Porto Cesareo

Porto Cesareo, located on the Ionian coast of Salento in Puglia, is a paradise for beach lovers. With 17 km of coastline characterized by beautiful stretches of sand, this charming town offers breathtaking natural scenery. The beaches, immersed in the Mediterranean scrubland of southern Italy, attract tourists for their beauty and the richness of flora and fauna, including herons, loggerhead sea turtles, and egrets.

Porto Cesareo also boasts a rich cultural heritage with ancient watchtowers and a picturesque historic center. Visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of activities, from scuba diving to boat trips, as well as enjoy the local cuisine based on fresh fish.

Porto Cesareo Beach

Porto Cesareo Beach, located on the Ionian coast between Taranto and Gallipoli, is a charming destination nestled between the Marine Protected Area and the Regional Natural Reserve of Palude del Conte and Duna Costiera. This beach, with a mix of rocks and sand, offers equipped bathing establishments for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday experience.

The beach of the harbor, located in the heart of Porto Cesareo, is characterized by its whitest sand, Mediterranean vegetation, and clear, crystalline sea. Although it can be crowded during the summer months, it offers easy access, making it ideal for families and children. The beach is served by historic bathing establishments such as Lido le Dune and Lido Tabù, which offer complete services such as umbrella, sunbed, and deck chair rental, as well as bars, restaurants, music, and entertainment.

Services available:

• Equipped bathing establishments
• Umbrella, sunbed, and deck chair rental
• Bars and restaurants
• Music and entertainment

Torre Chianca

Torre Chianca Beach, located in Porto Cesareo, is famous for its whitest sand and turquoise transparent waters. This beach is situated near a watchtower built in the sixteenth century by Charles V as a defense against Saracen raids. In addition to its natural beauty, the beach is embellished by the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis.

The beach, about 500 meters long, is ideal for families and children thanks to its shallow waters. Next to the beach are Lido Sofia Beach, perfect for adults and children, and the lidos Fashion Beach Tabù and le Dune, which offer fun and entertainment.

The area is also a paradise for diving enthusiasts, thanks to its rich biological seabed. In the 1960s, columns of cipollino marble dating back to the 2nd century AD were discovered, testifying to the ancient history of the place.

Available services:

• Lido Sofia Beach, equipped for adults and children
• Lidos Fashion Beach Tabù and le Dune, with music and entertainment
• Snack bar and open bar to enjoy local products and cocktails
• Activities such as aquagym and group dances
• Opportunities for scuba diving

Torre Lapillo

Torre Lapillo, one of the most enchanting beaches in Salento, stretches from Punta Prosciutto to Porto Cesareo. Characterized by crystal-clear waters and fine white sand, this beach also offers stretches of low cliffs, making it an ideal place for activities such as snorkeling. It is particularly loved by families for its shallow waters and picturesque natural surroundings.

The marina of Torre Lapillo, lively throughout the year, becomes a summer meeting point for numerous tourists. The beach is well served by beach resorts and equipped bathing establishments that offer a wide range of services, including entertainment, live music, water sports, and dining. These beach resorts, active almost 24 hours a day, transform the area into a lively nightlife destination, with open-air nightclubs.

The location, situated along the Salento Ionian coast, is easily accessible from Lecce and close to Salento Airport in Brindisi. The bay, about four kilometers long, offers both free and equipped beaches, with renowned beach resorts such as Lido La Pineta, Bahia del Sol, Stella Maris, Bacino Grande, Togo Bay, and Bonavista.

Available services:

• Beach resorts and equipped bathing establishments
• Snorkeling activities in shallow waters
• Entertainment and live music
• Water sports and equipment rental options
• Cocktail bar services and restaurants
• Open-air nightclubs for evening entertainment

Torre Castiglione

Torre Castiglione, located between the beaches of Torre Lapillo and Punta Prosciutto in the area of Porto Cesareo, is a jewel of Salento. The beach, a small cove about fifty meters long, alternates stretches of sand with areas of low cliffs and rocks. The shallow waters near the shore make it ideal for relaxation, although the depth may sometimes vary due to marine currents.

A characteristic aspect of Torre Castiglione is its unspoiled nature, with few houses and no services in the immediate vicinity. However, north of the tower lies the Torre Castiglione Camping, which also offers bar services, as well as bathing establishments such as Bona Vista and Togo Bay, located on the dunes of Padula Fede. Additionally, the Porto Cesareo Camping is easily accessible.

Despite its tranquility, the area can become crowded during the summer months of July and August. Therefore, it is advisable to visit it in the months of June and September to fully enjoy its beauty in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Punta Prosciutto

Punta Prosciutto, considered by many as the most beautiful beach in Salento, stands out for the quality of the sea, the beauty of the beach, and the services offered. Located north of Porto Cesareo, this beach boasts a long and wide stretch of extremely fine sand, almost exotic. The beach is part of the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo. The sea here is exceptional, with shallow waters for long stretches, making access to the water easy and enjoyable.

The beach extends for about 2 km, bordered by Torre Colimena and the Riva degli Angeli Beach in the Punta Grossa area. It is characterized by centuries-old sand dunes and typical Mediterranean scrub vegetation. 80% of the beach is free, offering ample space for a day at the seaside.

Among the most well-known beach clubs in Punta Prosciutto are Samanà Beach, Teranga Bay, and Lido Oasis. Samanà Beach offers guarded parking, showers, a bar, fast food, and a cafeteria. Teranga Bay offers umbrella, sunbed, and deck chair rental, as well as a sea-view terrace. Lido Oasis, with its refined design, features umbrellas, a cafeteria, a snack bar, and entertainment with happy hours and DJ sets, especially in August.

Services available :

• Beach clubs
• Guarded parking, showers, and toilets
• Bar, cafeteria, and fast food
• Umbrella, sunbed, and deck chair rental
• Sea-view terrace at Teranga Bay
• Snack bar and options for light lunches
• Happy hour and DJ sets at Lido Oasis

Torre Colimena

The ancient Torre Colimena and Vecchia Salina Beach, located along the coast of Manduria, offer a picturesque corner of nature in Salento. This area is ideal for those seeking a quiet and reserved environment for relaxing days by the sea. The light and grainy sand, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and shallow sea, makes the beach particularly suitable for families with children.

Torre Colimena, with its square base and two superimposed rooms, is one of the first coastal towers in the province of Taranto. Surrounded by free beaches and unspoiled nature, it offers an atmosphere of serenity perfect for a family day out. Its neighbor, the Salina dei Monaci, contributes to the uniqueness of the landscape, with soft sandy beaches, gently sloping and safe seabeds.

The scenery varies near the tower, where the sand gives way to irregular cliffs. This stretch of coast is part of the Regional Nature Reserve for its richness in flora and fauna, where you can spot swans, flamingos, and herons among the Mediterranean scrub and juniper.

The Torre Colimena Beach is appreciated for its quiet and relaxing setting, with Caribbean-colored waters and the tower as a picturesque backdrop. Even in high season, it offers a Salento seaside experience far from the chaos. The beach near the Salina dei Monaci is wide, sandy, and freely accessible, protected by shrubs, brooms, and myrtle, with jetties and walkways to preserve the environment.