This Is Italy
The beaches of the southern region of Apulia (Puglia) are among the most beautiful in all of Italy. Take for example Porto Selvaggio, one of the 21 places to absolutely visit in Italy according to the Telegraph† We also have Pescoluse beach, called the 'Maldives of Salento' by locals, and the famous Punta della Suina, immortalized in the Italian film loose cannons by Ferzan Ozpetek.
Puglia is certainly more than just Salento† In this stretch you will find the most beautiful coves, coves and beaches throughout Puglia, such as those at Gargano and the Tremiti Islands.
For example, strips of fine sand or pebbles. Nestled between cliffs or immersed in the Mediterranean scrub, lapped by cobalt colored water.
From Salento to Gargano, these are the 15 most beautiful beaches of Apulia, spread along the 800 kilometers of coastline that attract tourists from all over the world.
1. Punta Prosciutto
Crystal clear waters, long beaches with fine white sand, 8 meters high dunes, extensive Mediterranean scrub are the characteristics of this protected marine area about 10 kilometers from Porto Cesareo, past Torre Lapillo.
Also look at Salina dei Monaci, on the western shore of Torre Colimena, the kingdom of the pink flamingos.
2. Porto Selvaggio
Between Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo is a nature reserve that you can explore on foot via a path that winds past thornbushes, rock roses and sea lilies. The sea is a blue oasis between the rocks, in which you can immerse yourself wonderfully.
You will also find the Grotta del Cavallo here, where the oldest remains of Homo sapiens in Europe were found. On clear days you can see Calabria from Uluzzo beach.
3. Pescoluse
Welcome to the Maldives of Salento, between Ugento and Santa Maria di Leuca. The beach, rated with a Blue flag from Legambiente, is a tropical dream of 4 kilometers of white sand, crystal clear waters and shallows, dunes covered with acacias and white lilies, sandy islets and picturesque kiosks popping up among the reeds and palm trees.
So you don't have to be on the plane 12 hours before!
4. Punta Pizza
No, not a slice of pizza, but Punta Pizzo! Another exotic paradise in Salento, on the Ionian coast, in the nature reserve of Isola Sant'Andrea, with sandy coves interspersed with tuff cliffs, and the fragrant pine forest directly behind it. If you could always be here…
5. Baia di Torre dell'Orso
Among the olive groves of Melendugno, on the Adriatic coast, you will find a crescent of sand almost a kilometer long, dominated by the 16th-century watchtower. which gives it its name. Two rocks called the Due Sorelle stand brotherly (or sisterly) side by side in the transparent waters of the Canale d'Otranto.
6. Campomarino di Maruggio
The 17th-century Moline watchtower announces the coast of Campomarino di Maruggio: turquoise sea, sea birds, dunes covered with thyme, juniper and esparto bushes. Certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the Ionian coast, where you can discover the beach of Ayala or del Conte on foot. The latter is preferred by naturists.
7. Porto Badisco
Halfway between Otranto and Santa Cesarea Terme, a natural cove as narrow and deep as a fjord. On the beach, the towers of Sant'Emiliano and Minervino stand out. Aeneas landed here, according to the Aeneid. And a most important archaeological site: the Grotta dei Cervi.
But the biggest attraction is without a doubt the sea. With coves like the Marmitta dei Giganti, cobalt blue in color, which stands out against the white of the limestone rocks. This is a paradise for divers.
8. Baia dei Turchi
7 kilometers north of Otranto you will find the 'Turken Bay'. It is so named because the Ottoman army chose to land here during the siege of the city in 1480, in order to bypass the imposing walls. Heralded by the dense Mediterranean scrub and the unmistakable scent of the pine forest, the strip of white sand embraces the sea.
9. Punta della Suina
The Punta della Suina in Gallipoli Bay was immortalized in the film loose cannons by Ferzan Ozpetek. Take a walk through the greenery, dunes and rocks that slope steeply to the sea, where you will find natural pools of turquoise water and white sand. Just like in the movie…
10. Torre Guaceto
15 kilometers north of Brindisi we find a marine protected area nestled between the rocks of Apani and Punta Penna Grossa.
A unique ecosystem for biodiversity, a stage for migratory birds with golden beaches, a thick Mediterranean thicket of myrtle, mastic trees, holm oaks and junipers. And also a beautiful beach where a luxury hotel is located for a reason.
11. Baia di Vignanotica
From the bay of Mergoli o delle Zagare begins the path that leads to the bay of Vignanotica, surrounded by piles of limestone, also called the 'beach of the seagulls' because here in the evening the herring gulls arrive at their nests between the rocks.
So grab your snorkel set to discover the beautiful fish just a few meters deep. You can also shoot beautiful places here at the watchtower, which is furnished with wooden benches and a canopy, right in front of a picture-postcard landscape.
12. Baia dei Mergoli o delle Zagare
The icon of the Gargano, between Mattinata and Vieste. There are 2 beaches, separated by a high limestone cliff. An expanse of soft white sand, mixed with white pebbles, bathed in the crystal clear sea, which can be reached along a path between almond groves, olive groves and pine forests.
Large forms of white limestone emerge from the water here, such as the Arch of Diomede and De Schaar.
13. Cala della Sanguinara
Near Peschici and Vieste, perched on a cliff full of pine trees, you will find this gem that can be discovered with a walk through a lush pine forest along the blue sea.
Here you can visit sea caves by boat. Such as the Grotta dei Pomodori, which gets its name from the clusters of reddish cave animals that hang from the walls here.
14. Zaiana Beach
About 10 kilometers from Peschici, in the Gargano National Park, lies a small natural oasis enclosed between rocky ridges covered with Aleppo pines and Mediterranean scrub. You can reach the beach via a steep staircase carved into the rock. A short distance away is the Grotta di Manaccora.
The sand here is fine and golden, the water is crystal clear and warm, and you will find only a few straw and bamboo huts on the beach instead of colorful umbrellas.
15.Cala Matano
On the way to the Tremiti Islands, the obligatory stop is at Cala Matano, which locals de Cala Matana or Cala della Duchessa, referring to a noblewoman who lived in these regions.
Here, in his house overlooking the bay, Lucio Dalla composed in 2001 Luna Matana en How deep is the sea† Walk down a dirt track hidden in the bushes just below the lookout point and in a few minutes you will arrive at the small bay with its Caribbean colored water.
This was our list of the most beautiful beaches in Apulia
Did you feel like discovering these gems yourself? Book your trip to Apulia (Puglia) now. The best offers for the best accommodations can be found here.
Do you prefer to be at a campsite? That strikes! Here you will find the 13 best campsites on the Puglia coast.
Do you have any great tips for beaches in Apulia? Pass them on by commenting below this article.
Sources: corriere.it, puglia.com, wikipedia.org.
Comments