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The best beaches in Puglia are one of Italy’s worst-kept secrets – famous for their beauty, yet still missed by travelers who find the region a bit too far off the beaten path. But after spending six weeks here this summer, exploring every nook and cranny of Puglia’s coast, I can promise the journey is more than worth it. Those who make it to this stretch of Italy are rewarded with some of the most diverse and stunning beach experiences around.
To the west along the Ionian coast, you’ll find wide, sandy beaches with shallow, clear waters – perfect for families or anyone who just wants to unwind. Over on the Adriatic side, the coastline turns rocky, with secluded coves and platforms ideal for snorkeling or a refreshing swim. And then, of course, there are the lidos – Puglia’s beloved beach clubs, where you can rent a sunbed, grab a drink, and settle in for a full day of sun and sea.
Whether you’re drawn to the rustic charm of free beaches or the convenience of a lido, Puglia’s coast has something for everyone. Keep reading for my top lidos and free beaches, along with my best tips to make the most of your Italian beach escape!
11 Best Beaches in Puglia Italy Map

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11 Best Beaches in Puglia:
How to Choose Between Free Beaches & Lidos
REAL TALK: Puglia, like literally so many parts of Italy, can come under strain from overtourism. I beg you, BEG YOU, to not be an asshole when you’re traveling around Italy (or anywhere). I mostly like to assume that if you’re here on my blog, I can trust that you want to help preserve, rather than spoil, the integrity of wherever you’re traveling… but still. I would feel irresponsible if I didn’t still give a little reminder that if you plan to make the locals lives hell, you should stay home!
When it comes to Puglia’s stunning coastlines, there are two main ways to experience the beaches: by settling in at a lido (or beach club) or by opting for a free beach. While free beaches offer a more rustic, “bring your own everything” style, lidos provide a fully serviced, comfortable setup perfect for a relaxing day.

Free Beaches (Spiagge Libere)
There is an ongoing debate, both in and outside of Italy, about the private concessions granted to lido operators. Some argue that too much of Italy’s beaches have been privatized, limiting access to certain stretches of the coast unless visitors pay for a spot.
I’m a strong believer in keeping beaches accessible to everyone, so it’s encouraging to see that Italy still has many beautiful, free beaches where you can experience the natural landscape without any added cost. And while it can sometimes seem like every inch of Puglia’s beaches is taken up by lidos, in fact you can usually find a few meters of free beach nestled between each lido – where anyone is more than welcome to spread out a towel!
Personally, I almost always opt for a lido because I just can’t hack it on the sand, in the hot sun, with no cold water, but free beaches are perfect for visitors who prefer a more independent, cheaper beach day.
I have a few excellent, personally vetted free beach suggestions later in this post – from some of the more famous to a few hidden gems!
Lidos
Lidos are undeniably a part of Italy’s beach culture, and, if you don’t mind paying, they can add convenience and a level of comfort that makes a full beach day much more enjoyable.
In fact, many lidos are well worth the expense if you’re looking for a worry-free, fully serviced beach experience. With amenities like sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and even on-site bars and restaurants, you can settle in and simply enjoy the day.

Insider Tip
Most lidos do not provide towels (or even offer towel rentals – we learned this the hard way), so it’s important to have your own. Beach clubs, on the other hand, might. Check their websites! If there’s no space in your luggage, you can visit a Conad Superstore, Coop Superstore, Decathlon, Hong Kong Market, or Happy Casa to pick up some cheap ones.
Most of the recommendations in this post are for my personal favorite lidos throughout Puglia! We’ve had our fair share of bargain lido days, but also plenty of lido visits where we felt like the price just wasn’t worth it.
For those concerned about managing their beach budget, here are some tips we’ve worked out to keep lido visits affordable and enjoyable:
How to Save Money at Lidos in Puglia
1. Book in advance
During the height of summer, lidos get booked up! There will usually be a few umbrellas free if you walk up, but renting them may come at quite the premium.
To book in advance, you can have a look at Spiagge.it, a super easy-to-use booking platform just for lidos and sunbeds. The English version of the site works perfectly, and most lidos will let you select the exact umbrella you want from a map.
Many of the best lidos, however, aren’t available to book online. But not to worry! Almost always, the phone number listed on Google Maps will be on Whatsapp, and all you need to do is send a text asking to book.

