Grotta Zinzulusa
A karst sea cave on the coast at Castro, with stalactites hanging from its roof like tattered rags and unique cave creatures inside.
Grotta Zinzulusa lies on the coastal cliffs about 1 km north of the Castro Marina harbour. It is the most famous karst sea cave in Salento. Its name comes from the local dialect word ‘zinzuli’ (rags), describing the stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The guided tour takes about 30 minutes. It leads from the seaside entrance along a path, past a saltwater lagoon known as the ‘cistern’, into a tall cave chamber called the ‘Cathedral’. In the slightly brackish water at the bottom live endemic blind shrimp and other cave creatures. Admission is around 6 euros. You can also take a boat from the harbour to see other sea caves nearby.
Opening hours
About 9:30 am–6:00 pm (shorter in winter); guided tours depart at set times
Nearby sights
- Castro
- Punta Palascia Lighthouse
- Bauxite Quarry Lake
- Aragonese Castle of Otranto
- Otranto
- Otranto Cathedral
- Ponte Ciolo
- Baia dei Turchi