The Best Beaches in Puglia Explore

The Best Beaches in Puglia

Puglia Explore:

Puglia has been gifted with the most amazing coastline and crystal clear sea that is hardly beaten by any other in beauty. Come with me and dive in the most beautiful beaches and bathing areas in the beautiful Puglia.

GARGANO

BAIA DELLE ZAGARE

Baia delle Zagare, tucked along the lesser-known and not as explored Gargano coast, is a breathtaking bay framed by white limestone cliffs covered in dense vegetation and famous for its two striking sea stacks that rise from the Adriatic’s clear blue waters. Access to the beach is not the easiest, though. One way to go down is by taking a footpath that winds down the hill. The other way is through the private access from one of the nearby hotels. However, this added hurdle ensures a more exclusive and serene atmosphere.

Once you get down there, you will find a beach that is a mix of soft sand and smooth pebbles, with the surrounding cliffs providing shade and a dramatic backdrop. Besides going for a swim, admiring the beautiful landscape from the water while on a kayak is also a great way to enjoy this unique beauty.
Monopoli

Porto Ghiacciolo

Porto Ghiacciolo, just a 10-minute drive from Monopoli, is a small cove featuring a public sandy beach area at the end. Behind it, you will find beach club sunbeds. If you walk along the left side of the cove, you will get to the small cliffs that surround it, providing plenty of flat areas to lay down your towel. This is generally a more secluded and quieter spot compared to the sandy area.

From there, you can enjoy fantastic views of both the Castello di Santo Stefano and the turquoise waters of this beautiful cove. This location is perfect for diving from the rocks; however, remember to check the depth where you plan to dive first, as the bottom is irregular.
SALENTO

Roca Vecchia

Roca Vecchia is a fascinating coastal site that blends natural beauty with ancient history, best known for the Grotta della Poesia, a stunning natural sinkhole filled with vibrant turquoise water. However, it is forbidden to swim inside, but the surrounding coastline features rocky ledges perfect for sunbathing, with several spots ideal for diving into the clear Adriatic below, and even some very secluded small beaches.

Just steps from the sea, you will find the ruins of an ancient settlement, adding a layer of mystique to the landscape. While many people flock to the Grotta della Poesia, the swimming areas around Roca Vecchia are much quieter, and they are the perfect spot if you want to relax and just enjoy the beautiful sea.
SALENTO

PUNTA PROSCIUTTO

The beach at Punta Prosciutto is located along the Ionian coast of Salento, around 45 minutes west of Lecce. This long stretch of beach is known for its incredibly soft white sand and shallow, crystalline waters. Here, you will find free public areas and sections with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. As you lie on the sand, you will see nothing but the beautiful clear waters ahead of you, as natural sandy dunes covered in Mediterranean vegetation stand behind you, creating a wild, untouched backdrop.

Despite being one of the most famous beaches in Puglia, it is still very much worth coming here for the whole beauty of the environment around. If you are traveling with kids, this one is also a perfect choice, as the sea is typically very calm, and the water is quite warm and shallow for a few dozen meters/yards out.
SALENTO

Faraglioni Sant'Andrea

Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea, on the east coast of the Salento peninsula, bathed by the Adriatic Sea, is widely known for its dramatic limestone stacks that rise from the crystal-clear sea. While there is no actual beach here, there are a few flat rock surfaces where you can lay your towel and soak in the sun. The real draw here is the opportunity to swim through natural rock arches and explore hidden sea caves, with the water tones ranging from deep blue to bright turquoise.

You will also find groups of kids jumping from the cliffs here sometimes. While most of them do it only from the lower ones, there is the occasional braver group that jumps from the top of the stone arch, highly incentivised by their peers. So, if you are looking for a joyful atmosphere and beautiful scenery, this is probably what you are looking for!

 
Puglia Explore:

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A Guide to Puglia - the Cover Page, by Simply Slow Traveler

The beaches in Puglia are some of the most beautiful ones you will find in the whole of Italy and even the Mediterranean. From small coves to long stretches of sand, the crystal clear waters of the shore of Puglia will surely leave you in awe.

Discover my 20+ suggestions for the most beautiful beaches in this region in my guide to 8 days in Puglia.

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