The Best Beaches in Puglia

Choosing Puglia for a beach holiday is always a good idea. But it’s also true that this part of Italy is long, so very long – in fact it is the longest region in Italy – and so the question of “where are the most beautiful beaches in Puglia?” is often asked. It’s impossible to give a single answer. From north to south, the beaches’ natural beauty amaze. Here are some of the best sandy beaches in Puglia to add to your list of areas of natural beauty to be enjoyed. Plus, we’ve added a bonus section at the end for anyone who loves rocky bays and coves. Let’s go! 

The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve is between Ostuni and Brindisi. This is a protected marine area along seven kilometres of the coast. The charming beach has fine sandy dunes, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and beautiful sea beds with an incredible biodiversity of aquatic flora and fauna. To get to the beach you have to leave your car in the large car park (paid admission). From here there’s a shuttle bus or you can rent bikes to get to the beach. If you have picked this area for your holiday in Puglia, take a look at our Villas in Central Puglia. You’ll find countryside villas that are only a short distance away from the coast so that you can easily visit the best sights in the area, including beautiful towns such as Carovigno and Ostuni, or the wonderful beaches nearby. 

Let’s start on the Adriatic coast with the Margherita di Savoia beach. It’s found in the seaside town of the same name in the Barletta-Andria-Trani province. This part of the coast is well-known for its unusually fine, bronze sand, as well as shallow waters meaning it is perfect for children. There are many lidos along the coast which attract visitors to the area every summer. The town of Margherita di Savoia also has thermal baths where mud and water from the salt pans are used, dating back from 200 B.C. Margherita di Savoia has the largest salt pans in Europe where 50 million kg of salt is produced annually. 

Along the coast towards Otranto you will find Baia dei Turchi, a jewel in Salento that’s part of the Laghi Alimini Protected Area. It’s a real corner of paradise that’s famous for its clear water and fine white sand. This gorgeous bay is surrounded by a dense pine grove with Mediterranean scrub brush that you walk through to reach the beach. Its unspoilt beauty makes it quite a busy beach to visit, but if you find yourself on a holiday in Salento you can’t miss this majestic place. Otranto is only a few kilometres away with its ancient history, unique architecture, and breathtaking location. It’s the most easterly town in Italy and so it is also known as the “Port of the East”. 

Not far from Baia dei Turchi is a protected area of extraordinary beauty: Alimini lakes, from which the beach takes its name. There are two bodies of water – one freshwater, and the other salty – where you can find rare species of plants as well as cranes, flamingoes and other birds. Right next to the lakes is Alimini beach. Clear, shallow waters lap against the fine, white sand and the lush pine grove close by fills the air with intense and aromatic scents. 

Now to the beaches in Puglia on the Ionian coast, more specifically the beach that has been called “the Maldives of Salento”: Marina di Pescoluse. This beach has the finest white sand imaginable, shallow crystal-clear waters with colours that range from blue to emerald green, and a truly idyllic atmosphere. The beach at Ugento is similar, and is less than 20 kilometres from Pescoluse. If you have decided on the south of Puglia for your holiday, take a look at our Villas in South Puglia. These villas have complete privacy and peaceful locations but are also close to some of the most beautiful areas in Puglia – both in the countryside and along the coast – like villa Ardisia with its outstanding sea views. 

Lido Marini is between Pescoluse and Ugento and so it also has a long stretch of golden sand and pristine waters. Lido Marini gently slopes towards the sea meaning that the water is very shallow, making it one of the best beaches in Puglia for children and families. It’s easy to get to Lido Marini and Marina di Pescoluse from Morciano di Leuca where one of our most beautiful holiday villas in Puglia is found, Dimore Alisei.

Puglia doesn’t just have the “Maldives”, but also other paradisical scenes close by! Punta della Suina is along a jagged coast where alternating rocky coves and Caribbean-like sandy bays can be found, all with clear and transparent water. Punta della Suina is perfect for lying under the sun as well as jumping into the water for a swim. There’s a characteristic pine grove behind the beach, spreading fresh and aromatic scents of myrtle, rosemary, and Scotch broom throughout the air. To reach the beach you have to walk through this grove after parking your car. Punta Suina is close to Gallipoli, a beautiful town that’s also known as the “Pearl of Salento” in south Puglia, that should not be missed during your holiday in Puglia. 

Close to Porto Cesareo in Salento, Torre Lapillo is yet another beach that will charm and enchant you. The completely clear waters and the long sandy shore guarantees a holiday full of total relaxation in a jaw-droppingly beautiful location. There are lidos as well as free areas of the beach, as well as a few rocky areas where you can admire the local coral. The word “lapillo” refers to the particular type of sand on the beach, made up of bits of small stones and shells the size of a grain of rice. 

