Explore the most beautiful beaches and coastal destinations in Puglia. Discover crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, hidden coves, dramatic cliffs and some of the most scenic seaside towns in southern Italy. From Salento and the Ionian coast to Gargano and the Adriatic, find the best beaches for swimming, families, snorkeling, sunsets and relaxing days by the sea.
The best beaches in Gargano are not concentrated around a single resort or along one uniform stretch of coast. This mountainous promontory in northern Puglia has two remarkably different seaside personalities: long, sandy beaches around Vieste and the northern coast, and a far more dramatic southern coastline where white limestone cliffs plunge into the Adriatic … Read more
Salento is one of the few places in Italy where choosing a beach is not simply a matter of deciding which stretch of sand looks prettiest. The peninsula is bordered by two very different coastlines: the Adriatic to the east and the Ionian to the west, with Santa Maria di Leuca marking the transition at … Read more
Puglia does not have one single type of coastline. That is the first thing worth understanding before choosing where to spend your beach days. Along roughly 800 kilometres of coast, the region moves from the pale limestone cliffs and pebble coves of the Gargano to the small rocky inlets around Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, … Read more
Puglia is one of Italy’s easiest regions for a family beach holiday, but choosing the right stretch of coast makes a significant difference when travelling with children. Some of the region’s most photographed coves are beautiful yet surprisingly impractical with toddlers: steep steps, rocky entries, limited shade and nowhere nearby to buy lunch can quickly … Read more
The stretch of Adriatic coast between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli is one of the easiest places in Puglia to combine swimming with sightseeing. In barely 15 kilometres, the coastline changes repeatedly: limestone cliffs around Polignano, tiny pebble coves, rocky swimming platforms, urban beaches beneath Monopoli’s old walls and, farther south, increasingly sandy bays around … Read more
Bari is not usually the first place travelers picture when they imagine a beach holiday in Puglia. The regional capital is better known for Bari Vecchia, the Basilica di San Nicola, focaccia barese and its long seafront. Yet one of Bari’s great advantages is that you can combine a genuine city break with surprisingly easy … Read more