If you are organizing your trip to Salento you will no doubt have already heard of Melendugno, a small town in the province of Lecce, particularly known for its splendid marinas. A very quiet village, which has only 10,000 inhabitants, but equipped with every comfort and service, just a few steps from the sea. Precisely because of its strategic position, Melendugno is the perfect destination in which to spend your holidays, especially if you want to stay away from the chaos of mass tourism.
In this article you will find out how to get there, what to do and what to see in Melendugno, where to eat and where to go to the beach.
Where is Melendugno?
Melendugno is a small town located in the inland of central-eastern Salento, just 6.5 km from the picturesque Adriatic coast and about 20 km from Lecce. Its municipal territory is the fourth largest in the province and borders to the north with the municipality of Vernole , to the east with the Adriatic Sea , to the south with the city of < strong>Otranto, to the west with the municipalities of Carpignano Salentino and Calimera.
The municipality of Melendugno includes 5 splendid marinas: Torre Specchia Ruggeri, San Foca, Roca, Torre dell’Orso and Sant’Andrea and the hamlet of Borgagne.
Why is it called Melendugno?
According to legend, Melendugno derives from Malen-nio, which was transformed into Malandugno (bringer of misfortune) and, later, Melendugno (bearer of sweetness strong>). A hypothesis that seems to be confirmed by the municipal coat of arms, which depicts a beehive on the trunk of a tree surrounded by bees, and honey, in Melendugnese dialect is called “apples”.
In fact, Melendugno is also known as “the town of honey“, being the first Apulian municipality to join the network of territories that give origin and identity to Italian honeys.
How to get to Melendugno?
To move around Salento and get to Melendugno, in particular, we always recommend hiring a car, since it is the most comfortable and fastest way.
To get to Melendugno by car from Lecce just take the SP1 towards Vernole and continue until Melendugno. The road is quite smooth and simple.
How to reach Melendugno without a car? However, if you don’t have a car there are several buses from Lecce to Melendugno, just check the FSE lines.
What to see in Melendugno?
If you are staying in Melendugno during your holidays, we recommend that you take a tour , even on foot, to find out more about this pretty town in the Salento hinterland. The main points of interest are:
- the Church of Maria SS. Assunta: dating back to the 16th century, it has undergone various transformations and expansions over the years. Inside, under the floor level, there are nineteen burials, and you can admire the seventeenth-century altars, such as the one dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario;
- the Church of the Immaculate Conception: a small church located slightly outside the historic center built in 1666, which being “peripheral” was equipped with defensive elements against external attacks;
- the Castello dei D’Amelj: also known as Palazzo Baronale D’Amely, looks like a large polygonal tower built to a design by the well-known military engineer Gian Giacomo dell ‘Acaya in the second half of the 16th century, a work commissioned by Pompeo Paladini, seventh baron of Melendugno and Lizzanello.
- the Abbey of San Niceta: according to some sources it seems to date back to 1167, built at the behest of Tancredi d’Altavilla and was governed by the Basilian monks.
What to see near Melendugno?
As we said, the town is situated in an excellent position and is surrounded by numerous points of interest, starting from the marinas to the small and characteristic villages, from the countryside of olive trees and “pajare” to the megalithic monuments. So here are what to see near Melendugno:
- Borgagne, uno dei Borghi Autentici d’Italia;
- Dolmen Placa e Dolmen Gurgulante sulla strada provinciale per Calimera;
- L’importante area archeologica di Roca Vecchia;
- Le marine: Torre Specchia Ruggeri, San Foca, Roca, Torre dell’Orso e Sant’Andrea;
- Acaya, un grande esempio di città fortificata;
- Carpignano Salentino, uno dei comuni della Grecìa Salentina;
- Martano, capoluogo della Grecìa Salentina.
Melendugno: what to do in the evening
If you are staying in the village there are various things you can do in the evening, especially in the summer, for example, walking through its streets which are always quiet is a pleasant experience. Young people, but also families with children gather in the various squares of the town or in the clubs, even if it is often preferable to go to the much more lively nearby marinas.
In winter, however, the town is very quiet and the nightlife is concentrated in the clubs. So what to do in the evening in Melendugno?
-In winter one of the most popular places is the Santamaria Market, where you can dine or simply have a drink, and sometimes they organize evenings with live music or DJs.
– Garaci Collettivi: another very popular place in Melendugnese evenings, a radical concept and rustic air in which to feel at ease while enjoying good food or taking part in one of the many organized evenings.
Melendugno restaurants
One thing is certain, if you are looking for places where to eat in Melendugno you will have such a wide choice that you certainly won’t go hungry! There are many bars, excellent pastry shops, chip shops, pizzerias, rotisseries and restaurants for all tastes. Precisely for this reason we want to give you some ideas on the best restaurants in Melendugno:
-Al Filo D’olio Trattoria;
-L’angolo del pastore;
-Biò Hostaria;
-Corte Manzoni pizzeria.
Where to eat near Melendugno
There are so many gastronomic proposals around Melendugno, here is what we suggest:
- Ristoro Agriturismo Carleo – Strada provinciale per San Foca
- Vesuvio 3 – Calimera
- Mamba grill and sound – Borgagne
- Oltremare Ristorante – Vernole
How far is Melendugno from the sea?
The city, as we said, has a favorable position compared to the rest of Salento not only because it is close to the main points of interest, but above all because it is located only about 6.5 km from the Adriatic Sea. Precisely it is about 9 km from Torre dell’Orso; 6 km from San Foca; 9km from Roca; 12 km from Sant’Andrea and 10 km from Sant’Andrea.
Where are the marinas of Melendugno?
The marines of Melendugno are located on the Adriatic coast, in a stretch of coast between Lecce and Otranto. It consists of 15 km of coast road, which alternates wild beaches and hidden coves with long stretches of sand with bathing establishments, low or high and irregular cliffs and lots of Mediterranean scrub and vegetation. Among other things, the melendugnesi marinas every year obtain the recognition of the Blue Flag, a great source of pride for the town.
San Foca – Marina di Melendugno
Melendugno beaches
The beaches of Melendugno, or those of its marinas, are numerous and varied, as mentioned. Here are which ones to choose during your holidays in Salento:
– Torre dell’Orso and San Foca, if you love sandy beaches and shallow waters, perfect for families with children and adults. Both lively and always full, ideal for trips in the low season or for those who don’t fear chaos;
–Torre Specchia Ruggeri, more intimate and wild with free beaches, hidden coves and some establishments, ideal for those who prefer destinations less frequented by mass tourism;
– Sant’Andrea and Roca, evocative and picturesque, ideal for those who love the most rugged and unspoiled landscapes and adore diving from the cliff.
Dintorni:
-Vernole a 4 km;
-Acaya a 10 km;
-Borgagne a 5,5 km;
-San Foca a 6 km;
-Torre dell’Orso a 9 km;
-Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea a 10 km;
-Roca e Grotta della Poesia a 9 km;
-Carpignano Salentino a 9,5 km;
-Martano a 9,6 km;
-Otranto a 25 km;
-Giurdignano a 26 km;
-Maglie a 19,5 km.
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