2. Book multiple days at once
If you’re after a discount, do as the locals do and book by the week or month. This something we didn’t do during our first trip to Puglia (in the name of research! We had too many beaches/lidos to visit on the blog’s behalf!), but we will most definitely be doing in the future.
Imagine the feeling of having your own dedicated umbrella and sunbeds for the whole duration of your vacation – with the ability to roll up whenever you feel like, leave and come back, etc.
We’re not certain whether booking less than a week (say, 3 or 4 days) would yield similar discounts, but it can’t hurt to ask!
3. Look out for last-minute discounts on Spiagge.it
One of the awesome things about Spiagge.it – especially if you’re visiting in the months of May, June, or September – is that some lidos will actually heavily discount their rates for day-of or day-before bookings if they have a significant number of umbrellas left.
On days where we only had 2-3 hours to go to the beach, we often took advantage of an offer like this at a nearby lido and always felt like it was an excellent deal!
4. Opt for a family-run lido over a flashy beach club
Lidos and beach clubs are not created equal! We love both types of establishment equally, but beach clubs will definitely tend to set you back way more than a traditional lido.
Beach clubs often veer in the direction of cabana service, fancier restaurants, more amenities like spa treatments or pools, and nighttime parties. Lidos, on the other hand, can feel a bit less luxurious… but also a fraction of the price.
For those wondering, beach clubs often cost around €100+/day for an umbrella and two sunbeds, while lidos vary between €30+/day in the shoulder season and €40-50+/day in July and August.
5. Avoid the lido restaurant
A great thing about visiting a lido is that you’ll have several different options for refreshments during the day. While many lido restaurants serve up unimaginably fresh and delicious seafood and pasta, you should expect somewhat shockingly high prices. In fact, many lidos have 4 or fewer stars on Google Maps specifically due to the inflated prices at their restaurants – but this is just par for the course in Italy. Consider yourself warned!
If you’re looking to save a buck, opt for the lido’s snack bar, which will usually have sandwiches and other takeaway options available for a fraction of the price.
Or, bring your own food! Americans may be surprised to find that there typically aren’t any regulations on what you can or can’t bring into a lido, so it’s not uncommon to see people with cooler bags full of picnic lunches.
A final option could be returning home for lunch (as many Italians do) if you happen to be staying nearby.

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Best Lidos & Beach Clubs in Puglia
1. Lido Sabbioso – Torre San Giovanni
Located in Torre San Giovanni, Lido Sabbioso is our absolute favorite lido in Salento.
Known for its soft, white sands and crystal-clear waters that stay knee-deep for about 50 meters, Sabbioso has a relaxed, local vibe that keeps us coming back. It’s also, objectively, one of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia.

Insider Tip
While many people flock to Pescoluse, the famous “Maldives of Salento,” we actually prefer Sabbioso. Pescoluse can be crowded and, honestly, a bit overrated. If you’re after sandy beaches in Puglia with those dreamy “Maldives” vibes but without the hype, Lido Sabbioso is the spot.
One of the best things about Lido Sabbioso is that it’s family-run, which makes the atmosphere especially welcoming. It’s refreshing to see the same friendly locals – from elderly couples to kids in summer camp and the snack bar staff – day after day. It’s another one of those “this is why we travel” type of places.
The shallow waters make this a very family-friendly establishment, and the sunsets here are particularly beautiful. We also love their restaurant, but often had to hold ourselves back from eating there daily as it wasn’t cheap!
Prices range from €30/day in June to €50/day in August for a regular umbrella, which includes two sunbeds and a beach chair – plenty of room for three people, a rarity at most lidos! There are also larger, straw-canopy umbrellas with padded sunbeds that can accommodate up to four people; these cost more and must be reserved in advance.
Conveniently, onsite parking is available for around €5/day, payable by card or cash at the entrance – a huge plus for stress-free beach days!

