Litorale di Gagliano del Capo

Between the Ciolo and Santa Maria di Leuca the coast of Gagliano del Capo is a long cliff almost five kilometres long, level with the Cucuruzzi and Paduli masserie. There are no beaches or beach clubs, and the stretch has no name of its own: it is high coast, where access to the sea is difficult and has to be sought on foot.

For a swim, about a kilometre to the north is the Ciolo gully, with its cove and caves; to the south, less than one and a half kilometres away, are the sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, the monumental waterfall of the Acquedotto Pugliese and the Leuca lighthouse on Punta Meliso. On the cliff you will need suitable shoes and caution, and it is not a stretch for children. The coast is in the Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase regional nature park, where protection rules apply. It is part of the Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca Natura 2000 site.

The nearest car park is a few hundred metres from the coast. The cliff faces east: with north (tramontana), south (ostro), south-west (libeccio), west (ponente) and north-west (maestrale) winds the sea is calmer, with north-east (grecale), east (levante) and south-east (scirocco) winds it gets rough.