5 of the Best Beaches in Puglia

If you’re visiting Italy and you want to find the best beaches, Puglia is the place. It’s historic, brimming with beauty, and has plenty of options for sun and sand. Located on the heel of Italy’s ‘boot,’ Puglia has lots of coastline that will give you plenty of choice when it comes to beaches. But, which beaches are the best in Puglia? Here are the top five on our list.

Torre Dell’Orso, Melendugno

Found in the Bay of Melendugno, this beach is surrounded by sand dunes, a pine forest, and rock walls called the Two Sisters. The beach borders pristine, blue waters and is overlooked by a historic tower from the sixteenth century. It’s a hotspot for tourists and has even earned awards for its cleanliness. This beach has one of the most diverse landscapes which makes it perfect for both photographers and sun bathers. While there are not many modern amenities, it’s a great compromise for the natural feel.

Baia dei Turchi, Otranto

This historic beach was the landing location of the Turkish soldiers during the battle of Otranto in the 15th century. Today, it’s quite a peaceful and beautiful spot for beach lounging and swimming in the turquoise waters. To reach this beach you’ll need to walk on foot through a small pine forest. Once you arrive, you’ll be met by a sheltered cove of rock walls. Looking out over the Adriatic, this beach offers white sand, Mediterranean scrub, and stunning views.

San Foca Beach

This is one of the more interesting and diverse beaches in Puglia. It was once a fishing village and is lined with quiet coves, islets, white sand, and outcroppings. The clean waters are full of fish and visitors can swim between the islets and coves amongst them. Take a boat tour to visit some of the caves along the coastline, or take advantage of the full amenities and lounge on the beach in comfort and luxury.

Lido del Sole

Family travelers will love Lido del Sole for its beauty and amenities. The sand is fine and the coastline is bordered by soft sand dunes. The beach is surrounded by ample accommodations and amenities so you’ll have everything you need, especially if you’re traveling with children. With strong north winds, this is actually a perfect spot for surfers too!

Torre Guaceto Beach

Nature lovers might just prefer this beach over others for its calm waters and lush vegetation. A walk along the beach will yield olive trees, Mediterranean scrub, sand dunes, marshes, and seagrass. Since the area is considered a nature reserve, you won’t find many resorts or beach bars here. If that’s what you’re looking for, this may not be the beach for you. However, if you’re hoping for serenity and a quiet, natural landscape, this is the place. The Torreguaceto Sailing School is located here if you’re interested in learning the basics of sailing on your visit.

The beaches in Puglia are the main draw and there are plenty to choose from. Whether you want the adventure of exploring remote beaches or the luxury of lounging on well-equipped coastline, there is something for you in Puglia.