The Definitive Guide

Best Beaches in Puglia: The Ultimate Guide

From the dramatic cliffs of Polignano a Mare to the Caribbean-like white sands of Salento. Discover over 50+ hand-picked coastal gems across the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

35 Stunning Beaches

Cala dell’Acquaviva
4.9
rocky
Marittima, Diso (LE)

Cala dell’Acquaviva

A hidden cove famous for its refreshingly cool freshwater springs and fjord-like atmosphere.

natural-springsparking-nearbyscenic-views
Bagno Marino Archi
4.8
rocky
Santa Cesarea Terme (LE)

Bagno Marino Archi

A sophisticated luxury lido built into the rocky coastline, perfect for snorkeling and sunbathing.

snorkelingbeach-clubrestaurant+1 more
Porto Miggiano
4.7
sandy
Santa Cesarea Terme (LE)

Porto Miggiano

Known as the "Beach of the 100 Steps," this scenic cove features golden sand and limestone cliffs.

golden-sandcliffsscenic-steps
Castro Marina (Porto Vecchio)
4.8
rocky
Castro (LE)

Castro Marina (Porto Vecchio)

Renowned for deep water swimming in crystalline waters within a historic coastal town setting.

deep-swimminghistoric-townrestaurants
Porto Badisco
4.9
rocky
Otranto (LE)

Porto Badisco

A legendary inlet perfect for snorkeling, famous for its calm waters and local seafood.

snorkelinglegendary-mythseafood
Baia dei Turchi
4.9
sandy
Otranto (LE)

Baia dei Turchi

An unspoiled sandy paradise within a protected nature reserve, reached through a pine forest.

nature-reservepine-forestwhite-sand
Torre Sant’Andrea
5
cliff
Melendugno (LE)

Torre Sant’Andrea

Iconic sea stacks and limestone arches create a surreal landscape perfect for cliff diving.

sea-stackscliff-divingphotography
Lido della Staffa
4.6
sandy
Otranto (LE)

Lido della Staffa

A local secret featuring shallow water and a mix of sand and rock, offering a quiet escape.

shallow-waterlocal-secretparking
Il Ciolo
4.8
cliff
Gagliano del Capo (LE)

Il Ciolo

A dramatic rocky gorge spanned by a high bridge, offering hiking trails and deep sea diving.

bridgehiking-trailsdiving
Spiaggia di Pescoluse
5
sandy
Salve (LE)

Spiaggia di Pescoluse

The "Maldives of Salento" with miles of fine white sand and shallow turquoise water.

white-sandbeach-clubsshallow-water
Punta della Suina
4.9
sandy
Gallipoli (LE)

Punta della Suina

A tropical paradise with pine forests, golden sand, and some of Salento's best beach clubs.

beach-clubssunset-viewspine-forest
Porto Selvaggio
4.8
rocky
Nardò (LE)

Porto Selvaggio

A wild, pristine bay within a natural park, accessible only by a scenic hike through pine forests.

natural-parkhikingcrystal-water
Punta Prosciutto
4.9
sandy
Porto Cesareo (LE)

Punta Prosciutto

Often called the "Caribbean of Italy" for its wild dunes and expansive white sand beaches.

dunesshallow-waterunspoiled
Lido Le Dune
4.7
sandy
Porto Cesareo (LE)

Lido Le Dune

A luxury beach experience with premium amenities, gourmet dining, and soft golden sand.

beach-clubluxuryrestaurant
Spiaggia di Tricase Porto
4.6
rocky
Tricase Porto (LE)

Spiaggia di Tricase Porto

An authentic experience combining a refreshing swim with world-class seafood dining.

seafoodauthenticmarina
Torre Guaceto
4.9
sandy
Carovigno (BR)

Torre Guaceto

A protected Marine Area and Nature Reserve offering pristine coastal environments and eco-tourism.

nature-reservesnorkelingeco-tours
Torre Pozzelle
4.7
sandy
Ostuni (BR)

Torre Pozzelle

Five wild sandy coves separated by rocky outcrops and ancient watchtower ruins.

wild-coveswatchtowersnorkeling
Lido Morelli
4.8
sandy
Ostuni (BR)

Lido Morelli

Famous for soft white sand and high dunes within the Coastal Dunes Park.

white-sanddunesfamily-friendly
Punta Penna Grossa
4.8
sandy
Carovigno (BR)

Punta Penna Grossa

Wide stretches of free beaches with incredible turquoise water on the edge of a reserve.

