Gallipoli Beaches

Considered one of the best beach areas in all of Italy, Gallipoli is the epicenter of Puglia's summer scene. Here you'll find miles of sand along with quiet coves, rocky reefs and nature parks. There is something to fit everyone's idea of the ideal beach here!

The only beach right in town is the Purity Beach (Spiaggia della Purita'), at the foot of the walls in the old town center. It is a small but beautiful spot and worth a visit; it's especially nice to enjoy a half-day here then meander up into the the old town for lunch.

South of Gallipoli

The most popular and well-known beaches are to the south of the historic center along Via Galilei in the "new town". Here you'll find miles of soft sand and shallow water that gradually deepens. There are lots of beach clubs that offer umbrellas and sun beds by day, and beach disco parties by night. These are popular with young Italians on holiday who come to Puglia for its summer "movida" (nightlife). This area is where you find the Parco Gondar, a concert venue that has music and dance parties throughout the summer.

The Lungomare Galilei runs along the seafront, where the coastline is marked by low rocks. There are plenty of people who pitch an umbrella in the cracks and lay out here; the rocks are low and it's not too difficult getting into and out of the water in these areas. The first real patches of sand start to the south of Mariner's Monument around the square historic watch tower, Torre San Giovanni la Pedata. From there south, the beaches stretch along the provincial road that skirts the coast for miles, so you won't have a problem finding one! Some are free access beaches administered by the city of Gallipoli. At the southern end, the most famous and crowded is Baia Verde beach. Along the way you'll find other smaller concessions and sections of free beach, too. If you're looking for clubs and hot spots, in summer this is the place!

South of Baia Verde is Punta della Suina and the beginning of the nature preserve, Isola di Sant'Andrea. Punta della Suina has free and paid beaches, and a pretty tiny "island" with umbrellas and chairs, a pretty and unusual backdrop. Beyond Punta della Suina is Punta Pizzo, a low promontory that forms a bay, with low rocks and reefs interspersed with patches of sandy beach. It is part of the Sant'Andrea Island Nature Park, so a couple of kilometers are protected and kept in a natural state with coves, reefs and scrub-dotted dunes. Divers and snorkelers enjoy this area, but so do families looking for a quieter, less-crowded location.

North of Gallipoli

Going north on Lungomare Marconi, you'll find a small beach at the port. Beyond that, a bit out of the city, the road skirts the waterfront and there are low reefs that from the coastline where you can sun and swim (we recommend water shoes to make access easier). You won't find sandy beaches for several kilometers until you reach the pineta (pines) and dunes around Torre Sabea. From this point on toward the north, starting at Rivabella, then Padula Bianca, there are several miles of sandy beach that you cross through pines to reach. Here, free beach sections alternate with paid managed beaches with umbrellas, services, and restaurants, up to Lido Conchiglia.