From secluded craggy coves with pebble-dashed beaches to undulating stretches of golden sandy dunes, Puglia’s diverse coastal beauty is endlessly alluring. When it comes to pitching up for the day at a stylish seaside spot, the region is blessed with all manner of enchanting beach clubs. VIA Magazine shares a shortlist of Puglia’s best beach clubs from coast to coast, sunrise to sunset.
Le Cinque Vele
This place has been a long time coming for visitors in Salento; probably the first and only high-end beach club on the Ionian coast south of Nardo, Le Cinque Vele caters to families, small groups, and couples, with a restaurant on-location, garden space, shaded areas, gazebos, sun loungers, and umbrellas, as well as shower facilities. Bedside service is available using an app and buzzer for ad-hoc requests. Jacuzzis and massages are available on request, too. This side of the coast is home to a beautiful stretch of sand, ideal for long walks and building castles in the sand. Bring your goggles and floating mattress; the water is sublime.
73050 Pescoluse, Salve
+39 391 484 8711
Pettolecchia Il Lido
For the ultimate in Apulian luxury, Pettolecchia Il Lido delivers haute glamour upon the azure Adriatic shoreline. From its four-poster sunbeds, vis-à-vis for two and personal masseuses to gourmet pizzas and exquisite cocktails, this private, ultra-glitzy beach club is A-List ready
S.P. 90 Savelletri-Torre Canne SNC
Torre Canne
+39 080 889 4423
Cala Maka
A MediterrAsian restaurant, lifestyle club, and daytime beach house that serves healthy platters with a great sushi menu, fresh shakes, Acai bowls, and all-day snacks – without giving up on cocktails at sunset. The kitchen is led by Matsu Sushi (Bari) with a menu that combines refreshing, bold interpretations alongside the classics with fresh seafood from the coasts of the heel. Exotic Asia meets magical Puglia at this seafront beach club, where you can lounge day to night in beachwear with a rotating music agenda.
Tel: +39 340 077 2082
Via Eroi del Mare, 1
Torre Canne | Lido Cala Maka (ex White Beach)
calamaka.it
Ultima Spiaggia delle Cesine
Spilling over the soft, volcanic black sand dunes of Otranto’s coast, Ultima Spiaggia delle Cesine’s laidback simplicity lets its magnificent, nature reserve setting do the talking. After a leisurely lunch, recline on a lounger under a burgundy umbrella with an iced coffee until sunset.
Family-friendly.
Litoranea San Cataldo-Otranto
73029 Marina di Vernole
+39 346 015 7029
On the coast of Salento, surrounded by a panorama of striking beauty is the Canneto bathhouse covering 35 thousand square meters of well-being. Travelers who are looking for a mix between nature and sports will appreciate the diving and swimming courses, as well as four tennis courts that are open all year round, the basketball, soccer, beach –volleyball courts – plus table tennis and padel tennis. The rest is down to the sea.
Family-friendly
Via Argentina, 200
74020 Leporano
+39 099 5332037
info@cannetobeach.it
https://www.instagram.com/cannetobeach/
Lido Gold
A tranquil southern paradise, Lido Gold has always considered space, privacy, and confidentiality of prime importance with a distance of four meters between each group. The beach club combines the natural rustic beauty of Puglia, Italian elegance, and the high-end food culture of Puglia to offer holiday goers an unforgettable day at sea. Guests can book services including à la carte lunch and cocktails from the comfort of sun loungers using an exclusive app that is downloaded on arrival. A great spot for intimate evening dinners in small groups.
Litoranea S. Maria di Leuca
Gallipoli Torre Pali
Salve (LE)
+39 338 429 9617
info@lidogold.it
Need a seaside soundtrack? Check out VIA Magazine’s Official 2022 Playlist
Torre Caffè
One of the things we appreciate most about this beach club is its great location in Capitolo, smack in between the coastal towns of Monopoli and Savelletri, and a great hideout for early birds looking to grab a quick breakfast and bask in the morning sun and the fresh waters of the Adriatic. Music-free, quiet and clean, Torre Caffe has the uber chill vibe until late mornings; otherwise, late afternoons for a swim and sunset cocktails are a great option, too. The crowd varies during the week, with Wednesday through Friday being ideal for travelers 35 and up. Come evening, the house chef, a talented local female chef, prepares local specialties and seafood dishes. Please, keep this place our best-kept secret.
