Visiting Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry) in Puglia: FAQs and Tips

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Plan the perfect trip to one of Puglia’s most iconic destinations – the Cave of Poetry (Grotta della Poesia)!

In the east corner of southern Italy sits Grotta della Poesia, also known as The Cave of Poetry, along one of Europe’s most picturesque coastlines.

A few years ago, this sight experienced its well-deserved five minutes of fame which gradually developed into becoming a focal point of the entire region.

As a stunning ancient site, one of the most beautiful natural pools and caves in Italy, Grotta della Poesia is unquestionably worth the trek down south.

In this travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to visit Grotta della Poesia (The Cave of Poetry) and what to expect.

What Is the Grotta Della Poesia?

In Italian, grotta directly translates to grotto in English. La poesia means poetry in Italian so the immediate definition of Grotta della Poesia is The Cave of Poetry. Despite its name, Grotta della Poesia is more of a natural swimming pool than a cave, at least in present day.

Additionally, fans of literature will be disappointed as the cave in reality has nothing to do with poetry. Stemming from a deeper part of history, it makes more sense that Poesia was adapted from the Greek word of Posia which refers to a source of drinking water. 

The Cave of Poetry is located within a larger archaeological site where the ancient city of Roca Vecchia (also known as Roca) once existed. Based on historical findings, the first civilisation to inhabit Roca were the Messapians. The Messapians were people who originated from beyond Italy and from what is now Albania.

Upon archaeological excavation of Roca which began in the 1920s, additional systems of caves, tunnels, tombs and even wells have been discovered.

The primary section of the Roca’s archaeological area is just north of The Cave of Poetry and much more preserved than the famous swimming hole. What makes Grotta della Poesia so enticing is the fact that it’s a collapsed cave, therefore creating the spectacular sight it is today.

Where Is The Cave of Poetry?

The natural wonder is located on the Adriatic coastline of Italy’s Puglia region. Puglia (or Apulia) is southern Italy’s heel of the country’s boot-like shape. Grotta della Poesia geographically belongs to the province of Lecce and on the Salento peninsula.

With just a short 30 minute drive from the city of Lecce, The Cave of Poetry is a popular tour and day trip destination. Its accessibility makes it the ideal attraction for a Puglia road trip or an easy afternoon voyage.

Cave of Poetry FAQs

Is Grotta Della Poesia Free to Visit?

Officially, there is an entrance fee to Grotta della Poesia. Admission is €3 for adults, €2 for children/seniors and free if you’re a local resident or disabled. There are ticket machines located at the front gate of the entrance or you can attempt to purchase tickets via email.

Off the record, the reality is quite the opposite. Each time we’ve visited Grotta della Poesia, we have never paid for admission.

During our experiences, the entrance to The Cave of Poetry was never monitored (nobody was present at the gate or nearby) and was fully open/accessible to visitors.

Based on the hundreds of other people we have seen go to the cave, nobody else ever seemed to pay either. If you happen to get unlucky during your visit and are requested to pay for an admission ticket, we still think the small fee is worth it. 

What Are the Cave of Poetry Opening Hours?

The Cave of Poetry is a seasonal attraction. The official opening dates are from May to mid October. Operating hours begin at 9am and end at 7pm each day.

Separately, the Roca Vecchia archaeological site is only possible to visit from 4pm – 8pm. There is a physical gate to Grotta della Poesia so if you attempt to visit outside of the posted opening hours, chances are that you won’t be able to enter.

Does Grotta Della Poesia Have Parking?

Our first visit to The Cave of Poetry was in 2019. Back then, we had to park on the streets in the town of Roca and walk. Since then, parking has expanded in recent years, which we utilised by parking in the designated parking lot much closer to the cave.

Comparatively, it is an expensive parking lot but for around €2/hr, it’s the most convenient option when visiting Grotta della Poesia.

If the lot is full or you do not wish to pay, you can find free street parking near the bar down the street.

Is It Possible to Swim in The Cave of Poetry?

Supposedly, swimming in The Cave of Poetry is prohibited and you will see signs about it upon arriving. However, the primary thing you will see people doing at Grotta della Poesia is… swimming.

During our visits, we’ve never seen a park employee, guard or officer patrol the actual cave area. It is up for debate on how strictly they enforce this rule.

For those set on taking a dip, the nice thing about the natural swimming pool is how sheltered it is from the wild sea. We’ve visited on a very windy day but the water in the cave’s lagoon remained calm.

On a day with safe conditions, it’s also possible to swim from the cave, through a tunnel in the cliff and out to the open sea.

For thrill seekers, jumping into the water from the top of the cave is a must. Alternatively, you can access the water by a set of stairs carved into the side of the cave. The stairs are not the swiftest to navigate, lack any sort of railing and are narrow.

Use your best judgement when it comes to deciding if you’ll actually swim at Grotta della Poesia or simply admire the view from atop. 

Is the Cave of Poetry Crowded?

We thoroughly enjoy sharing details when it comes to visiting hidden gems. As much as we want for that to be the case with this destination, Grotta della Poesia has unfortunately been discovered.

