From Otranto’s spectacular shoreline, to the rugged cliffs of Polignano a Mare, and historic harbour of Monopoli, these are one of the best seashore cities in Puglia.
Puglia is a area brimming with allure and authenticity. I utterly fell for it on my first go to, and I’ve been returning to uncover extra ever since. What I really like most is the way it’s held onto its traditions. There’s a uncooked, rugged magnificence to the cities. Some are touristy, however they nonetheless really feel stuffed with character.
Most of the seashore cities dotted alongside the Adriatic and Ionian coastlines are magical. Some sit perched on prime of dramatic limestone cliffs, dotted with church buildings and fairly eating places. There’s a mixture of sandy, pebble and rocky seashores, which suggests there are a number of which are good for households who wish to ebook a quintessential seashore vacation.
I’ve spent many hours on the seashores in Puglia, having fun with every part a coastal vacation affords. I’ve sunbathed whereas watching boats bob round in azure harbours, been swimming in a few of the clearest waters I’ve seen in Europe, and dined at beachside eating places, attempting the freshest seafood, after all!
I’ve already shared a information to one of the best cities in Puglia, however I needed to dive into the seashore cities subsequent. I do know a lot of you’ll be on the lookout for suggestions for dreamy coastal breaks, even should you additionally plan to spend just a few hours in land exploring different fairly spots.
This information options a number of common seashores and some lesser-known gems. Some cities will likely be higher suited to a relaxed household seashore vacation, whereas others would possibly go well with you should you’re on the lookout for a romantic weekend away. The number of Puglia’s shoreline is one among my favorite issues concerning the area!
Plus, though there are some very fashionable cities on this a part of southern Italy (e.g. Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuni) generally, I nonetheless really feel that Puglia is much less touristy and extra genuine than areas just like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
From the magic of Vieste to historic Otranto, listed here are my favorite seashore cities in Puglia.
5 Greatest seashore cities in Puglia
Vieste
The furthest north of all my suggestions, Vieste is a singular seashore city situated on the Gargano Peninsula. It oozes allure and is packed stuffed with historic buildings. As you wander round you’ll discover slender alleyways, palaces, church buildings and whitewashed homes perched on cliffs overlooking the ocean. One half juts out in a powerful peninsula – an attractive picture spot, if ever I noticed one!
One of the crucial iconic sights is Pizzomunno, a 25m white limestone monolith on del Castello seashore. It’s an incredible sight, and provides to the various causes this is likely one of the finest seashore cities in Puglia!
Many of the seashores in and round Vieste are sandy, so it’s a well-liked area for households. There are many lodging choices and traditional Italian eating places too. What’s to not love?!
Otranto
Otranto was a brand new addition on our current vacation in Puglia, and wow am I glad we visited! It’s shot as much as the highest of the checklist of my favorite cities, not simply in Puglia, however in Italy as an entire. It’s a gem of the Salento Peninsula (which is the title for the southern space of Puglia).
The picturesque seaside city has a medieval citadel, Eleventh-century cathedral, unimaginable seashores, clear waters, a rocky coast and a full of life atmosphere. It looks like an actual vacation city, however nonetheless retains an genuine Italian allure, maybe as most vacationers we noticed have been Italian.
A variety of this shoreline in Puglia has rocky or pebble seashores, however in Otranto there may be sand. This made it good for our toddler to play safely, and for us all to calm down. As with a lot of Italy, you’ll discover a mixture of private and non-private (seashore membership) seashores. We have been fortunate sufficient to remain in an house instantly reverse Spiaggia dei Gradoni, a stunning public seashore proper on the town.
On our closing day, we ventured right down to Atlantis, a seashore membership and restaurant situated on a rockier peninsula, the place you possibly can both sit with foods and drinks, or rent solar loungers for the day. It’s price mentioning that there isn’t a lot shade on any of the seashores, so that you’ll want a parasol and plenty of solar cream if you wish to go to in peak summer season.
