The heel of Italy, or rather Puglia , is one of the regions with naturalistic beauties and among the most evocative landscapes of our peninsula. Almost all of its 865 kilometers of coastline can be bathed, and in the area there are also many stretches of sea awarded the famous " Blue Flag ".
From Lecce to Brindisi, passing through Ostuni, Monopoli and Bari, the Adriatic coast of Puglia offers a variety and vastness of maritime areas and artistic wonders of enviable beauty, let's discover them together.
Lecce sea, what to see and which beaches to go to
The Baroque beauty of Lecce has earned the city the title of "Florence of the South", due to its artistic and cultural peculiarities. During the Kingdom of Naples, in fact, the architectural development and the decorative enrichment of the facades gave birth to the famous " Leccese Baroque ", which is characterized by the use of Lecce stone. In the list of what to see in Lecce in the summer, the streets of the center cannot be missed , a real open-air museum : from Piazza del Duomo with the suggestive cathedral, to Piazza Sant'Oronzo, passing through the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Carlo V Castle, the architectural marvels that dominate the city are many and varied.
Even if it does not directly overlook the sea, Lecce remains a perfect city to visit in the summer. However, the most beautiful sea near Lecce is only a few kilometers from the city and offers little-known but very particular seaside resorts . The first is San Cataldo, also known as " the lido di Lecce ": in ancient times it was an important port halfway between Brindisi and Otranto, exploited by maritime exchanges between East and West. In San Cataldo you will find a beautiful sandy beach , dominated by a 23-metre octagonal tower.
Also on the Adriatic coast of Puglia , just north of San Cataldo, is Frigole . Fine sand, crystal clear water and a suggestive panorama characterize this seaside stretch near Lecce. Torre Chianca , about ten kilometers from Lecce, has some of the favorite local beaches, with light and soft sand, clear waters and ideal climatic conditions for practicing sports such as kite surfing. The last fraction of the sea of Lecce is then Torre Rinalda , which owes its name to the homonymous coastal watchtower of 1500. This place is also ideal for spending days at the beach in an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquillity.
Brindisi sea , the most suggestive beaches
Surrounded by the Aragonese walls of the fifteenth century, the historic center of Brindisi is one of the pearls of Southern Italy. The archaeological remains and its splendid Romanesque churches denote its originality and uniqueness: climbing the Virgil Staircase it is possible to reach one of the most evocative things to see in Brindisi , the Roman thermal columns of the Via Appia , the real symbol of the city and a point of reference for sailors. In a visit to the city of Brindisi, a tour of Piazza Duomo cannot be missed , surrounded by medieval and Roman style buildings and where you can admire the famous Cathedral , also known as the Basilica of the Visitation.
Unlike Lecce, Brindisi rises directly on the coast and is washed by the Adriatic: the Brindisi coast is almost entirely sandy , interrupted only by cliffs and suggestive coves. Organizing a beach holiday in Brindisi means not missing out on a visit to Torre Guaceto beach , which is part of the state nature reserve of the same name and is characterized by being a WWF protected oasis. Miles of white beach and a thick patch of Mediterranean vegetation, as well as seabed rich in marine life to be observed with a mask and snorkel, are the peculiarities of this area.
Among the other seaside resorts of Brindisi we find Torre Santa Sabina , with sandy beaches, both free and equipped, and fascinating cliffs. Among these you can stop at La Gola , whose peculiarity is the high rocks from which you can launch yourself into daring dives, the Mezzaluna beach , in the shape of a wedge and with a shallow and sandy bottom, and the small beach of Scoglio del Cavallo , famous for the presence of a rocky island that evokes the shape of the steed.
Ostuni sea, where to find the most enchanting beaches
Ostuni , also known as the White City , is a suggestive tourist destination as well as a particularly beautiful medieval village , with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. A summer walk in the old city area, also called the "terra" to distinguish it from the more recent "marina", will guide you to the discovery of suggestive picturesque views among alleys, steep stairways and small squares overlooked by the characteristic white houses. A place of historical and cultural interest that certainly deserves a visit are the Aragonese Walls , built by the Angevins and then expanded with the Aragonese. In the list of what to see in Ostuni there is also Piazza della Libertà , with the magnificent buildings of the Church of San Francesco, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Obelisk of Sant'Oronzo.
