Puglia offers a captivating blend of historical charm, perfect sandy beaches and immaculate turquoise waters. Little wonder its popularity has skyrocketed over the past few years.
Roughly speaking, most of the long sandy beaches are to be found along the region’s southwest coast, along with somewhat functional seasonal resorts. On the northeast coast, you’ll find pretty coastal towns and a rockier shore interspersed with some sandy beaches.
These days Puglia is one of the most popular beach destinations amongst Italians. Prices can be high and beaches absolutely packed in July and Summer. Visit in the quieter months if you can, to see them at their best.
Keen to know the best ones to make a beeline for? Here are 10 of the most beautiful beaches to grace the stunning coastline of Puglia.
Polignano a Mare
Cala Porto (also known as Lama Monachile), the beach at Polignano a Mare, is one of Puglia’s most iconic sights, wedged between steep golden buildings that seem to plunge right down to its dazzling turquoise seas.
This is one for a quick photo and swimming stop though. It’s one of the most popular destinations in Puglia and the crowds far outweigh space on the small beach.But the view of the beach from the sea or the town can’t be beaten.
The beach is pebbly and there are sunbeds for hire but no other facilities.
Pescoluse
The standout example of Puglia’s powdery white sand beaches is at Pescoluse.
The area around Pescoluse is known as the ‘Maldives of Puglia‘ thanks to its expanse of shallow sea with a sandy seabed.
Pescoluse is a seasonal resort town and there is paid parking close to the beach, near town the beach is free to enter but still lined with umbrellas.
Head west along the coast and you’ll find plenty of lidos (beach clubs) with facilities like lifeguards, restaurants and showers. Some of these are well-known and pretty pricey.
Punta Prosciutto
Punta Prosciutto is a long sandy beach which is part of the Porto Cesareo area.
Soft sands and shallow crystalline waters are the name of the game here. The beaches in this area could easily be mistaken for somewhere in Sardinia or Corsica.
It’s backed by dunes and scrub giving it a wild feel, but there are holiday homes tucked away behind the dunes.
There are paid parking lots or you can search for a space in the grid of side streets behind the beach.
The shallow seas make this area very popular with families and in the summer months expect it to be covered with a sea of parasols. Most of the beach is free but there are a few lidos.
Torre Lapillo
Torre Lapillo is another standout beach in the Porto Cesareo area. It sports a wide and graceful crescent of fine sand distinguished by a tower at one end. The water here is some of the clearest in all of Puglia.
There are watersports on offer and more beach clubs here than at Punto Proscuitto, but also some smaller nearby bays to explore. Parking is in a large paid lot near the beach.
The resort area is somewhat sprawling with plenty of accommodation but not much to it otherwise.
Vignanotica
If sandy beaches packed with families and beach clubs are not your thing then make a beeline for the beautiful and unspoilt region of Gargano which is located at the top of Puglia.
Somehow still undiscovered by international tourists, the Gargano Peninsula is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. The steep limestone cliffs and deep vegetation are reminiscent of Lefkada across the Ionian Sea.
Vignanotica is a stunning cliff beach with small golden pebbles, clear deep water, and dramatic scenery.
A paid parking lot is available, or you can visit on a private boat from nearby Vieste. There are stairs from the parking down to the beach. During the summer peak, there are umbrellas to rent.
Dune Costiere Natural Park
Dune Costiere is a protected wetlands area (it’s a Natura 2000 site) with miles of dunes, juniper trees, and ancient olive groves. It’s on the northeast coast of Puglia, a short drive from Ostuni.
The park covers several beaches from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo. There are a few serviced lidos, particularly at the Rosa Marina end. These are generally less expensive and with more space to move than the popular beaches on the south coast. Towards the west end, you’ll find emptier wilder stretches of beach.
There are trails within that can be explored by bike, on foot, or on horseback. Take a guided bike tour to try local cheeses and olive oils.
Zagare Bay
Zagare Bay is one of the most well-known locations in the Gargano region. The main beach is called Mergoli. It’s a short distance south around the coast from Vignanotica and has the same steep white cliffs and pebbles.
Mergoli is known for its pair of sea stacks (faraglione) which you can reach by swimming. It’s also an amazing area to explore by kayak or private boat.
Unfortunately, access is controlled by the hotel complex here. It can get complicated if you’re not a guest. If there’s space you might be able to rent a sunbed (not cheap). Or you can request a free pass from the tourist office of Mattinata. The adventurous may be able to find a hiking route down from one of the roads to the small public area of the beach.
San Pietro in Bevagna
San Pietro in Bevagna is a typical low-slung seasonal town west of Porto Cesareo in the Taranto province of Puglia. It has a 4km long public beach with fine white sand and turquoise seas.
There is some interesting swimming to be had where the cold water of the River Chidro meets the warm sea in the summer. The area around the river is a natural park.
For solitude, you can head west to Borraco or east to Specchiarica.
Torre Guaceto
Torre Guaceto is a protected marine park on Puglia’s northeast coast, a 20-minute drive west of Brindisi. There are several islets, a tower, and a rocky coastline enclosing numerous sandy beaches of all sizes as well as 3000 hectares of scrub and dunes.
The car park (around €8) is some distance away but a small train will shuttle you to the beach. Pay attention to the zoning because there are some areas where swimming is prohibited.
Its proximity to the city of Brindisi means it does get crowded in the summer though.
Scialara
Vieste, a charming seaside town in Gargano, is home to a spindly finger of cliffs topped with whitewashed buildings as well as two huge sandy beaches. The 3km Scialara is the longest of them.
At the top of Scialara, you’ll find the gigantic Pizzomunno – a large (25m!) limestone stack that towers over the surrounding lido-lined beach. It’s named after a fisherman who, according to legend, was petrified by jealous sirens whilst trying to rescue his love.
A road and promenade run alongside the beach with plenty of amenities and restaurants.
Read more:
Where to Stay in Puglia: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy
10 Best Sandy Beaches in Italy
10 Most Beautiful Coastlines in Italy
Image credits:
Beach aerial: Andrea Carro/ Adobe Stock
Polignano a Mare: © Marco Saracco / Adobe Stock
Pescoluse: Balate Dorin / Adobe Stock
Punto Proscuitto: © EnricoPescantini / Adobe Stock
Torre Lapillo: © BrunoBarillari / Adobe Stock
Vignanotica: luigi © / Adobe Stock
Dune Costiere: vololibero / Adobe Stock
Mergoli: © kite_rin / Adobe Stock
San Pietro in Bevagna: luigi / Adobe Stock
Torre Guaceto: angelo chiariello / Adobe Stock
Scialara: wildman / Adobe Stock
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