The Best Beaches in Puglia for your Vacations in Italy

This is a guide for your vacations in Puglia, Italy. This beautiful region also known as ‘Italy’s bootheel’ is famous for its delicious food, amazing culture, wonderful people with high sense of hospitality and a crystalline sea with some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Let’s explore the best beaches in Puglia!

“Beach or mountains?” is one of the questions that travellers frequently are asked. Although I know some beach lovers who wouldn’t fancy conquering a mountain, I can’t recall any hiker who wouldn’t mind a week on the beach.

In this post, we are inviting you to experience the best beaches in Puglia, Italy — the region which has been getting more attention last few years among travellers.

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Why you should visit Puglia beaches?

Without biases, we can truly say that apart from turquoise water, fine white sand, cozy small towns with white buildings and colourful markets, areas covered with macchia mediterranea, hundreds of olive tree fields, ancient stone towers along the coast— Puglia is a place where you’ll have a chance to fully live the Italian lifestyle.

You’ll see all pleasures that this culture can offer you. You’ll taste unbeatable cuisine, and witness both the modern and ancient culture of the incredibly vital and energizing southern coast.

In this article, you will find a list of the best beaches in Puglia with a short description of each beach. There are also our suggestions on where to stay in Puglia,  the best hotels and accommodations in the area and some useful tips on when to travel to Puglia and how to move around. The best way to visit Puglia and its beaches is by renting a car.

We researched our information on TripAdvisor and Booking.com  where you can compare some of the best deals when booking a place in Europe. If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you use TrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get 25 off on annual membership.

Always make sure you travel with travel insurance! Be adventurous, but not careless. Check out some of the most reliable insurance companies out there: True Traveller if you’re an European and World Nomads if you’re from elsewhere. 

Keen on exploring Italy and Europe via train? Get an Interrail or Eurail pass (for non-European citizens) with convenient deals either you travel around one or multiple countries in Europe.  

Get inspired by this video:

Puglia outline from Thibaut de Rosny on Vimeo.

Best beaches in Puglia

The best beaches in Puglia are listed in a clockwise direction following the coast of Puglia from the north to the south.

Baia delle Zagare beach, Gargano

Starting from the North of the region is the Baia delle Zagare beach. It lies in the Gargano subregion between Vieste and Mattinata. Its name is derived from the fragrant flowers called ‘zagare’ that are typical in the area.

The beach of soft white sand is 1 km long and surrounded by the National Park of Gargano. The two big white rocky faraglioni rising from the turquoise waters are one of the most popular trademarks in the region.

Pro tip: You can reach the Zagare Bay by land either by passing through two seafront hotels or via a steep path, about 500 meters after the entrance of the hotels. You can park your car under the bridge of the SP53 and then walk for about twenty minutes down the trail through the pine forest, until you reach the beach.

Best Hotels for Baia delle Zagare beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Hotel Baia dei FaraglioniAn outdoor pool, free wi-fi and a private beach. The wellness centre has a sauna and hydromassage shower. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Garden Hotel Ripa
This hotel is located in Vieste not far from Zagare Bay. It has a private beach, swimming pools and free wi-fi. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Hotel delle More
Jacuzzi, sauna, swimming pool, private beach and free shuttle service. This lovely hotel is in Vieste. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Lido Bosco Verde beach, Ostuni

This sandy beach with dunes and crystalline water is located near the Parco Naturale Regionale Dune Costiere. The beach is equipped and free. The nearest bigger city is Ostuni, which offers a spectacular view of the city on the horizon, towering on the hill with shining with white rooftops far away.

Check out some of the great tours in Puglia:

Best Hotels for Lido Bosco Verde beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Masseria Salinola

Located in Ostuni not far from Lido Bosco Verde. This rustic ‘masseria’ provides luxury 3-star accommodation, a Jacuzzi and free bike rental. There is also a restaurant and a bar. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Rosa Marina Resort
Tastefully furnished room with a/c, 500 m from its private beach, free sun umbrellas and deck chairs. Two outdoor pools, tennis courts and Junior club for kids. Only 8 minutes driving to Lido Bosco Verde. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Masseria Ancella
Beautiful country house with typical Apulian ‘trulli’ furnished in antique style. Rooms with private bathrooms, garden, outdoor pool, spa and wi-fi. Only 15 minutes drive to Lido Bosco Verde beach. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Torre Guaceto beach, Brindisi

The beach is covered with fine sand and green vegetation. The water is also shallow and gorgeously clean! Last time we visited Torre Guaceto, it was mid October and the beach was almost empty and fairly hot, which is quite common in Puglia.

Mediterranean scrub, marshes, sand dunes, sea grass and olive trees are untouched on the Torre Guaceto beach and you’ll love walking through Mediterranean landscape there.

The Nature Reserve of Torre Guaceto (stretch of 6 km long coast) is a WWF protected area, which guarantees a lack of tourists. You won’t find any resorts or bars here, so if you prefer a more serene place for your beach experience, this place is for you.