However, this isn’t to say it’s a tourist trap by any means and is undoubtedly still worth visiting. Even if you won’t be alone, The Cave of Poetry is wondrous to witness and an even more unique experience if you decide to swim in it.

For those still looking to share the spot with as few people as possible, there are a couple of ways to do so. First, avoid visiting Grotta della Poesia in June through August.

Furthermore, visit the cave from 1pm – 4pm as most people will leave to grab lunch during those hours. From our experience, October was the quietest time to experience The Cave of Poetry and still warm enough for swimming.

How to Visit Grotta Della Poesia

By Plane and Car

If you are flying to Puglia, you can take advantage of two international airports in the region. One airport is located in Bari (Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla) and the other in Brindisi (Salento Airport).

The airport in Brindisi is only one hour from The Cave of Poetry but flight options and paths tend to be limited. By flying into Bari instead, you’re more likely to find flights which better fit your itinerary. The international airport in Bari is located two hours from Grotta della Poesia by car.

Puglia and the Salento peninsula specifically, are most efficiently explored by car. There are countless places just like Grotta della Poesia that are not easily (or at all) accessible other than with a car.

Both airports in Bari and Brindisi are suitable starting points to rent a car for your entire trip. If you opt for a compact vehicle, you may be surprised at how inexpensive a rental car can be.

By Train & Bus

After flying into Bari or Brindisi, reaching the prominent city of Lecce is effortless by train. Lecce is very well connected in terms of transportation which makes it a great base for not only visiting The Cave of Poetry but Puglia in general.

From Lecce, there are a few ways to reach the end destination of Grotta della Poesia. You can either catch a ride by taxi or take the bus towards the coast.

Salento Link is the bus line which will get you to the town of Roca in one hour from Lecce during tourist season.

With a Guided Tour

Booking a visit to Grotta della Poesia is least uncomplicated with a guided tour. By joining an exclusive or group tour, you won’t have to worry about transportation and logistics of reaching the cave.

Plus, you’ll likely receive a huge amount of information on the actual site from an expert. With both Lecce and Otranto only 30 minutes away, there’s no shortage of Grotta della Poesia tour packages and options to choose from.   

Useful Tips for Visiting The Cave of Poetry

Visiting With Kids

For the most part, Grotta della Poesia is a wild and unmanaged attraction. If you’re travelling with kids, it’s very useful to know that this means there are no safety barriers, ropes or guard-rails in place.

Furthermore, the ground surrounding the direct area around the deep hole is not even or flat. Even for adults, it’s easy to accidentally trip over a rock.

If you’re visiting The Cave of Poetry with kids, be prepared to keep a very close eye on them, especially if they’re under 10 years old.

People travelling with a stroller should not bother bringing the stroller to the cave unless it’s very well equipped for off-road terrain.

Bring Your Own Food and Supplies

Within the direct vicinity of The Cave of Poetry, there are zero facilities and no restaurants or bars. If you plan on spending a couple of hours there, pack your own food and drinks, especially water.

During peak season, you may see a very small vendor cart parked directly at the cave and which has beverages available. Otherwise, the closest place to grab a bite to eat can be found just before the entrance to the archaeological site here.

There are very few flat places to lay out on that aren’t painful, due to the nature of the cliff’s composition. Small beach chairs are your best bet for hanging out at Grotta della Poesia comfortably.

Additionally, there are no trees and no other form of natural shade to hide under. It is also not possible to pitch a typical beach umbrella in the ground. So, be prepared to be exposed to the sun if you’re visiting during high season and wear enough sunscreen.

Expect a Short Walk

From the designated large parking lot, prepare for a 5-10 minute walk until you reach the actual cave. You will need to walk along a main road in addition to a dirt path after entering the gate to the site.

It is not a challenging hike by any means and can be achieved by anyone. From the town of Roca, it’s possible to walk along the road to reach Grotta della Poesia in 15 minutes. 

Capture Some Amazing Photos!

To capture the best photos during your visit to Grotta della Poesia, make sure you walk around the entire perimeter. Each location of where you stand from atop provides a unique perspective on the swimming hole.

If you’re particularly keen on leaving The Cave of Poetry with some fantastic shots, do not stay in one place! Additionally, by exploring the area around the cave, you’ll have the chance to see more views of the rocky coastline, a couple of landmarks and ruins. 

Be Careful

Above all, it’s important to use your best judgement when visiting Grotta della Poesia. If you are not careful, it’s definitely not the safest place to be and certainly not accident proof.

One of the reasons that this place is so magical to visit is its current lack of infrastructure. Other than the crowds, it still feels like a natural phenomenon and not a typical tourist attraction.

We expect this may change in a couple of years but for the time being, keep your wits about you while there is no safety equipment in place. 

More Puglia Travel Posts:

• Puglia’s Natural Swimming Pool in Marina Serra
• 18 of the Best Beaches in Puglia
• Where to Stay in Puglia
• Best Free Beaches Near Monopoli
• Top Tips on Driving in Puglia

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