2. Relax – Leuca
If you can’t find us at Lido Sabbioso on any given day, then we’re probably at Relax!
Located right on the southernmost tip of the Salento peninsula, right where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet, Relax is another family-run establishment that feels just a bit more polished and upscale.
You probably envision long sandy shores when you think of Salento best beaches, but Relax is actually built along a rocky stretch of coastline. A series of connected platforms and a long walkway lead out into a deep cove – so no water shoes are needed here! Instead of navigating sharp rocks, you can simply step off the walkway into clear, deep water.
The flipside, of course, is that you’ll likely need to be a comfortable swimmer without the need to stand or rest too much. That said, one of our favorite aspects of Relax is the huge foam mats they often anchor in a semicircle around their cove, where you’re welcome to lounge and sunbathe. We discovered (to our disappointment) that they don’t put these out every day, but when they do it is certainly a plus!
We’re always surprised that Relax isn’t more crowded… but we’re not complaining! At only €20-30/day, this is one of the more affordable lidos in the area so we have to assume most people just haven’t discovered it yet.
In any case, even if it was booked up, the umbrellas are arranged in pairs on smaller platforms stair-stepping down towards the sea, so at most you’d only ever feel like there was one other couple in your space.
Our only complaint about Relax was the somewhat inconsistent drinks service at the umbrellas, possibly because many staff members were young and still getting the hang of things. But that’s a tiny gripe and we were still grateful to be able to order water or coffees to our sunbeds when they did come around!
Parking here is a bit of a challenge, but we were usually able to find paid all-day street parking within a 10-minute walk of the lido. Do aim to arrive early for the smallest parking headache!
3. Lido Le Canne – Padula Bianca
In Padula Bianca, Lido Le Canne is a popular spot with locals and visitors alike, with a traditional vibe that instantly makes the legacy of the place clear. The water is waist deep and crystal clear, and the sand is powdery white, making for some of our favorite swimming conditions in all of Puglia.
To be honest it’s not our favorite lido, given the slightly less welcoming vibe than the previous two options, less comfortable sunbeds, and somewhat underwhelming snackbar – but it was our third most-visited lido during our month in Salento!
Why, you ask? Because Lido Le Canne often throws up some significant discounts on Spiagge.it. Often, we were able to book a last-minute umbrella for the next day at a rate of €5-10… for the whole day!
This is steal, and always felt like a good option when Daniel had to work in the afternoons and we knew we’d only have a couple of hours to spend at the beach.
4. Le Cinque Vele Beach Club – Pescoluse
Located in Pescoluse, often called the “Maldives of Salento,” Le Cinque Vele Beach Club has all the amenities needed for a truly luxurious beach day.
With chic full-service cabanas right on the water, premium sunbeds, and a gourmet restaurant, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy Puglia’s most beautiful waters in style – so it was an obvious choice to bring Daniel’s parents when they visited early in our stay.
You can have it all at Le Cinque Vele: a massage, lunch served right at your cabana, and even a cooking class if that’s your thing!
One thing to note is that, unfortunately, Le Cinque Vele occupies a particularly rocky stretch of shoreline. Despite the Maldives-like waters, you will see people struggling (somewhat comically) to get in and out of the water. Definitely be sure to have water shoes if you come here!
The upscale setting draws a trendy crowd, making it ideal for those looking to splurge a little.

