Looking for the best beaches in Puglia to relax on during your vacation? You’ve come to the right place: we scoured the region during our stay in Puglia to find you the most heavenly beaches with translucent waters!
To help you make your choice, we have listed on a map the most wild and picturesque beachesfar from seaside resorts. Some beaches are even compared to the beaches of the Maldives, so there is a level in the region.
- Our 15 must-see beaches [carte]
- 1. Lama Monachile in Polignano a mare
- 2. Grotta of poetry
- 3. Spiaggia di Pescoluse
- 4. Spiaggia Alimini
- 5. Spiaggia la Scaletta
- 6. Rocky formations of Torre Sant’Andrea
- 7. Spiaggia libera
- 8. Spiaggia di porto marzano
- 9. Spiaggia and Natural Pool of Marina Serra
- 10. Spiaggia Padula Bianca
- 11. Spiaggia di Portulignu
- 12. Beach of Purity
- 13. Baia dei Turchi
- 14. Spiaggia cale Paradiso
- 15. Spiaggia delle Isole Asce
- Where to swim in Puglia
- The best months for swimming
- Rent a boat
- Nos essentiels pour visiter Les Pouilles
Our 15 must-see beaches [carte]
When you visit Puglia, you can’t miss out on these sublime beaches. The east coast (Adriatic Sea) alternates between coves, rocky formations and long beaches. The west coast (Ionian Sea) offers more large beaches, while the south of the region (Salento) offers beaches with translucent waters.
In Italian, beach is called spiaggia or Lido. We wish you an excellent reading and a good swim!
1. Lama Monachile in Polignano a mare
You can set up your towel on one of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia, located in the charming village of Polignano a Mare, 45 minutes south of Bari.
You can climb the rocks to jump into the water or go swimming to explore the caves around, snorkeling…
It is a pebble beach. Remember to bring beach shoes. The water is super transparent.
Free ten-minute parking from 30/09 to 30/05, in high season the price is €1.5 per hour, outside town, bar and restaurant on site.
2. Grotta of poetry
Our second favorite is La Grotta de la Poésie, located 30 minutes south of Lecce,Puglia’s “Baroque Florence“.
The site is absolutely beautifulit is a natural pool which communicates with the sea.
Most visitors go for a swim, even if it’s forbidden, but it seems to be tolerated. It’s a must-see stop to observe this little natural wonder.
Parking 3€ per day at a hundred meters, entrance to the site 3€, good plan Why not us, the site is free after 19h and in winter.
3. Spiaggia di Pescoluse
This beach is nicknamed “the Maldive of Salento“, which already says a lot about what awaits you.
Located in the south of Apulia, 35 minutes from Gallipoli, andffectively, this beach is incredible the water is transparent and the sand is very fine and white. Just like the photos we’ve seen of the beaches in the Maldives. It’s an ideal beach for families, as the slope into the water is gentle.
On the other hand, it is a very popular place, so be prepared to share this little corner of paradise with many other bathers in the summer season.
Parking €4 per day, deckchair and parasol hire approx. €15 per day.
4. Spiaggia Alimini
It’s a large, beautiful beach surrounded by pine trees, 35 minutes south of Lecce. The sand is fine, the turquoise sea is low for several meters, a simply perfect spot for a lazy afternoon with the family.
Parking 3,50€ per day, sunshade and deckchair 20€ per day
5. Spiaggia la Scaletta
It is a beach located a few minutes from Monopoli, with white sand and translucent water, several small coves follow one another.
The beach can be reached after a 5-minute walk, and has remained untouched since there are no bars or restaurants. Ideal if you are looking for a little privacy.
Free parking at 5 minutes walking distance
6. Rocky formations of Torre Sant’Andrea
Set of rock formations located a few kilometers from Lecce. It is a photogenic place, you will be able to take beautiful pictures. The water is, as often in Puglia, completely transparent.
There is no beach, you can put your towel on the rocks and jump into the crystal clear water. Coves to explore with shoes.
If you’re looking for a small parking lot, it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
7. Spiaggia libera
A beautiful beach located south of Taranto, white sand and transparent sea, shallow.
deckchair and parasol, free parking with very little space
8. Spiaggia di porto marzano
A few kilometers from Monopoli and 20 minutes fromAlberobello, a magnificent cove with sand and water that’s always translucent. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
Deckchair and parasol, bar/restaurant, parking 3€.