There is also a Torreguaceto sailing school where you can learn the basics or take an advanced course on windsurfing and sailing a catamaran. To find more information about other facilities and activities (hiking, cycling, diving), visit this website or walk straight to the visitor’s centre in Serranova that organises hiking tours and provides bikes and snorkelling equipment.

There are no restaurants on this beach, only a small snack bar where they sell soft drinks, snacks and sandwiches in high season—so you might want to pack your own lunch, unless you don’t mind taking a car and go to Specchiolla town that is 10 km away from Torre Guaceto.

Best Hotels for Torre Guaceto beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Relais Masseria Caselli

Spacious elegant rooms with a/c, outdoor pool and free wi-fi. Some of the rooms feature a terrace or sea view. The beach is only 15 minutes driving. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Riva Marina Resort
Chic rooms, outdoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, a big playground and a private beach. Each rooms comes with a hydromassage shower and a private balcony and free wi-fi. Check the latest price on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Villa Barone
Comfortable Villa that features 16 rooms, each fitted with an in-room dining area, a mini bar and a private terrace. Individual bathrooms are equipped with a shower. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

San Foca beach, San Foca

San Foca is an old fisherman’s village where you’ll find beautiful coves of clean white sand surrounded by white outcroppings, and a series of little islets that can be easily reached swimming. The waters are pristine and full of fish. A few caves can be visited via boat, the most beautiful being the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of the Poem).

There you’ll find beaches equipped with everything you need and a newly renovated promenade, perfect for a stroll along the coast.

San Foca beach is one of the best beaches in Puglia and very popular among Italian vacationers. We highly recommend booking your vacation here in a shoulder season.

Explore Puglia through some awesome local tours: 

Best Hotels for San Foca beach, Puglia

Our top pick: Residence Puntacassano

This residence offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, en suite bathroom and a kitchenette. Also a wide range of outdoor activities, including scuba diving and horse riding. Check the latest rates on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Hotel Blue Sky
The hotel features air-conditioned rooms with minibar, garden and balcony with garden or street view and you’ll reach the beach within four minutes! Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Hotel Côte D’Est
This hotel provides a wide range of outdoor activities, such as scuba diving and fishing. Room service, luggage storage and a safe are also offered at the hotel. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Going to Italy? Read more articles about this beautiful country

Torre dell’Orso beach, Melendugno

One of Gianni’s favourites! No doubts a special place, Torre dell’Orso is a thin 1.5 km stretch of white sand with crystal clear waters surrounded by calcareous rocks creating interesting caves and the impressive ‘Two Sisters’ faraglioni rocks. Tired of hot sunbeams? Then you’ll appreciate a pine forest (Pineta di Torre dell’Orso) right behind the beach.

Best Hotels for Torre dell’Orso beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Rivazzurra Club

Apartments with kitchenette and all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Swimming pool, restaurant, free parking and free beach shuttle. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor.

Hotel Belvedere
The hotel is located three minutes walking to the beach. Spacious clean rooms, outdoor pool and good wi-fi. Breakfast included in the price. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Oasis Park Hotel
This hotel provides a garden to relax, outdoor swimming pool and free private parking. All rooms have free wi-fi, a mini bar and a private bathroom. Check the latest price on Booking.com.

Baia Dei Turchi beach, Otranto

Not far away from the white ancient city of Otranto is Baia Dei Turchi. This is a bay where the Turkish soldiers landed during the Otranto battle and which is a part of the Natural Reserve of the Alimini Lakes. This quiet beach is a heavenly place bordered by lush Mediterranean vegetation. You’ll find beaches equipped with everything you need.

Great spot for scuba diving!

To get to the beach, you’ll need to walk down the hill through a pine forest, so if you intend to spend a day on the beach with small children or someone with limited mobility, you might prefer going to the more accessible Alimini Lakes.

Getting to Baia Dei Turchi is a bit tricky so we suggest you to follow these instructions.

Read more about things to do in Italy

Best Hotels for Baia dei Turchi beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Relais Valle dell’Idro

Only 5 minutes walk from the beach the hotel features a roof terrace with a hot tub and panoramic view of Otranto. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Camere Sul Lungomare
Furnished in modern style, rooms come with a private patio and a kitchenette (in a room or in the patio). Only 1 minute walk from the beach. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

La Casa Del Gelso Bianco
New air conditioned bright rooms with private bathrooms. Scrumptious breakfast served in outdoor dining area. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Pescoluse beach, Santa Maria di Leuca

This incredible white sand beach near Santa Maria di Leuca, is also nicknamed the ‘Maldives of Puglia’. It sits on the southernmost tip of the Salento peninsula, where the waters of the Adriatic Sea merge with those of the Ionian. The stretch of 2 km long beach includes various sandy coves, rocky cliffs, plenty of Karstic caves and an impressive lighthouse built in the XIX century.

You’ll find a lot of Italian families here, as well as young people in high season, but the Caribbean-style shallow water and beach are terrific and worth the visit.

