Also known as Grotta delle Striare, this cave on the Santa Cesarea Terme coast brings together local folklore and Pleistocene geology above the Adriatic.
The old page associated the cave with Castro and focused mostly on the legend. Regional and scientific sources now allow us to correct the location, separate folklore from geology and give safer visiting advice.
Grotta delle Streghe, also called Grotta delle Striare, is a cave in the high rocky coast of Santa Cesarea Terme. It is neither a sandy beach nor a conventional equipped bathing spot.
Treat it primarily as a natural, geological and scenic site.
The historic Salentissimo archive filed the cave under Castro, but the official regional tourism portal places Grotta delle Striare on the coast of Santa Cesarea Terme. We retain the old filename only so the legacy ASP page can redirect correctly.
For navigation we use Santa Cesarea Terme, between Porto Miggiano and Porto Badisco.
We found no institutional source documenting a normal public walking route into the cave. To see it safely, an organised sea excursion is preferable to improvised descents on the cliff.
Ask the operator whether the trip passes Grotta delle Striare and whether conditions allow a close approach that day.
The WALIS/ESSD scientific database records Grotta delle Striare as a Late Pleistocene sea-level indicator, with a fossil tidal notch attributed to MIS 5. Its interest is therefore geological as well as scenic.
The rock forms preserve evidence of former sea levels; do not remove or damage geological material.
The name refers to “striare”, witches in local storytelling. The official regional tourism portal presents this as legend and popular fascination surrounding the cave, not as a verified historical event.
Enjoy the story as part of Salento oral culture while keeping it separate from scientific evidence.
On this rocky coast, waves, wind and navigation safety determine whether a boat can approach. A tour may change route or skip the cave.
Always follow the skipper or guide.
The sea is deep and striking, but the cave should not be treated as an independent swimming target. Any swim or snorkel stop should be part of a safe organised outing and follow the guide’s instructions.
Do not set off from shore to reach the cave by swimming and do not enter without understanding sea and boat traffic conditions.
It can be interesting for families, but there is no beach, shallow water or comfortable land space. The vessel and length of the trip matter most.
Ask about recommended ages, lifejackets, boarding arrangements and shelter from spray.
We found no universally accessible public land route into the cave. For reduced mobility, feasibility depends on departure harbour, vessel and assistance.
Contact the operator directly before booking.
The cave has no parking of its own. If visiting by sea, park at the departure point given by the operator, which may be Castro, Porto Miggiano or another authorised harbour.
We do not publish a single parking fee or location because departure points and parking rules can change.
Water, sun protection, a hat, waterproof phone pouch and a light layer against wind and spray. Bring mask and swimwear only if the trip explicitly includes a swimming stop.
Non-slip footwear is useful on board; beach equipment is unnecessary for a cave with no beach.
The pin uses 40.046433, 18.476133, the coordinates reported for Grotta delle Striare in the WALIS/ESSD scientific database. The point lies on the Santa Cesarea Terme coast, not in central Castro.
The cave and cliff change with light and sea conditions; images should be read as landscape documentation, without confusing natural forms with folklore.
Have you photographed this beach or a beach club located here? 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 among the photographs of this beach.
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.
On the same coast you can combine the 100 Steps cove, Grotta delle Ancore and Grotta Azzurra, checking access and conditions for each.
The small Porto Miggiano cove, accessible from land and covered by an updated practical guide.
Open guide Sea caveAnother cave on the nearby Porto Miggiano coast, along the same high, indented shoreline.
Open guide Sea caveThe Castro sea cave known for blue reflections, to be visited under different arrangements and with sea conditions checked first.
Open guideDo 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.
Return to Santa Cesarea Terme or continue along the coast towards Porto Miggiano and Porto Badisco.
Essential answers on location, the name “Striare”, folklore, geology, access, excursions and safety.