Contrada Capitolo
70043 Monopoli
+39 331 120 0761
torrecaffe.it
Le Palme Beach Club
Occupying a blissful stretch of honeyed sand, Le Palme Beach Club invites lazy afternoons with the family by the cerulean Adriatic seaside. Pitch up for the day in a comfortable cabana and take advantage of Le Palme’s full-service pizzeria. Do not leave without treating yourself to a chic kaftan from Tulsi Shop next door.
Family-friendly
Contrada Pantanelli
70043 Monopoli
+39 347 643 5693
Marzà
Loved by solitude-seeking Italian celebrities, Marzà does low-key lounging quite like nowhere else in Puglia. You will find this rustic spot on a tiny, secluded Monopoli beach, surrounded by fragrant lavender and chamomile. Sink into a hammock for the afternoon before dining on fresh local salads as the sun dips down.
C.da Santo Stefano
70043 Monopoli
+39 348 9835031
Lido Tamerici
Lido Tamerici’s gleaming white stone terraces, fragrant tamarisk trees, and shady bamboo cabanas inspire romance. A perfect couples’ hideaway, this Puglian beach club makes a romantic retreat on the crystalline shores. Beds, beach towels, and hot showers are all on hand for your afternoon dip. Stay until sunset and dine together on Lido Tamerici’s private terrace.
Family-friendly
Contrada Losciale, 74
70043 Monopoli
+39 366 468 8179
Lido Lo Scalo
Well off the radar, this beach club and restaurant make for an easygoing low-profile day at sea in a simple yet nicely curated setting. Beach beds and umbrellas are set on multiple levels, offering space, privacy, and comfort, and the restaurant kisses the seafront with splendid views. The natural setting offers a pool-like experience where you can float at leisure or swim farther out into the open waters. Seafood is fresh and nicely served in a picturesque setting.
Via A. Vespucci
73031 Marina di Novaglie (LE)
+39 0833 533 488
Bagno Marino Archi
Nestled alongside Santa Cesareo Terme’s rugged fortified walls, the cliffside Bagno Marino Archi offers resplendent views across the Ionian Sea. Loungers, parasols, and cabins line the craggy outcrop as waves break below. Nip down a ladder for a refreshing ocean dip before lunching at the restaurant’s famous seafood mixed grill.
Via Fontanelle, SN
73020 Santa Cesarea Terme
+39 0836 944214
Kalè Beach Club
Inspired by Santorini’s unmistakable blue domes and whitewashed walls, Kalè Beach Club brings a little slice of the Cyclades to Puglia. A large beach club whose row upon row of thatched umbrellas punctuate the white sands of Castellaneta Marina, Kalè is a lively spot where live music and DJs will soundtrack your day in the sunshine.
Lungomare Eroi del Mare, 23
74011 Castellaneta Marina
+39 099 843 9098
Molo Castro
The beach party never stops at Molo Castro, a funky joint teetering on a rocky outcrop overlooking the turquoise Adriatic Sea. It’s here Puglia’s youthful cool crowd congregates over sundowner aperitif whilst dancing to lively DJ sets.
73030 Castro
Province of Lecce
+39 347 578 0859
Cala San Giovanni
When all you want is the sea and lots of relaxation, this all-white beach club promises to deliver. A ‘Blue Flag’ destination with fine golden sand, waters here are liquid crystal and the small enclave is surrounded by a lush pine forest with unique caves. This family-friendly beach club has comfortable beds, a beach bar, changing facilities, and a scenic layout that lets you take in the beauty until sunset. Life is better here.
Family-friendly
Contrada San Giovanni, 214
Polignano A Mare
+39 080 424 1250
info@calasangiovanni.it
https://instagram.com/calasangiovanni
Samarinda Beach Club
Open from breakfast ‘til naughtily late, Samarinda Beach Club makes a chic port of call whatever time of day. Chill out under an umbrella on the decking, indulge in a stone-baked pizza at the restaurant for lunch, and catch the sunset in a private gazebo on the picturesque seafront as live acts take to the stage.
