Few places in Europe capture summer like Puglia, Italy’s long sun-drenched heel. With two seas — the Adriatic to the east and the Ionian to the west — the region stretches across nearly 800 kilometres of coastline. But beyond the postcards and Instagram filters, Puglia’s appeal lies in its balance: wild and elegant, ancient and effortlessly modern

From the cliffs of Polignano to the dunes of Salento, the coast is a living sequence of contrasts. White sand gives way to rock pools; small fishing towns sit beside sleek seaside resorts. Here’s where to find the best of it — a journey through beaches that define southern Italy’s summer rhythm.

Torre dell’Orso: The Twin Sisters of the Adriatic

On the Adriatic side, Torre dell’Orso remains one of Puglia’s most distinctive coastal spots. The beach forms a perfect crescent of pale sand, framed by limestone cliffs and pine forests. Offshore, two sea stacks known as Le Due Sorelle — the Twin Sisters — rise from the turquoise water, giving the bay its unmistakable silhouette.

Families come for calm shallows and cafés tucked into the dunes, while early risers find a quieter side before the day unfolds. The combination of natural beauty and easy access makes Torre dell’Orso one of the region’s best one-day escapes.

Pescoluse: The “Maldives” of Salento

Head south toward Lecce, and the Ionian coast begins to shift — the colours deepen, the sand softens, and the pace slows. Near the town of Salve lies Marina di Pescoluse, often nicknamed “the Maldives of Salento.” The comparison isn’t exaggerated: shallow, crystalline water stretches for kilometres, and the horizon blurs into a luminous blue.

Beach clubs offer umbrellas and light seafood lunches, but there’s still space for travellers who prefer a more natural setting. The sunsets here are long and cinematic, painting the sea in gold and coral hues. For many, this is where Puglia’s coast feels most exotic — and most genuine.

Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto: Nature and Clarity

Further up the Ionian coast, the Porto Cesareo Marine Reserve protects some of the clearest water in Italy. The area is famous for snorkelling, sailing, and the brilliant sandbanks of Punta Prosciutto. Despite its popularity, the beach manages to retain an unspoiled atmosphere — thanks to strict conservation rules that keep the dunes and vegetation intact.

Local fishermen still work these waters, and small trattorias nearby serve seafood that travels only a few hundred metres from sea to plate. Staying near Porto Cesareo means waking to sea breezes and unbroken horizons, a reminder that simplicity can feel like luxury.

For travellers looking to combine comfort with coastal authenticity, the collection of Puglia’s beach resorts offers refined stays that mirror the region’s natural palette — white walls, stone terraces, and views that dissolve into the sea.

Polignano a Mare: Drama in Limestone

If you prefer cliffs to sand, Polignano a Mare delivers one of the most dramatic coastal settings in Italy. The town rises directly from the rock, its whitewashed houses clinging above a narrow cove of pebble beach. The Adriatic here is deeper and darker, perfect for cliff diving and photography.

Polignano’s compact old town is built for wandering — stairways leading to sea views, tiny piazzas shaded by vines, and restaurants perched just above the waves. Even a single afternoon here feels like a distilled version of the Italian summer: loud, luminous, and unforgettable.

Finding Your Own Puglia

What makes Puglia’s coast remarkable isn’t just the water’s colour or the beaches’ length — it’s the diversity packed into a single region. In less than two hours, you can move from rugged cliffs to Caribbean shallows, from nightlife to near-silence.

The coast here doesn’t demand attention — it earns it.