Bauxite cave close to Ortanto is one of places which is still not overcrowded, however it’s becoming more and more popular. One of the reasons is the fact that Salento has been experiencing a siege of tourists in the summer for a long time, which makes it a very trendy province of Puglia. Although the roads leading to Salento are rather tragic and apparently the prices of accommodation and restaurants have become quite killing, this doesn’t discourage holidaymakers longing for the blue-turquoise sea, Instagram-picturesque towns and good cuisine.

And as tourists generally do, they tend to visit the same things. But if you don’t want to follow the crowd, thinking about things you can do in Otranto, visit Cava di Bauxite – a still relatively off-the-beaten-path lake.

How the bauxite cave was created.

The lake “came into being” on the site of a former bauxite mine. Since 1940, it provided work for locals, but over time, mining the minerals became less and less profitable, and in the ’70s the mine was closed; people lost their jobs.

All that’s left of the mine are memories and a deep hole in the ground slowly filling with water. And so, thanks to people and nature, another place worth seeing appeared on the map of Italy: Cava di Bauxite.

The history of the creation of this blue-turquoise lake surrounded by rusty-red hills is not particularly impressive, but the colours are. Turquoise, sometimes navy blue water, red-rusty-yellow mounds of earth surrounding the bauxite cave, and plants growing here and there create an unusual mix.

And because of the mixture of colours, the Bauxite Cave looks great in photos – just right for Instagram. Actually, the surroundings of the lake give the impression of being from another planet. Mars, for example, could look like this if there were water and plants there.

How to get to the bauxite cave.

The best way is by car, bike, but you can also go on foot. The lake is located only about 2.5 km from Otranto, in the Costa Otranto National Park – Santa Maria Leuca and Bosco Tricase. The walk will take half an hour. By car – not even 10 minutes.

From the port in Otranto, go straight on provincial road no. 369 following the signs to Santa Cesarea Terme, and then to the bauxite lake (Cava di Bauxite).

You can leave your car in a paid parking lot a few hundred meters from the bauxite cave. Last time it cost 3 euros, I don’t know the current price.

Is it worth seeing the bauxite lake in Ortanto?

I don’t like recommending places, and I rarely do, because “interesting or beautiful” is a matter of individual preferences. It’s labelled a “hidden gem” by anyone with an Instagram account. In reality, it’s neither hidden nor a gem. It’s a hole in the ground with nice colours – an interesting place, but far from being any jewel or so.

The colours and surroundings are unique and undeniably “instagrammable,” but apart from walking and taking photos, there’s nothing to do there (the same could be said about many other places, actually). To make it more “exciting,” you can of course climb the slag heaps surrounding the lake; from the highest ones on the horizon, you can see the sea.

You can also walk around the Bauxite Lake, looking out for a small, steep path leading down to the water. If you are brave enough, you can go down there and look into the former mine. Of course, I don’t have to mention that bathing is forbidden, although when I was there, one boozed gentleman apparently was having such a plan.

In my opinion, the best time to visit the Red Lake Otranto is around sunset, when the place is still brightly lit. But then wait a few minutes for the spectacle of colours changing under the influence of the last rays of sunlight.

So is it then worth visiting? Let me put it this way: I certainly wouldn’t go to Otranto specifically because of the Cava di Bauxite. But on the other hand, if I were in Otranto, I’d rather add the lake to my “to see” list. If you are into lesser-known places, it might be worth visiting Cava di Bauxite and taking a few photos.

Cava di Bauxite: Practical tips

• The Bauxite Lake is always open – there are no visiting hours.
• Cava di Bauxite parking is around 200 m from the lake, and it costs 3 euros.
• Don’t wear white shoes, because they won’t be white anymore.
• Don’t wear white long trousers or a long skirt – as above.
• If it had rained before, take another pair of shoes to change into.
• There are no facilities there, so no place for coffee, etc.

If this post made you laugh, annoyed you, or just reminded you of your own trip, tell me in the comments or drop me an email. I actually want to hear about your experiences—the good and the frustrating.

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