5. Bagno Marino Archi – Santa Cesarea Terme
Set against the dramatic rocky cliffs of Santa Cesarea Terme, Bagno Marino Archi is a lido with a view. This beach club is a favorite for snorkeling and swimming, with clear waters and easy access to the sea. It’s a unique experience for those wanting a beach day with a touch of adventure and incredible scenery.
In the spirit of full disclosure, we didn’t get to visit Bagno Marino Archi ourselves. We had plans to go on the last weekend of our month in Puglia – and were really excited to – but we were just feeling so nostalgic about leaving Lido Sabbioso and Relax that we canceled our reservation at Bagno Marino Archi and just went back to our faves instead!
It still gets to make this list, though, because it is such a unique setting and we absolutely intend to prioritize a visit next summer!
6. Lido Bambù – Capitolo
Lido Bambù Puglia is the epitome of Puglia beach clubs, combining a lively vibe with plenty of comforts. Known for its vibrant beach parties and events, it’s a top pick for younger crowds or anyone looking to enjoy music, drinks, and a fun social scene.
If you know anything about us already, you know the above does not quite describe us! Quiet relaxation is typically more our vibe. Luckily, on a weekday in June, Bambù had the perfect vibe for us, and I’d wager you can expect the same on weekdays throughout most of the summer.
Our umbrella here ran €70 for the day, which was a bit steep given that the best swimming actually requires a short walk away from the lido itself to a free section of beach with fewer rocks. That said, for those who want a bit more of a luxe experience (think service at your umbrella and pads on the sunbeds), this is an excellent option.
Parking was an additional €7 in a spacious lot across the street.
7. COCO Beach Club – Cozze
COCO Beach Club is a stylish, high-end beach club in Cozze where we spent our final beach day at the end of our month in Puglia.
In addition to the more “traditional” rows of umbrellas located on platforms over the rocky shoreline, the beach club offers something quite unique: discounted beds towards the front of the action.
There’s an area of relatively flat rock just next to the long deck that extends out into the deeper water, and for around €40 you can book an umbrella that… doesn’t really have a set location. Instead, when you show up the attendant will let you choose a spot in the designated area and he’ll set up your umbrella and chairs there! We opted for this and were happy with our choice.
The restaurant here, like most lidos, was excellent and overpriced.
Parking can be purchased at the time of booking, and I recommend doing this highly. We thought we would just decide to pay separately for parking when we arrived, and found the lot booked up… we “weren’t on the list” and so had to fight for our lives elsewhere.
We ended up finding parking for €5 in this parking lot down the road, which worked fine too!
Best Free Beaches in Puglia
1. Ponte Papa Benedetto XVI – Leuca
While we’re not frequent visitors to free beaches, this is the one we’d choose if we were going to! Ponte Papa Benedetto XVI is a unique spot that offers more amenities than most free beaches in Italy. Technically, “beach” here is a bit of a misnomer, as this area is actually a concrete platform beneath the bridge. But trust me, it’s much more charming than it sounds.
Located just about 100 meters from one of our favorite lidos, Relax Leuca, this spot surprised us on our first visit. The platform below the bridge is a popular place for locals to lay out a towel and swim, and it’s easy to see why. There are a few standout features:
- The massive arches under the bridge provide excellent, cool shade.
- Just a few meters into the water, you’ll find waist-deep rocks for standing, leading to a deeper cove perfect for swimming.
- A snack bar on the other side of the bridge (accessible through the arches) offers refreshments and even a restroom.
- And, best of all – no sand!
Access is easy, with a set of stairs at the western end of the bridge. All-day paid street parking is available on either side of the bridge, but it fills up fast, so we recommend arriving early or later in the day to secure a spot.
2. Spiagga d’Ayala
Spiagga d’Ayala is a free beach known for its unspoiled beauty and pristine sand dunes. There are no services here, so be sure to bring everything you’ll need for the day.
Parking is easy, with free spots available along the curved section of Via Per Librari to the east of the beach entrance.
The first 200-300 meters are family-friendly, where you’ll often find local families gathered for a relaxed beach day – hanging out, feasting on picnic lunches, and enjoying the crystal clear waters and sandy shore.

