Santa Caterina: small tourist center near Porto Selvaggio

On the Ionian coast, this small tourist center has great environmental and naturalistic value with many pine forests, natural caves and a crystal clear sea. Santa Caterina is bordered by two nearby towers: the Torre di Santa Caterina and the Torre dell’Alto; the latter marks the border with Porto Selvaggio.

The hamlet includes a coastal part with the seafront and a hilly area called “Le Cenate“. This residential area has many homes belonging to different eras and styles.

The coast is exclusively rocky and jagged with low cliffs where the bravest can dive. A small sandy stretch accompanies a beautiful blue sea that gradually becomes darker towards the deeper waters.

There are several caves that testify to the processes of rising and falling sea levels and where fossils of marine species have been found.

The small town also falls within the context of the Natural Park and Palude del Capitano among the 100 places to be saved by the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano).

In the summer season it becomes exponentially populated, especially the seafront full of lounge bars, pubs and ice cream parlors and small streets that flow into the main street and the lovely central square.

And in fact, it is thanks to tourism that many accommodation facilities such as B&Bs, villages and resorts have been created.