free-beachturquoise-waterparking
Torre Santa Sabina
4.6
sandy
Carovigno (BR)

Torre Santa Sabina

Charming seaside village with shallow bays perfect for children and waterfront dining.

shallow-waterrestaurantsvillage-life
Campomarino di Maruggio
4.9
sandy
Maruggio (TA)

Campomarino di Maruggio

Often called the "Sea of Seven Colors" due to its varying shades of blue and green.

dunesdivingcrystal-water
San Pietro in Bevagna
4.8
sandy
Manduria (TA)

San Pietro in Bevagna

Stunning white sand beach famous for underwater Roman sarcophagi.

white-sandunderwater-archaeologyriver-mouth
Salina dei Monaci
4.9
sandy
Manduria (TA)

Salina dei Monaci

Coastal lagoon and wild beach where pink flamingos can often be spotted.

flamingosphotographynature-trekking
Marina di Pulsano
4.7
sandy
Pulsano (TA)

Marina di Pulsano

A series of small turquoise bays perfect for sheltered summer swimming.

turquoise-bayslidosscenic-road
Marina di Lizzano
4.6
sandy
Lizzano (TA)

Marina di Lizzano

Characterized by high sandy dunes and wide shorelines with shallow Ionian waters.

high-dunesshallow-waterwide-beach
Lama Monachile (Cala Porto)
5
rocky
Polignano a Mare (BA)

Lama Monachile (Cala Porto)

Polignano's iconic pebbly cove framed by dramatic limestone cliffs and white houses.

scenic-cliffstown-accessphotography
Cala Paura
4.7
rocky
Polignano a Mare (BA)

Cala Paura

Picturesque local favorite filled with traditional fishing boats and rocky platforms.

fishing-boatsseafood-stallslocal-vibe
Cala Porto Rosso
4.8
sandy
Monopoli (BA)

Cala Porto Rosso

Popular city beach within walking distance of Monopoli's historic center.

city-beachsandy-bottommonopoli-access
Spiaggia Pane e Pomodoro
4.5
sandy
Bari (BA)

Spiaggia Pane e Pomodoro

The heart of city swimming in Bari, located at the end of the beautiful promenade.

promenadefull-facilitiescity-swimming
San Vito
4.8
rocky
Polignano a Mare (BA)

San Vito

Atmospheric cove dominated by a massive Benedictine Abbey and small fishing harbor.

abbey-backdropsmall-portclear-water
Baia delle Zagare
5
cliff
Mattinata (FG)

Baia delle Zagare

The symbol of Gargano, famous for offshore sea stacks and high white cliffs.

sea-stackswhite-cliffsexclusive-access
Spiaggia di Vignanotica
4.9
rocky
Mattinata/Vieste (FG)

Spiaggia di Vignanotica

Breathtaking pebble beach under sheer white cliffs, reachable via scenic path.

sheer-cliffshiking-accessscenic-views
Spiaggia del Pizzomunno
4.8
sandy
Vieste (FG)

Spiaggia del Pizzomunno

Famous sandy stretch named after the legendary limestone monolith starting the beach.

monolith-legendshallow-watervieste-access
Cala dei Turchi
4.9
rocky
Tremiti Islands (FG)

Cala dei Turchi

A dream for divers in the remote Tremiti Islands, reachable only by boat.

island-lifedivingmarine-protected
Baia di Manaccora
4.7
sandy
Peschici (FG)

Baia di Manaccora

Large sandy bay featuring a famous trabucco and excellent surfing conditions.

trabuccosurfingwide-bay

Explore the Puglia Coast

"Between the Adriatic and Ionian, every mile is a masterpiece."

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Why Puglia Has the Best Beaches in Italy

Puglia, the "heel" of Italy’s boot, boasts over 800 kilometers of coastline, more than any other region in mainland Italy. This vast stretch is divided between two distinct seas: the **Adriatic** to the east and the **Ionian** to the west.

Whether you are looking for the **best sandy beaches in Puglia** for families or secluded, rugged **rocky coves** for a romantic escape, our guide covers every hidden corner.

The **Salento beaches** are world-renowned, often referred to as the "Maldives of Italy" due to their turquoise waters and fine white sand. Coastal towns like **Polignano a Mare** offer dramatic cliffside views that are unique to the Mediterranean.

From the Gargano Peninsula in the north to the Santa Maria di Leuca in the south, Puglia's beaches are not just places to swim—they are cultural experiences where history meets nature.