Salento Beaches

There are some truly amazing beaches in Salento all around the Adriatic and the Ionian side. It is no wonder that one area is even called the Maldives of Salento. There are beaches for all tastes and in your journey on the road you will find the white beaches of the Pescoluse area, where the impression is to be in the Maldives, you will encounter golden beaches and limestone cliffs, such as those of Porto Selvaggio and Santa Cesarea Terme, small coves and bays, rocky areas if you do not like sand (and too many people in the high season), even pretty town beaches like in Santa Caterina al Bagno and Gallipoli. The list blow is by means exhaustive and there are plenty of places you will discover on your journey.

La Poesia – Roca Vecchia

“The Poetry”, referring to the story of a beautiful princess who came here to cool off, and of the poets who flocked to look at her and then composed verses in her honor. The mythical Grotta della Poesia is one of the most sensational natural pools in the world. This place is particularly appreciated by young people as it allows spectacular dives from a height of about 5 meters. However, the depth is not exaggerated, and the lack of dangerous currents makes the cave ideal also for families.

Torre Dell’Orso

Located on the Adriatic about 40 min drive from Lecce.
Torre dell’Orso beach is best described as a crescent between two cliffs where the dunes are mixed with the rocks and with the sea with a depth varying from a few centimeters to a few meters, therefore suitable for everyone, from families to young people who want to have fun in the water.

Baia Dei Turchi

North of Otranto there is a splendid place whose name originates from a historical event spread by tradition: the landing of the Turkish warriors who conquered the same city in hte 15th century and sentenced 800 people to death who did not want to renounce their faith in Christ. Baia dei Turchi, a wonderful natural landscape that was declared in 2007 among the top 100 places to be protected in Italy, was also declared a Site of Community Importance and is part of the protected Oasis of the Almini Lakes. Baia dei Turchi is a historical place with unique charm.

Porto Badisco

Cala Dell’Acquaviva

Part of the Regional Park of Costa d’Otranto – Santa Maria di Leuca. The beach is located at the mouth of natural ravine resembling a fjord and is rich in vegetation all around. The sea is very beautiful, turquoise and intense blue, crystal clear water, ideal for swimming and bathing, but less ideal for children. The cove is not equipped and does not offer any services, except for a characteristic kiosk on the right side of the coast.

Baia del Ciolo

A few kilometers north of Santa Maria di Leuca, on the adraitic side, is the fjord resembling Ciolo bay. Above it is a bridge, 36 m above the sea, from which one can admire the spectacular views of the bay and the little beach below. When the sun sets over the sea, a truly unique and extremely poetic play of colors and shades is created. The name Ciolo derives from the Salento dialect and indicates the many magpies that inhabit the area.

Spiagga Di Pescoluse – Maldive del Salento

You can’t come to Puglia and not go to the Maldives of Salento!
The expanse of fine white sand, the shallow waters and the islets emerging from the clear waters, the dunes covered with acacias and white lily, make it one of the most popular and desired places in the entire province of Lecce, perfect for the whole family. The wide beach is protected by the splendid dunes, a beautiful spontaneous vegetation that separates the crystalline sea from the rest of the world.

Lido Marini

It is particularly easy to reach and the nearest center is Ugento. Already this puts a plus for those who want to enjoy the sea with children and toys in tow. But what really makes it a perfect stretch of sea for families is the condition of the water, which usually benefits a few degrees more than the Adriatic side.

Punta Suina

Southern end of Gallipoli bay, access is by walking through a pine forrest. Punta della Suina is made up of two small sandy bays that are among the most famous and trendy in Salento, caressed by the crystalline sea.
Walking for a few hundred meters in the pine forest, you will come out on a little Caribbean-style bar that stands on a small rocky hill on the seashore, at the foot of which there is an equipped beach. Continuing to walk on the left and passing the area of the rocks, after a few tens of meters you arrive in the long free beach that continues up to Lido Pizzo.

Gallipoli Bay – Baia Verde

One of the most popular beaches in Gallipoli and all of Salento is represented by Baia Verde. Wide beach and characterized by a very fine soft white sand nd there are many establishments in the area, offering all services including sunbeds, deckchairs, umbrellas, bars. Those who want less organisatiopn can stop in the various and wide stretches of the free beach, made available to visitors who like to experience the sea simply with a towel and a great desire to relax.

Gallipoli Town Beach

In the northern edge of the old town, is a very cute town beach often not too crowded. It is laso perfect on windier days as the little bay forms a natural shelter from the open ocean. Close to some nice little bars and restaurnats in the old town.

Lido le Canne

Located just south of Santa Maria al Bagno. There is a pine forrest leading to the beach, perfect for parking the car and for you to hide away from the hot sun. Simple beach bars serving basic snacks and drinks, good for families. One of our favourites.

Santa Maria al Bagno

This is a small cosy coastal town which is inhabited all year round unlike many other coastal places which become ghost towns off season. Cute litle beach with water like in a swimming pool. Like Gallipoli town beach, it offers good shelter from the open ocean and from wind on windier days. Shor walk to the nearby bars and restaurants.

Porto Selvaggio

Beautiful and unique, Porto Selvaggio, in the province of Nardò and close to Santa Caterina, is made up of about 1000 hectares of park, from 2006 it became a protected area of the Puglia region. Access is by walking along a path in the middle of the pine forest for about twenty minutes. Do not expect to find a large beach of fine sand: the one that will welcome you is a small cove with pebbles sorrounded by rock.

Torre Lapillo

Just north of Port Cesareo lies this exceptional beach with shallow, blue and crystal clean waters. In days with no wind the view of the shallow water is incredible. On windier days, its crescent shape can provide shelter in either end depending on the widn direction. The Bay of Torre Lapillo has sandy beaches with a particularly bright white color.

Punta Prosciutto

Punta Prosciutto is characterized by an uncontaminated and wild scenery, occupied by a few houses, high dunes and soft golden sand. A small life-size paradise whose shallow and clear waters make it a perfect destination especially for families with small children, who can thus enjoy hours of relaxation and tranquility without worries. most of the beach is completely free, so you can arm yourself with an umbrella and a beach towel without having to rent chairs and anything else.