Best Hotels for Pescoluse beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Picchio HotelThe hotel offers pet-friendly accommodation. There is an outdoor pool, a private beach area, restaurant and free parking. Free WI-FI in the public areas and 24-hour front desk. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Capperi B&B
Elegant rooms with original tuff stone, provided with a/c, free wi-fi, private bathrooms and kitchenette. Capperi B&B is located in Morciano di Leuca, only 8 minutes drive from the beach. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Collina degli Ulivi
Simply furnished, yet clean rooms with private bathroom, a/c, garden and barbecue facilities. Free private parking. Only seven minutes driving to the beach. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Pack and travel:

Punta Prosciutto beach, Porto Cesareo

If you’re looking for beach perfection in Puglia, this is the place to go. Punta Prosciutto is as stunning as it sounds. It has uncontaminated sandy beaches with clear turquoise shallow water good visibility, sand dunes and a wide variety of  Mediterranean flora.

It is also one of twenty protected Marine areas in Italy. It’s located near the town of Porto Cesareo and the area is defined by Torre Colimena to the north and by Torre Lapillo in the south. It’s easily one of must visited top beaches in Puglia.

Best Hotels for Punta Prosciutto beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Le Dune Suite

This hotel is in Porto Cesareo only 9km from Punta Prosciutto. It features a spa, a sun terrace with hydromassage swimming pool and 2 restaurants. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Samanà Bed
If you travel with a group of friends or a big family, this B&B is perfect for you. Spacious colourful rooms are only 10 minutes walking from the beach. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Bookingc.com.

Finestre sul Mare
If you are on a tight budget, then this two bedroom apartment will be a good option. Simple rooms with kitchenette and sea view terrace. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

San Pietro in Bevagna beach, Maruggio

Only you, blue horizon, soft sand, azure sea with white sand dunes and green Mediterranean maquis. This is a beach lover’s dream of paradise. You can experience it yourself on the San Pietro in Bevagna beach.

The legend says, the apostle St Peter landed in San Pietro in Bevagna after a shipwreck and washed up on the Ioanian coast, where he performed a miracle when a statue of Zeus fell down and he made the sign of cross to the statue.

The majority of the beach is free, although you’ll find equipped area there, too.

Best Hotels for San Pietro in Bevagna beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Relais Reggia Domizia
A 19th century villa with rooms and suites with air conditioning. Immersed in its private park, it includes a gourmet restaurant, pool and tennis court. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Portacrànni B&B
The apartment is only 5 minutes walking from the beach and offers simple rooms with a kitchenette, outdoor dining area in a lovely fruit tree garden. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Luvì Affittacamere
The property is located 12 minutes driving from San Pietro in Bevagna beach, but you will love their beautiful bright and spacious rooms and Italian style breakfast. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Dune di Campomarino beach, Maruggio

This beach is free, with 12 m / 39 ft high sand dunes and lush vegetation. You won’t find any rows of sun umbrellas or a beach bar here, but only shrubs of juniper, thyme, lavender, white sand and crystalline water, so if you look for a tranquil and beautiful place to get some rest and enjoy the sea, le Dune di Campomarino should be on your list.

Best Hotels for Dune di Campomarino beach, Puglia

Our top pick > Masseria Pepe

The masseria is located near Maruggio, only 5 km from the Dune of Campomarino. All rooms feature A/C, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

Corte Borromeo
Located in the heart of the historic centre of Manduria, Corte Borromeo features uniquely furnished rooms and suites, free parking and a bar. Check the latest prices on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

When to travel to the best beaches in Puglia?

As we mentioned in our article about Matera, the best period to visit Italy if you want to avoid crowds (especially in the south) is to travel there either late May, early June, or in September and October when Italians are back at work from their holiday.

The weather in September is still hot in Puglia and last September and October when we stayed there the temperature reached 35C/95F. That said, try to avoid weekends on the beaches in Puglia in low seasons, since locals do love to bask in the sun before rainy autumn arrives.

Apart from emptier beaches in May or September, you’ll save a big chunk of money when booking your accommodation in Puglia.

Check out some of the great tours in Puglia:

How to arrive to Puglia?

The easiest and cheap way is to fly to Bari or Brindisi with low-cost companies Ryanair or EasyJet. In case you are already exploring Rome, Milan or other places in the north of the country, you’ll find cheap flights from these cities to Puglia, too.

You can also take a night bus from the capital to Lecce, where you can spend a couple of days. If you have more time to explore the south, we suggest renting a car in Lecce, Taranto, Bari or Brindisi so you’ll be more flexible and able to reach remote beaches as well as neighbouring towns and villages.

You can also travel by train to Puglia. Here is a list of resources for trains in Italy. When in Puglia you can move from one town to the other with local trains, check the Ferrovie del Sud-Est website.

Whether you are a beach person or you need to get a proper rest after trekking in the mountains, we hope this post will help you to pick some of the best beaches in Puglia. Summer is coming dear friends, and hopefully you’ll get to Puglia for your next beach vacation.

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