LE, Lungomare C. Colombo, 56
73040 Santa Maria di Leuca
+39 392 195 0465
Marinelli Lido
Set on a cluster of rocks amid fragrant Mediterranean scrub, Marinelli Lido occupies a secluded corner of Salento. Child-friendly sandpits and playfully striped cabins make it an exceptional hangout for family travel. Enjoy a dinner of fresh clams together under the stars.
Via Magna Grecia
73053 San Gregorio, Patù
+39 366 505 1358
Elite Tropical Prive
Good living, Pugilan-style can be found on the talcum powder sands of the serene and sedate Elite Tropical Prive. Pitch up under a white umbrella with only the sounds of the gently lapping shores in your ears. Dine upon traditional Salento friselle in the cool confines of the restaurant’s shady terrace.
SP91
73050 Torre Pali
+39 347 025 3264
Punto della Suina
Spilling out into the turquoise shallows, Gallipoli’s buzzing Punto della Suina is a magnet for the party crowd and the odd Hollywood star. With a tropical Caribbean vibe, this Apulian beach club is all about easy-breezy seaside fun during the day and thumping good tunes by night.
Litoranea Gallipoli – S.M. di Leuca
73014 Gallipoli
+39 348 742 7000
Lido Cotriero
Blissed-out bohemian vibes are the order of the day at Lido Cotriero. Immersed in fragrant scrub and lush greenery, this laidback beach club sprawls from its seafront position over golden sands to the lapping Ionian. Chill with a fresh juice while the sun shines and sip cocktails and get ready to dance as the tempo picks up after dark.
73014 Pizzo
Province of Lecce
+39 340 666 2833
Lido La Castellana
On the outskirts of Otranto, the Ennio Capasa-owned Lido La Castellana is all about understated glamour. Smart umbrellas and loungers stand in neat rows on the softest sand that meets shallow turquoise waters. Refresh after a swim in Lido La Castellana’s natural cave shower before enjoying a healthy Mediterranean lunch at the pergola restaurant.
Family-friendly
Via Antonio Sforza
73028 Otranto
+39 335 811 2520
Lido Solatio
What Solatio lacks in sand it makes up for in endless sea vistas from its stunning decked terrace. Perched on a rugged cliff, Solatio is a trendy beach club delivering good times around the clock – from a sunny alfresco breakfast and lazy afternoon on a lounger right through ‘til after dark when it turns into a nightclub.
Litoranea Gallipoli-Leuca, 1
73055 Torre Suda, Racale
+39 0833 582402
Skafè al Casotto
A small bar oozing with rustic charm, Skafè al Casotto rests on the crest of a cliff in Porto Badisco. Come for the sunset views and stay for the great live music, masterful cocktails, and artisanal pizza by the meter.
73028 Porto Badisco, Province of Lecce
+39 347 807 9251
Lido Friab at Grand Hotel Pianeta Maratea
The Grand Hotel Pianeta Maratea is a sanctuary of wellness conceived with all-around wellbeing in Puglia in mind. Its private sandy beach Lido Friab (also open to the public) is a gorgeously scenic spot to unwind. The bar serves delightful cold dishes and snacks, while umbrellas and cushioned sun loungers are available to hire.
Contrada Santa Caterina, 50
85046 Maratea PZ
+39 0973 871966
Lido Kalù
Spanning a lengthy stretch of the striking Rauccio Natural Park, Lido Kalù offers miles of sugary sands and calm waters to enjoy. A superlative seaside spot for families, reserve an umbrella and lounger for a fun day that the kids will love. Dine on classic Apulian dishes in the open-air restaurant.
Family-friendly
Via Itaca Lido, SNC
73100 Torre Rinalda
+39 389 684 8765
Kalé Cora
Nestled in a tranquil sheltered cove, Kalé Cora is an oasis of calm. Parasols, sunbeds, canopies, and gazebos await, read for you to slink into with a chilled smoothie in hand. Kalé Cora’s colorful menu is based on health-giving nutrition so expect superfood salads and Acai bowls, helping in retaining the current swimsuit size.
SP366, 5
73026 Melendugno
+39 342 755 0626
