Also known as Grotta delle Striare, this cave on the Santa Cesarea Terme coast brings together local folklore and Pleistocene geology above the Adriatic.
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.
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 public information source 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 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.
Beach clubs and bathing establishments linked to this location.
Add it to the portal for free.
Add beach clubOn the same coast you can combine the 100 Steps cove, Grotta delle Ancore and Grotta Azzurra, checking access and conditions for each.
Gli Archi Rock Shelter is listed in the Puglia cave register at 40.0339166, 18.4556392. It is a cliff shelter/cavity best treated as a natural feature, not as a safe diving platform.
Bagno Marino Cave is listed by the Puglia Speleological Federation at 40.0349666, 18.4561333. It lies on Santa Cesarea Terme’s steep rocky coast and should not be treated as an easy-access beach.
Torre Minervino is one of Santa Cesarea Terme’s historic coastal towers, on high ground towards Villaggio Paradiso. The recovered ruin is a striking viewpoint over the coast between Porto Badisco and Santa Cesarea.
A small rocky cove in the Via Fontanelle area of Santa Cesarea Terme. This is not a sandy beach: people settle on rock platforms and enter the sea from natural access points and steps. It can be excellent for swimming and snorkelling in calm conditions, but it requires more care than a sandy shore.
A free rocky cove in the Via Fontanelle area: broad rock surfaces, water that can deepen quickly and a descending access route that has been subject to safety works since 2026.
Torre Specchia La Guardia is a ruined tower in Santa Cesarea Terme’s coastal defence system, on high rural ground. Specialist sources describe it as one of the harder towers to reach and in a neglected condition.
Torre Santa Cesarea is part of the four coastal fortifications identified by the Municipality of Santa Cesarea Terme. It is a historic viewpoint above the town; interior public access should not be assumed.
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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.