These two beaches are very close to each other, along the Ionian coast in the province of Taranto. Both are well-known for their clear waters, wide sandy beaches, and peaceful atmospheres. Chidro beach gets its name from the river that flows into the sea right there, creating a unique environment that’s known as a treasure in the Salento area. You can easily explore this part of the coastline from some of our villas in Puglia with swimming pools like Oasi Pura and Trulli degli Dei, in upper Salento. 

Our last entry in the ten most beautiful sandy beaches in Puglia is Campomarino beach, one of the most incredible beaches in upper Salento. The beach’s soft sand goes on for several kilometres and is constantly being lapped by clear, clean waters, so much so that it is known as the “sea of seven colours”. The sandy dunes are covered in bushes of Scotch broom and scented Mediterranean plants. This area is so beautiful that it is a protected natural area, the Parco delle Dune di Campomarino. We also can’t forget Piri Piri beach which is only a few kilometres from Campomarino. This wild and charming stretch of coast has golden sand and is a predominantly free beach area. Set below sandstone cliffs, this beach has incredibly clear waters with slowly descending sandy sea beds. 

This overview of the best beaches wouldn’t be complete without spending some time in a different context to the gorgeous white sandy beaches in Puglia. There’s a whole other world to discover! Think cliffs, reefs, caves, and bays with jaw-dropping views. So here’s a bonus section of the five most beautiful beaches in Puglia, but rocky beaches instead of sandy ones! If you want an adventurous day by the sea, you can’t miss these beautiful rocky beaches in Puglia. 

Polignano a Mare is famous for its incredible seafront position, the hidden bays, and the town centre’s white buildings that look out over the cliffs, creating a unique panorama. Don’t miss out on a boat trip to see the amazing sea caves and the rocky coast that overlook the sea. From the Pozzo Vivo cave to the Colombi cave or the Eremita cave to the beautiful Palazzese cave which is famous thanks to an exclusive restaurant inside! Choose one of our villas in the Valle d’Itria like La Rocca and you can explore the most beautiful towns in this part of Puglia such as Alberobello and Cisternino, as well as Polignano a Mare itself. 

Porto Selvaggio is a lovely nature reserve on the Ionian coast in Puglia near Nardo, in the province of Lecce. Its natural beauty is a mix of rocky coasts, small inlets, and pebbly beaches, all surrounded by a lush pine grove. The clear sea water ranges in colour from turquoise to deep blue, forming a magical contrast with the green of the plants and trees and white of the rocky cliff. Paddling around these water in a kayak or a canoe is an incredible experience. This is without a doubt a wonderful choice for lovers of nature and watersports. 

Monopoli is a beautiful seafront town that’s well-known for its charming historic centre, but also for its coastal area called Capitolo. This area has a sandy coastline with free areas of the beach as well as lidos, beach bars, and restaurants. There are also small inlets between the rocks that you can get to on foot or by swimming. These rocky bays have an unspoilt atmosphere and are ideal if you want a tranquil day by the sea. Cala Tre Buchi is especially beautiful. This bay has a small beach dotted with rocks and you can only get to it from the water or by walking over the rocks. As well as being a little tricky to get to, Cala Tre Buchi doesn’t have any services like a bar or restaurant but this is what makes it so special: it’s an authentic and truly natural experience. Calette di Torre Cintola should also be visited, with the ruins of a 16th Century tower and a natural pool made from the rocks. For many years the beach at Capitolo also has Blue Flag status. 

Cala dell’Acquaviva is a gorgeous cove with sand and rocks on the Adriatic coast. This wonderful place in Salento is special thanks to the springs of cool, freshwater which mix with the salty seawater for a refreshing experience. The bay is narrow and its beach is mainly pebbles and rocks. The sea is clear and intensely blue and sometimes even emerald. The high cliffs and the thick Mediterranean vegetation create an almost wild atmosphere. As this beach is very small, visit the beach in the early morning to avoid the crowds, or at sunset for a truly evocative sight. 

Found on the Adriatic coast in Salento, this natural swimming pool is actually two sea caves connected to each other: the Grotta della Poesia Grande and the Grotta della Poesia Piccola. The most famous, and easiest to get to, is the former. It’s an almost circular cavern with high rocky walls. You can jump into the blue water or just enjoy the incredible views. Our villa Oasi della Torre is only a few kilometres from Grotta della Poesia, and it even has direct access to the sea. If you are looking for a villa by the sea in Puglia that’s spacious and with all comforts imaginable, you have found it! 

Have we helped you answer this question? We know that it’s difficult to choose! Think about what area in Puglia you want to visit, consider the beaches you want closest to you during your holiday in Puglia, and then pick the villa that ticks all the boxes according to your needs.

In our catalogue of villas in Puglia you can find incredible luxury villas where you can spend unforgettable holidays with family or friends. 

Buon viaggio!