Insider Tip
Stop in at San Giovanni bakery in Campomarino on your way to Spiagga d’Ayala. This focacceria is well known for its excellent sandwiches, perfect for a picnic lunch on the beach! We arrived late and there wasn’t much left on display, but upon asking we found out they could make us an off-menu sandwich with the plain focaccia they had left.
If you continue along the beach to the east, you’ll come across one of the more famous nude beaches in Puglia. We visited this part of the beach and found it to have a much more uncomfortable vibe than other nude beaches we’ve visited in the past. Lots of people ogling, cruising, and generally being a bit creepy. To be honest, it’s not a spot we’d return to in the future, but the main stretch of Spiaggia d’Ayala remains a peaceful, natural retreat for a day by the sea.
3. Torre San Giovanni
If you read about Lido Sabbioso above, you’ll know Torre San Giovanni is our absolute favorite beach in Salento – really, in all of Puglia!
For a free beach hack, leave your car in the Lido Sabbioso parking lot (~€5/day) and instead of following the path to the lido itself, simply continue to either the left or right and plop down on the sections of wide open sand between lidos.
This way, you’ll still get to enjoy the wonderful, shallow blue waters of Torre San Giovanni and can even pick up essentials from the Sabbioso snack bar if you need.

4. Spiaggetta del Molo – Otranto
This small city beach right in the center of Otranto is a hidden gem for those who love a rustic beach vibe with close proximity to town amenities. It’s a bit rocky but has fantastic views and a charming atmosphere.
This is a perfect option if you’re staying in Otranto, or if you visit for a day trip and want something to do during the pausa.
FAQs about Visiting Beaches in Puglia
Which part of Puglia has the best beaches?
That really depends on what kind of beach experience you’re after!
The Salento region, especially along the Ionian coast, is home to some of Puglia’s most picturesque beaches, with soft white sands and calm, clear waters. Pescoluse, known as the “Maldives of Salento,” is particularly famous for its dreamy appearance.
But don’t count out the Adriatic coast! It has its own charm, with dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. If you prefer a rocky coastline and more secluded spots for snorkeling, the Adriatic side, especially around Santa Cesarea Terme, is perfect.
Which Puglia beach is like the Maldives?
Pescoluse is the beach that’s earned the nickname “Maldives of Salento” because of its shallow, turquoise waters and fine, white sands. It’s located on the Ionian coast in the Salento region and is particularly popular in summer. Just keep in mind that it’s well-known and can get crowded, especially in July and August.
If you’re looking for a less crowded alternative with a similar vibe, I’d recommend Lido Sabbioso just nearby – it offers the same beautiful shallow waters but with a more relaxed, local feel.
Which lido in Puglia is best for families?
For families, Lido Sabbioso in Torre San Giovanni is a fantastic choice. The water is shallow and clear for quite a distance from shore, which makes it safe and fun for kids.
Plus, it has all the amenities you could want for a comfortable beach day – sunbeds, umbrellas, a snack bar, and even an onsite restaurant. The friendly, family-run vibe makes it feel welcoming and relaxed, and you’ll often find local families enjoying the beach right alongside you.
Does Puglia have beach clubs?
Absolutely! Puglia is full of amazing beach clubs, or “lidos,” that cater to every kind of traveler. From laid-back, family-friendly lidos to more upscale beach clubs with plush sunbeds, cocktails, and seaside dining, there’s something for everyone.
Puglia beach clubs are especially popular in the Salento area, and they’re a huge part of Puglia’s beach culture. So if you’re looking for a beach day with a little extra comfort and convenience, you’ll have plenty of great options to choose from!

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P.S. When you book using my links, you help support Rachel IRL at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!

Ready to hit the best beaches in Puglia?
I hope this post has helped you shortlist your own favorite free beaches or beach clubs in Puglia!
If you’re still trying to plan the perfect trip to Puglia, check out the Puglia archives here, and if you’re looking for more on Salento, you’ll find it here..
Think I missed something? Try my recs and want to tell me about it? Leave me a comment, send me an email, or tag me on Instagram!
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