San Cataldo is a sleepy little town.
The small sandy beach on the lungomare is busy until the end of August when the Italian summer holiday ends and San Cataldo suddenly empties.
Shallow waters extend from the beach for some distance before finding yourself out of depth, the azure blue sea gently undulating as it embraces you in its warmth, and you float gently, the Salento sun smiling down on you.
Grab some refreshments from Il Molo, taking its name from the pier built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian whose nearby ruins sit in the sea. They serve coffee and morning pastries, light snacks - panini or some rusticò - with a cool beer or glass of wine for lunch. Enjoy an aperitivo and nibbles as the afternoon slips by into evening.
San Cataldo is 15km from the centre of Lecce. The drive takes you along the route of the original Roman road also built by Hadrian.
The larger beach at San Cataldo is located in the nature reserve immediately to the southeast in the direction of the architectural site of Roca Vecchia.
Facilities
Public beach and Il Molo public caffè bar with customer toilet. The beach is accessed directly from the lungomare S. Caboto where you can park your car in plain view from the beach. Public bars, shops and restaurants are accessed easily on the other side of the lungomare.