For consuming and ingesting in Otranto, my favorite spots have been: Lu Tata N’zinu (nice pizzas), Retro Gusto (Michelin-recommended fine-dining) and Pasticceria Merola (one of the best gelato we had on this journey).
Polignano a Mare
When you’ve checked out photographs of lovely seashore cities in Puglia, I can just about assure you’d have seen a picture of Polignano a Mare. Set on thick limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic, with caves under, it’s completely spectacular.
The principle seashore in Polignano is Lama Monachile, a small slither of a pebble seashore tucked beneath the arches of an historic Roman bridge. It’s not probably the most comfy seashore, however that is such a photogenic view.
We loved a day journey to Polignano a Mare, however didn’t keep in a single day. To be trustworthy, this felt like the right period of time. We loved strolling via the centre, took a dip within the sea, walked alongside the cliffs to soak up the views, stopped for foods and drinks on the town, and ended our day with aperitivos. I nonetheless bear in mind the tasty spaghetti vongole we had in one of many principal squares – scrumptious!
Grotta Palazzese is likely one of the most well-known locations in Polignano a Mare. This magical restaurant is situated inside a cave. It’s romantic and fairly, however from what I’ve heard it’s a bit of overpriced! Nonetheless, you’re on vacation, so that you would possibly wish to go to as a part of your journey, as there aren’t many locations like this on this planet.
Porto Cesareo
Earlier than I visited this coastal space on the western facet of Puglia, I’d heard it described as ‘the Maldives of Italy’. The photographs positively made this comparability appear attainable, with its shallow turquoise waters and pristine white sand.
When you’re on the lookout for a extremely nice space for a household seashore vacation, that is my prime choose. I wouldn’t say there’s the character of the opposite Puglian seashore cities I’ve advisable on this information, however you’ll positively discover a few of the most secure and finest seashores in Salento.
We stayed in Torre Lapillo, an space with gorgeously comfortable white sand and crystal clear waters. There have been fairly just a few locations to eat alongside the seashore, and loads of lodging choices too. So, should you’re on the lookout for a traditional seashore vacation with loads of solar, sea and gelato, Porto Cesareo is difficult to beat.
Monopoli
Monopoli is a full of life harbour city that blends Puglia’s seaside allure with historic character. We have been enamoured with the city on our first journey to the area, and it immediately change into one among our favorite cities in Italy. We spent afternoons strolling across the previous harbour, stopping for spritzes within the sunshine, dipping our toes within the water on the small seashore, and having fun with dinners al fresco.
The Centro Storico in Monopoli is gorgeous, with previous stone buildings, little squares, a cathedral and plenty of conventional eating places. It’s a city that’s grown in reputation in recent times, but it surely nonetheless hasn’t reached the hectic ranges of Alberobello or Polignano a Mare.
We stayed at Il Torre e il Mare within the city centre. It hhad a number of rooms and residences to select from, with an attractive terrace overlooking the previous city.
Santa Maria di Leuca
This lovely seashore city marks the southernmost level in Puglia, and is the the place the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. I’ve heard it’s typically attainable to see two shades of blue, the place the oceans join. The city has rugged and dramatic surroundings, with turquoise waters and caves carved into limestone cliffs.
It’s not overrun with vacationers, maybe because it’s rather a lot additional for most individuals to journey (2.5 hour drive from Bari). One of the crucial common issues to do is take a boat tour around the coast. You’ll get to discover a few of the sea caves, see the lighthouse and take in the coastal views.
When you’re on the lookout for a quieter seashore city expertise in Puglia, Santa Maria is a superb choice.
Aren’t these seashore cities in Puglia beautiful? I’d return to all of them in a heartbeat! When you’re on the lookout for extra journey ideas on your time on this a part of southern Italy, don’t miss my information to one of the best cities in Puglia. Lots of them would make nice day journeys from these seashore cities, so you possibly can get pleasure from discovering extra of this picturesque area.
Alternatively, should you’re planning a much bigger journey, my southern Italy street journey itinerary has an incredible route mapped out.