9. Spiaggia and Natural Pool of Marina Serra
Located in the south of Puglia, another jewel of the region, it is a natural pool dug by the sea. Very easy to access with children, as the water is shallow.
Once again in high season, you won’t be alone. You will settle directly on the rocks. Don’t forget your shoes to get into the water.
Parking 0,80 cents / hour
10. Spiaggia Padula Bianca
North of Gallipoli, it is a beach of fine white sand accessible after crossing the pine forest. You will enjoy the translucent water. It’s an ideal beach for children, as the first 20 meters are shallow.
Parking 3€ per day
11. Spiaggia di Portulignu
South of Lecce, it is a beautiful natural pool dug in the rock by the sea. It is a good alternative to the “grotta de la Poesia” located next door. You can explore the caves in the vicinity.
Parking 3€ per day at a hundred meters
12. Beach of Purity
Located in the center of Gallipoli, a beautiful beach outside the walls of the medieval city, white sand with transparent water. The sunset is incredible!
13. Baia dei Turchi
North of Otranto, this sandy beach is large and wild, and can be reached after crossing the pine forest. You will have foot the first 50 meters.
Park for €5 a day, then take the shuttle bus to the beach, or park along the road through the pine forest to the beach (10-minute walk).
14. Spiaggia cale Paradiso
It is one of the closest beaches to Monopoli and therefore very popular in high season. Small sandy beach with some rocks, clean, and translucent water. If there is no room on the sand you can also put your towel on the rocks.
Deckchair and parasol, bar/restaurant, parking 5€.
15. Spiaggia delle Isole Asce
It is one of the closest beaches to Lecce. It is certainly less incredible than those mentioned above, so there are fewer people in the middle of the season. It has all the characteristics of an Apulian beach, the sea is clear, warm and the sand is fine.
Some free places along the road
Where to swim in Puglia
The Puglia region is bordered by an immense and beautiful coastline, alternating between white sand beaches and rock formations. Most beaches offer sun loungers and parasols for hire. Other more isolated and picturesque beaches are less frequented, even during the tourist season. You’re bound to find what you’re looking for, even at the height of the tourist season.
The best months for swimming
Of course, in July and August, the water temperature is ideal, between 25 and 28 degrees. You will be able to get into it as if you were in the bath! Theoff-season also offers pleasant temperatures, with 24 degrees in June. and in October an average of 23 degrees.
Rent a boat
Exploring the Puglia coast, its beaches and its various caves by boat is a must-do experience. Aboard your boat, with or without a license, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the coast, and you can even swim away from the crowds.
To rent your boat, we recommend that you use the Samboat platform. It’s very simple, they have the most complete offer of boat rental and their website is very easy to use!
You enter your location “Monopoli”, “Bari”, “Polignano a Mare”, then your dates, then you can filter by type of boat (motorboats, houseboats, small boats…), with or without a license, with or without a skipper: in short, you’re spoilt for choice.
Where to sleep in Puglia?
Are you looking for a place to stay during your stay in Puglia ? To help you, we give you all our advice in this article on Where to stay in Puglia in Italy, and share our best hotel addresses and unusual accommodations.
Remember to book your hotels as early as possible, as the Puglia region is very popular in high season and accommodation quickly fills up.
1. Our favorite: Palazzo Indelli in Monopoli, a charming hotel right in the historic center.
2. Small price: Il Pumo – Apulian Rooms Bari Piazza Moro, Bari, ideally located 10 minutes’ walk from the old town.
3. Unique experience: Il belvedere Matera, in Matera, to sleep in the heart of a traditional dwelling.
4. With swimming pool: Masseria San Francesco, in Alberobello for an overnight stay in a peaceful, green setting.Alberobello for an overnight stay in a peaceful, green setting with swimming pool.
Activity ideas
To visit the various points of interest in Puglia, you can book your activity in advance via the Internet. We recommend you take a look at the getyourguide website, which offers a range of activities at attractive prices, to give you some ideas of what you can do on site!
We wish you an excellent trip! Don’t hesitate to leave us a little note or 5 stars below, if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll answer you with great pleasure.
