Best Beaches in Puglia

Situated on the heel of Italy’s famous ‘boot’, sun-drenched Puglia greets visitors with olive groves that date back centuries, quaint whitewashed villages, unique architecture, a stunning coastline and some fabulous cuisine. Puglia’s beaches are perhaps the region’s best kept secret, and are considered to be among the best in Italy. We recommend hiring a car to explore them all – here’s our guide to the best beaches in Puglia. 

Spiaggia di Pescoluse

This stretch of beach is one of the best beaches in Puglia – nicknamed ‘The Maldives of Salento’. With a name like that, you know you can expect gloriously clear waters and pristine white sand that your toes really sink into. Hugging the Ionian Sea on the southern tip of Italy, and stretching from Torre Pali in the north to Torre Vado in the south, this white sand beach in Puglia is spacious and has plenty of room for you to spread out on your own sun lounger or sit beneath your umbrella, without feeling surrounded by other tourists. If you prefer an even more private vibe, there are private areas of the beach that you can pay to enjoy – with fewer crowds and bar service. If you come in the peak season, beware that the shoreline can get very crowded, especially during the height of the day..  

Mora Mora

This tranquil slice of beach haven is located close to Lecce, with stunning views of the Adriatic coast. Sink your toes into this stunning white sand beach in Puglia, which features natural shrubby verges and calm waters that make it ideal for young families and less experienced swimmers. There is a car park close by, and a swish beach bar and restaurant serving international and Italian fare all day long should you want to make a day of things. Park yourself on a sun lounger and order a refreshing chilled drink from the bar, and they will bring your order to you. If you walk past the loungers, this area of the beach is free and the waters are ideal for snorkelling and swimming, with more sheltered coves away from busy crowds. When it comes to Puglia and Italy’s beaches, this is certainly one worth visiting.   

Lama Monachile, Polignano a Mare

If you feel like heading to a beach with an interesting history after lunch in the garden of your Villa Rubino, this shoreline is close to an imposing Roman bridge and a dried up path that used to be a river, heading towards the beach. Lama Monachile may be small in size, but is big in character. On either side, you’ll find dramatic rock formations and sea-battered cliffs with buildings perched on top of the old walls. You’ll also find plenty of caves around the bay that are ideal for snorkelling. This beach is very popular in the summer months and it also plays host to the annual cliff diving championships every year, and is one of the best Puglia beaches for swimming and diving. 

Beach of Purity, Gallipoli

This is Gallipoli’s most popular beach due to its central location. As its name suggests, it is certainly one of the best beaches in Puglia thanks to its clean and crystal-clear waters and soft, powdery sands. Expect golden sand and amazing views of ancient city walls and the Sant’Andrea Island lighthouse. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars nearby should you need a snack or some cooling gelato during the day. In the evenings, the various beach bars on offer become hotspots for locals grabbing dinner while watching the sun set.  

Explore some of the best beaches in Puglia on a family villa holiday in the Mediterranean sunshine.  Let us tempt you with our exclusive range of Puglia villas.