There is a place in Italy where two seas meet and the land seems to narrow until it becomes the horizon. It is Santa Maria di Leuca, at the De Finibus Terrae sanctuary, the symbolic destination of our journey along the Via del Mare section of the Cammino del Salento, from Lecce to the southernmost tip of Apulia. This is not just a hike: it is a leisurely journey through cliffs, olive groves, coastal towers, white villages, and the scent of the Mediterranean scrub. Every day we walk with the sea by our side, between the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas, with time to truly observe, listen to, and breathe in the land. A journey in small groups, sharing the effort, smiles, and views that stay with you forever. With a guide by our side and luggage transport, we focus solely on walking. The rest is taken care of by the wind rustling through the olive trees, the scent of the sea, and the trails that follow the coastline, with the feeling, day after day, of getting closer and closer to our destination. All you need to bring is the desire to set out on the journey: we’ll take care of the rest.
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Program
First day
We arrive in Lecce in the afternoon and check into the hotel. Our guide will be waiting for us to accompany us along the Cammino del Salento! Together, at a slow and respectful pace, we will walk along seaside paths, ancient sheep tracks, fragrant countryside, and authentic villages, far from mass tourism, following a rhythm that leaves room for listening and discovery. Each village will be marked with a stamp in the Pilgrim’s Passport, all the way to the last one, in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the Sanctuary of De Finibus Terrae, where the journey comes to an end. At the end, we will receive our Testimonium of the Cammino del Salento: a tangible sign of the journey completed and the precious time you have dedicated to yourself. A concrete memento of an experience that will stay with you.
Second day
The Via del Mare beginsin Torre dell'Orso .
On this journey, we choose to immediately enter the heart of the Via del Mare del Cammino del Salento. With a private transfer included, we re
and begin walking with the sea before our eyes. We avoid the hottest and most paved stretches at the edge of the city and immerse ourselves in the coastal views. We cross a pine forest scented with resin and reach the two majestic sea stacks of Torre Sant'Andrea, authentic natural sculptures, before continuing towards the Alimini Lakes and the picturesque Baia dei Turchi. We conclude the Cammino del Salento stage by arriving in Otranto, the "gateway to the East": a city suspended between cultures and horizons. Dinner and overnight stay.
Third day
Porto Badisco and the Moorish elegance of Santa Cesarea
We leave Otranto walking south along the coast, wherethe Adriatic becomes wilder and rockier. The first steps take us along paths and stretches overlooking the sea, with a view that embraces white cliffs and transparent water. The route alternates between Mediterranean scrub, ancient coastal towers, and small hidden coves. We pass Porto Badisco, linked to the myth of Aeneas' landing, and continue along a jagged coastline. The wind smells of salt and wild thyme, while the sea remains our constant traveling companion. The arrival in Santa Cesarea Terme is spectacular: the village appears from above, with its elegant Moorish architecture and famous thermal baths. Here, the journey slows down, amid white light and silence, offering one of the most evocative stages of the entire Via del Mare.
Fourth day
One of the most breathtaking stretches of the Via del Mare
The stage along the Via del Mare of the Cammino del Salento from Santa Cesarea Terme to Marina Serra is one of the most scenic stretches of trekking in Salento. We leave the famous thermal baths of Santa Cesarea and continue along the Apulian Adriatic coast, walking on paths overlooking the sea between limestone cliffs, Mediterranean scrub, and ancient coastal towers. The route alternates between rocky sections and scenic mule tracks, always accompanied by the intense blue of the Adriatic Sea. The arrival in Marina Serra, with its famous natural swimming pool overlooking the sea, offers one of the most evocative endings to a stage on the entire Way.
Fifth day
Alle Finibus Terrae: where the journey ends
We cross the Sentiero del Nemico (Enemy's Path) and ancient local roads towards Marina di Novaglie, immersed in a landscape that changes with every step, between Mediterranean scrub, dry stone walls, and cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. We then enter the evocative Sentiero delle Cipolliane(Path of the Cipolliane), one of the most iconic stretches: the famous caves open onto the thin line between land and sea, while the path runs panoramically. We thus reach the Canale del Ciolo, a natural canyon. The last few steps lead us to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, our final destination. Here, the journey comes to an end and we will receive the Testimonium del Cammino del Salento, a tangible reminder of an authentic trekking experience between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca and dinner!
Sixth day
Goodbye Salento! Depending on your departure times, it will be possible to organize shared private transfers to Lecce train station or Brindisi airport. The transfer is not included in the price of the walk and must be paid separately, with the cost divided among the travelers. You can plan your return by train from Lecce from 11:30 a.m. onwards, or by plane from Brindisi from 2 p.m. onwards, with all the convenience of an organized service.
accommodation in double/triple rooms in hotels and B&Bs
private transfer on the second day
half-board accommodation
escort
health and baggage insurance
Pilgrim's Passport and Final Testimonium
luggage transporttravel, packed lunches, drinks, any entrance fees, tourist tax, return transfer from Leuca to Lecce, and anything not mentioned under "Includes."
Single occupancy accommodation from €150.
Hotels and B&Bs in Lecce, Otranto, Santa Cesarea, Marina Serra, and Santa Maria di Leuca.
Lecce is directly connected to Rome, Bologna, Milan, and other cities by high-speed and Intercity trains. The train station is located a short distance from the historic center and is easily accessible on foot or by taxi.
The nearest airport is Brindisi – Salento, about 45 km away. From the airport, you can reach Lecce by train, direct bus, or taxi. Alternatively, you can fly to Bari and continue by train to Lecce (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Lecce can be reached via the A14 motorway (Bari Nord exit) and the Bari–Lecce highway. There are several paid parking lots near the city center.
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The soundtrack to this Jonas experience
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