Organizing a holiday in Ostuni means going to a place where the sea is so clean and transparent that it has received the " Blue Flag " and the award from the Cinque Vele of Legambiente and the Touring Club for the services offered and the cleanliness of the beaches. Furthermore, the entire Ostuni coast is included within the Regional Protected Area declared a Site of Community Importance by the European Community.
Coming to the beaches of Ostuni Mare and its surroundings, you certainly cannot miss Torre Pozzella . Located about 8 kilometers from the historic center, this town has a wild nature, with cliffs overlooking the sea. The crystal clear waters make this place perfect for diving and underwater exploration enthusiasts. Torre Pozzella consists of several small beaches surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and its name derives from the presence of a tower known by the local population as "torre sgarrata".
If during your holidays in Ostuni you find yourself on the north coast, don't miss Lido Morelli : almost 2 kilometers of fine white sand, with a shore that slopes gently towards the sea, ideal for families with children. Pilone is one of the busiest beaches on the Ostuni coast, due to the numerous equipped beaches that characterize the area. Quarto Monte , another of the most characteristic beaches of Ostuni , is a small but enchanting beach, much loved by the local population and about 8 kilometers from the city center. White sand and crystal clear sea are the characteristics that characterize this place.
Sea in Monopoli, the beaches not to be missed
Continuing the summer tour of the Adriatic coast of Puglia, Monopoli certainly cannot be missed . Also known as the " city of a hundred districts ", this locality retains its medieval charm due to the fortified historic center and the presence of fortified farms in the districts. The old town develops around the Borgo, a name given to the central Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, one of the largest in Italy. One of the first things to see in Monopoli is certainly the sixteenth-century Castle of Charles V , located on the Punta Penna promontory and dating back to the period of Spanish domination. Another building that deserves to be seen is Palazzo Martinelli , built on the walls and overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
The stretch of sea of Monopoli is very varied: from the north, towards Polignano, where the coast is more rocky and thick with high cliffs, to points where instead small and suggestive coves open up, passing through the southernmost part from Santo Stefano to the Chapter where beaches and lidos are located.
In the southern area of Monopoli is Cala Porta Vecchia , a beach that stands out for its transparent and shallow waters, with a sandy bottom. This stretch of sand is easily accessible from the historic city centre, making it ideal for a holiday with children.
Organizing holidays in Monopoli also means discovering local traditions and customs. A place particularly loved by the inhabitants of the area is Cala Sottile , a small secluded cove surrounded by greenery, with a pine forest behind it and waters that fade from green to blue . Even on the windiest days the waters remain calm, because the beach is sheltered. Another seaside place in Monopoli of suggestive beauty is Cala Susca , located on the northern outskirts of Monopoli. It is a small cove of sand and gravel , surrounded by a large cliff that can be easily walked on and with flat rocks where you can lie down to enjoy the sea breeze. The seabed is sandy and remains so for several metres, with the water always clear.
A stone's throw from Monopoli is Porto Verde , a splendid beach hidden by two rocky walls covered by dense vegetation, with very fine sand and crystalline sea. This cove can be reached from the columns of the Castle of Santo Stefano via a short grassy path. Due to its gently sloping seabed, the beach is particularly suitable for families with children.
Bari, the sea of the Apulian capital
The Apulian capital is characterized by being a city with unique artistic and natural beauties. In the list of what to see in Bari, its approximately 30 churches cannot be missed , including the Basilica of San Nicola, the Romanesque Basilica of San Gregorio and the Cathedral of San Sabino. The historic center , represented by Bari Vecchia , is the real beating heart of the city. In addition to the artistic and architectural part, Bari is also characterized by the splendid beaches that indent the Adriatic coast.
The best known beach in Bari is " Pane e Pomodoro ", much loved in particular by the locals due to the large space available and the proximity to the city centre. Going south along the stretch of sea of Bari you will meet Torre a Mare and Mola , where the coast is rocky but the sea is crystal clear.
In the list of what to see in Bari and its surroundings in the summer, don't miss the famous Polignano a Mare , awarded the "Blue Flag", a real pearl of the Apulian territory. The beach is surrounded by a cliff over 20 meters high which is characterized by its caves and the turquoise colored sea.
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