giuseppe Parini 4, 73027 Roca Vecchia - Marina di Melendugno (Le) +39 327 173 0845 Claim for free

Residence Vaìa

Contrada Sentinella, 73026 Torre dell"Orso (Le) +39 388 447 5050 Claim for free

Agriturismo Tenuta Don Giovanni

SP Melendugno-San Foca km 0.5, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 0832 178 5255 Claim for free

Villa Rosa Candida

Via delle Gardenie, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 320 769 6620 Claim for free

Regina Isabella Rooms

Via Mediterraneo 1/11, 73026 Roca Vecchia (Le) +39 329 061 3963 Claim for free

B&B Blu San Foca

Via Tevere, 15, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 349 848 1237 Claim for free

Resort Punta Cassano

Litorale Lecce-Otranto, 73026 San Foca (Le) +39 333 949 0037 Claim for free

Radici B&B

Via Filippo Turati, 26, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 340 468 4730 Claim for free

Suite Petrelli

Via Zeno, 73026 Roca Vecchia (Le) +39 377 023 0785 Claim for free

B&B Pietramare

Via Roma, 26, 73026 Melendugno (Le) +39 320 966 9789 Claim for free
Is your accommodation missing? Add it free of charge by emailing us the property details. Add your accommodation

Continue along the coast

Navigation follows the parent resort and the actual neighbouring coastal locations.

Frequently asked questions · Roca Vecchia Tower

Access, sea, parking, families, services and safety.

Where is it?
Roca Vecchia · Salento · Puglia
What type of place is it?
Ruined 16th-century coastal tower
How do you get there?
View the tower from the coast and Roca paths. The national heritage catalogue places it on an islet separated by sea: we do not recommend swimming to it or climbing the ruins.
What is the sea or seabed like?
Around the islet the coast is rocky and the seabed uneven. The scenery does not remove currents, waves or difficult exits: the sensible visit is a panoramic one from the mainland.
Is it suitable for children?
Recommended for visitors interested in Roca’s history, archaeology, photography and views. It is not a standalone swimming destination and not suitable for anyone intending to physically reach the monument.
Where can you park and are there services?
Parking, ticketing and services relate to the Roca Vecchia visitor system, not the tower on the islet. Since 2026 check ArcheoRoca for opening times, routes and archaeological-area conditions.
Is it accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Viewpoints can be approached through the Roca visitor system, but the rocky coast and islet are not barrier-free. Ask the site management about the most suitable route.
Can you swim or snorkel?
Around the islet the coast is rocky and the seabed uneven. The scenery does not remove currents, waves or difficult exits: the sensible visit is a panoramic one from the mainland. Do not climb the ruins or attempt a swim crossing simply because the distance looks short. Follow barriers, archaeological instructions and local orders.
What is the main safety point?
Do not climb the ruins or attempt a swim crossing simply because the distance looks short. Follow barriers, archaeological instructions and local orders.