If you are planning a trip to Salento and ended up on this article, you will have already heard of the wonderful San Foca, probably because of its beautiful beaches. It is a small village in Apulia and one of the five marinas in the municipality of Melendugno, from which it is only 7 km away. The village is characterised by a small, well-kept old town teeming with clubs, a wide seafront, a marina, one of the most important on the coast, and several beaches and coves. A quiet but at the same time lively place, among the best seaside resorts in the province of Lecce, the perfect place to spend your holiday in Salento.
By the way, it is also a popular location in winter: on sunny days, walking along the seafront is a real treat. If you want to find out everything about this magnificent village, continue reading our guide!
Where is San Foca located?
San Foca is located in Apulia, precisely on the Salento Adriatic coast, 24 km away from Lecce. It is only 7 km away from Melendugno, of which it is a hamlet, and is located between the towns of Torre Specchia Ruggeri and Roca Vecchia. Once a simple fishing village, today it is one of the favourite destinations for those who want to stay in Salento, loved especially by families with children.
How to get to San Foca
Since it is a very popular location, getting to San Foca by public transport will not be difficult, although we always recommend travelling by car in Salento. In fact, if you travel by car you can reach it from Lecce in 20/25 minutes. There are mainly two routes, one going inland and the other, more scenic, between the countryside and the coast.
- If you choose the first route: take the Provincial road Lecce – Vernole/SP1 and follow the signs for Melendugno. Once in Melendugno, continue along the SP145 and follow the signs for San Foca. Continue on the same road and you are there.
- If you choose the second route, on the other hand, take the Lecce – San Cataldo provincial road (SP298), pass the Lecce – Lepore Airport, take the SP366 and continue following the signs for San Foca.
- If, on the other hand, you are not travelling by car, you can get to San Foca by bus with the Salento in Bus line 101, which runs the Lecce – Torre Dell’Orso – Otranto route.
San Foca Lecce
The town has ancient origins and was already inhabited between the end of the Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic (12,000-8000 BC). Later, in Roman times, it developed as a fishing village.
But why is San Foca called like this?
Foca is a purely Byzantine name and, not by chance, in Salento dialect San Foca is called Santu Fucà, which refers to the Byzantine pronunciation Fokàs. In southern Italy, the name spread, in fact, not only in honour of the saint, but also for the general Niceforo Foca the Elder, who strengthened the Byzantine presence in southern Italy in the 9th century AD.
In addition to this, the village is named after Saint Foca of Sinope or of Antioch known as the ortolan, a martyr who lived, according to tradition, in the 3rd century A.D. during the reign of Emperor Trajan. The saint, who lived between the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. in Sinope, Turkey, is the patron saint of gardeners, orchardists, sailors, and those bitten by snakes.
When are the celebrations in San Foca?
The feast of San Foca falls every year on August 18th and 19th, in honour of the patron saint. It is a festival that links tradition, culture and faith in a series of celebrations that attract many tourists, as well as locals, every year. There are many stalls of various kinds set up along the seafront, but one of the most evocative events is the procession at sea, during which people parade along with the image of the saint for the blessing of the villagers and, in particular, the fishermen.
This, however, is not the only festival. In fact, on July 20th and 21st there is the feast of the Madonna del Mare di San Foca, with processions, stalls, merry-go-rounds and band concerts.
What to see in San Foca Lecce
The small seaside village does not have many points of interest to visit, but it is a town that has all the services and amenities; a pretty old town centre full of small places, restaurants, ice cream parlours, bars, shops, a Watchtower, a marina, the Maria SS. Assunta Parish and a 1.3 km seafront promenade that allows for pleasant walks. Of course, among the main attractions of San Foca are its beautiful beaches.
Best beaches in San Foca
We have talked about the pretty seaside village, but let’s come to the most popular question: what is the sea like in San Foca? To answer, all you need to know is that it has been reconfirmed Blue Flag 2022: a predominantly sandy coastline, alternating with short stretches of cliffs, crystal-clear water, shallow waters and heavenly colours. In short, an enchanting sea, free beaches, beach resorts and dog-friendly beach clubs.
Among the most beautiful beaches in San Foca:
- Fontanelle beach, along the seafront;
- San Basilio beach, in the north;
- Li Marangi (oranges) beach, in the south.
Restaurants in San Foca
If you want to eat well in San Foca, it will be easy because it is full of places where you can enjoy excellent cuisine: do you want to eat fish or do you prefer pizza? Do you love meat or would you like to try typical Salento cuisine? Well whatever you want to eat, you will find it! Here are our recommendations:
- Il Vecchio Molo;
- L’Approdo;
- Macelleria Braceria Norcineria di Greco Giuseppe;
- La Terrazza di Romano;
- Captain Morgan.
San Foca market
In summer, every Tuesday morning you can attend the San Foca market with manystalls, ranging from clothing to shoes, from foodstuffs to household products. A nice variety of traders with whom you can do good deals.
San Foca, what to do at night?
A perfect destination for a holiday in Salento: lively and well served, it offers all the comforts for group travels, family or romantic holidays. But what to do in the evening in San Foca?
- dine in one of the seaside restaurants;
- join a dancehall at Mamanera Beach;
- take a stroll around the harbour, promenade and old town centre;
- go to an evening at the beach clubs (they usually organise parties at Eurogarden Beach, Civico 17, Lido li Marangi, Coiba);
- sip a beer at Birreghe.
What to do near San Foca
The small village is in a great location and this will allow you to easily reach some of the most beautiful places in Salento.
Things to see include:
- The archaeological area of Roca Vecchia and the Grotta della Poesia 2 km away;
- Torre dell’Orso 4.5 km away;
- The Faraglioni of Sant’Andrea 8 km away;
- The Alimini Lakes 16.8 km away;
- The Bauxite quarries 25.4 km away;
- Otranto 23.8 km away;
- Martano 16.9 km away;
- Torre Specchia Ruggeri 4 km away;
- Acaya 13 km away;
- Le Cesine 13.6 km away;
- Lecce 24.8 km away.
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